Get set for a holiday adventure in Chattanooga with our guide. Discover all the top festive events and activities. Whether you're intimately familiar with Chattanooga or just getting acquainted, our guide maximizes your seasonal enjoyment.
Popular during the holiday season, the Enchanted Garden of Lights transforms the Lookout Mountain into a dazzling display of twinkling lights and festive cheer. In addition, the Asian Lantern Festival showcases stunning handcrafted lanterns that celebrate diverse cultures and illuminate the Chattanooga landscape. And the Noogalights is something you definitely don't want to miss, providing a magical experience filled with lights across the city. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Chattanooga
- Enchanted Garden of Lights (Lookout Mountain)
- Asian Lantern Festival
- Noogalights (Soddy Daisy)
- North Pole Limited Adventures Train
- Chattanooga Christmas Village Holiday Market (East Ridge)
- Holidays at the Chattanooga Choo Choo
- Christmas Tea Train
- Ruby Falls Christmas
- Holidays Under the Peaks
- Christmas Carol Dinner Cruises
See these and even more events listed below!
Chattanooga Holiday Light Displays
Enchanted Garden of Lights
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light display with interactive Santa experience.
Description:
Walk through Rock City Gardens' winter display featuring over a million sparkling lights, including a 43-foot walk-through tree of lights, and experience an all-new Santa experience with two photo opportunities.
Where: Lookout Mountain | More Info: Enchanted Garden of Lights
Asian Lantern Festival
What to Expect:
Interactive lantern displays with dynamic lighting and fog effects.
Description:
The Asian Lantern Festival at Chattanooga Zoo features over 40 hand-crafted Asian lantern displays, including dinosaurs, rainforest animals, and other immersive decorations. The event offers dynamic and interactive displays that move, expel fog, change color, flash, and shimmer. Exclusive gift shop items and special activities like Santa visits add to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Asian Lantern Festival
Noogalights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with themed lighting displays.
Description:
NoogaLights offers two unique light shows in Chattanooga: a Halloween walk-thru at the Choo Choo and a Christmas drive-thru in Soddy-Daisy, featuring state-of-the-art lighting designs synchronized with music.
Where: Soddy Daisy | More Info: Noogalights
Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Live reindeer and Santa with a festive Lighted Boat Parade.
Description:
Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade features live reindeer, Santa, a hot cocoa bar, mini-train rides, fire pits, face painting, and a spectacular Lighted Boat Parade with fireworks.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade
Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
What to Expect:
Award-winning illusionists Scott & Ana perform magic shows.
Description:
The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, GA, transforms into a spectacular holiday light show featuring Christmas music, arts and crafts, food, and entertainment. Enjoy photo opportunities and a visit with Santa Claus.
Where: Hiawassee | More Info: Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
Chattanooga Holiday Markets and Shopping
Chattanooga Christmas Village Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Indoor holiday market with free Grinch and Santa photos.
Description:
The Chattanooga Christmas Village Holiday Market is an indoor event at Camp Jordan Arena featuring over 140 vendors, free pictures with the Grinch and Santa, and a variety of food options.
Where: East Ridge | More Info: Chattanooga Christmas Village Holiday Market
Chattanooga Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Live holiday music performances by local big bands.
Description:
The Chattanooga Holiday Market at the Chattanooga Convention Center features over 200 local food vendors, artists, and crafters offering unique gifts and festive preparations. Shoppers can find one-of-a-kind pottery, custom art pieces, handcrafted jewelry, local foods, natural bath and body products, and locally designed apparel. The event includes live holiday music performances daily.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Chattanooga Holiday Market
Christmas Made in the South
What to Expect:
Vibrant display of handmade crafts and gourmet delights.
Description:
Christmas Made in the South is a premier fine arts and crafts festival featuring hundreds of artists and craftsmen showcasing unique handmade items, including pottery, glasswork, jewelry, and gourmet food.
Where: Dalton | More Info: Christmas Made in the South
Christkindlmarkt
What to Expect:
German-European inspired decorations and traditional foods.
Description:
Step into a world filled with the aroma of gingerbread and the sound of carols. The grounds will be covered in twinkling lights guiding you through charming booths adorned with intricate crafts and unique treasures. Lanterns, candles, and other German-European inspired decorations will make you smile. Enjoy famous gluhwein and other amazing foods, drinks, and treats.
Where: Collegedale | More Info: Christkindlmarkt
Chattanooga Holiday Shows and Entertainment
North Pole Limited Adventures Train
What to Expect:
Special visit from Santa with hot chocolate and cookies.
Description:
Embark on a festive journey to the North Pole with North Pole Limited Adventures Train, featuring hot chocolate, cookies, storytelling, and a special visit from Santa.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: North Pole Limited Adventures Train
Christmas Carol Dinner Cruises
What to Expect:
Special appearance by Santa and live music.
Description:
Join the Southern Belle Riverboat for a Christmas Carol Dinner Cruise featuring live music, Santa's special appearance, and a buffet-style dinner with pilothouse tours.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Christmas Carol Dinner Cruises
CHA Ballet’s The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with symphony and opera.
Description:
CHA Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a classic ballet performance featuring the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, with elaborate sets and costumes.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: CHA Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Light Up Blue Ridge & Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Annual holiday celebration with a festive parade and tree lighting.
Description:
Light Up Blue Ridge & Christmas Parade is a family-friendly holiday event featuring a Christmas parade, strolling entertainment, food vendors, and a tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Blue Ridge | More Info: Light Up Blue Ridge & Christmas Parade
Chattanooga Other Holiday Activities
Holidays at the Chattanooga Choo Choo
What to Expect:
Fine dining on a historic train ride.
Description:
Savor a four-course meal aboard restored dining and pullman cars while enjoying a leisurely train ride through urban East Chattanooga. The Christmas Dinner Train offers exceptional customer service and delicious food in historic dining cars, making it a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Holidays at the Chattanooga Choo Choo
Christmas Tea Train
What to Expect:
High tea experience with optional train ride.
Description:
Indulge in a delightful selection of teas, savory bites, and sweet treats, including freshly baked scones, in the charming upstairs viewing room of Grand Junction Depot. After tea, explore the holiday decorations around the property and take a memorable train ride on the Missionary Ridge Local.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Christmas Tea Train
Ruby Falls Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with underground waterfall and Santa visits.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Ruby Falls with twinkling lights on the Village Plaza, festive cheer in historic Ruby Falls Castle, and special activities like adding your holiday wish to the Forest of Wishes and taking a keepsake professional photo with Santa. Enjoy a casual meal, local craft beer, tasty treats, and hot chocolate by the fireplace in the Castle Cafe.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Ruby Falls Christmas
Holidays Under the Peaks
What to Expect:
Interactive animal encounters and SCUBA Claus diving.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at the Tennessee Aquarium with seasonal decorations, holiday music, and special events like SCUBA Claus diving and The Polar Express 3D screenings. Explore themed animal encounters and interactive experiences throughout the River and Ocean Journey building galleries.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Holidays Under the Peaks
Santa’s Hiwassee Holiday Train
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with Santa visit and festive treats.
Description:
Take a round-trip one-hour and 15-minute ride along the beautiful Hiwassee River Gorge. Write a letter to Santa, enjoy a gingerbread cookie and chocolate milk, and receive a special visit from Santa. Each passenger will receive a keepsake boarding pass and holiday bell.
Where: Chattanooga | More Info: Santa’s Hiwassee Holiday Train
Enchanted Island of Lights
What to Expect:
Family-friendly amusement park with diverse rides and attractions.
Description:
Enchanted Island offers a variety of rides, attractions, and activities for families, including the C.P. Huntington Train, Encanto Carousel, and Splash Zone. All rides take tickets that can be purchased on-site, and special passes are available for the best value.
Where: Cherokee | More Info: Enchanted Island of Lights
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- East Chattanooga (4 miles)
- East Ridge (4 miles)
- Cleveland (26 miles)
- Dalton (27 miles)