July always starts strong with Independence Day celebrations, and Chattanooga keeps the fun going with live music, Broadway performances, cooking competitions, and movies in the park. Here’s what to see and do around the Scenic City this month!
Summer Music Weekends
July 1-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29-30
Summer Music Weekends are back at Rock City, and in celebration of Independence Day, you can get in on the toe-tapping action daily for an entire week. The attraction’s newest artist, Rick Rushing, joins a familiar lineup of blues, jazz, country, and bluegrass acts including Matt Downer, Tarryn Aimee Smith, and Highbeams. In addition to the musical entertainment, be sure to check out a Birds of Prey raptor show and dine on delicious Southern cuisine at Café 7.
Nightfall Chattanooga
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Every Friday night this month, the free Nightfall concert series will be taking over Miller Park in downtown Chattanooga. Local talent will rock the stage at 7 p.m., and at 8 p.m., the evening’s headliners – including BlackCat Zydeco (July 1), Yam Haus (July 8), Boulevards (July 15), The Abrams (July 22), and Call Me Spinster and Drew Sterchi & Blues Tribe (July 29) – will perform. Come early and shop handmade artisan goods at the Nightfall Art Market beginning at 6 p.m.
Pops on the River
July 2
This community-favorite event is returning to Coolidge Park on Saturday, July 2. Entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. with soul and R&B band Love, Peace & Happiness, and at 8 p.m., the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will be joined by The New Dismembered Tennesseans on stage for a patriotic presentation featuring classics like Stars and Stripes Forever, 1812 Overture, and Colonel Bogey’s March. Fireworks launched from nearby Renaissance Park will conclude the festivities at approximately 9:45 p.m.
Chattanooga FC vs. AC Syracuse
July 2
The Chattanooga Football Club’s only home game this month is July 2, so show up to Finley Stadium and show your support! The CFC will be going head to head with AC Syracuse Pulse, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. The boys in blue are currently at the top of the East Division and hope to continue that streak throughout the summer.
Collegedale Freedom Festival
July 3
Start your Independence Day celebrations a day early at the City of Collegedale’s annual Collegedale Freedom Festival. Held at the Collegedale Commons, this event boasts food trucks, inflatables, train rides, kids’ games, and a petting zoo beginning at 4 p.m. A spectacular fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. will end the night with a bang. Parking is $5, and admission is free.
Fantasy Game Night at The Hunter Museum
July 7
For all you tabletop gamers out there, the Hunter Museum of American Art is hosting the ultimate fantasy game night in conjunction with its latest exhibit, Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration (on display until September 5, 2022). In addition to being able to explore this exhibit, you’ll have the chance to join a one-shot DnD campaign with premade character sheets, or you can play board games like Catan or Betrayal at House on the Hill. This event, which lasts from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m., is free and open to all.
Music & Movies in Miller
July 9, 16, 23, 30
Enjoy movies under the stars all month long at Miller Park in downtown Chattanooga. Each Saturday, music, games, artists, and food trucks will be set up starting at 6 p.m., and at approximately 8:30 p.m., the family-friendly film – Raya and the Last Dragon (July 9), The Princess and the Frog (July 16), Encanto (July 23), and Inside Out (July 30) – will start. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged!
Le Chat Nooga
July 10
A summer celebration of French music, fashion, food, and fun, Le Chat Nooga – presented by the Chattanooga Fashion Expo – is sure to be a Francophile’s paradise. From 5 until 9 p.m. at the Granfalloon in Chattanooga’s Southside, there will be performances from Fire & Water Music and local artists, a carefully curated France-inspired outdoor marketplace, photo opportunities, a live painting demonstration, and raffle prizes, all culminating in a “Summer in Paris” fashion show at 7 p.m. Each ticket purchased includes a crepe from Adele’s Creperie, a complimentary drink, and tastings from local vendors.
Anastasia
July 12-14
You have three opportunities to catch the latest show in the Tivoli Theatre Foundation’s 2021-2022 Broadway season: Anastasia! Inspired by the beloved film, this captivating musical transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to 1920s Paris. Our star – Anya – encounters plenty of adventure as she searches for home, love, and family with the help of a dashing conman. Get your tickets for July 12, 13, or 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium.
Shawn Mullins at McLemore
July 14
The exclusive McLemore Songwriter Series is bringing another top talent to Lookout Mountain on July 14: singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins. Specializing in folk rock and Americana music, Mullins is perhaps best known for his 1998 hit “Lullaby,” with other popular tracks including “Shimmer,” “Anchored in You,” and “Gulf of Mexico.” Attendees will be able to interact and connect with Mullins during and after the performance. Tickets are $55, and the show begins at 6 p.m. at McLemore Club.
Scenic City Scorcher
July 16
Save the date for the Scenic City Scorcher, a certified two-mile race in Chattanooga’s Northshore. The event kicks off at 7:30 a.m. at 555 River Street, which is where participants will find packet pickup, refreshments, and an awards ceremony after the race. Online registration is open until midnight on Monday, July 11, and all ages are encouraged to participate.
Summer Saturdays at The Chattery
July 16
Sip, shop, and celebrate creative entrepreneurs with The Chattery at this free community event. From 2 until 5 p.m. at The Chattery’s location on Rossville Avenue, you’ll find a mini-market featuring Upstate Mississippi, Alecia Vera, Divine Purity Aurapothecary, and other creatives as well as a cash bar (first drink provided by Post Meridiem Spirits!), games, and music from DJ MCPRO. Registration is not required.
Five Star Food Fight
July 24
The Chattanooga Market will host a live cooking competition between some of the city’s best chefs during its weekly market – and this is a food fight you want to be a part of! Just before the market opens, the chefs will arrive to shop and set up their stations, and from noon until 2 p.m., each chef will be creating innovative dishes to wow the judges. In addition to the heated competition, food and artisan vendors will be selling everything from produce and baked goods to jewelry and artwork at the First Horizon Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chattanooga Lookouts + The World Famous Zooperstars!
July 30
Grab the kiddos and head to AT&T Field for a night of baseball and the world-famous ZOOperstars! These zany costumed characters – including Tommy Laswordfish, Sealrena Williams, Harry Canary, and Tim Tebull – perform a hilarious and one-of-kind show that’s fun for the whole family. Of course, you won’t want to miss the Chattanooga Lookouts vs. the Rocket City Trash Pandas, one of six games in this home series. The game begins at 7:15 p.m.