Welcome to your go-to source for Chattanooga’s top events! With warmer weather and the highly-anticipated promise of no school, the Scenic City has plenty of family-friendly activities, food festivals, races, concerts, and more to offer. Here are just a few of the events, celebrations, and things to do in Chattanooga this May.
All month long
Chattanooga’s original free concert series, Nightfall, is back at Miller Plaza and Miller Park every Friday night throughout the month of May. Rain or shine, the series will feature a vendor market, food trucks, and live performances from bands like Sinkane, Flashdrive, Alicia Blue, The Spooklights, Danimal Planet, and more.
May 1
Benefiting the Chambliss Center for Children, Bunny Hop! is a family-friendly fundraising event with various activities, including arts and crafts, a baby animal petting station, face painting, a photo booth, karaoke, and more. Children attendees will receive a Peter Rabbit coloring book, and parents can enjoy an evening of festivities – including dinner and a silent auction.
May 2 & 3
Get ready to dig into something extraordinary at Rock Your World 2026 – A Rock Mineral, Gem, and Jewelry Extravaganza! With more than 25 vendors, attendees can step into the dazzling world of geology by exploring educational displays, digging for fossils, cracking open geodes, presenting personal rock collections for identification from experts, shopping handmade jewelry, and more.
May 2
The Chattanooga ALS Awareness Walk invites participants and teams to support individuals and families affected by ALS. Hosted by Rise for ALS Chattanooga, Inc., the free, family-friendly walking event will fundraise toward a $75,000 goal to support local ALS families with equipment assistance, caregiver relief, accessibility needs, education, and research support.
May 9
Pedal and race through a scenic, challenging ride that explores all the reasons that Chattanooga earned its nickname, the Scenic City at the Scenic City Cyclo. Hosted by Pedal Productions, the road cycling event features a 90K or 120K ride with picturesque views of the Tennessee river to the majestic peaks and rolling hills of Lookout Mountain.
May 9
Returning for its second year, The Creative Discovery Museum’s Day of Play is an all-day block party, that features hands-on activities, interactive performances, games, and giveaways with community friends like the Chattanooga Public Library, Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Lookouts, and Chattanooga Theater Center and Pop Up Project – all at no cost! Families can also enjoy inflatables and various food trucks.
May 9
Enter a world of juicy citrus, tropical splashes, and cool-you-down creations at the Chattanooga Cocktail Festival! Uniting local bartenders, mixologists, and distillers, the celebration is a night of creative concoctions and tastings, live entertainment, and delicious food from local food trucks. This event is 21+ only.
May 10
Spend some quality time with Mom at the Chattanooga Market’s Mother’s Day Celebration! Enjoy live music and a vibrant market atmosphere while browsing tons of gift ideas to make her feel special, from fresh flowers to handcrafted jewelry and gourmet treats.
May 16
Celebrate and explore at the 11th annual Hike Bike Brew as you hike or ride the Beer Path Loop to experience scenic trails, iconic waterfalls, and top-tier brew tastings before relaxing in the meadow with live music, games, and great food. The 2026 extras – VIP access, limited camping spots, and exclusive event shirts – make the adventure even bigger.
May 16
Chattanooga Zoo presents a premier 21+ trip to the Zoo: Spirits in the Wild. Attendees will enjoy an evening of up-close animal encounters, live music, a silent auction, and a vibrant atmosphere while sampling delicious food and craft cocktails from local vendors – all to support wildlife conservation efforts!
May 16
Join the Tennessee Aquarium and its partners in the second Annual Race to Save the Laurel
Dace (a critically endangered fish located in nearby Walden Ridge) – presented by Nokian Tyres. After the 5K, 10K and half-mile fun run, Laurel Dace Day continues with a farmer’s market, artisan vendors, music, and activities with conservation scientists and educators.
May 17
For those looking to build up to the full-distance IRONMAN Chattanooga, the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga is the perfect training opportunity! As one of the triathlon’s most welcoming race communities on the IRONMAN circuit, the race begins with a 1.4-mile swim, transitions into a 56-mile bike course, and then ends with a 13.1-mile run.
May 17
A scoopful of sweet traditions await at the Chattanooga Market’s Ice Cream Social – all sales benefiting the Down Syndrome Community of Greater Chattanooga! Admission is $10 and includes four samples of Clumpies’ newest seasonal flavors, the opportunity to vote for your favorite ice cream, and access to the entire market.
May 18
Experience a day of premier golf, friendly competition, and meaningful impact at the Austin Hatcher Foundation’s Spring Golf Tournament. Registered foursomes will enjoy a catered lunch, prizes, and a post-tournament reception – with all proceeds providing free mental and behavioral health services for families impacted by childhood cancer.
May 23
The fifth annual Chattanooga Beer Fest is a ticketed craft beer event that features sample tastings from over 25 local and visiting breweries – no tokens or additional purchase necessary. Attendees will also have access to a variety of food trucks, water and soft drink options, and a collectors tasting glass.
May 24
Head to the Chattanooga Market at First Horizon Pavilion for the Chattanooga Street Food Festival. With free admission and a gathering of the best food trucks from our area, attendees can enjoy everything from mouthwatering tacos and donuts to cultural foods and more!
May 25
Start a new Memorial Day tradition at Chattanooga’s oldest active competitive road race, the 58th Annual Chattanooga Chase. Experience the scenic 8K and 1-mile races through the
historic Riverview neighborhood, followed by the Hanover Street Block Party. All proceeds benefit the Chattanooga Track Club and Siskin Children’s Institute.
May 25
Celebrate Memorial Day the McCoy Farm & Garden’s Memorial Day Picnic. With a salute to the flag and veterans, the national anthem, picnic food for purchase, a children’s play area, local musical entertainment, a craft fair, antique china sale, and more, the free celebration offers something for everyone.
May 30
Hear ye, hear ye! Verre Noire presents the first-ever Chattanooga Renaissance Faire – a day filled with knights, artisans, and merrymakers. Located in Coolidge Park, every event corner reveals a bit of historical wonder and playful imagination for all ages, including roaming performers, costumed characters, and up-close demonstrations of calligraphy, leatherwork, metalcraft, and more.
