Free

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Free outdoor concerts every Friday night since 1988, rain or shine — food trucks, art, and family-friendly activities alongside the music. Runs May through July; off-season the rest of the year.

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Free entry. A riverfront farmers market in the heart of downtown, steps from Ross's Landing. Pay parking nearby.

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Free family event — climb aboard work trucks, emergency vehicles, and heavy equipment. Held alongside the Chattanooga Market with live music from Bella Lam and Zech Dallas.

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The 4th annual end-of-summer sendoff: food trucks, local vendors, lawn games, and music, then a free outdoor screening of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants overlooking the river.

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The 4th annual free end-of-summer bash: foam slides, rock climbing, a dunk tank, a hammock garden, bike rodeo, free carousel rides, fountain play, plus aerobics, painting, yoga, and orienteering workshops.

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Free community concert on the riverfront featuring Departure, the nation's most respected Journey tribute band, in their 18th year. Riverfront Parkway closes for the extended event.

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An evening specialty market with live music, gourmet food, and retail/specialty vendors at the historic Choo Choo. Free admission.

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Free weekly trivia with Trivia Guys — no reservations needed, weekly prizes for top teams.

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A free, family-friendly festival with food trucks, local vendors, live music, a KidZone with bounce houses and face painting, hayrides, and a pumpkin art contest.

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The final free Riverfront Nights concert of the season. Lineup for this date wasn't posted at the time of writing — check the official site closer to the date.

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A smaller satellite market with artisan food, locally made arts & crafts, and a featured food truck. Free and open to the public.

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An evening of mindfulness and outdoor movement with Outdoor Chattanooga, Rooted Paths Outdoor Club, and YZIN Meditation. The community walk is free and open to all paces; the guided meditation is optional, $5.

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A Labor Day weekend celebration with local food trucks, Chattanooga Market vendors, and live music from Stratoblasters. Free admission.

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A free Labor Day beach party from Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors — a huge waterslide, free popcorn, food trucks, face painting, sand pools, and an outdoor movie.

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The downtown library runs free early-literacy storytimes for babies through age 5 every Thursday morning — songs, books, movement, and a little craft. Drop in; no registration.

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A weekly drop-in mahjong afternoon at the downtown library — all experience levels welcome, tiles provided. Free.

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Free, family-friendly stargazing with the Barnard Astronomical Society — telescopes and monitors set up for the public. Weather-dependent; a go/no-go is usually posted 2–3 PM that day. Also runs Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12.

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Grand opening of a new ~15,000 sq ft farm-themed playground in East Brainerd, built as a universally inclusive play space — every play component, ground-level and elevated, is accessible. Free.

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Classic cars and trucks fill Rankin Avenue for the second-Saturday cruise-in, April through December. September's theme is Women 'N' Wheels. Free to look; about 45 minutes northwest of Chattanooga, and Dunlap is on Central time.

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The 12th annual vintage bike show — rows of restored classics, people's-choice voting (free to vote), prizes, and free admission for kids.

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The Chattanooga Market's Sunday session adds a live cook-off — local chefs build dishes on the spot from market ingredients picked up that morning. Free admission; paid lot parking; no pets indoors.

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The midweek edition of the Chattanooga Market — fresh produce, local food, and a rotating food truck, set up at the Erlanger medical mall. Free; pets aren't allowed.

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A weekly afternoon farmers market on the Choo Choo grounds — produce, local food, makers and a food truck. Free.

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New! High Point's annual bouldering competition, with climbing for every level plus games and prizes. Free to watch — come cheer on the climbers and catch the Open Final at 7 PM. Best for teens and active families; registration details are on High Point's event page.

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Free entry downtown on the riverfront. Sample plates from area restaurants, food trucks and makers ($1–$10 per taste), live music from the FHG Band 12–2, local vendors, a Community Choice vote for favorite food vendor, and a dedicated KidZone.

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Free admission and free parking. 150+ local vendors with crafts, gifts, seasonal décor and food, plus free family fun — inflatables, face painting, pony rides, fall crafts and games, and live music. Continues Sunday.

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The Master Gardeners of Hamilton County's annual fall festival — free this year. Vendors with plants, hand-crafted foods, and nature-inspired art, plus Master Gardener demos, children's activities, and food trucks. Free admission and parking.

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Free. Sing, move and listen to stories with kids ages 0–6 — a weekly Saturday program. Families can stay afterward to play with toys and books.

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Free zoo admission for Chattanooga Public Library cardholders 18 and under, plus hands-on library activities and storytime at 11 and noon. Bring the library card. Also runs Dec 20.

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Free admission. The Chattanooga Market's Sunday spotlight on the region's cultural communities — live music and dance from around the world, an international food court, and the regular market vendors. Pay lot parking on campus.

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Free admission and free parking. 150+ local vendors plus free family fun — inflatables, face painting, pony rides, fall crafts and games, and live music.

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New! Free daytime music on the lawn — a sound bath, then DJ sets through sunset, plus a local vendor market and food trucks. Free tickets required; all ages welcome, bring blankets and lawn chairs.

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Free admission. Thousands of fall-ready plants — natives, perennials, herbs, shrubs, trees and cool-season vegetables — plus local artisans, pollinator education, family-friendly activities, food trucks and live music (Friday and Saturday). Runs Sept 25–27.

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New! Free, self-guided tours of new homes from area builders — visit one or all at your own pace. Final weekend of the Parade (Sept 25–27); details on the HBAGC page.

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New! Free. Live music by The Beaters, food trucks, family games and pumpkin decorating. Bring your own chair. An end time isn't listed; the organizer asks guests to RSVP on their event page.

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Free admission. Fall plants of every kind, local artisans, pollinator education, family-friendly activities, food trucks and live music.

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New! Free. An easy guided walk along Poe Run Trail to Hidden Lake led by Chattanooga Chapter TOS guides, with complimentary coffee — bring binoculars and a mug or thermos. Details come from a listing that cites the chapter, so check the chapter's page if plans matter.

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A rain-or-shine mountain car show — all cars welcome, door prizes, and a free country breakfast from the fire department. Donations accepted.

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New! Free. A ribbon cutting on Hamm Road, then a community walk, bike ride, jog or stroller stroll along the brand-new, protected, flat trail into Renaissance Park. Bring bikes, walking shoes and the family.

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New! Free. The street outside the museum closes for a family block party built around play — hands-on activities, games, partner booths and outdoor fun for kids of all ages. The first Chattanooga National Park City Play Street.

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New! Free. Volunteers help restore the battlefield by clearing vegetation around Bald Hill and invasive plants along trails; the park supplies tools and protective gear. Wear long pants, long sleeves and closed-toe shoes and bring water. Contact the park's volunteer coordinator at 706-866-9241 to sign up.

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New! Free, self-guided tours of new homes from area builders — visit one or all at your own pace. Final weekend of the Parade (Sept 25–27); details on the HBAGC page.

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Free admission. Last day for fall plants, local artisans, pollinator education, family-friendly activities and food trucks.

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Free to attend. A weekly neighborhood farmers market — local produce, food and baked goods, coffee, flowers and handmade goods, plus community-resource tables. SNAP/EBT accepted, free parking, pets welcome, and a playground and lawn for kids. Runs year-round; check hilochatt.com heading into the new year.

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New! Free, self-guided tours of new homes from area builders — visit one or all at your own pace. Final weekend of the Parade (Sept 25–27); details on the HBAGC page.

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New! Free. Lyn Rutherford on garden-maintenance philosophy, part of Wild Ones' Ecological Gardening series — rescheduled from Sept 21.

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A free weekly drop-in art studio for kids and teens — drawing, painting and craft projects, materials provided.

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Free. Friday's lineup: The New Dismembered Tennesseans 5:30, East Nash Grass 6:35, Dan Tyminski Band 7:55 and The Travelin' McCoury's 9:15. Lawn chairs and blankets welcome (outside food and drinks aren't allowed); 18 local food trucks, wheelchair access near the stage, free shuttle until 11 PM. Downtown road closures Oct 2–4: Riverfront Parkway (Aquarium Way to under Hwy 27) closed Fri 7 AM–Sun 7 AM, plus Power Alley and part of Chestnut St — plan for heavier traffic and restricted street parking.

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New! Free, with registration required to reserve a seat. Cultural ornithologist, naturalist and poet Dr. J. Drew Lanham, author of The Home Place and Sparrow Envy, speaks on birding, nature and conservation — a good pick for older kids and teens.

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A free monthly art opening in the Southside arts district — new work on the walls, artists on hand, open to everyone. First Friday of each month.

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Free. Saturday's lineup: Randy Steele & High Cold Wind noon, Bronwyn 1, Mason Via 2, Big Richard 3, Appalachian Road Show 4:20, The Last Revel 5:40, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage 7 and Sam Bush 8:40. Lawn chairs and blankets welcome (no outside food or drinks); 18 local food trucks; free shuttle until 11 PM. Same-day Walnut Street Bridge reopening (noon–3) means heavier downtown traffic — see the City's closure list (Riverfront Parkway closed through 7 AM Sunday).

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New! Free. The Chattanooga Fire Department's Fire Prevention Week kickoff combined with the community center's fall festival — food, games and fire-safety education for the family.

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New! Free. A resource fair connecting students and families with local tutoring, mentorship, STEAM, arts, camps and career-exploration organizations. Supported by River City Company.

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New! Free. The 40th annual festival — 80+ vendors, two kids' areas with free face painting and a pumpkin patch, live music on the Main Street Stage, and food trucks.

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New! Free. Volunteer river cleanup at multiple Hixson sites (Chester Frost, Earthfare, Greenway Farm) — the organizer's page doesn't list a start time, so register and contact your site's zone leader for the meetup time. Also has Soddy-Daisy sites at Big Soddy and Thrasher & Frontage Road.

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New! Free market admission. Wing tastings from six local restaurants with audience voting, live music, and a celebrity hot-wing interview series — all benefiting the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. Paid parking on campus.

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Free. Kids explore famous artists and picture-book illustrators, then make their own artwork. All supplies provided. Held the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.

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Free. The library's monthly neighborhood pop-up: browse books to check out, sign up for a library card on the spot, and join an activity. All ages.

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New! Free and pet-friendly. A Halloween costume parade and contest for pets, plus pet vendors and rescues, artisan and food vendors, and family fun on the riverfront.

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Free admission, family friendly. An after-dark artisan market under twinkling lights with juried art and handmade goods from local makers. Live music: Mainstreet Jazz Combo 5-7 PM and Taylor Levin 8-10 PM. Specialty tastings are available separately from admission.

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The Tennessee Aquarium releases about 500 juvenile lake sturgeon, six to 12 inches long, into the Tennessee River — the 26th year of the reintroduction program.

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New! Free, all-ages STEAM festival — hands-on build stations, robotics, science and maker activities from groups like the UTC Challenger Learning Center, Girl Scouts and the Chattanooga Public Library, plus performances and food trucks.

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The Thursday evening market at The Shed with local artisans, makers and food vendors, plus the Creature Comforts beer garden. Free admission; paid parking nearby. Weekly since May 7 — the season end isn't posted, so check the market's page.

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A free after-school hangout for teens — video games, board games and snacks. Held select Thursdays.

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New! Free. The 5th annual Porchfest — neighborhood porches become stages all weekend. Friday opens with 65 North Pickers at White Duck Taco; Saturday starts with the family-friendly Rise & Strum at Tatum Park, plus a new Songwriter Showcase on the Anderson & Greenwood main stage.

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New! Free outdoor Shakespeare. Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets; seating is not provided. RSVPs aren't required but help the company send weather delay or cancellation updates. Also runs Oct 16, 17 and 23.

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New! Free. 800+ booths of juried art and craft work — stained glass, woodworking, candle making, jewelry, metal work, textiles — filling the small-town square. Worth the drive.

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A two-day apple festival (Oct 17–18) with craft and commercial vendors, a petting zoo, pony rides, trackless train rides, stage entertainment, inflatables and food trucks. Free admission and parking; rain or shine.

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Free German-style fall festival: oompah music, brats and pretzels, local artists, and contests for all ages (a brat toss at noon and an applause-judged Mr. & Ms. Oktoberfest contest at 3:45). It has a beer garden, which is for adults. Pay lot parking on site; no pets indoors, though the adjacent dog park is open. Also Sunday Oct 18.

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New! 100% free. A birthday block party with a Kids' Zone (inflatables, scavenger hunt, face painting, touch-a-truck, bubble machines), local bands, food trucks, free cake and cupcakes while supplies last, a book sale on every floor, a 4th-floor Maker Day and the Local Author Festival downstairs. Free parking in the EPB Garage; rain moves activities indoors. The 11th Street entrance may close at times because of construction.

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New! Free. A folklore festival honoring the legend of Ole Green Eyes, a ghostly figure tied to the Chickamauga battlefield — trolley rides around the battlefield, local lore and history, and oddities on display at Southern Shadows. About 20 minutes from Chattanooga.

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Day two of the 5th annual Porchfest — free music on porches across the neighborhood all day, plus a new Songwriter Showcase competition on the Anderson & Greenwood main stage.

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New! Free outdoor Shakespeare. Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets; seating is not provided. RSVPs aren't required but help the company send weather delay or cancellation updates. Also runs Oct 16, 17 and 23.

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New! Free, all ages, no dance experience needed. A day of performances and audience participation from Art 120 marking America's 250th — intergenerational dance at 11, a Bill of Rights performance at 1, and a 'Dance Clock' journey through musical eras at 3.

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The second day of the apple festival: vendors, a petting zoo, pony rides, trackless train rides, stage entertainment, inflatables and food trucks. Free admission and parking; rain or shine.

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Day two of the free German-style fall festival: oompah music, German food, local artists and contests for all ages. The beer garden is for adults. Pay lot parking on site; no pets indoors. The market's page doesn't say whether the regular Sunday Chattanooga Market runs alongside it.

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New! Free. 50+ vendors selling vintage clothing, jewelry, art and handmade goods, with $5 and $10 vintage piles, food trucks, coffee and baked goods. All ages welcome.

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New! Free, all ages. Interactive five-senses activity booths, local makers and food trucks, live performers, community art and a photo booth.

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A free community trunk-or-treat for young children in costume, hosted by Morning Pointe of Hixson with Life Care Center of Hixson and Hughes Farmers Market.

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New! Free outdoor Shakespeare. Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets; seating is not provided. RSVPs aren't required but help the company send weather delay or cancellation updates. ASL interpreters at this performance. Also runs Oct 16, 17 and 23.

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New! Free. About 50 local artists display and sell work between the Walnut Street and Market Street bridges, with community partners like Scenic City Clay Arts and the Photographic Society of Chattanooga. Also runs Sunday (noon-5). Plan for crowds and parking: the 7 Bridges Marathon, Chattanooga Jazz Fest and the IBMA conference overlap that weekend, bringing thousands of visitors downtown and to the Northshore.

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Free entry. A riverfront farmers market in the heart of downtown, steps from Ross's Landing. The final two markets of the season are Oct 24 and Oct 31 (none Oct 17, which is Oktoberfest weekend). Pay parking nearby.

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New! Free trees: City of Chattanooga residents and EPB customers can claim two trees per household, first come, first served. Choices include redbud, sourwood, southern magnolia, tulip poplar and shagbark hickory; some species run out within hours. Call 423-297-6208 after the event to ask what's left.

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A free, family-friendly day of live bluegrass downtown during IBMA World of Bluegrass — college bands, Kids on Bluegrass, local musicians, plus food and craft vendors.

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New! Free and family-friendly. Shakespeare's words paired with Tennessee and Hamilton County history, funded by an America 250 grant. Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets; seating is not provided.

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Day two — about 50 local artists display and sell work at Coolidge Park, free to attend. Plan for crowds and parking: the 7 Bridges Marathon, Chattanooga Jazz Fest and the IBMA conference overlap this weekend.

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New! Free. The second annual Jazz Fest — local jazz, blues and funk acts across the Choo Choo grounds, plus an all-day market of arts, clothing and food. An optional 21+ open jam afterparty follows at Wanderlinger Brewing, 7:30-9:30 PM.

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New! Free. One of the city's largest family Halloween events — 30+ churches and community groups handing out candy from decorated trunks, city vehicles on display, free CARTA and Dolly Bus rides, inflatables and food trucks.

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New! Free for families; registration required. A trick-or-treat night designed for children with mobility, developmental and sensory differences: reduced sensory stimulation, allergy-conscious treats and non-candy options, and accommodations so every child can take part comfortably.

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New! Free. A Halloween-themed sing-along with the Chattanooga Boys Choir, open to the public — costumes welcome.

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A free family Halloween block party hosted by First Things First: face painting, inflatables, activities, giveaways, candy and a DJ.

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New! Free. Four city community centers host Halloween parties and trunk-or-treats on Halloween night — open to the public, costumes encouraged.

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New! Free. The 39th annual block party — Treat Street trick-or-treating from 6 PM, a costume contest at 6:30 for all ages, live entertainment and food.

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New! Free, family-friendly. A not-so-scary trick-or-treat and costume parade through the Chattanooga Market — vendors hand out candy, with the costume parade at 1:30 on the Sunday Funday Stage. Pay lot parking on campus.

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One of the largest rowing regattas in the world — roughly 2,000 boats and thousands of rowers race a 5K course down the Tennessee River. Free to watch from Ross's Landing, the Riverwalk, and the Walnut Street Bridge.

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A free holiday vendor market hosted by Vonzara Inc.: indoor vendors, food trucks, kids' activities and face painting, hourly giveaways and free gift bags for the first 100 visitors. It's also a Toys for Tots drop-off, so bring a new, unwrapped toy. The organizer's page confirms the date and features; the time, venue and free admission come from event listings.

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The Chattanooga Market's indoor holiday edition — around 200 local and regional artisans. Free admission; runs this weekend and again Dec 19–20.

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The Chattanooga Market's indoor holiday edition returns for its second weekend — around 200 local and regional artisans. Free admission; pay parking nearby.

Parks & Recreation

Free weekly line dancing class for adults 55+ at Red Bank Community Center.

Family Fun

A free balloon glow and classic-car show at Point Mallard Park over Memorial Day weekend.

Parks & Recreation

A downtown skate park, currently closed for renovation.

Family Fun

A free fall festival with apple-themed treats, a petting zoo, pony rides, and 180+ vendors.

Family Fun

A free, family-friendly German-style festival with a biergarten, brats, and Oompah music.

History & Attractions

The visitor center for Chickamauga Battlefield, with exhibits on the battle.

Family Fun

A free German-style Christmas market with artisan vendors, Glühwein, and riverfront lights.

Parks & Recreation

Riverfront green space on the North Shore with a historic carousel, open lawn, and occasional live music.

Arts & Culture

Free public art you can actually dance — brass footprints set into the sidewalk along Frazier Avenue teach the waltz, twist, mambo and more, step by step.

Outdoor Fun

A free overlook with a wide rock slab and sweeping views of the river valley and mountains — part of the Signal Mountain trail network.

Outdoor Fun

A large nature park in East Chattanooga with trails for hiking and mountain biking.

Arts & Culture

A free monthly gallery crawl — 10+ downtown and Southside galleries and studios stay open late on the first Friday of each month.

Family Fun

Free weekly STEAM program for K-3rd graders at Chattanooga Public Library.

Outdoor Fun

A short, less-crowded hike to a trio of waterfalls on Lookout Mountain — about 1.2 miles round trip, roughly an hour with time at the falls.

Parks & Recreation

A community park in Hixson with walking trails and open green space.

Family Fun

A free dawn-and-dusk balloon festival at OWA in Foley, near the Gulf Coast — more of a weekend trip than a daytrip.

Outdoor Fun

A free 1-mile round-trip hike to panoramic Tennessee River Gorge views, with a glimpse of Julia Falls.

History & Attractions

The vehicle bridge next to Walnut Street Bridge — walk it too for some of the best photo angles of its famous pedestrian-only neighbor.

Parks & Recreation

A downtown park with the EPB Community Stage. The City's 2026 Noontunes lunchtime series ran Thursdays through Sept 24 and has now ended.

Live Music & Entertainment

The downtown plaza, stage and pavilion where Nightfall happens each summer. A different place than Miller Park next door — check what's actually scheduled before heading down.

Family Fun

A free evening balloon glow and laser show at Blount Cultural Park, with live music and a kids zone.

Family Fun

Free weekly music and movement time for ages 0-5 at Eastgate Library.

Live Music & Entertainment

Chattanooga's free Friday-night concert series at Miller Plaza (850 Market St). The 2026 season ran May 1 through July 31, so it is off until next spring.

Live Music & Entertainment

The City's free lunchtime concert series at Miller Park's EPB Community Stage — Thursdays through late summer. 2026's run ended September 24.

Family Fun

One of the nation's largest free holiday light displays, near the Smoky Mountains.

Parks & Recreation

A lakeside park in Soddy-Daisy popular for birdwatching and picnics.

Family Fun

Free weekly Pokémon League for all ages every Sunday afternoon at Epikos Comics, Cards & Games.

Family Fun

Free weekly storytime for ages 3-5 at Chattanooga Public Library branches.

Parks & Recreation

A quieter riverside park with wetlands, walking paths, and river overlooks.

Family Fun

A small family farm where you can feed and pet alpacas, with a coffee shop and boutique on site. Free admission; weekends only.

History & Attractions

An 8.8-acre riverfront park with a natural amphitheater, the Tennessee Aquarium plaza and a river pier — a regular home for big free festivals like 3 Sisters.

Parks & Recreation

A free, all-paces community run through Coolidge Park every Monday morning.

Arts & Culture

An outdoor sculpture park with rotating large-scale art installations.

Outdoor Fun

A free overlook of the Tennessee River Gorge, Chattanooga, and Lookout Mountain — no admission.

Family Fun

Free and low-cost ways to cool off: Coolidge Park's splash fountain, The Passage water stairs at Ross's Landing, and Warner Park's spray park next to the zoo.

Outdoor Fun

A natural creek with several free access points for wading and swimming through late September.

Family Fun

Popular local swimming holes, tested weekly for water quality through Labor Day — always check before you swim.

Parks & Recreation

A riverside park and trail system stretching along the Tennessee River.

Outdoor Fun

A paved path running for miles along the Tennessee River — walk, jog, or bike it in sections.

Outdoor Fun

A free festival celebrating the return of 20,000+ migrating sandhill cranes, with live raptor shows.

Arts & Culture

A folk-art garden of 50+ tiny castles, churches and cathedrals built from pebbles, shells and found materials, plus a one-mile trail. Free, donations welcome.

Arts & Culture

A free, colorful open-air art installation — hundreds of umbrellas suspended overhead between the Read House and the Westin.

History & Attractions

The restored historic pedestrian bridge across the Tennessee River, reopened Oct 3, 2026 after an 18-month renovation, connecting downtown and the North Shore.