Chattanooga blooms with activity every April. Hunt for Easter eggs in Sculpture Fields, cheer on the Chattanooga Lookouts as they begin a new season, and celebrate Earth Day with Rock City. For more ideas of things to do this month, keep reading!
April 1
Showcasing Tennessee’s finest wines is the Sip TN Chattanooga Wine Fest, to be held at the First Horizon Pavilion from noon until 4 p.m. on April 1. The festival will offer up more than 100 wines produced in the state of Tennessee; attendees can also shop with artisans, sample delicious food, and buy bottles of wine to take home. Proceeds from the rain-or-shine event benefit Tennessee agriculture and small businesses.
April 7-8
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, iconic musical Jesus Christ Superstar is coming to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium for three separate performances. The production, which follows Jesus Christ’s final weeks on Earth, features a legendary score including “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane,” and “Superstar.” Show times are Friday, April 7, at 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 8, at 2 and 8 p.m.
April 7-8
A springtime favorite at the Chattanooga Zoo, Hug-A-Bunny Days is a fun event for the whole family. From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days, guests can enjoy games, crafts, themed animal enrichment, and visits with the Easter Bunny. Meet the zoo’s real live bunnies, and find the Golden Egg hidden within the zoo to win a prize!
April 8
Think Easter egg hunts are just for the kids? Think again! The Chattery is hosting its annual Great Adult Egg Hunt & Hoppy Hour at Sculpture Fields at Montague Park beginning at 1 p.m. After searching for eggs – which contain candy and prizes from local businesses – attendees can participate in a restaurant “hop” along Main Street.
April 11
Cheer on the return of baseball in the Scenic City with this Tuesday night game at AT&T Field. The Chattanooga Lookouts, the city’s minor league baseball team, will be taking on the Mississippi Braves at 7:15 p.m. This is the first in a series of six games, which feature a Chick-fil-A giveaway on Wednesday night, April 12, and fireworks on Friday night, April 14.
April 13
Chattanooga’s premier food event is as tasty as ever, with some of the best local cuisine the Scenic City has to offer. Benefiting the Kidney Foundation of the Greater Chattanooga Area, TASTE is happening from 5 until 8 p.m. at the First Horizon Pavilion. Each guest receives one drink ticket and unlimited samples from the local restaurants present. Also in the works are a cash bar, live music, and a silent auction.
April 15
With free tacos, discounted margaritas, tequila shots, and more, the 4th annual Taco & Tequila Crawl promises to be one big party around Chattanooga’s Northshore. The Bar Crawl USA event lasts from noon until 5 p.m. and includes four signature tacos, a professional photographer, and DJs and entertainment. VIP tickets, which include an extra taco and signature t-shirt, are also available.
April 15-16, 22-23
A naturally fun outdoor premier event, Rock City’s EarthDayz is celebrating its 14th year of going green. Musical entertainment, nature characters, eco-friendly demonstrations, and more are in store. Reserve your tickets at seerockcity.com.
April 15-16
Formerly known as the Big 9 Roots Festival, Bessie Smith’s Big 9 Music Fest is a two-day event that’s free to the public. In addition to local R&B and gospel artists, the weekend event will highlight Chattanooga’s rich African American history with merchandise and food vendors at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.
April 16
Free to the community, this brand-new festival takes place on one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges: Chattanooga’s Walnut Street Bridge. Attendees can expect local business vendors, great food, interactive children’s activities, and music by local artists, among other activities. Everything takes place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
April 16
Chatt Taste’s Dine & Dance event is Chattanooga’s premiere culinary and dance event! On April 16, 2023 at the Westin Hotel there will be 45 minutes of group salsa dance instruction, followed by a delicious three course culinary experience, rounded out with open dance floor time to practice and perfect your new moves! Purchase tickets at www.ChattTaste.com
April 21-23
The Association for Visual Arts’ 4 Bridges Arts Festival is returning to the First Horizon Pavilion this April. The juried art show attracts more than 140 visual artists from around the country and offers $20,000+ in cash awards. Entry is $5 at the gate, and students and children under 18 enter free.
April 21-23
Garden enthusiasts look forward to Crabtree Farms’ Plant Sale + Festival every spring. The 2023 sale will offer sustainably grown veggie annuals, perennials, and landscape flowers, plus berry and fruit plant starts and seeds for vegetables best sown directly. The full festival, which includes live music, arts and crafts vendors, food, and children’s activities, takes place April 21 and 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale continues into Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
April 22-23, 29-30
Featuring Thomas the Tank Engine, this annual affair at the Tennessee Valley Railroad is one of the museum’s most popular events. Expect plenty of train-themed activities as well as lawn games, live entertainment, a pop-up gift shop, and more. Train rides behind Thomas depart every hour, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.
April 22
Battle Below the Clouds is Ruby Falls’ ultimate barbecue cook-off. Prizes will be awarded for Best Pulled Pork, Ribs, Wings, and Grand Champion. The all-day event includes live bluegrass bands, kids’ activities, barbecue for purchase, prize drawings, and more. Team registration fees benefit children with pediatric cancer and their families through the Lana’s Love Foundation. Spectator admission is free.
April 27
The Moth Ball® by CityScope® is the ultimate girls’ night out! Held at The Signal, The Moth Ball® features everything from hors d’oeuvres and drinks to dancing, giveaways, and fashions from the past. With a mission to support local women, the 2023 event will benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
April 29-30
Welcome back the Chattanooga Market at the First Horizon Pavilion on April 29 and 30! The market will be waiting with farm produce, artisan foods, fresh flowers, arts and crafts, live music, and food trucks. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is free to attend.
