Friday, October 2
Trojans away at Ooltewah Friday, Flat Top's fall festival keeps going, and bluegrass hits the riverfront
🌼 74 places to explore📅 76 things coming up
Yes — plenty of parks, trails and events around town cost nothing at all. See the full list on Free & Nearly Free Fun.
Beyond kid-focused spots, Soddy-Daisy has scenic overlooks and drives, live music nights, and quiet trails and lake access. Start with Outdoor Fun, Scenic Drives and Musical Fun.
Check the Calendar for what's actually on today, then fill the rest of the day with the in-town parks and general things to do: Calendar, Soddy-Daisy Parks and Fun to Do.
Everything happening around town, day by day — plus a few always-good ideas when the calendar's light.
TODAY
Oct 2
67°
SAT
Oct 3
86° / 69°67%
Soddy-Daisy Farmers Market
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Poe's Tavern Historical Park
McCoy Farm Fall Migratory Bird Walk
8:00 AM
McCoy Farm & Gardens
Bands of America Chattanooga Regional Championship
Gates 9 AM · prelims 9:30 AM · finals 7:30 PM · awards ~10:45 PM
Finley Stadium
Ketner's Mill Country Fair
Sat 9 AM–6 PM, Sun 10 AM–5:30 PM
Ketner's Mill
Signal Mountain Nursery Fall Festival
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Signal Mountain Nursery
Tennessee River Rescue: Rabbit Island Cleanup
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Wolftever Creek
Tennessee River Rescue at Reflection Riding
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
The Trojan 5K
9:00 AM
Soddy-Daisy Fire Hall
Croctober Fest
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Electric Crocodile North
East Chattanooga Fall Festival & Fire Prevention Week Kick-Off
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
East Chattanooga Community Center
On The Horizon Resource Fair
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Downtown Branch, Chattanooga Public Library
Pikeville Fall Festival
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Main Street
Walnut Street Bridge Grand Reopening
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Walnut Street Bridge
SUN
Oct 4
79° / 61°76%
MON
Oct 5
81° / 55°
TUE
Oct 6
WED
Oct 7
Trails, water and fresh air just minutes from home.
Admission not posted — check Chattanooga Audubon Society
Audubon Acres
130 acres of prime birdwatching and bird photography along South Chickamauga Creek, with over 5 miles of trails and a Cherokee arboretum.
5+ miles of trails through woodlands, open fields and wetlands along South Chickamauga …
Free2.4 miles from Soddy-Daisy
Big Soddy Creek Gulf
Creek-side trail and swimming holes in a wooded gorge — trout fishing and wildlife viewing.
The overlook near the parking area gives a view down into the gorge without walking the…
Free
Prentice Cooper State Forest — Ritchie Hollow Trail
A 30-foot waterfall in Prentice Cooper State Forest, reached by a moderately strenuous loop on the Ritchie Hollow Trail.
A real hike - about 5.4 miles round trip on the Ritchie Hollow Trail, over 1,200 feet o…
Festivals, markets and things worth planning ahead for, from Soddy-Daisy and the towns around it.
October 9 · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Creative Discovery Museum321 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
A family-friendly Halloween night at the museum — costumes, a potion lab, bubble-painting cauldrons, live critters from the Tennessee Aquarium and the new Spooky Town exhibit.
$22 general / $10 members / $5 EBT cardholders · separate tickets for each night, no refunds but you can switch dates
October 9 · 7:00 PM
Bradley Central High School
Soddy-Daisy Trojans play at Bradley Central.
Away game
October 9 · 8:00 PM
The Walker Theatre399 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37402
The Irish vocal group performs traditional Celtic melodies alongside contemporary hits and original material.
Tickets from $76
October 9 · 8:00 PM
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium399 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Classic rock legends The Doobie Brothers bring their Walk This Road tour to downtown Chattanooga.
Tickets from $81
October 9 · Oct 9–10
Enterprise South Nature Park190 Still Hollow Loop, Chattanooga, TN 37416
Trail actors, face painters, inflatables and a glow trail — Hamilton County Parks' Halloween trail festival.
Volunteers needed — trail actors, face painters, inflatable attendants, glow trail actors
October 10 · 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Poe's Tavern Historical Park9835 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379
Shop local produce, handmade goods, baked treats, art, and more while supporting our local vendors.
Every Saturday, May – October
October 10 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tennessee RiverparkChattanooga, TN
A pet-friendly Halloween celebration on the riverfront — a costume parade and contest, pet vendors and rescues, and family activities.
Free
October 10 · 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Miller Park928 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
A free, all-ages circus-inspired festival with interactive five-senses booths, local vendors and artists, live performers and community art.
Free
October 10 · 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Chattanooga Choo Choo1400 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
An evening market with moon-inspired jewelry, crystals, candles and handcrafted goods, plus optional tastings of craft beer, cider, mead and wine.
Ticket price not posted — check the event page · tastings are a separate add-on
October 10
Chattanooga, TN
Giant inflatable obstacle course event.
October 10
Walnut Street BridgeChattanooga, TN
Wine-tasting festival on the Walnut Street Bridge.
October 11 · 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Chattanooga Zoo301 N Holtzclaw Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Trick-or-treating, family-friendly decorations, costume shows, a bounce house and character meet-and-greets around the zoo.
$11 members / $16 non-members, under 2 free · timed entry, limited nightly capacity · also runs Oct 18-19 and Oct 25-26
October 12 · 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Bachman Community Center2815 Anderson Pike, Signal Mountain, TN
An inclusive outdoor day camp for ages 4-10 during Fall Break — trail hiking, bug catching, fort building, nature crafts and sensory play.
$55/day, includes materials and a snack · sign up by the day · led by occupational therapy practitioners, for children of all abilities
October 14 · 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Miller Park928 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
A free, all-ages STEAM festival — hands-on art, robotics, science and maker activities from groups like Scouting America, Girl Scouts, the Challenger Learning Center and the library.
Free, donations accepted
October 16 · Thu/Fri 7 PM · Sat 11 AM, 3 PM & 7 PM · Sun 1 PM & 5 PM
McKenzie Arena720 East 4th St, Chattanooga, TN 37403
Disney On Ice returns to Chattanooga for the first time in six years with Mickey's Search Party — multiple showtimes across four days.
Tickets via GoMocs.com, UTC's ticketing site
October 17 · 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Poe's Tavern Historical Park9835 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379
Shop local produce, handmade goods, baked treats, art, and more while supporting our local vendors.
Every Saturday, May – October
October 17 · Sat 10 AM–8 PM · Sun 11 AM–5 PM
First Horizon Pavilion1801 Reggie White Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN 37408
A biergarten of local and seasonal craft brews, German food and family activities — the organizer calls it the region's most family-friendly Oktoberfest.
Free admission · organizer describes it as family-friendly, not a 21+ event · the biergarten itself is for adults 21+ with ID
October 17 · Sat 10 AM–6 PM · Sun 1–6 PM
Bradley County Courthouse Square155 N Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN
Live entertainment, apple competitions and the Apple Blossom pageant, with proceeds supporting other local charities.
$8 adults / $5 seniors & kids 3-12 / $25 family (2 adults + up to 4 kids) / free under 3 · gate sales cash only · only trained service animals allowed
October 17 · Oct 17–18
East Ridge, TN
Two-day apple festival in East Ridge.
October 17
Chattanooga Choo ChooChattanooga, TN
Fall harvest event at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
October 18 · 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Chattanooga Zoo301 N Holtzclaw Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Trick-or-treating, family-friendly decorations, costume shows, a bounce house and character meet-and-greets around the zoo.
$11 members / $16 non-members, under 2 free · timed entry, limited nightly capacity
October 19
Coffee shops around ChattanoogaSee chattanoogacoffeeweek.com for the shop list
$5 featured fall coffees and $4 pastries at a dozen local coffee shops — pumpkin spice, s'mores lattes and other seasonal specials.
Dates shown are an estimate based on last year's pattern — check chattanoogacoffeeweek.com for this year's confirmed week and shop list
October 20 · 7:30 PM both nights
Tivoli Theatre100 E 11th St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings headlines two nights marking the grand reopening of the newly renovated Tivoli Theatre.
Check the Tivoli's own box office for current pricing — resale sites were showing inflated prices
October 22
Mountain Arts Community Center809 Kentucky Ave, Signal Mountain, TN 37377
Author Rick Bragg shares stories and insights from his writing career, hosted by Friends of the Library.
SOLD OUT — was $20/ticket
October 23 · 7:00 PM
East Hamilton High School
Soddy-Daisy Trojans play at East Hamilton.
Away game — district
October 23
The Trinity Chapel & Events240 1st Ave, Dayton, TN
A first-year festival of visual art, ballet and live music, using a pay-what-you-can reservation model — 100% of tips go to the artists.
Pay-what-you-can · organized by Renew the Arts, supported by MainStreet Dayton
October 24 · 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Poe's Tavern Historical Park9835 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379
Shop local produce, handmade goods, baked treats, art, and more while supporting our local vendors.
Every Saturday, May – October
October 24 · 8:00 AM
Pruett's Market1210 Taft Highway, Signal Mountain, TN 37377
The 50th running of this certified 10K, with sunrise views from East Brow Road, a post-race festival and pumpkin pie for finishers.
$45 standard / $35 ages 21 and under · commemorative 50th-anniversary finisher medal, technical shirt while supplies last, Pruett's biscuits · RRCA State Championship 10K
October 24 · 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Miller Park & Miller PlazaChattanooga, TN
Free, family-friendly day of live bluegrass in downtown Chattanooga — part of IBMA World of Bluegrass, with college bands, Kids on Bluegrass, local musicians, food and craft vendors.
Free admission — presented by the City of Chattanooga and River City Company
October 25 · 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Chattanooga Zoo301 N Holtzclaw Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Trick-or-treating, family-friendly decorations, costume shows, a bounce house and character meet-and-greets around the zoo.
$11 members / $16 non-members, under 2 free · timed entry, limited nightly capacity
October 30 · 10:00 AM
Courthouse Square, Downtown Dayton1475 Market Street, Dayton, TN 37321
The 20th annual PumpkinFest — costume contest, pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, a trackless train, pie-eating contest, food and craft vendors and trick-or-treating.
Free admission
October 30 · 7:00 PM
Soddy-Daisy High School618 Sequoyah Access Rd, Soddy-Daisy, TN
Soddy-Daisy Trojans host Lenoir City.
Home game — district
October 30
Historic Downtown DaytonDowntown Dayton, TN 37321
Food and craft vendors downtown, music at Centennial Park, games, a costume contest and trick-or-treating.
October 31 · 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Poe's Tavern Historical Park9835 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379
Shop local produce, handmade goods, baked treats, art, and more while supporting our local vendors.
Every Saturday, May – October
October 31 · 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
New Salem Baptist Church9806 Dallas Hollow Road, Soddy Daisy, TN 37379
Classic car cruise-in and swap meet — a last-Saturday-of-the-month gathering hosted by Memory Lane Cruisers.
October 31 · 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Downtown ClevelandDowntown Cleveland, TN 37311
A downtown community Halloween party — trick-or-treating candy from local businesses, live music, food and a costume contest.
Free
October 31 · 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
TBD
Decorated trunks, candy, and costumes for the kids.
November 6 · Fri 5–9 PM, Sat 11 AM–9 PM, Sun 11 AM–6 PM
McDonald Farm16705 Coulterville Rd, Sale Creek, TN 37373
Veterans Day Weekend fair at its new home, the 2,100-acre McDonald Farm Hamilton County park — live music from Rodney Atkins and Brandon Davis, rodeo, lumberjack shows, pig races and a fireworks finale.
$8–$16 · free on-site parking · presented by Little Debbie
November 7 · 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
A fall arts and craft fair, posted as a save-the-date by Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Save-the-date · fee, exact venue and open-to-public details not yet posted
November 7
Ross's LandingRiverfront Parkway at Market Street, Chattanooga, TN
The Southeast's premier rowing regatta — 6,500+ athletes racing on the Tennessee River, free to watch from the riverfront.
November 7
Soddy-Daisy
Community pie festival in Soddy-Daisy.
November 7
Chattanooga, TN
Statewide vendor festival held in Chattanooga.
November 7
Tri-State Exhibition Center200 Natures Trail, McDonald, TN 37353
An upscale vintage-inspired market — original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade goods, home decor and seasonal plantings.
Children 12 and under free
November 14 · 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Daisy Elementary School620 Sequoyah Road, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379
A day of fall fun, community and shopping — vendors, food trucks, games and music for the whole family.
Third annual — vendors/food trucks welcome, contact the school office to reserve a spot
November 20 · Fri 2–8 PM, Sat 10 AM–6 PM, Sun 10 AM–4 PM
Camp Jordan323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge, TN 37412
Holiday market with over 140 vendors — handmade gifts, food, and seasonal shopping.
$10 admission · kids 10 and under free
November 21 · Sat 10 AM–7 PM, Sun 11 AM–6 PM
Coolidge Park150 River Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405
German-style holiday market at Coolidge Park — festive food and drinks, vendor booths, and twinkling riverfront lights.
November 23 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Soddy Lake Park (North Park)197 Durham St, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379
180+ vendors, food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, games and a community stage.
Rescheduled from earlier in the fall · also collecting coats for the Keeping Kids Warm coat drive
November 26 · 8:30 AM
Chester Frost Park7872 Causeway Road, Hixson, TN 37343
14th annual Thanksgiving morning 5K — walk it, run it, bring the dog and the stroller — benefiting local nonprofits including the Soddy-Daisy Food Bank.
$38.10 (incl. fee), price increases after Nov 25 · registration opens 7:30 AM · race shirt included · ages 5+
November 28 · Sat 10 AM–7 PM, Sun 11 AM–6 PM
Coolidge Park150 River Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405
German-style holiday market returns for a second weekend — twinkling riverfront lights, festive food and vendor booths.
December 5 · Sat 10 AM–6 PM, Sun 11 AM–5 PM
Chattanooga Choo Choo46 Choo Choo Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Holiday market at the historic Choo Choo — curated artisan vendors, unique shopping, and a Christmas-themed beer tent.
December 12
Sale Creek, TN
Holiday community event in Sale Creek.
December 19 · Sat 10 AM–5 PM, Sun 11 AM–5 PM
Chattanooga Convention Center1 Carter Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Around 200 local and regional artisans — handcrafted jewelry, woodworking, bath and body, toys, and artisan foods.
Free admission
May 22 · 1:00 PM
Soddy-Daisy
Community festival in Soddy-Daisy.
Always worth a look, whatever day it is.
Information is not guaranteed — check times, fees, dates and locations with the organizer or venue before you travel.