Join The Chattery for an evening of shopping at local Black-owned businesses. The event begins Friday at 6 p.m. at the organization’s temporary space at 231 Broad St. Founded in 2014, The Chattery offers affordable classes to the Chattanooga community. Information
Feb. 28
Chambliss Mardi Gras Gala
Chambliss Center for Children will host its annual gala at The Read House Hotel in downtown Chattanooga. The event will feature Cajun cuisine, live Dixieland jazz and a silent auction. The evening will support Chambliss Center for Children’s programs, which provide affordable and accessible care to over 750 children. Reservations
March 1
Arbor Day Celebration
The Chattanooga Tree Commission and the city of Chattanooga’s Urban Forestry Program will host a volunteer tree planting event during Chattanooga’s Arbor Day celebration at the Washington Hills Community Center at 4628 Oakwood Drive. Volunteers will plant 36 container-grown trees on the grounds and along Oakwood Drive. The event will begin at 9 a.m. Arbor Day recognition will commence at 11:30 a.m. Local and state officials will be on hand to recognize Chattanooga’s status as a Tree City USA honoree. Register to volunteer
March 1
AmuseUm 2025
Creative Discovery Museum will host AmuseUm 2025: A Cosmic Leap March 1. The day will begin with STEAM-based activities for children lasting from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tickets: cdmfun.org/amuseum-junior. An adults-only fundraiser featuring an intergalactic adventure park will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets: cdmfun.org/amuseum. Due to these events, the museum will be closed to the public all day.
March 13
Bach Choir Gala
The 2025 event and silent auction will begin at 6 p.m. at The Westin Chattanooga. Music will be performed at the cocktail casual event. Tickets
March 14
Dinner of Distinction
Erlanger’s annual celebration will take place at The Westin Chattanooga. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a welcome reception. Dinner and the program will follow at 7 p.m. The Dinner of Distinction recognizes physicians and community leaders who have made outstanding contributions to health care and the greater Chattanooga community. This year’s honorees include: Dr. Michael Carr, pediatric surgeon with University Surgical Associates; Dr. James Haynes, dean of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine; Dr. Alvaro Valle, surgeon with University Surgical Associates; Dr. Kelly Arnold with Clinica Medicos, who will receive the Gordon Street Distinguished Community Leader Award for her service to underserved communities. Sponsorship information and ticket sales
March 8-April 13
Chattanooga River Market
The market will be open Saturdays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. along the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza. Visitors will find woodworking, jewelry, soaps, candles, handmade apparel, pet items, artisan foods and more. Each day will feature a local food truck and live music.
March 15
Culture on 4
The city of Chattanooga’s Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy will present writer and poet Ishmael Reed at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Chattanooga Public Library. Reed will engage in a conversation with local entrepreneur Lakweshia Ewing. This event is free and open to the public. Information
March 22
Food Truck Festival
Food Truck Festivals of America will host the Chattanooga Food Truck Festival at Coolidge Park from noon-6 p.m. The event will feature more than 20 vendors serving gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, homemade funnel cakes, wood-fired pizza, smashburgers, fresh lemonade and more. Regional craft beer and other alcoholic beverages will also be on the menu. Activities will include lawn games, face painting, live music and an artisan market. Tickets
March 29
Collegedale Movie Night
Collegedale Airport will screen “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” starting at 6:30 p.m. Activities will include yard games and a display of aircraft beginning at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. Food trucks will be on hand selling local fare. The organizers recommend bringing a chair or blanket. Information: 423 236-5008 or @CollegedaleAirport on Facebook.
April 5
Chattanooga Outdoor Festival
The second annual festival will take place from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. at the Historic Chattanooga Choo Lakeshia Gardens. Hosted by Outshine Adventures and Nomad Be Happy, the festival will showcase local businesses, nonprofits and conservation organizations during a day of workshops, vendor sales, demos, live music and food. The event is free and open to the public.
April 5
Pickleball Tournament
Bethel Bible Village will host the Bethel Pickleball Tournament 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on the Bethel Bible Village campus at 3001 Hamill Road in Hixson. Round robin pool play will begin at 9 a.m. Pool play will guarantee each team a minimum of four games. Awards will be presented upon the completion of the tournament. Lunch, snacks and water will be provided. Spectators are encouraged to attend. Proceeds will support Bethel programs that serve children ages 11-18. Information
Through April 20
Sea Light Festival
A display of traditional Chinese lanterns will illuminate The Sculpture Fields at Montague Park during the Sea Light Festival. The festival will be open Thursdays through Sundays from 5-9 p.m. at 1900 Polk St. The exhibition will consist of hundreds of Chinese lanterns made of modern LED lights combined with traditional lantern frames made from Chinese silk cloth and steel wire. The award-winning Zigong Acrobatic Troupe will perform juggling, balancing and face-changing acts. Food vendors, shops and games will also be on hand. Tickets
April 24
Terrace at Twilight
Hunter Museum of American Art will host a new event featuring cocktails, dancing and costumes on the river terrace. Details coming soon.
May 3
Chattaderby
Chattanooga Room in the Inn’s annual Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser is scheduled for 5-8:30 p.m. at The Signal. Expect cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Tickets: givebutter.com/c/2025ChattaDerby. Sponsorship information: akoon@chattanoogaroomintheinn.com; 423 713-7059. Room in the Inn provides a six-month residential program for women and children experiencing homelessness.
May 8
Girls Inc. Sneaker Gala
Girls Inc.’s Sole Awards recognize individuals who have impacted advocacy, medicine, education and sports. This year’s recipients will be honored at the 2025 Sneaker Gala and Silent Auction at the Chattanooga Convention Center at 6 p.m. The honorees are attorney Melody Shekari for advocacy, Dr. Yvette Stewart for education, Coach Venus Lacy for sports and Dr. Angela Smith Slack for medicine. Shekari is the executive director of The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga. Stewart is the assistant professor and literacy director at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Lacy is an Olympic gold medalist and the head coach of the Brainerd High School girls’ basketball team. Slack is board-certified and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics at Children’s Diagnostic Center. Sponsorship information