I moved to Chattanooga halfway through last summer. Even though I saw and did a lot during the second half of the summer, there’s still a lot from the spring and early summer that I missed. Checking out local events calendars makes me giddy with excitement at how many big events are coming up this spring and summer.
Here are 9 upcoming Chattanooga events you should be super excited about!
I’m pumped for all of them. Seriously. My social calendar is going to be pretty full between now and the end of the summer.
Chattanooga Film Festival (March 31 – April 3) // Experience four days of independent films, from genres including biopics, action and adventure and everything in between. This is the festival’s third year running. The CFF is a great event for movie and film aficionados to get a glimpse at local filmmakers and their works, and to establish film as one part of Chattanooga’s growing art and culture scene. This year’s opening film is a Hank Williams biopic called “I Saw the Light.” Read more about some of the featured films here.
Taste 2016 (April 7) // Who doesn’t love a good food-tasting event? Guests at Taste can enjoy food and drink samples from some of the best dining in Chattanooga, while listening to local live music. But it’s not just a food-tasting event. Taste is a major benefit for the Chattanooga Kidney Foundation. Every penny raised through ticket sales stays in Chattanooga and goes toward patient services in town.
Restaurants in attendance this year include: 1885 Grill, FIVE, Chelsea’s on Thorton, Milk & Honey, FEED Co. and more!


4 Bridges Art Festival (April 16-17) // Each year, the Association of Visual Arts (AVA) puts on the 4 Bridges Art Festival to showcase local, regional and national artists, and to support and advance the visual arts in Chattanooga’s art scene. For two days, locals can come over to the Tennessee Pavilion and check out over 150 artists’ work, chat with artists themselves and purchase works straight from the makers. 4 Bridges has been named one of the “Prime 50” Fine Arts Fairs in the nation, so you know it’s going to be pretty awesome.
Jazzanooga (April 22-24) // Did you know that April is Jazz Appreciation Month? For the sixth year, Jazzanooga will celebrate jazz music and its impact on music in general, both in Chattanooga and beyond. Performers this year include Arturo O’Farrill, Christian McBride Trio, Julian Lage and more. Jazzanooga is much more than a music festival; it’s involved in the community through its Jazzanooga Youth Music Academy and weekly radio show. But for one weekend in April, it’s all jazz everything.
Mark your calendars for these 9 awesome #events coming to #Chattanooga this spring! Click To TweetChattanooga Farmers Market (April 24) // One of my favorite things to do on Sundays is check out the farmer’s market. From fresh, organic produce, to delicious baked goods, to locally-made t-shirts, soaps and other gifts, I always find something to bring home. The fresh-cut flowers are always a nice touch to my apartment, too. Opening weekend is April 23-24. Check out the Chattanooga Market website to see a schedule of special events throughout the spring and summer!
Chattanooga FC Season (May – July 2016) // Okay, so it’s not a singular event, but the season is almost here! Going to a CFC game was one of the first things I did when I moved to Chattanooga last summer. I may be more of a casual soccer fan, but man I cannot wait until CFC games start back up again. Even if you’re not a soccer enthusiast, it’s still really fun to go to CFC games, watch the guys on the field–sorry, “soccer pitch”–and listen to the creative taunts from the Chattahooligans, CFC’s own hype crew. Maybe I’ll pick up more of the actual game rules and play this year?
Tennessee Whiskey Festival (May 21) // Tennessee is home to some of the nation’s best whiskey. Chattanooga celebrates that amazing whiskey and those that make it this May at the Tennessee Whiskey Festival. Guests can sample whiskey from around the state and region, enjoy food along with their spirits and try their feet at dancing (which may be difficult, depending on how many whiskey samples you’ve had). The whiskey festival benefits H*Art Gallery, a non-profit organization that provides outreach and support to other local non-profit organizations that offer art classes and art therapy to their clients. Ready to taste over whiskey from over 20 distilleries? I am.
Uncorked (May 21) // I love wine and I love music, so the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s Uncorked event was basically made for me. Uncorked is an evening of music, food, wine and a good time, all benefiting the CSO. I’m particularly excited for this one.
Hey #CHA, check out these 9 upcoming #events you should be excited about! Click To TweetRiverbend Music Festival (June 10-18) // Who knew Chattanooga had a whole week-long music festival with some pretty sweet headlining acts? Riverbend celebrates 35 years this June with a crazy awesome festival in store. This year’s acts include Thomas Rhett, Brett Eldredge, Heart, Hawk Nelson, .38 Special, REO Speedwagon, Salt & Pepa and more. And it all happens down on the Riverfront. It’s the perfect summertime event.
And of course that’s not all of the awesome events Chattanooga has to offer. I didn’t get even get to the rest of June, July and August. Hello Southern Brewers Festival!
There is so much to be excited about in Chattanooga this spring and summer. I know I’ll be attending as many of these events as I can. Which ones will you be at?
Want to see more of my adventures in Chattanooga and be a part of them? Follow me on Snapchat: @thekrobertson!
For more information on awesome upcoming events, check out ChattanoogaFun.com.