Welcome to your go-to source for Chattanooga’s top events! Back-to-school shopping lists may feel neverending, but summer fun doesn’t have to stop just yet. August is packed with exciting events and fun things to do all around Chattanooga. So, check off that school supply list and make room for these must-attend events on your August calendar.
August 1
Get ready to shake, stir, and be served at the Chattanooga Margarita Festival! With the purchase of general admission tickets, guests can enjoy 10 mini margaritas, local DJs, a photobooth, and food vendors at the First Horizon Pavilion while voting for the best margarita in Chattanooga. This event is for adults 21+ only.
August 1-2
Get your geek on at FarleyCon – Chattanooga’s ultimate pop culture and comic book expo! Held at the Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge, FarleyCon features a fun-filled weekend of comics, voice actors, cosplay, collectibles, panels, photo ops, and a premier celebration of G.I. Joe.
August 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29
Every Saturday in August, head to Ross’s Landing in downtown Chattanooga for Riverfront Nights. With concessions opening at 6 p.m. and the concerts starting at 7 p.m., attendees can enjoy good food and drinks alongside performances from talented local artists. The summer 2026 schedule can be found online.
August 1-7
All aboard the National Train Show! Join fellow locomotive enthusiasts at the NMRA National Convention for a week full of fun activities – including layout and prototype tours, steam-powered excursions and dinner train, operating sessions, and much more.
August 2
Celebrate the farmers, growers, and food vendors who make the Chattanooga Market what it is at National Farmers Market Week. Grab your friends and loved ones and stock up on farm-fresh produce, locally made foods, handmade goods, fresh flowers, and more while enjoying live music and fun activities.
August 2
Head to Erlanger Park to cheer for the Lookouts as they face the Knoxville Smokies. As part of Back to School Night, attendees can also enjoy student-friendly activities and donate items for the community backpack drive to help families gear up for the upcoming academic year.
August 6-9
As part of the World’s Longest Yard Sale (Highway 127), Shop The Market At’s 127 Yard Sale at the Macc offers something unexpected around every corner. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mountain Arts Community Center on Signal Mountain, attendees can shop for unique treasures, vintage finds, antiques, food, and more.
August 8
Don your finest princess dress or buccaneer gear for the Chattanooga Zoo’s Pirates, Parrots, and Princesses event! From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., guests will enjoy swashbuckling activities, including a treasure hunt, pirate and princess meet-and-greets, and more. Children 12 and under who dress in their best themed attire will receive 50% off admission.
August 8-9
Red Clay State Historic Park invites guests to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the Cherokee people at the Cherokee Culture Celebration 2026. Attendees can experience a traditional Cherokee dance with the Warriors of AniKituhwa, as well as other cultural demonstrations, dances, music, food, and more.
August 8
The Missionary Ridge Road Race, hosted by the Chattanooga Track Club, includes a 4.7-mile road race and a one-mile fun run that starts and finishes at Bragg Reservation. Experience spectacular views of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain as you run through the historic neighborhood of Missionary Ridge. Participants will receive event shirts and medals, while door prizes are awarded after the race for various category winners.
August 15
Inspired by the charm and glamour of an Italian summer, this year’s Bingo for the Grove theme, “La Dolce Vita,” promises an unforgettable evening of giving back to support the important work of Orange Grove Center. Guests will enjoy a signature cocktail hour, seated gourmet dinner with table-side bar service, valet parking, lively music and dancing, dance party, and, of course, the signature bingo games featuring exciting cash prizes.
August 15
Highlighting more than 60 years of service, the Siskin Children Institute’s largest fundraiser, StarNight 2026, will feature an evening of Western Glam – celebrating grit, grace, and giving! To help raise awareness and funds to benefit Siskin Children’s Institute, the widely anticipated premier gala will include a cocktail reception, elegant dinner, silent and live auctions, high-energy entertainment, and more.
August 15
SPLASH Youth Arts Workshop will be hosting their summer festival in Miller Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be jam-packed with fun activities for the whole family, including a kids’ art zone, youth talent showcases, inflatables, a festival art market, food trucks, and more.
August 14 – 16
Experience the “largest extreme sport festival of the south” at the Chattanooga River Games! The free festival along Ross’s Landing combines high diving, highlining, wake surfing, kayak launches, cliff jumping, climbing competitions, and more into a three-day competition; not to mention a full scale EDM festival with live DJs during the evenings to create an atmosphere attendees will never forget.
August 16
Join the Hunter Museum and yoga instructor, Brittany Shaw, for Artful Yoga! Backdropped by the museum’s stunning river views, the art-inspired yoga practice is designed to ground and recenter participants’ minds and bodies. The event is open to all levels of yoga experience, and participants must bring their own mat.
August 22 – 23
The third Annual Watermelon Festival invites attendees to enjoy a two-day event that’s packed with watermelon-themed fun. Held at Mcdonald Farm, the family-friendly festival will feature artisan vendors, refreshing watermelon treats, kids’ inflatables, splash fun, animal encounters, contests, and more – all backdropped by a scenic countryside setting.
August 23
Grab your sunglasses, sunscreen, and friends and register for the annual Summer Sizzler 5K, 10K, 15K, and Kids’ Dash at Camp Jordan. This family-friendly summer event includes race swag, awards, photos, vendors, delicious treats waiting at the finish line, and an after party!
Abby Callahan, BA, Cum Laude
Abby Callahan is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Spanish and the distinction of Cum Laude. She also graduated Magna Cum Laude from Chattanooga State Community College, earning honors through the Global Scholars Honors Program. Prior to joining CMC Media & Marketing Group as editor/digital content specialist, Abby successfully fulfilled roles in marketing and event planning, as well as strategic communications and storytelling for a wide variety of initiatives. Today, Abby leads ideation, conceptualization, and development of numerous health, wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope®, CityScope®, and Choose Chattanooga® magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia.