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Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

Things to do in the Chattanooga area this weekend include Independence Day celebrations, Nightfall finale

Staff file photo / Emy Wagner runs with her flag during Collegedale's annual Freedom Festival on July 3, 2023. This year, Collegedale will host its Freedom Festival, beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday at The Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive.
Staff file photo / Emy Wagner runs with her flag during Collegedale's annual Freedom Festival on July 3, 2023. This year, Collegedale will host its Freedom Festival, beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday at The Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive.

This weekend is all about the Fourth of July, with celebrations taking place across the Chattanooga area, including Pops on the River in downtown Chattanooga, Fireworks Fest in Ringgold and the Freedom Festival in Collegedale. For more patriotic festivities, check out the Chattanooga Times Free Press Independence Day calendar. Outside of these events, there’s the season closer of Nightfall, artillery demonstrations at Lookout Mountain and more. Here’s the chronology.

ARTS

— Photographic Society of Chattanooga continues its spring show at the Gallery at Blackwell, 71 Eastgate Loop. Society members have their works on display and available for purchase. Gallery hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The exhibition will run through July 18. Learn more at chattanoogaphoto.org.

— Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St., continues “Fun on the Spectrum” in partnership with the Hart Gallery. The exhibition features selected works from the gallery’s artists. Library hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The exhibition will run through Aug. 30. Learn more at chattlibrary.org.

— Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, continues two exhibitions. In Gallery Five20, there is “Turn and Face the Strange,” an Asheville artist group show. In Gallery One11, there is “Gingerly Press,” featuring works by Lindsay Schmittle. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and by appointment Saturday-Sunday. The exhibitions will run through July 25. Learn more at creativeartsguild.org.