Christmas Lights and Events in Chattanooga 2024-2025

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains along the beautiful Tennessee River, Chattanooga is a perfect destination to visit during winter holidays. Christmas lights are especially abundant in Chattanooga. Besides that, there are many festivals, Santa visits, special events, shopping, concerts, and various entertainment.

Go on a leisurely stroll along the river, take a festive train ride, be mesmerized by lights in a drive-thru, or take your time at the free Chattanooga Holiday Market, held at the Chattanooga Convention Center. It takes place during December weekends, featuring over 200 stalls, carols, and holiday decor.

Holiday Trail of Lights (November 2024–January 2025)

Chattanooga Holiday Trail of Lights is the most impressive Christmas display in Southeastern Tennessee, featuring millions of twinkling lights. Illuminations from this showing can be seen throughout the whole city: on Chattanooga bridges, boats, cliffs, and buildings. Its biggest highlights are the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge, adorned with twinkling snowflakes, Ice on the Landing at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, and, of course, Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights.

The Trail of Lights events also include Tennessee Aquarium’s Holidays Under the Peaks & Polar Express 3D in IMAX, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s North Pole Limited & Holiday Train Excursions, Chattanooga Riverboat Company special cruises, and Holiday Lights at the Chattanooga Zoo.

Tennessee Valley Railroad’s Christmas Dinner Train (November 8–December 29, 2024; selected dates)

To get a full Chattanooga Christmas experience, you have to hop on a train. The trip is going to be even more enjoyable with a four-course dinner! It will take place in a luxuriously renovated 1924 dining car. The train departs at 7 pm from Chattanooga's Grand Junction Station. It will arrive at the same spot after a leisurely excursion through East Chattanooga.

The Christmas Dinner train trip offers a four-course dining experience at the following prices:a table for 1 person or 2 people is $240, table for 3 people is $ 326, while table for 4 people is $400. Additionally, the Pullman section is available for $290.

Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade (November 29, 2024)

The annual Lighted Boat Parade is one of the most awaited Christmas events in Chattanooga. Dozens of boats decorated with thousands of holiday lights float along the Tennessee River, greeted by cheerful crowds. The event can be viewed from the Chattanooga Riverfront. The decorated Walnut Street Bridge is probably the most impressive spot to take a picture. The audience can see real live reindeer from 4 to 6:30 pm. Afterward, attendees can take a picture with Santa from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. The Lighted Boat Parade takes place from 7 to 8 pm, with fireworks concluding the day at 8 pm.

Noogalights (November 15–December 31, 2024)

Noogalights features the Soddy-Daisy Holiday Drive-Thru Light Show and the Choo Choo Holiday Walk-Thru Light Show, with both Halloween and Christmas editions. The 1.5-mile drive-thru Christmas lighting route kicks off with the Soddy-Daisy Holiday Drive-Thru Light Show on November 22 and runs until December 29. The brand-new 2024 holiday lighting display, synchronized to music on your FM radio, operates on Friday-Sunday only from 6 to 10 pm (on December 13, the event will be open nightly). Admission is $20 per car.

The Choo Choo Holiday Walk-Thru Light Show Christmas editions will start on Nov 15 and will delight the public until December 31. The magical walk-thru light display runs on Sunday through Thursday from 6 pm to 11 pm and on Friday & Saturday from 6 pm to 11 pm. On weekdays, general admission is $15 per person and $10 per child (ages 3-12), while on weekends, adults must pay $20 per person and $12.50 per child. Kids under 3 can enjoy the show for free.

Asian Lantern Festival (November 26, 2024 – Junuary 19, 2025)

It is a family-friendly show that celebrates art, culture, and the beauty of traditional Asian lantern festivals. The visitors have a chance to immerse themselves in the enchanting atmosphere at the Chattanooga Zoo at night. An adult ticket (ages 13+) costs $23, and a child ticket (ages 3-12) is $17—kids ages 2 and under have free entrance.

Chattanooga Christmas Village Holiday Market (November 16-17, 2024)

The Christmas Village Holiday Market delights the visitors with over 140 vendors, free pictures with the Grinch and Santa, delicious food, and more fun attractions. The Market operates at Camp Jordan Arena on Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. General admission is $5, kids 10 and under can visit for free.

Other Christmas Events

Chattanooga is a bustling place with plenty of options for a holly-jolly experience. You can also attend Snow Night at Creative Discovery Museum, Ho Ho Ho Christmas Market at Cambridge Square, Chattanooga Holiday Market at Chattanooga Convention Center, Ruby Falls Christmas at Ruby Falls , Christmas Carol Dinner Cruises, Red Bank Christmas Festival & Parade, Cloudland Canyon 50 Mile-50k-Half Marathon, MainX24 24-Hour Festival, Breakfast with Santa at Read House Hotel , Nooga Santa Pub Crawl and many more fascinating and fun events.