It's the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and if you're looking for a reason to get out of the house and do something this weekend, there are plenty of things to see and do in and around town.
And to make things a bit easier to navigate (as there are always a lot of things happening), The Pulse Event Guru Joseph Mosman highlights some of the most interesting weekend events.
Plus, you can always check out the Local Events Calendar for everything that is happening around the city. And if you have an upcoming community event, concert, gallery showing, sporting event, restaurant opening, etc., you can submit it to our calendar at no cost.
Festivals, Markets & More
Holidays at Ruby Falls. Discover the magic of the holiday season with festive decorations, twinkling holiday lights, and special activities inside historic Ruby Falls Castle. Add your handwritten holiday wish to the Forest of Wishes, where a blizzard of dreams blanket the trees. There will be seasonal treats, and hot cocoa beside the café’s cozy fireplace in the park’s limestone castle built in 1929. The main attraction is taking the guide-led walk to see the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. Afterwards, make sure to stay a little longer for a casual meal and local craft beer. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, November 28, and every Saturday and Sunday until December 28. $18.95-$41.95. Ruby Falls. 1720 S. Scenic Highway. Chattanooga, TN. rubyfalls.com
Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade. A cherished annual event that takes place the Friday after Thanksgiving for over the past four decades. Several extravagantly decorated boats light up the Tennessee River while on shore, thousands gather to get in the holiday spirit with pictures with Santa, live reindeer, and live music. There will also be a hot cocoa bar, mini-train rides, face painting/balloon animals, and holiday tunes. Free. 4-8 p.m. November 28. Free. Ross’s Landing. 100 Riverfront Parkway. Chattanooga, TN. rivercitycompany.com/reindeer-on-the-riverfront
Holiday Under The Peaks. A holiday themed experience at the Tennessee Aquarium, featuring an underwater wonderland that has holiday music and décor, as well as daily seasonal programming included with regular admission. There will also be a visit from SCUBA claus as he travels down from the North Pole every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the River Journey building from Nov. 29 to Dec. 21. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. November 28-December 28. $29.95-$39.95. Tennessee Aquarium. 1 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN. tnaqua.org
Rock City: Enchanted Garden of Lights. Celebrate the 31st year of the Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City where Rock City’s gardens turn into a festive winter wonderland, fit with over one million LED Christmas lights, festive food, and activities like visiting with Santa at Carter Cliffs or GingerGnome decorating. 4-10:30 p.m. Through January 4. $21-$38. 1400 Patten Road. Lookout Mountain, GA. seerockcity.com
Chattanooga Zoo’s Asian Lantern Festival: Forest of Fantasy. The Asian Lantern Festival is back this year with a brand new collection of hand-crafted silk lanterns. In the Forest of Fantasy, you'll discover fire-breathing dragons, mythical beasts, fairies, forest creatures and even Santa in his workshop. With over nearly 50 separate lantern displays featuring hand-crafted lanterns up to 26 feet tall, this experience is not one to miss. On the opening weekend, the zoo will be having special events, where you can make your own lantern craft from 5:30-8 p.m or watch the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu perform a traditional lion dance under Mimi's Pavilion at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Event hours are 5:30-9:30 p.m. Through January 17. Wednesdays-Sundays with a few extra holiday dates. $14-$23.50. The Chattanooga Zoo. 301 N Holtzclaw Ave. Chattanooga, TN. chattzoo.org/events/alf
Live Music
Cody Tinnin and Derek Dames Ohl. Colorado based artist, Cody Tinnin, is an IBMA- award-winning multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer for the progressive string trio Stillhouse Junkies. They went on to win the IBMA Momentum Band of the Year in 2019. Tinnin has taken on a solo career since then, writing incredible old time folk music. Just like Tinnin, Derek James Ohl is also based out of Colorado. Ohl is known for blending quirkiness with melancholy in his songs and has strong roots as an Americana musician. 6 p.m. November 28. $10. The Woodshop Listening Room. 5500 Saint Elmo Ave. Chattanooga, TN. thewoodshoplisteningroom.com
Amythyst Kiah. Born in Chattanooga, Amethyst Kiah is an incredible Grammy nominated singer-songwriter and banjo player who labels their own sound as Southern gothic and has been performing since 2010. She is known for blending folk, alt-country, blues, and roots rock. She is also a member of the all-female banjo supergroup Our Native Daughters, which earned a Grammy nomination for their album Songs of Our Native Daughters. 7 p.m. November 28. $31-$36. Songbirds. 206 West Main St. Chattanooga, TN. songbirdsfoundation.org
Allen Stone. Washing native, Allen Stone, has spent over fifteen years perfecting his “blue-eyed” R&B soul style. His lyrics often touch on socio-political issues and has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live and NPR’s Tiny Desk. Raised as the son of a pastor, his music has strong gospel roots, and he has built a devoted following through years of touring and powerful, high-energy live shows. 7 p.m. EST. November 30. $59.50-$388.50. The Caverns. 555 Charlie Roberts Road. Pelham TN. thecaverns.com
Comedy and Theatre
Jason Robinson. Robinson is known for his dynamic, high-energy sets and his commanding stage presence. He has a quick wit and throughout his years of touring has developed a style that is universal and great for all age ranges. He has also performed on Comedy Central and opened for the multi-platinum band Lonestar. 7 and 9:15 p.m. November 28-29. $22.49-$27.74. The Comedy Catch at the Choo Choo. 29 Station St. Chattanooga, TN. thecomedycatch.com
And remember, you can always check out the Local Events Calendar for everything that is happening around the city. Plus if you have an upcoming community event, concert, gallery showing, sporting event, restaurant opening, etc., you can always submit it to our calendar at no cost.