Spring is in full swing in Chattanooga, and this month, you can look forward to a mix of adults-only fun and family-friendly activities. Cheer on the Lookouts in their first home game of the season, get a taste of local food and drink, or shop some of the most talented visual artists from around the country – with so much happening, you’ll be busy all April long!
3rd Annual Taco & Tequila Crawl: Chattanooga
April 9
Join Bar Crawl USA for the ultimate fiesta in Chattanooga’s Northshore! From noon until 5 p.m., you can enjoy some of the neighborhood’s best tacos washed down with a margarita and a tequila shot. Regular tickets include four tacos, discounted drink specials, DJs and entertainment, a professional photographer, and a signature digital crawl map, while VIP ticket holders get an extra taco and a commemorative t-shirt.
Big 9 Roots Festival
April 9-10
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center will host this free two-day event featuring musical entertainment, food and merchandise vendors, an art gallery, and more. Sam Sims & Friends with Kipper Jones will be closing out the musical lineup for April 9, while Gospel on the Lawn will be held April 10 from 2 until 7 p.m. This event celebrates African American history, honoring those who have made or are making a contribution to that history.
4 Bridges Arts Festival
April 9-10
Presented by the Association for Visual Arts, the 4 Bridges Arts Festival is returning to the First Horizon Pavilion the second weekend in April. The juried art show will feature more than 140 visual artists from across the country and offers more than $20,000 in cash awards. Food vendors and live music will also be on-site throughout the festival. Tickets are $5 at the gate (students and under age 18 enter for free).
Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Birmingham Barons
April 12
Grab your peanuts and cracker jacks! Chattanooga’s minor league baseball team – the Lookouts – is set to kick off the 2022 season at home against the Birmingham Barons on Tuesday, April 12, at 7:15 p.m. The game, played at AT&T Field, is the first of 69 total home games taking place from April through September.
Hug-A-Bunny Days at the Chattanooga Zoo
April 15-16
Catch the Easter Bunny’s annual visit to the Chattanooga Zoo during this favorite springtime event. Admission to Hug-A-Bunny Days includes a scavenger hunt, games, crafts, themed animal enrichment, and, of course, photos with the Easter Bunny!
Earthdayz
April 16-17, 23-24
Rock City is partnering with Orange Grove for the 13th year of this naturally fun outdoor event, which features plenty of “green” activities for guests of all ages. Plus, the gardens will be blooming with pansies, viburnum, and Kwansan Cherry trees! Timed-entry tickets are required.
The Great Adult Egg Hunt and Hoppy Hour
April 16
Easter egg hunts aren’t just for kids! Beginning at 1 p.m. at Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, The Chattery is hosting its third annual Great Adult Egg Hunt. Following the hunt at 3 p.m., there will be a restaurant “hop” along Main Street to support local businesses. Participants are encouraged to wear their Sunday best for added fun, but wear comfortable shoes! Registration to attend the event is required.
Wine Women & Shoes
April 21
In need of a girls’ night out? This fabulous fundraiser, benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Chattanooga, might be just the ticket. From 6 until 10 p.m. at Stratton Hall and The Peyton, Wine Women & Shoes will offer wine tasting, designer pop-up shops, a glamorous fashion show, a seated dinner, silent and live auctions, and more. Both general admission and VIP tickets are available.
Crabtree Farms Spring Plant Sale & Festival
April 22-24
A must-do event for anyone with a green thumb, the Crabtree Farms Spring Plant Sale & Festival offers up sustainably grown vegetable, fruit, herb, and flower starts for an enviable spring/summer garden, as well as seeds for vegetables best sown directly. The festival, which takes place April 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and April 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., rounds out the event with music, arts and crafts vendors, food, and children’s activities.
Ruby Falls Battle Below the Clouds
April 23
Calling all amateur grillers! Put your skills to the test at the 7th annual Ruby Falls Battle Below the Clouds. This barbecue cook-off will award prizes for the Best Pulled Pork, Ribs, Wings, and Grand Champion. The all-day event includes live bluegrass bands, kids’ activities, barbecue for purchase, and prize drawings. Team registration fees benefit children with pediatric cancer and their families through the Lana’s Love Foundation. Spectator admission is free.
Boating & Birding: A Maclellan Island Adventure
April 23
If you’ve ever wanted to visit Chattanooga’s own Maclellan Island, this is your opportunity. Nova Conservation, along with Dr. David Aborn from UTC, will be leading this bird research and paddle trip, with all proceeds going back to wildlife preservation. Participants can choose between a paddleboard or kayak, and the trip departs from the GPS boat dock at 800 River Street at 9 a.m.
Sculptures in the Sky
April 23
Sculpture Fields is offering some high-flying family fun at this free event. The 33-acre park will be filled with colossal and colorful kites, stunt kites, and Rokkaku battle kites, and visitors can also enjoy performances, local food trucks, and a beer tent. Don’t miss the Running with the Bols at 11 a.m., when kids will be able to race parachute-like kites (bols). Children will also get to fly their own EPB Fiber Optics kite, available after noon (while supplies last).
Day Out With Thomas at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
April 23, 24, 30 & May 1
One of the most popular annual events at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Day Out With Thomas is full of trained-themed activities for the whole family. In addition to appearances by Thomas the Tank Engine and his friend Percy, guests can enjoy play tables, temporary tattoos, live entertainment, and more. Train rides behind Thomas depart every hour, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. through 6 p.m.
Opening Weekend at the Chattanooga Market
April 23-24
The 2022 Chattanooga Market season’s opening weekend will bring a flurry of activity, with new vendors and familiar faces scheduled to appear! Live music and nearly a dozen food trucks will complement approximately 200 vendors in attendance. Opening weekend patrons can find flower bouquets, farm-fresh strawberries, and staples such as breads, cheeses, and meats. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
TASTE
April 28
Featuring some of the Scenic City’s best local restaurants, bakeries, and breweries, Taste – which benefits the Kidney Foundation of the Greater Chattanooga Area – is returning for another tasty year. Guests will receive one drink ticket and unlimited samples of the featured restaurants’ offerings. The event, which takes place at First Horizon Pavilion, will also include live music, a cash bar, and silent auction.
Running of the Chihuahuas
April 30
After a two-year hiatus, the Running of the Chihuahuas is back for its 13th year. This free event at the First Horizon Pavilion will feature Hits 96 rising artists Caley Rose, Charlotte Sands, and Jena Rose, plus special mixes by DJ Alex Angelo; food trucks, beverages including Karbach Ranch Water, a VIP area, photo booth, and kid zone are also in store. Gates open at 12:30 p.m.
