Winter Days and Lights: November 28 – December 12
Sponsored by the Chattanooga Downtown Partnership, Winter Days and Lights has become a holiday favorite in the community. Carla Pritchard, Executive Director of the Chattanooga Downtown Partnership, discusses the event, “Downtown Chattanooga is never prettier than during the holiday season, with 140 building rooftops strung with white lights, animated window decorations,
a bright banner program, and events enlivening our streets and public spaces. Winter Days and Lights includes a three-week schedule of four family-oriented events, which have become important traditions for people of all ages to enjoy each year.” The lights are ongoing and the four family-friendly events are
as follows:
• Grand Illumination: November 28 at Ross’s Landing from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Admission is free. Guests will be treated to the lighted boat parade and live entertainment at Ross’s Landing. The evening will conclude with fireworks, and Santa will signal the illumination of 140 downtown businesses.
• Breakfast with Santa: November 29 in the Grand Ballroom at The Chattanoogan.
First seating is 8:30-9:45 a.m.; second seating: 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Admission is $12 for children and $18 for adults. All will enjoy a delicious holiday breakfast with live entertainment provided by the Creative Discovery Museum and a show by Singing Santa.
• Holiday Starlight Parade: December 6. The parade is on Market Street and goes from Miller Plaza to the Tennessee Aquarium. Admission is free. This evening parade features an endless stream of dazzling holiday lights and impressive live performances.
• Appalachian Christmas: December 12. This event takes place at the Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller Plaza. Admission is $3 for adults; children 10 and under are free. Everyone will enjoy traditional holiday tunes from popular bluegrass bands at this exciting concert. Hot cider and sugar cookies are provided.
More information on all holiday events is available at
www.DowntownChattanooga.org
Home for the Holidays: The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera: December 20-21
This concert features the CSO, along with guests Dan Landrum and the CSO Holiday Chorus, bringing classic holiday tunes to life in a program that is fun for all ages. It takes place at the Tivoli Theater at 8:00 p.m. on both nights. The ticket prices range from $36-$72.
For more information, visit
www.ChattanoogaSymphony.org.
Chattanooga Boys Choir’s 46th Annual Singing Christmas Tree: December 6
This classic Christmas tradition features the amazing vocal talents of the Chattanooga Boys Choir, along with the CSO Youth Orchestra, Ballet Tennessee, and guest narrator Marcia Kling. Together, they will tell the classic holiday tale, Twas the Night Before Christmas. There are two performances at the Tivoli Theatre, one at 2:00 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are to be announced.
For more information, visit
www.ChattanoogaBoysChoir.org.
Chattanooga Girls Choir Annual Winter Concert: December 19
The Chattanooga Girls Choirs Annual Winter Concert will take place on December 19 at Roland Hayes Hall in the UTC Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.
For more information, visit
www.chattanoogagirlschoir.org.
Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights: November 21-January 3, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Perhaps Chattanooga’s most popular holiday attraction, the Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City is in its 14th year and keeps getting better. Robert Pettway, President of R&R Marketing, Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railroad, says of this year’s Garden of Lights, “There will be a million lights on the trail and 25 different holiday themes.” This year’s event features live entertainment, cookie decorating, hot cocoa, and Starbucks coffee. The Enchanted Garden of Lights is open every night except Christmas Eve, and tickets are $15.95 for adults and $8.95 for children.
More information can be found at
www.SeeRockCity.com.
Ruby Fall’s Deck the Falls: Friday and Saturday nights, December 5-28
The annual Deck the Falls has a new addition for 2008. Robert Pettway explains, “This holiday season at Ruby Falls, we have a new event during our Deck the Falls time period entitled, Ruby Red Christmas. We’re featuring a holiday-themed, state-of-the-art LED light show with the waterfall.” The event also features live, traditional Christmas music playing throughout the Falls tour, as well as costumed time period characters to greet you during your tour. Perhaps the most exciting feature of this year’s Deck the Falls: Ruby Red Christmas event will take place in the lobby of the Cavern Castle where snowfall is scheduled every ten minutes. This not-to-be-missed event is $14.95 for adults and $7.95 for children.
More information is available online
at www.RubyFalls.com.
The Tennessee Aquarium:
Ho Ho H2O, a Tropical Holiday Adventure:
November 21-January 4
Ho Ho H2O is an ongoing event running through the holiday season. Thom Benson, Communication Manager for the Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX Theater, explains, “Our tropical holiday adventure, Ho Ho H2O, is really just a chance for folks to get away with their families to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.” The event offers visitors a chance to escape to warmer climates with tropical music, a daily dive show with Santa divers, and many other exciting daily activities. This event is included in the regular admission price. Ticket prices are $19.95 for adults and $12.95 for children.
For more information, visit
www.TNAqua.org.
IMAX Theater: The Polar Express (Dates TBA)
According to Thom Benson, The Polar Express, a modern classic holiday film, will be returning to Chattanooga’s IMAX Theater for the 2008 holiday season. Dates have yet to be announced.
Visit www.TNAqua.org
for more information.
Warner Park Zoo: Holiday Lights—December 5-6 (member nights), December 12-13, December 19-20, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
To enjoy exotic animals from around the world along with some holiday cheer, head out to the Warner Park Zoo for their annual Holiday Lights event. Festive lights will line the paths and exhibits, and hot chocolate, a visit with Santa Claus, and holiday crafts will be available in the new Education Center. Regular admission prices apply.
For more information, visit
www.Chattanooga.gov.
Chattanooga Holiday Market: December 6 – 7, noon – 5 p.m.
The Holiday Market is held at the First Tennessee Pavilion and is the final Chattanooga Market of the 2008 season. Melissa Siragusa, Marketing and Media Relations for the Chattanooga Market, explains, “The Holiday Market will have 100 plus vendors selling all handmade gifts. This market will be huge as the vendors have been creating special items for this sale at the market. It is our largest event of the season. We will have live music, plenty of food, and fun.” The Chattanooga Market is free to the public.
For more information, visit www.ChattanoogaMarket.com.
Tennessee Valley Railroad: North Pole Limited: Various dates from November 21 – December 22
Stopping by for his ninth consecutive year, Santa Claus and his elves will come to the Tennessee Valley Railroad to take children and adults alike on an exciting trip to the North Pole on the North Pole Limited Polar Express. During the exciting train ride, Santa’s elves will read the classic Christmas tale, The Polar Express. Each rider receives a special visit from Santa, a gift, and a snack. The train will run on Nov. 21- 23 and 28- 30, as well as Dec. 4- 7 and 11- 22. The train will depart at 5:45 p.m. and 7:30 pm. on each of these days. The cost is $22 for all riders over the age of one.
For more information,
visit www.TVRail.com.
Hunter Museum: A Holiday Kickoff: November 20, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
To get an early start on the holiday spirit, head to the Hunter Museum on Thursday night, November 20 at 6:00 p.m. The museum will feature live holiday music from Bryan Brass and Woodwind Ensembles, directed by Mel R. Wilhoit. Members of the Hunter Museum will receive special discounts in the museum store.
For more information, visit
www.HunterMuseum.org.
Chattanooga Riverboat Company’s Southern Belle Christmas Carol Dinner Cruises: November 28 – December 21, and Tis the Season Luncheon: December 6 and December 13
For an escape from the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the Southern Belle offers two great options. First is the Christmas Carol Dinner Cruise which features live singing, dancing, and caroling, as well as a delicious dinner of Prime Rib and Shrimp Creole. The price is $35.43 for adults and $17.97 for children. Cruises depart at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. The Tis the Season Luncheon is available on December 6 and 13 and features a delicious meal of Prime Rib and Shrimp Creole as well as live entertainment. The cruise lasts two hours and costs $23.84 for adults and $15.38 for children. It departs at 12:00 p.m.
For more information, visit
www.ChattanoogaRiverboat.com
Chattanooga Ballet and the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Present: The Nutcracker: December 12 and 13 at 8:00 p.m. and December 14 at 2:00 p.m.
The Chattanooga Ballet presents their 21st annual performance of The Nutcracker at the Tivoli Theater. Adults and children alike will enjoy this performance that features over 200 performers and 350 different costumes, as well as music from the acclaimed Chattanooga Symphony and Opera. The cost ranges from $15-29.
For more information, visit
www.ChattanoogaBallet.net.
Chattanooga Theatre Center presents A Christmas Carol: November 21 – December 19
Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption comes to life at the Chattanooga Theatre Center during the holidays. Show times are Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $14-20.
For more performance information,
visit www.theatrecenter.com.
Creative Discovery Museum: Winter Exhibit: Helping Hands: November 22 – February 1, 2009
The Helping Hands exhibit will open at the Creative Discovery Museum on November 22 and will help children learn the important holiday lesson of helping others. The exhibit will feature photos and activities that introduce visitors to the ways in which people in the Chattanooga community and around the world have benefitted from the generosity of Chattanoogans.
For more information, visit
www.CDMFun.com.
Chattanooga Choo Choo: Holiday Packages: November 21 – December 30
The Chattanooga Choo Choo offers five unique holiday packages to bring some magic into your holiday season. Here are the details:
• Choo Choo Elf Workshop: Features one night’s accommodations, admission to the Choo Choo’s Elf Workshop, discounts on meals, tickets to the Choo Choo’s Model Railroad Museum, Elf Tuck-In service for the children, and a picture with Santa Claus. Prices are $169 for a standard room and $239 for a Victorian Train Car (both for 2 adults and 2 children). This package is available Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday from November 21 through December 22.
• Choo Choo Enchantment: This package is for two adults and includes one night’s accommodations, tickets to Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights, tickets to IMAX Theater, tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium, tickets to the Choo Choo’s Model Railroad Museum, and a Commemorative Holiday Ornament. Prices are $189 for a standard room and $259 for a Victorian Train Car. This package is available seven days a week from November 21 through December 30.
• Choo Choo Fantasy: This package is meant for families with two adults and two children and includes one night’s accommodations, tickets to Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights, tickets to the Creative Discovery Museum, tickets to the Choo Choo’s Model Railroad Museum, admission to the Choo Choo’s Elf Workshop, Elf Tuck-In Service for the children, a picture with Santa Claus, and a Commemorative Holiday Ornament. Prices are $229 for a standard room and $289 for a Victorian Train Car. This package is available on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sundays from November 21 through December 22.
• North Pole Limited Adventure One: This package is meant for families with two adults and two children and includes one night’s accommodations, tickets to the Tennessee Valley Railroad’s North Pole Limited Train Ride, tickets to the Choo Choo’s Model Railroad Museum, admission to the Choo Choo’s Elf Workshop, Elf Tuck-In Service for the children, a picture with Santa Claus, and a Commemorative Holiday Ornament. The price is $239 for a standard room and $299 for a Victorian Train Car. This package is available November 21- 23; 28- 30 and December 4-7; 11- 14, and 18- 22.
• North Pole Limited Adventure Two: This package is for two adults and two children and includes a two-night accommodation, all of the amenities of the North Pole Limited Adventure One package plus tickets to Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights, and tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium. The price is $429 for a standard room and $579 for a Victorian Train Car. This package is available November 21- 23; 28-30 and December 4- 7; 11- 14; and18-22.
For more information on all packages, visit www.ChooChoo.com.