The Chattanooga Zoo’s annual event returns for seven nights – Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 – featuring trick-or-treating, character meet and greets, a bounce house, scavenger hunt and festive decorations. Popular characters like Elsa, Spider-Man and Moana will be on hand for photos, courtesy of Magic Lamp Entertainment. Boo in the Zoo runs 4–8 p.m. each night. Tickets
‘American Revolution’ screenings
WTCI PBS will present a series of free preview screenings of the latest documentary from filmmakers Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. In partnership with local libraries and community organizations, the events will give audiences an early look ahead of the film’s national broadcast premiere Nov. 16. Screenings are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library, Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Chattanooga Public Library downtown branch, Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Chickamauga Public Library and Monday, Nov. 3, at WTCI PBS Studios. The final event will include live Revolutionary War-era music performed by Tom and Fran Morley, along with presentations by the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
Red Bank in October
The city will host a lineup of community events featuring food trucks, live music and opportunities to shop locally. Food Truck Fridays will bring music and meals to Red Bank City Park Oct. 17 and 31. The Second Saturday Morning Market will return Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., offering goods from local vendors and artisans.
Fireside Concert Series
Chattanooga’s Parks and Outdoors Department will host its annual music showcase every Thursday evening at Greenway Farm Park in Hixson. The free, family-friendly series invites guests to bring blankets, chairs and picnic suppers to enjoy live acoustic music around a campfire beside the historic Sniteman Log Cabin. Concerts will run 7-9 p.m. The 2025 lineup features Tyler Andrew Lackey (Ayeyoty) Oct. 16, Owen Saunders Oct. 23 and Sam Dean Oct. 30. Parking will be available in the nearby field.
OCT. 18-19
Between the Bridges
The Association for Visual Arts will host its fifth annual local arts festival 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day in Coolidge Park between the Market and Walnut Street bridges. The event will be free and feature 40 booths showcasing AVA-affiliated artists, 15 booths from Scenic City Clay Arts and participants from H*art Gallery. The festival coincides with the 7 Bridges Marathon, so organizers encourage attendees to plan ahead for parking and consider walking from downtown. Launched in 2021, the festival highlights both established and emerging Tennessee Valley artists.
MONDAY, OCT. 20
Smith + Howard Golf Tournament
Smith + Howard will host its 2025 tournament at Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club. The annual event, launched in 2020, combines golf with charitable giving. This year’s tournament will direct all proceeds to the Boys & Girls Club of Chattanooga. The tournament will follow a four-man select shot format, with sign-in and breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. Play will start at 10 a.m., followed by lunch, awards and a raffle at 12:30 p.m. The venue is located at 809 James Boulevard in Signal Mountain. Register
Neighborhood Roundtable
The city of Chattanooga’s Department of Public Works will hold its next public discussion 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Chattanooga City Council Building (1000 Lindsay Street). The session will offer an overview of how the city plans, builds, maintains and protects infrastructure and the environment, with staff addressing streets, sidewalks, trees, garbage and recycling, development permitting, code compliance and stormwater management.
THURSDAY, OCT. 23
Frights & Pints
The Chattanooga Zoo will offer a Halloween celebration for adults from 6–9 p.m. The evening will feature a DJ, costume contest, beer and wine and a VIP ticket option that includes up-close animal experiences. General admission tickets include four drink tickets, while designated driver ticket holders are not permitted to consume alcohol. Tickets
SATURDAY, OCT. 25
Fire Up the Fields
Sculpture Fields at Montague Park’s signature fundraising event will blend art, music and food with the burning of a monumental wooden sculpture created by local artist Andrew Nigh. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with live music, food trucks and beverages. The sculpture burn is set for 8:30 p.m., followed by an afterparty until 10:30 p.m. Proceeds will help sustain the nonprofit’s mission of maintaining and operating the city’s 33-acre international sculpture park. Tickets
SUNDAY, OCT. 26
Chattanooga Jazz Festival
The Chattanooga Choo Ayyat will swing to the sounds of jazz, blues and funk 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free and open to the public, attendees can expect a full day of live performances, beginning with Lon Eldridge and continuing through a lineup that includes the Given Graber Trio, The Time Travelers, Jim Crumble Quartet, Dexter Bell and Friends, UTC Jazz Band and the Premier Jazz Orchestra. The celebration will continue with an official afterparty at Wanderlinger Brewing 6:30-9:30 p.m. featuring Jared White and Friends. With support from the Lyndhurst Foundation, Arch Audio Studios, River City Company, Songbirds, Barking Legs Theater, WUTC 88.1 and Clean Right Solutions, the festival expects around 2,000 attendees. Sponsorship opportunities are available until Oct. 3. Information
SATURDAY, NOV. 1
Cane Car Show
Held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 2015 Ooltewah-Ringgold Road in Ooltewah, this event is open to the public. Proceeds will benefit the Forgotten Child Fund, which provides gifts and support to local children in need during the holiday season. This year’s show will feature classic, antique and modified vehicles, along with free food, raffles and games. Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 vehicles. The event is being planned and promoted by students in Coraleigh O’Neal’s East Hamilton High School Introduction to Business and Marketing class.