Gather the family and get ready to soak in the holiday spirit at one of these amazing Chattanooga Christmas events. From meet and greets with Santa to family-friendly gingerbread baking classes, this list has everything you need to create a truly festive Christmas that rivals even the best Hallmark flick!
Chattanooga Christmas Events That Run All Season Long
1. Polar Express at the IMAX Theatre
November & December 2023
TN Aquarium IMAX Theatre
423-785-3037
In this new Christmas classic, a young boy rediscovers the magic of Christmas on an unbelievable train ride. Tickets are $10 for all ages.
2. North Pole Limited
Weekends in November and December 2023
Tennessee Valley Railroad, Chattanooga
(423) 894-8028
Enjoy a festive Christmas train ride where you and your family will be taken on an imaginative journey to the North Pole. Along the way, there will be songs, storytelling, treats, Santa, and more!
General admission evening tickets are $39 or $65 to ride in Santa’s private train car. Daytime tickets are $29 for general admission or $55 to ride with Santa.
3. Christmas Tea
Weekends in November and December 2023
Tennessee Valley Railroad, Chattanooga
(423) 894-8028
At this unique Christmas tea event, you’ll enjoy a scrumptious lunch with a nice selection of teas. The tea experience will be hosted in the depot.
This event does NOT include a train ride. Tickets are $45 per person.
4. Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland
November 6 – December 24, 2023
Bass Pro Shops, Chattanooga, TN
(423) 242-4000
FREE
At Bass Pro’s popular Christmas event, kids who visit Santa will score one FREE printed photo. Additional photo packages are also available for purchase.
In addition to pictures, there will be in-store games and activities for families to enjoy while they wait.
5. ICE! Featuring the Polar Express
November 10, 2023 – January 1, 2024
2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville
(615) 889-1000
This event will feature acres of gorgeous Christmas decor and a winter wonderland made entirely of ice. There will be sculptures, ice slides, games, and much more.
Event tickets are priced between $26 and $38 and vary by day. In addition to the ICE! attractions, The hotel will also offer a-la-carte activities including indoor snow tubing, ice skating, holiday shows, yummy festive treats, and craft activities.
6. Chattanooga Zoo’s Lantern Festival
November 16, 2023 – January 14, 2024 @ 5:30 p.m.
Chattanooga Zoo
(423) 697-1322
At the Asian Lantern Festival, guests will walk through a stunning wonderland of glittering animal lanterns. Sounds adorable, doesn’t it? Tickets are $23 for adults and $17 for children.
7. Holiday Treasure Hunt
November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024
NorthShore Chattanooga
FREE Participation
Join the NorthShore Merchants Collective on a fun and festive Christmas scavenger hunt. At the end of the hunt, participants can win gift baskets jam-packed with goodies and gift certificates.
To play, look for hidden treasures in various downtown shops. Then fill out an entry form with your guess inside each store. Each item that you submit correctly is another entry into the contest. View the link above for a map of participating businesses.
8. Enchanted Garden of Lights
Nightly from November 17, 2023 – January 6, 2024
(706) 820-2531
Rock City, Chattanooga, TN
Discover an over-the-top enchanted garden of Christmas lights with various themed rooms. Ticket prices are $32 for adults and $22 for kids.
9. Christmas Paint Night
November 18 & 25, 2023 + December 2, 3, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 30, 2023
Painting with a Twist
(423) 206-4545
Ring in the season with a fun painting project at Painting with a Twist. Their family paint days are designed to be easy enough for kids to participate too.
This season’s project choices include a reindeer, a penguin, a Grinch, a Christmas llama, a snowy winter scene, and more. Projects are priced from $40 – $63.
10. Nooga Lights
November 22 – December 31, 2023
12000 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy
Nooga Lights is a fun drive-through Christmas lights display. Tickets at the gate are $20 per car. Tickets are $15 with advanced online purchases.
11. EPB Holiday Lights
November 23, 2023 – January 31, 2024
10 West MLK Blvd., Chattanooga
FREE
The windows of the EPB building will be decked out in stunning holiday decor with animatronic elves depicting various scenes in Santa’s workshop.
12. Ice on the Landing
November 24, 2023 – January 28, 2024
Chattanooga Choo Choo Gardens
(423) 266-5000
This stunning open-air skating rink can only be enjoyed through the holiday season, so get your tickets while you still can! Tickets are priced at $12 for adults and $10 for children.
13. Parent-and-Me Gingerbread Class
November 25, 2023
The Sweet and Savory Classroom
(423) 661-8750
At these family-friendly Christmas baking events, guests will learn how to make a from-scratch gingerbread house. The class is priced at $94 for a parent-child pair.
14. Gingerbread Workshops
November 25-26, 2023 + December 2-3 & 9-10, 2023
Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga
(423) 756-2738
Satisfy your sweet tooth this Christmas at one of the Creative Discovery Museum’s gingerbread workshops. At this family-friendly event, guests will be provided with an array of fun supplies to help them craft their very own gingerbread houses.
There will also be warm cookies and smooth hot chocolate to help keep that energy up while you work! The cost is $78 per house and includes museum admission for up to 3 people.
15. Christmas Film series
Select Dates in November and December 2023
Walker Theatre, Chattanooga
(423) 757-5580
Take your holiday movies to the next level by watching them in the elaborate setting of Tivoli Theatre. The movies being played include Elf, A Christmas Carol, Home Alone, Polar Express, a Madea Christmas, National Lampoons Vacation, and more.
16. FREE Christmas Crafts
Sundays in November and December 2023
Michaels Craft Stores (All Locations)
Michael’s free seasonal craft classes include making paper Christmas stockings, a holiday banner, a holiday gift card holder, and more!
November Christmas Activities
17. Christmas on the Square
November 17, 2023 @ 5 p.m.
Main Street Cleveland
FREE
Christmas on the Square offers a variety of family-friendly activities including Santa photos, kids’ activities, ornament making, arts and crafts vendors, live music, a gorgeous tree lighting ceremony, and more.
18. Christmas Village Holiday Market
November 18-19, 2023 @ 10 am.m
323 Camp Jordan Parkway, Chattanooga
Come on down to the Christmas Village for free photos with Santa, food trucks, music, arts and crafts vendors, and more! Admission is $5 for ages 13 and up. Kids 12 and under are free.
19. Reindeer on the River & Lighted Boat Parade
November 24, 2023 @ 4 p.m.
Ross’ Landing, Chattanooga
FREE Admission
At this spectacular Christmas boat parade, attendees will be treated to a variety of quirky holiday light displays boater-style!
Santa will also be there with live reindeer for the most awesome photo ops ever. You can also enjoy themed games, activities, food trucks, entertainment, and more!
It’s no wonder this is one of the most popular Chattanooga Christmas events!
20. Christmas at the Farm
November 25, 2023 Canceled
Will Tree Farms, Ringgold, GA
This beloved family event is taking a break in 2023 and will return in 2024.
December Christmas Events
21. Holidays Under the Peaks
December 1- 31, 2023 (Closed on Christmas)
The Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga
(800) 262-0695
The aquarium will feature cute holiday decor sprinkled throughout, a scuba diving Santa, and holiday-themed educational programs throughout the month.
22. Gordon-Lee House Candlelight Christmas Tours
December 1, 2, 8, & 9, 2023
Historic Gordon-Lee House, Chattanooga
$10/ages 13and up, $2/under 12 and under
Tour the mansion to see it decked out in all its Christmas glory. In addition to the stunning decor, there will also be homemade cookies and hot apple cider.
23. DIY Gingerbread Woodcraft
December 2, 2023
Home Depot (All Locations)
FREE
Kids will use real tools to build a little wooden gingerbread house. All necessary supplies are included in this free event.
24. MainX24
December 2, 2023
Southside Community Main Street
FREE Admission With Optional Paid Activities
This 24-hour holiday celebration includes Christmas crafts, free cookies, a parade, character photos, a chili cook-off, live music, and more! Many of the events and activities are completely free while others have a small participation fee.
25. Chattanooga Holiday Market
December 2-3, 9-10, & 16-17, 2023 @ 10 a.m. (11 a.m. on Sundays)
Chattanooga Convention Center
(423) 756-0001
FREE Admission
A huge Christmas and holiday craft fair with over 200 vendors.
26. Tennessee Valley Railroad’s Hiwassee Holiday Train
December 2-23, 2023 (Weekends Only)
Delano Station
This year on the Hiwassee holiday train adventure guests will enjoy Christmas caroling, storytelling, chocolate milk, a gingerbread cookie, and a special visit from Santa.
Tickets are $24 for coach-class seating and $40 for first-class seating.
27. Holiday Jubilee
December 8, 2023 @ 5 p.m.
Read House, Chattanooga
(423) 266-4121
FREE Admission
At the Holiday Jubilee, guests will enjoy live music, free hot cocoa, cider, cookies, and cell phone photos with Santa. For $15 kids can visit the elf workshop where they will receive a bag filled with fun Christmas crafts.
28. PJs with Santa
December 8, 2023
Creative Discovery Museum
Enjoy a fun night with Santa by sharing your wish list, getting your Santa picture, making Christmas crafts, decorating cookies, and more! Tickets are $10.
29. Holiday Jubilee
December 9 & 16, 2023 @ 9 a.m.
Read House, Chattanooga
(423) 266-4121
FREE Admission
Enjoy a kid-friendly breakfast spread with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Adult tickets are $40 and children 10 and under are $28.
30. Scrooge
December 8-10, 14-17, & 28-31, 2023
Chattanooga Theatre Center
(423) 267-8534
See this Christmas classic live on stage. Tickets are $32 for adults and $27 for children.
31. Christmas Skate
Hamilton Skate Place
$10 (includes the cost of skates)
Hamilton Skate Place hosts awesome holiday events year-round. On the 4th there will be an all-ages Christmas PJ skate. On the 18th you can go skating with Santa.
32. Chattanooga Ballet’s The Nutcracker
December 8-10, 2023
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga
(423) 757-5580
See this popular Christmas classic come to life live on stage. Depending on the seats you choose, ticket prices range from $26 to $92.
33. DIY Holiday Delivery Truck
December 16, 2023
Lowes (All Locations)
FREE
Your little builder will use real toys to make an adorable holiday delivery truck that really rolls. This event is completely free, but pre-registration is required.
34. Home for the Holidays
December 16-17,2023
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga
(423) 757-5580
This live seasonal celebration, hosted by the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, features a variety of holiday and secular favorites. $15-$90 per ticket.
35. Christmas Lunch and Dinner Cruises
December 2, 9, 16, & 23, 2023
Southern Belle Riverboat
(423) 266-4488
On the Tis The Season Luncheon cruise guests seasonal live music and stunning scenic views of the TN River and Downtown Chattanooga. Of course, there will also be a generous buffet with steak, chicken, and a yummy selection of sides.
Adult tickets are $60. Children ages 3-12 are $40 and under 3 is $6.
Did we miss a fantastic Chattanooga Christmas event? Comment below with the details and we’ll add them to the list.
36. A Magical Cirque Christmas
December 26, 2023
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
(423) 757-5580
The high-flying stunts and acrobatics at this Christmas Cirque are sure to bring a magical ending to your holiday season. Tickets are available from $49 to $176.
37. Holiday Christmas Light Train
December 26, 2023 – January 7, 2024 + January 12-14, 2024
Tennessee Valley Railroad, Chattanooga
(423) 894-8028
Enjoy a scenic after-dark train ride through a stunning Christmas lights display. Ticket prices are $24 for adults and $15 for children.
Did we miss one of your favorite Knoxville Christmas events? Comment below so we can add it to the list.
38. The Illusionists: Magic Of the Holidays
December 27, 2023 @ 7:30 p.m.
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
(423) 757-5580
A quirky team of illusionists works together to bring you an entertaining night of family-friendly magic. Expect to pay $44 to $159 per ticket, depending on the seats you choose.
More East TN Family Fun
Erica has lived in East TN for over 10 years. She enjoys exploring this gorgeous region with her husband and 3 lively children. As a former teacher turned homeschool mom, she loves finding fun and affordable activities the entire family will love, especially if they cultivate a love for learning!