Gather the family and get ready to soak in the holiday spirit at one of these amazing Chattanooga Christmas events happening in 2022. 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!
Most events are totally kid-friendly and take place during the day or early evening. If you are looking for a Christmas-themed date night, a few of the events take place after dark and are geared more toward adults. Find your perfect event below.
Season-Long Chattanooga Christmas Events 2022
This year more than ever, please confirm that the event is still going on before you show up. These are crazy times. In 2020, an event could get canceled the morning it’s supposed to happen. But we’re going to keep our attitudes positive and say that probably won’t happen. Merry Christmas!
1. From-Scratch Gingerbread Houses and Christmas Treats Workshops
- Throughout November and December 2022 (select dates)
- The Sweet and Savory Classroom
- varies based on the chosen class
At these family-friendly Christmas baking events, guests will learn how to make a from-scratch gingerbread house, Christmas cookies, or sweet yeast bread. Classes are available for all people ages 12 and older. There are also parent-and-me classes for kids 5 and up.
2. Polar Express at the IMAX Theatre
- Throughout November & December 2022 (select dates)
- TN Aquarium IMAX Theatre
- $8-$10
In this new Christmas classic, a young boy rediscovers the magic of Christmas on an unbelievable train ride.
3. Gingerbread Workshops
- Throughout November and December 2022 (select dates)
- Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga, TN
- $55/per house (includes museum admission)
Satisfy your sweet tooth this Christmas at one of the Creative Discovery Museum’s gingerbread workshops.
At these family-friendly events, guests will be provided with an array of fun supplies to help them craft their very own gingerbread houses.
There will even be warm cookies and smooth hot chocolate to help keep that energy up while you work!
4. Christmas Paint Night
- Throughout November and December 2022 (select dates)
- Painting with a Twist
- $38-$56 per project
Ring in the season with a fun painting project at Painting with a Twist. There will be a variety of different projects to choose from throughout the months of November and December.
5. Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland
- November 6 – December 24, 2022
- Bass Pro Shops, Chattanooga, TN
- 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.
6. Chattanooga Zoo’s Lantern Festival
- November 10, 2022 – January 15, 2023
- Chattanooga Zoo
- $17-$22
At this quirky Christmas event, guests will walk through a stunning wonderland of glittering animal lanterns. Sounds adorable, doesn’t it?
7. Holiday Treasure Hunt
- November 17, 2022 – January 3, 2023
- NorthShore Chattanooga
- FREE admission
Join the NorthShore Merchants Collective on a fun and festive Christmas scavenger hunt. At the end of the hunt, the winners will 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. North Pole Limited
- November 18 – December 23, 2022 (select dates)
- Tennessee Valley Railroad, Chattanooga
- $29-$65 per ticket
On the North Pole Limited, you and the kiddos will enjoy a magical Christmas-themed train ride with Santa, sweet treats, storytelling, and more!
9. Enchanted Garden of Lights
- Nightly from November 18, 2022 – January 1, 2023
- Rock City, Chattanooga, TN
- prices vary by day
Discover an over-the-top enchanted garden of Christmas lights with various themed rooms.
10. Ice on the Landing
- November 18, 2022 – January 29, 2023
- Chattanooga Choo Choo Gardens
This stunning open-air skating rink can only be enjoyed through the holiday season, so get your tickets while you still can!
11. Christmas Tea & Train Ride
- November 19 – December 31, 2022 (select dates)
- Tennessee Valley Railroad, Chattanooga TN
- $55
At this unique Christmas event, you’ll enjoy a scrumptious lunch with a nice selection of teas. The tea experience will be hosted in the depot and will be followed by a scenic 65-minute train ride.
November Christmas Activities Chattanooga TN
12. Christmas on the Square
- November 19, 2022
- Main Street Cleveland, TN
Christmas on the Square offers a variety of family-friendly activities including Santa photos, arts and crafts vendors, live music, carriage rides, a gorgeous tree lighting ceremony, and more.
13. Christmas Village Holiday Market
- November 19-20, 2022
- 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, Chattanooga
- $5/over age 12, FREE/kids 12 and under
Come on down to the Christmas Village for free photos with Santa, food trucks, music, arts and crafts vendors, and more!
14. Reindeer on the River & Lighted Boat Parade
- November 25, 2022
- Ross’ Landing, Chattanooga
- FREE to view
This spectacular Christmas boat parade is one of the most popular Chattanooga Christmas events! 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.
Of course, there will also be themed games, activities, food trucks, entertainment, and more!
15. Christmas at the Farm
- November 26, 2022
- Will Tree Farms, Ringgold, GA
- FREE Admission
At this fantastic Christmas event near Chattanooga, guests will enjoy visits with Santa, kids’ activities, a petting zoo, Christmas lights, yummy seasonal drinks, a bonfire, and more!
December Christmas Events in Chattanooga TN 2022
16. Gordon-Lee House Christmas Tours
- Select Saturdays in December 2022
- Historic Gordon-Lee House, Chattanooga
- $5/ages 13and up, $1/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.
17. PJs with Santa
- December 2, 2022
- Creative Discovery Museum
- $20/adult, $10/child
Enjoy a fun night with Santa by sharing your wish list, getting your Santa picture, making Christmas crafts, decorating cookies, and more!
18. MainX24
- December 3, 2022
- Southwide Community Main Street
- FREE Admission with optional paid activities
This 24-hour holiday celebration includes Christmas crafts, cookie decorating, character photos, live music, more! There is also a variety of non-Christmas events like a chili cookoff, a big wheel parade, games, and much more!
Many of the events and activities are completely free while others have a small participation fee.
19. Tennessee Valley Railroad’s Hiwassee Holiday Train
- December 3-18, 2022 (weekends only)
- Delano, TN
- $24 – $40/per person (depending on the seat you choose)
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.
20. Chattanooga Holiday Market
- December 3-4, 10-11, & 17-18, 2022
- Chattanooga Convention Center
- FREE Admission
A huge Christmas and holiday craft fair with over 200 vendors.
21. Christmas Skate
- TBA 2022
- 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.
22. Chattanooga Ballet’s The Nutcracker
- December 9-11, 2022
- Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga
- $19-$75
See this popular Christmas classic come to life live on stage.
23. Home for the Holidays
- December 17-18, 2022
- Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga
- $15-$90/adults, $10-$45/kids
This live seasonal celebration, hosted by the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, features a variety of holiday and secular favorites.
24. The Worst Christmas Pageant Ever
- December 9-18, 2022 (weekends only)
- 400 River Stree Chattanooga, Chattanooga Theatre Centre Mainstage
- $10 – $20
In this all-ages Christmas comedy, the whole town works together to save the annual Christmas Pageant.
25. Christmas Lunch and Dinner Cruises
- December 2, 9, 16, & 23 2022 (sold out)
- Southern Belle Riverboat
- $37/adults, $20/children
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.
Did we miss a fantastic Chattanooga Christmas event? Comment below with the details and we’ll add them to the list.
