The Hunter Museum of American Art will invite guests to step into an Alice in Wonderland-themed evening of entertainment April 24 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, 11 a.m.-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 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 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 at www.habichatt.org/womenbuild.