Hamilton and Bradley Counties
CHATTANOOGA MARKET APPLE FESTIVAL
WHEN / September 17
WHERE / First Horizon Pavilion, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / Join in the celebration of fresh-picked apples at the Chattanooga Market Apple Festival! Get ready to enjoy apple pie, apple butter, apple strudel, apple candles, and more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the First Horizon Pavilion. Come find your favorite apple treats, and check out local vendors and fall activities around this family-friendly market.
COST / FREE
INFO / chattanoogamarket.com, 423.565.9130
CRABTREE FARMS FALL PLANT SALE & FESTIVAL
Photo by Seth Shaffer/Courtesy of Crabtree Farms
WHEN / September 23
WHERE / Crabtree Farms, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / Enjoy fall festivities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 21st annual Fall Plant Sale & Festival. This family-friendly event offers a variety of sustainably grown edible, flowering, and medicinal plants plus some fruiting shrubs and trees, which are all perfect for a home garden. Attendees can also expect live music, hayrides, local vendors, and food trucks to round out the event.
COST / FREE
INFO / crabtreefarms.org, 423.493.9155
TENNESSEE WHISKEY FESTIVAL
Photo by Amy Kenyon Photography/Courtesy of Tennessee Whiskey Festival
WHEN / September 30
WHERE / First Horizon Pavilion, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / The 9th annual Tennessee Whiskey Festival celebrates distilled spirits crafted in Tennessee and beyond! Come sample some of the best distilled spirits around while enjoying live music, local cuisine, and products from area vendors. Attendees can select their preferred tickets to gain access to unlimited whiskey tastings, more food options, and early access.
COST / $40 and up
INFO / tnwhiskeyfestival.com
RUBY FALLS’ LANTERN TOURS: GHOST WALK EDITION
Photo Courtesy of Ruby Falls
WHEN / Select Sunday and Thursday nights from September to October
WHERE / Ruby Falls, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / Get in the Halloween spirit with an after-hours special edition Lantern Tour featuring ghost stories from the 94-year history of Ruby Falls and eerie Chattanooga legends. On the way to the waterfall, hear the tales and visit the sites of peculiar encounters, mischievous mayhem, and tragedy while exploring the cavern with a guide by the light of handheld lanterns. Advance online ticket purchase is required, and this event is not appropriate for children under the age of 12.
COST / $39.95
INFO / rubyfalls.com, 423.821.2544
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
Photo Courtesy of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church
WHEN / October 1
WHERE / St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, Ooltewah, TN
WHAT / All are welcome to visit the St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church for its annual Blessing of the Animals. This joyful event is conducted in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. Local vendors at the event will include a petting zoo, pony rides, hot dogs, and popcorn. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. pet parade to follow.
COST / FREE
INFO / sfaec.org, 423.238.7708
SOUTHERN BELLE FALL FOLIAGE SIGHTSEEING CRUISE
Photo Courtesy of Southern Belle
WHEN / October 1-Mid November
WHERE / Southern Belle Riverboat, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / Enjoy the autumnal wonders of the Tennessee River aboard this three-hour Southern Belle cruise. Guests will enjoy a live narration, pilot house tours, and magnificent views of the famous Tennessee River Gorge, known as the “Grand Canyon of the South.” Concessions will be available for purchase.
COST / $39.99/adults; $29.99/children 3-12
INFO / chattanoogariverboat.com, 423.266.4488
DREAD HOLLOW
WHEN / September 30-October 31,
Thursday – Sunday Nights + Halloween
WHERE / Dread Hollow, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / This award-winning haunted house experience is not for the faint of heart! Get ready to scream your way through Dread Hollow’s three all-new terrifying haunted houses and three horror-themed escape rooms complete with realistic special effects. Parental discretion is advised. Buy timed-entry tickets in advance online.
COST / $25 haunt admission includes all three haunted houses; Escape rooms $15 per person
INFO / dreadhollow.com, 423.800.0576
HALLOWEEN EERIE EXPRESS
WHEN / October 6-7, 13-15, 21-22, 27-29
WHERE / Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / This festive, vintage train ride is suitable for anyone looking for a gentler Halloween thrill during the fall season. This trip, designed specifically for families with younger children, includes interesting decorations, storytelling, cider, blacklight mini golf, and the 20-room Eerie Fun House. Children are encouraged to wear costumes, and mini pumpkins and goody bags will be provided to all children holding a Halloween Eerie Express ticket.
COST / $25 per person
INFO / tvrail.com, 423.894.8028
ROCK CITY’S ROCKTOBERFEST
Photo Courtesy of Rock City
WHEN / October 7-29, Saturdays and Sundays
WHERE / Rock City, Lookout Mountain, GA
WHAT / The 17th annual Rocktoberfest honors Rock City’s founder Frieda Utermoehlen and her German heritage. This fall event offers German music, food, specialty beer, and fun for the whole family. This year’s activities and entertainment will include live performances by The Wurstbrats, The Musik Meisters, Rock City Raptors Birds of Prey, Jerry the Mime, and caricature artist Dennis Hart.
COST / $29.95/adults; $19.95/children 3-12
INFO / seerockcity.com/rocktoberfest, 706.820.2531
CHATTANOOGA PRIDE FESTIVAL
WHEN / October 7-8
WHERE / The Chattanooga Convention Center, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / Join the Chattanooga Pride Festival to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community while promoting LGBTQ+ visibility, acceptance, and advocacy in the region. Attendees will enjoy a parade, live entertainment, music performances, vendors, food stalls, informational booths, and opportunities for community engagement.
COST / FREE
INFO / chattanoogapride.com
CHATTANOOGA OKTOBERFEST
WHEN / October 14-15
WHERE / First Horizon Pavilion, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / Don your favorite German attire for this year’s Chattanooga Oktoberfest. Enjoy two festive days of German food and tradition, including oompah music, craft brews, and local vendors. Visitors of all ages can also look forward to viewing and participating in the annual Mr. and Ms. Chattanooga Oktoberfest® Contest on Saturday evening.
COST / FREE
INFO / chattanoogaoktoberfest.com, 423.565.9130
BOO IN THE ZOO
WHEN / October 13-14, 20-21, 27-28
WHERE / Chattanooga Zoo, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / The Chattanooga Zoo’s annual Boo in the Zoo is a merry-not-scary Halloween event perfect for families with kids of all ages. Trick-or-treat stations, scavenger hunts, and costume contests will all be a part of this festive evening from 4 to 8 p.m.. Note that the zoo’s regular admission will close at 3:30 p.m. on event days.
COST / $10/members; $15/non-members; FREE/children 2 and under
INFO / chattzoo.org, 423.697.1322
BOO’Z IN THE ZOO
WHEN / October 19
WHERE / Chattanooga Zoo, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / Head to the Chattanooga Zoo for this fun, adults-only event. Boo’Z in the Zoo will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. (regular Zoo admission will end at 5 p.m.) and feature trick-or-treat stations, themed enrichment, and plenty of Halloween decorations. The price of admission for this 21+ event also includes a haunted carousel ride for even more spooky fun.
COST / $20/members; $25/non-members
INFO / chattzoo.org, 423.697.1322
MONSTER BASH
WHEN / October 20-21
WHERE / Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / Join the Creative Discovery Museum for this kid-friendly Halloween party from 6 to 8 p.m. Get dressed up in your favorite fun-not-frightening costumes, and explore the museum while enjoying themed activities, trick-or-treating, and games. Admission includes access to all the museum’s exhibits. This event is for Creative Discovery Museum members only.
COST / $10
INFO / cdmfun.org/events, 423.756.2738
THE CLEVELAND APPLE FESTIVAL
WHEN / October 21-22
WHERE / Courthouse Square, Cleveland, TN
WHAT / The Cleveland Apple Festival takes place each year on the Bradley County Courthouse Square. Come enjoy an arts and crafts show, live music, food booths, a petting zoo, the Apple Blossom pageant, and, of course, the apple dessert contest. Net proceeds are donated to nonprofit organizations in the Cleveland area.
COST / $8/adults; $5/seniors; $5/children 4-12;
FREE/children 3 and under
INFO / clevelandapplefestival.org
DRINK & DISCOVER: VAMPIRES AND VILLANS
WHEN / October 27
WHERE / Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / The Creative Discovery Museum will be open for adults only (21+) during this Halloween event. Wear your best costume and explore the museum with a drink in hand. Enjoy themed crafts and an immersive experience to unleash Dracula with friends. Admission includes access to the museum’s exhibits, one drink ticket, all activities, a souvenir cup, and snacks.
COST / $30 admission in advance; $5 for additional drink tickets
INFO / cdmfun.org/events, 423.756.2738
AQUASCARIUM
Photo Courtesy of Tennessee Aquarium
WHEN / October 27
WHERE / Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / Dress in your best Halloween costume and join in on a family-friendly celebration of all things scaly, spooky, and fun at Aquascarium, the Tennessee Aquarium’s trick-or-treating event. Ticket holders can enjoy themed decorations, costumed divers, music, candy, and more!
COST / Member and non-member rates, visit website for pricing
INFO / tnaqua.org/events, 423.267.3474
DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY
WHEN / October 31
WHERE / Courthouse Square, Cleveland, TN
WHAT / This Halloween block party is a family-friendly Downtown Cleveland tradition. From 5 to 10 p.m., visitors are invited to dress in costume and enjoy live music, games, food, and a costume contest. Mars Wrigley will also provide chocolate for visitors to gather on Treat Street.
COST / FREE
INFO / mainstreetcleveland.com, 423.479.1000
THANKSGIVING ON THE RIVER
WHEN / November 23
WHERE / Southern Belle Riverboat, Chattanooga, TN
WHAT / Cruise past the kitchen stress and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner on the river this year on the Southern Belle Riverboat. A traditional Thanksgiving meal will be provided, including roast turkey breast, carved ham, and all your favorite side dishes. Dessert and specialty drinks with also be available while you enjoy scenic Tennessee River views and live entertainment.
COST / $59.99/adults; $39.99/children 3-12
INFO / chattanoogariverboat.com, 423.266.4488