The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee will host its annual public reading of the U.S. Constitution on the courthouse steps of the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building, 900 Georgia Ave., Sept. 18, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. The public is invited to participate by reading one of 110 brief segments of the Constitution, assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants may arrive at any time during the event while readings remain available. Information
Sept. 19-20
East Ridge Fall Festival
The fifth annual festival will take place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 19 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Camp Jordan Amphitheater, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway. Admission and parking are free. The event will feature more than 100 artisans, crafters, businesses and community organizations, along with more than 30 food and beverage vendors. Family activities will include a pumpkin patch, pony rides, inflatables, face painting, balloon animals, bracelet making, a photo booth, character entertainment, a petting zoo and other children’s activities. Live entertainment will include The Essentials on Saturday and a DJ on Sunday.
Sept. 21
Hope Unlimited fundraiser
Hope Unlimited Ministry will hold its 2026 Fundraising Event from 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Colonnade Civic Center, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Georgia. The event will feature guest speaker Stephanie Barber Christensen, a pastor’s wife and area ambassador with Revive Our Hearts ministries in Crossville, and contemporary female gospel group Ora Praz. Dinner will be served. Founded by Dr. Rita Carr, Hope Unlimited has provided free Christian-centered programs for single parents and their children in Chattanooga and internationally for 30 years. Admission is $35, or $280 to host a table of eight. Registration
Oct. 2
Free Shakespeare in the Park
Scenic City Shakespeare will present a free outdoor performance of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” at 7:30 p.m. at Greenway Farms, 4960 Gann Store Road. One of Shakespeare’s final plays, “The Tempest” is a story of danger, betrayal, revenge, forgiveness and love set on an island filled with magic and mystery. Additional performances will take place Oct. 3, 16, 17 and 24. Audience members should bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets, as seating is not provided. Reservations are recommended due to limited space. An ArtsBuild Artists Work Grant supports the production. Reservations
Oct. 3
Music in the Wild
The city of Chattanooga will celebrate the grand reopening of the Walnut Street Bridge noon-3 p.m. The family-friendly celebration will feature a walk across the newly reopened bridge, live entertainment and other activities. Thousands are expected to attend the event marking the return of the landmark pedestrian bridge following its renovation.
Oct. 4
Walnut Street Bridge Reopening
The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera and Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center will present Music in the Wild at Reflection Riding, 400 Garden Road. Gates open at 3 p.m., with food trucks and family activities beginning at 3:30 p.m., followed by a 5 p.m. outdoor performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” narrated by Jed Mescon. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for the performance and can enjoy wildlife encounters, activity stations and food trucks throughout the event. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students and children. Proceeds benefit both organizations. Information/tickets
Oct. 8
Safe & Sound
Friends of Special Children will host its 21st annual All aBout the Children fundraiser 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Signal Centers’ main campus in Chattanooga. The event will feature live and silent auctions, prize drawings, food from Giardino Restaurant, craft beer from 5 Wits Brewing Company and ice cream from Clumpies Ice Cream Co. Proceeds will support safety improvements for Signal Centers’ inclusive childcare program, including a campuswide sound and communication system, permanent audio infrastructure for playgrounds and pavilions, and upgraded security cameras. Tickets and sponsorships
Oct. 9-10
Preserve Chattanooga fundraisers
Preserve Chattanooga will host two annual wine fundraising events this fall: Best Cellars on Friday from 6-8:30 p.m. at St. John’s Restaurant, 729 Chestnut St., and Wine Over Water on Saturday from 4-6:30 p.m. at Renaissance Park, 133 River St. Best Cellars features curated wines paired with cuisine by Executive Chef Patrick Sawyer and live music by saxophonist Robert Crabtree. Wine Over Water offers unlimited wine tastings, an individual charcuterie box from Bleu Fox Cheese Shop and scenic views along the Tennessee River. Proceeds from both events support Preserve Chattanooga’s mission to protect the city’s architectural heritage through preservation, education and advocacy. Tickets are $200 for Best Cellars and $95 for Wine Over Water. Tickets/Information
Oct. 12
Touch a Truck
Chick-fil-A East Ridge will present a Touch a Truck event from 5-7 p.m. at 639 Camp Jordan Parkway in East Ridge. Kids of all ages will be able to explore and get an up-close look at rescue vehicles, trucks and heavy machinery while meeting local community heroes.
Oct. 14-17
Lookout Comedy Festival
The annual festival will feature more than 30 comedians from Chattanooga and across the country performing in 12 shows, with venues including The Comedy Catch and JJ’s Bohemia. This year’s headliners include Ryan Goodcase, Alex Kumin and returning festival performer Daniel Dellanno, while Shane Torres and Kyle Kinane will headline two shows celebrating the 20th anniversary of JJ’s Bohemia. Chattanooga comedian Jimmy Sowell will kick off the festivities at the opening show. Festival passes, which include admission to all shows, are available in limited quantities, and tickets to individual shows are also available. Complete schedule, lineup and tickets
Oct. 25
America Through the Tempest
Scenic City Shakespeare will present “America Through the Tempest,” a free, family-friendly outdoor production, at 2:30 p.m. at Greenway Farm Park in Hixson. The production pairs Shakespeare’s words with the trials and triumphs of American history, with a particular focus on Tennessee and Hamilton County. The performance is supported by a $10,000 Tennessee America 250 grant awarded to Scenic City Shakespeare through the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. Admission is free. Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets, as seating will not be provided at the historic Sniteman cabin.
Oct. 31
Walk Run Pedal Jamz
This festival will take place at Chattanooga Green at Ross’s Landing, 201 Riverfront Parkway. The free, family-friendly festival will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a casual 2-mile walk and run and a bike ride. Food trucks and vendor tents will open at 11 a.m. Other activities will include free giveaways, a costume contest for all ages, children’s activities and live music featuring The Dexter Thomas Band. Costumes are encouraged. All donations and registration fees from the walk, run, bike ride, vendors and food trucks will benefit the Urban League.
Nov. 6-8
Hamilton County Fair
The Little Debbie Hamilton County Fair returns to McDonald Farm in Sale Creek with three days of family-friendly entertainment, agricultural exhibits, livestock competitions, fair food, rides, rodeo events, lumberjack shows, pig races and live music. Country artist Rodney Atkins will headline the Saturday night concert with Hamilton County native Brandon Davis opening, while David Leonard and Amber Carrington will perform during Sunday’s Christian concert. Admission includes amusement rides, concerts and most attractions, and parking is free. Children 10 and younger are admitted free, with discounted tickets available for veterans, active military members, seniors, first responders and teachers. Tickets/information