ArtsBuild and its Community Arts Partners concludes a week of performances, exhibits, workshops and networking events highlighting the impact of arts and culture across Chattanooga and Hamilton County. The celebration includes more than 35 events from organizations such as the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, Chattanooga Theatre Centre and the Hunter Museum of American Art, along with advocacy events and community engagement opportunities. April 17-19. Full schedule
APRIL 18-19
4 Bridges Arts Festival
The Association for Visual Arts will host its annual event at the First Horizon Pavilion on Chattanooga’s Southside. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. The juried festival will feature 140 artists from 30 states, including several from the Chattanooga area, offering work in a wide range of media. Food trucks will be onsite with coffee, meals and desserts. New this year, the Chattanooga Chapter of the American Institute of Architects will host its Chattanooga Design Awards during a lunchtime ceremony Saturday. Information: visit 4bridgesartsfestival.org or call 423 265-4282.
APRIL 19
Godsey Ridge grand opening
The city of Red Bank will celebrate the grand opening of the new trail system with a ribbon-cutting ceremony beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center and trailhead at 3653 Tom Weathers Drive. The event will start with a community networking opportunity inside the center, followed by a formal ceremony at the trailhead. After the ribbon cutting, the trails will officially open to the public for hiking and exploration. Parking will be available at the Community Center, with overflow parking at the Red Bank Pool. The event is free and open to the public.
APRIL 21
Fred Hersch concert
The Grammy-nominated jazz pianist and composer will perform a solo piano concert at 7:30 p.m. at Roland Hayes Concert Hall in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Fine Arts Center. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit WUTC-FM 88.1. Tickets are available at utc.edu/arts-and-sciences/fine-arts-center or through the UTC Fine Arts Center Box Office. The Fine Arts Center is located at the intersection of Dr. Roland Carter Street and Palmetto Street on the UTC campus, with free parking available after 5 p.m. in the Lupton Hall Parking Garage.
APRIL 24
Terrace at Twilight
The Hunter Museum of American Art will invite guests to step into an Alice in Wonderland-themed evening of entertainment on the museum’s River Terrace. Presented by Tremont Tavern and co-chaired by Amber and Dan Norton, the open-air event will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails and mocktails, themed activities and performances and a costume contest inspired by Wonderland. General admission includes food, drinks and dancing, while VIP tickets offer access to a private lounge, enhanced food and beverage options and valet service. Proceeds support the museum’s mission to provide arts education and community engagement.
APRIL 25
Bookstore crawl
And Then Books of Rossville, Georgia, will lead a Chattanooga-area celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, anchored by a multi-stop bookstore crawl across the region. Participating locations include The Book & Cover, Mystique Bookshop, The Reading Room, Rêve Coffee & Books, Winder Binder, Book and Barrel and Pennington’s Books. Participants can pick up punch cards throughout the month and visit each store to receive special deals, take part in activities and become eligible for prizes upon completing the crawl. At And Then Books, the public can enjoy free art and craft activities led by local workshop artists, a handmade vendors market, an open mic and coffee from Flower Boy Coffee. Pennington’s Books will offer a free drink with any new book purchase, while Rêve Coffee & Books will feature a crawl-exclusive cold brew.
Battle Below the Clouds
Friendly competition takes center stage at Ruby Falls 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The annual amateur barbecue cook-off features 15 teams competing for top honors in pork butt, ribs, chicken wings and more, with guests voting for their favorite. The free, family-friendly event benefits Lana’s Love Foundation, which supports local children with cancer and their families. Donations are encouraged. Attendees can enjoy live bluegrass and food and drinks and enter to win Atlanta Braves tickets, an RTIC cooler and local gift cards. Free parking is available on-site.
APRIL 25-26
Chattanooga Market Opening Weekend
The Chattanooga Market will kick off its spring season with a two-day event featuring hundreds of vendors, including new and returning makers, bakers, crafters and entertainers, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd.
The Junior League of Chattanooga will host its annual Tour du Jour, a self-guided home tour showcasing a selection of new and historic homes across the greater Chattanooga area, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are available at jlchatt.org. Proceeds support the organization’s mission to advance women’s leadership and benefit community initiatives including partnerships with Hamilton County Schools, Dress for Success and other local programs.
APRIL 30
Perspectives
Preserve Chattanooga will host a community event from 5-7 p.m. at the Waterhouse Pavilion downtown featuring national preservation leader Bonnie McDonald. McDonald will share insights from her Relevancy Guidebook and discuss how historic preservation can address modern challenges such as climate change, housing and community equity. The event will also mark the launch of Chattanooga’s first community Preservation Plan since 1977, with organizers inviting public input to help shape the city’s future. Guests will be served hors d’oeuvres and sustainable wines while connecting with community leaders and preservation advocates.
May 1
Women Build Brunch
Join Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Chattanoogan Hotel. This annual spring fundraising event brings together women and allies from across the community in support of affordable homeownership for local families. Guests will enjoy a keynote from Natosha Reid Rice, vice president of housing opportunities and mission engagement at Habitat for Humanity International, along with homeowner stories and a celebratory brunch. Purchase tickets
May 3
Spring concert
The Scenic City Chorale will perform at 3 p.m. at Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road. The program will feature patriotic music in celebration of the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. Margaret Abernathy will perform solo pieces, and the chorale will also recognize founding member Barbara Kelley, who’s retiring after 61 years of singing.
May 11
Women’s Leadership Collective
The Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga will host a leadership luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Embassy Suites by Hilton Chattanooga Downtown. The event will feature guest speaker Janet Rehberg, president and CEO-elect of EPB, who will share insights on leadership, innovation and the evolving role of women shaping Chattanooga’s future. The luncheon is open to the public. Purchase tickets
May 23
Chattanooga Beer Fest
The sixth annual festival returns from noon-3 p.m. at the First Horizon Pavilion. The event offers attendees unlimited samples from dozens of local and regional breweries with a single ticket, the chance to meet and talk with the people behind the pours and a commemorative tasting glass. Tickets are on sale at ChattanoogaBeerFest.com. In addition to beer, the event will feature local food vendors, artisan shopping and live music. Proceeds from the event benefit the nonprofit Chattanooga Market. This is a 21-and-over event; a valid ID is required for entry.