We might not get crisp white snow to celebrate Christmas in this part of the country, but that encourages us Noogans to celebrating twice as hard, all season long. And the great news is that it’s all here in Chattanooga. So please, while you are pulling out holiday decorations, start marking your calendars and making way for Santa. From crafts and shopping, to magical rides, below you will find many fun events to take the family to this winter season.
Hope to see you all at these many events. And while the holidays can increase our stress levels, let’s try to stay merry and remember what this season is all about!
Christmas Jams
Chattanooga Tuba Christmas
11/27/16
Registration $10.00 – All participants will have free admission to the park for themselves and one additional person.
Join fellow tubists as they lead a TubaChristmas ensemble. This year conductor Jayna Daniels will lead and provide guests with a festive session this year. For more information you can visit www.tubachristmas.com.
Chattanooga Boys Choir Holiday Event 423-634-2299
12/3/16
12:00 pm & 5:30 pm
Ticket prices vary by theatre seat purchased. Prices range is $15 – $40.
The 53rd Annual Singing Christmas Tree at the Tivoli Theater downtown, along with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Youth Orchestra and Ballet Tennessee. For more information you can visit http://www.chattanoogaboyschoir.org, or call 423-634-2299.
Caroling with the Fishes
12/4/16
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Members are free. Non-member prices are as follows: Children, $9.50 and Adults $14.50
Gather with your family at the Tennessee Aquarium to carol with the fishes, waddle with the penguins and bring in the holiday spirits. There will be a chance to take a photo with Santa and enjoy holiday shopping in the gift shop. For more information you can contact them at 423-267-3474 or visit their website.
The Nutcracker by Chattanooga Ballet
12/9/16, 12/10/16 and 12/11/16
8:00pm – 10:00pm
Adult Tickets $18-$29, discounts for children and seniors
For a more classical holiday experience, join the Chattanooga Ballet as they present Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. In conduction with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, The Chattanooga Ballet, and the Tivoli Theater, the night will be staged in the most magical way ever. For more information you can contact 423-265-0617, or visit their website.
Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s Concert: Home for the Holidays
12/17/16 – 7:30pm – 9:30pm
12/18/16 – 3:00pm – 5:00 pm
Tickets vary based on seats. Prices range from $15-$83.
Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will feature the Chattanooga Boys Choir celebrating this holiday “Through a Child’s Eyes.” While this event’s prices seem a bit hefty, this is a family-friendly spirited special. For more information you can contact 423-267-8583.
Christmas Diversions
Ice On The Landing at Choo Choo Gardens
11/18/16-1/16/17
11am – 11pm
We all dream of attending Disney on Ice, and while that is nearly impossible during Christmas season, have no fear. Chattanooga’s outdoor ice skating rink will give you an equally unique experience this holiday. Make sure to visit this event multiple times with the family, as special themes will take place, along with appearances by Santa. What’s even more fantastic is that this event will rotate a schedule to help benefit not-for-profit groups. For more information you can call 423.265.0771, or visit their website.
**New location this year! Meet the ice at the Outdoor Gardens of Chattanooga Choo Choo.**
Tennessee Valley Railroad’s North Pole Limited Adventures
Weekends in December
5:30pm – 9:30pm
Choo Choo! Get ready to hop on board the locomotive that will bring you along for an enchanting trip to the North Pole. This fun event will include private storytelling, caroling, and more importantly, a visit from Santa! For more information you can call 423-8940-8028, or visit their website.
Rock City Garden: Enchanted Garden of Lights
11/18/16 – 12/31/16 (Closed Christmas Eve Night)
11am-9pm
Weekend Prices for adults are $22.95, and for children (ages 3-12) $12.95.
Weekday Prices for adults are $19.95, and for children (ages 3-12) $11.95.
In addition you can add $10 to adult tickets, and $5 to children tickets to add a Rock City daytime tour.
Come take a tour through Rock City’s Garden and enjoy magical lights and a world of enhancement. This year for the very first time, you can choose to partake in the new path or stick with the traditional route where you can meet any of your favorite holiday characters. From Santa and Mrs. Claus to Ice Queen, Jack Frost, Frosty the Snowman, Rocky the Elf, and Jerry the Toy soldier mime. Kids will have an abundance of activities from which to choose: gingerbread cookie decorating, sugar plum fairy makeovers featuring glitter tattoos, or design your own stocking and ornaments. For more information you can call 706-820-2531, or visit .
Creative Discovery Museum: Snow Day
11/19/16
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Adult & Children Ticket Prices are $13.95 each.
Whether the Tennessee forecast is for snow or not, the Creative Discovery Museum will make sure we can celebrate a white Christmas, all while enjoying a festive holiday performance by Tempo Dance Studio. Children will be able to participate in wintery activities such as crafts, face painting, hot cocoa, a dance party and so much more. For more information you can contact 423-756-2738, or visit their website.
Southern Belle Riverboat’s Breakfast with Santa
12/5/16 & 12/19/16
Starts at 9:30
Get your kids sugared up for Santa during a pancake breakfast on the Southern Belle Riverboat. After bellies are full, a live magical show will take place to let the kiddos tell Santa their ultimate wishes. For more information you can contact 423-266-4488, or visit their website.
Ruby Falls’ Christmas Underground
12/1/16 through 12/18/16 – Thursdays to Sundays
12/19/16 through 12/23/16 – Daily
Adult ticket prices: $11.95, children (ages 3-12) $11.95, and children 2 and under are free.
Enjoy Christmas in a new and exciting way underground at Ruby Falls. This magical adventure is a family event that leads to a secret ice cave, which then leads to the North Pole to meet Santa. In addition, families will be able to see the Northern Lights, the Sugar Plum Fairy Village, partake in carriage rides and much more. Don’t miss out on this great experience. For more information you can call 423-821-2544, or visit their website.
PJs & The Polar Express at the IMAX Theatre
12/17/16-12/18/16
9:30 am – 11:45 am
Non-member prices: Adult tickets $13.95, Children tickets $10.95
Member prices: Adult tickets $11.95, Children tickets $8.95
Come join the Tennessee Aquarium celebrate how close Christmas is. Make sure to wear your favorite holiday pjs to cuddle, sip hot cocoa, and eat muffins, all while enjoying a holiday movie. Hold onto your seats though, because you will have a chance to meet the conductor of the Polar Express in person. For more information you call 423-267-3474, or visit their website.
Christmas Nooga Festivals
Mainx24
12/3/16 – 12/4/16
Starts at 9:00 am
Free – The actual festival is free, however small shops will be open for purchasing holiday items.
Come see how much Chattanooga loves Christmas during Mainx24, a 24-hour holiday festival. Over one hundred events will be taking place throughout the day, including performances, artists, merchants and residents celebrating. Come see Santa at the Choo Choo.
Holiday Market
Every weekend from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. During this month, the market will take place indoors at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
Come visit different vendors to complete your holiday shopping. While shopping you will be able to enjoy live entertainment as well as visits from Santa checking to see if you have been naughty or nice. For more information you can call 423-648-2496, or visit their website.
[…] off of trying to have a plan or craft for every single day of December. (Helpful tip: Use this post of great holiday activities around Chattanooga as a jumping off […]
[…] This is my top-of-the-list must-do! There will be plenty of “oohs” and “aahs” as you make your way through this award-winning lights display. With more than 30 different light scenes, plus festive entertainment, activities and food, this truly is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss. (Also mentioned in Nadine’s Chattanooga Holiday and Christmas Events List.) […]
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