Contributing Author: Lindsey Clute
Fall has finally arrived in the Scenic City, complete with cooler weather, pumpkin-flavored treats, and plenty of fall-themed events and celebrations for the whole family to enjoy. If you’re searching for the best events to attend in Chattanooga in October, look no further. From the Zoo’s merry-not-scary Halloween event to a 21+ celebration at the Creative Discovery Museum, there are plenty of things to do in Chattanooga this month.
Dread Hollow
October 2 – November 2 (Thursday – Sunday Nights)
This award-winning haunted house experience is not for the faint of heart! Dread Hollow offers nights of terrifying fun with three haunted houses and three horror-themed escape rooms, complete with realistic special effects. Parental discretion is advised. Buy timed-entry tickets in advance online.
A Taste of Southern Gala
October 2
Southern Adventist University’s A Taste of Southern gala gives the community a taste of the Southern experience that has transformed and uplifted students’ lives for more than 130 years. Hosted at The Chattanoogan Hotel, the evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with pre-show activities, including the archaeology exhibit “Peace and War: The Assyrian Conquest of Lachish.” After an invocation from Mayor Weston Wamp, enjoy dinner while celebrating the presentation of new community awards and experiencing rousing entertainment from the Nashville-raised and New York-based Annie Moses Band. All proceeds benefit first-generation college student scholarships.
3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival
October 3 – 4
The 18th annual 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival is a free two-day festival that honors the musical legacy of bluegrass fiddler Fletcher Bright. Featuring some of the biggest names in traditional and not-so-traditional bluegrass, this premier event will take place at Ross’s Landing and will include a wide variety of vendors onsite serving food, soft drinks, beer, and wine. The 3 Sisters Festival is sponsored by the Fletcher Bright Company and is produced by Chattanooga Presents.
Tennessee Valley Heart Walk
October 4
The Heart Walk is a fun, family-friendly event that brings our community together to get active, raise life-saving funds, and support the mission of the American Heart Association. Beginning at 8 a.m. at AT&T Field in downtown Chattanooga, walkers of all ages and abilities are invited to celebrate heart health, honor survivors, and remember loved ones affected by heart disease and stroke. Through fundraising and community engagement, the Heart Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for vital research, and ultimately, save lives.
Boo in the Zoo
October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
The Chattanooga Zoo’s annual Boo in the Zoo is a merry-not-scary Halloween event perfect for families with kids of all ages. Trick-or-treat stations, scavenger hunts, and costume contests will all be a part of these festive evenings, and the entire zoo will be decorated for the holiday. Note that the zoo’s regular admission will close at 3:30 p.m. on event days before reopening at 4 p.m. for Boo in the Zoo. General admission tickets are not valid for Boo in the Zoo.
Chattanooga Oktoberfest
October 11-12
Don your favorite festive German attire for this year’s Chattanooga Oktoberfest. Enjoy two festive days of German food and tradition, including oompah music, craft brews, and local vendors. Visitors of all ages can also look forward to viewing and participating in the annual Mr. and Ms. Chattanooga Oktoberfest® Contest on Saturday evening.
The Cleveland Apple Festival
October 19-20
The Cleveland Apple Festival takes place each year on the Bradley County Courthouse Square. Come enjoy an arts and crafts show, live music, food booths, a petting zoo, the Apple Blossom pageant, and, of course, the apple dessert contest. Net proceeds are donated to nonprofit organizations in the Cleveland area.
7 Bridges Marathon
October 18 – 19
This year marks the 15th annual 7 Bridges Marathon event weekend with more than 4,000 registrants expected this fall. Chattanooga’s oldest and biggest marathon event includes five different races: the 7 Bridges Marathon, 4 Bridges Half Marathon, 4 Bridges 10K, Family Fun Run, and the 2 Bridges 5K. Featuring a live DJ, event shirts, custom medals, and a donut truck, each course will begin and end near the Chattanooga Theatre on Tremont Avenue. All finishers will receive a medal, and age group awards will be awarded.
RMHC Golf Classic
October 20
Join the Ronald McDonald House of Charities of Greater Chattanooga for its annual Golf Classic on October 20 at Black Creek. The RMHC Golf Classic has been ongoing since 1999 to support the Ronald McDonald House in providing families the opportunity to stay close to their loved ones during difficult times. Contests are held throughout the tournament with awards for each flight – plus, the best overall team for the day will be awarded the RMHC Kaylor Cup! Golfers may register as teams of four, and each player will receive a sleeve of Pro V1 golf balls, one mulligan, and a $150 gift card to the Black Creek Golf Course Pro Shop.
Restoring Freedom Dinner Gala
October 23
Join Warrior Freedom Service Dogs, a Chattanooga-based nonprofit that provides service dogs for veterans, at The Signal in Chattanooga’s Southside for their Restoring Freedom Dinner Gala. Celebrating 10 years of service, this black-tie-optional event will feature a gourmet dinner and cocktails, music and entertainment, a silent auction, special guest speaker, and more, with every sponsor and donation helping to provide a hero with a life-saving service dog.
Best Cellars
October 24
Best Cellars is Chattanooga’s premier wine-tasting event. Held at the beautiful Hunter Museum of Art, this year’s Best Cellars presents a selection of premium wines delectable food pairings created by Chef Kevin Ramquist and live music. Support historic preservation initiatives in Chattanooga while taking an exceptional wine journey.
Drink & Discover: Mad Science
October 24
Creative Discovery Museum will be open for adults only (21+) for Drink & Discover: Mad Science. Don your best costume and step into the lab for a night of electrifying fun, including building your own stitched-up Frankenstein creation, braving the toxic sludge obstacle course, sipping potions from a glowing test tube bar, and much more. Tickets will be on sale soon on the museum’s website.
Dare to Dance
October 25
Celebrating 18 years, Dare to Dance, the Chattanooga Kidney Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event, will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Based on the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” the event will feature 12 Chattanooga celebrities taking the dance floor with a professional dance partner to entertain the audience and raise funds for local kidney patients. Guests will enjoy a full dinner, drinks, souvenir items, photo opportunities, and more.
Chattanooga Jazz Festival
October 26
Filling the heart of the city with the sounds of jazz, blues, and funk, the Chattanooga Jazz Festival will showcase an incredible lineup of local talent, celebrating Chattanooga’s rich musical heritage and vibrant arts community. Guests can enjoy live performances, great food, and a lively atmosphere in one of the city’s most iconic venues – the Chattanooga Choo Choo. This event is free and open to the public.
Ali Lemmons, BS, Summa Cum Laude
Ali Lemmons is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication with a minor in computer science. While at UTC, Ali also earned the distinction of Summa Cum Laude, the Outstanding Senior Award for the communication department, and was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society. Now, as editor/digital content specialist for CMC Media & Marketing Group, Ali leads the 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. She is also involved in content creation for Digital Smart Marketing customers and is the lead copywriter for the company’s social media sites.
Lindsey Clute, BA
Lindsey Clute is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications with a minor in international studies. Prior to joining CMC Media & Marketing Group as editor/digital content specialist, Lindsey worked in social media marketing, managing social media accounts and supporting various marketing initiatives. In addition, she worked as an editorial intern for a local media group. Today, Lindsey 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.
