Family Weekend Guide

Free things to do with kids in Chattanooga, TN

46 events listed as free by their source over the next 4 weekends. Some may still need venue admission or registration; we note those when the source says so.

Updated

Age
Area
Cost
Weather

Weekend of Oct 23–25

Big outings

Sat, Oct 24 · 10am

River Market

Chattanooga riverfront (see site) — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · Downtown & North Shore

The weekly Saturday riverfront market with live music, food and local arts and crafts.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free
Details at Chattanooga Market ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · North & Mountains

Trails, creeks and fall color at the foot of Lookout Mountain, plus a wildlife sanctuary with native animals.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free

Grounds open sunrise to sunset; Welcome Center 9am-4pm Tue-Sat.

Details at Reflection Riding ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15 · 10am

Ranger tours of Chickamauga Battlefield

Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center — Fort Oglethorpe, GA · Catoosa Co. · North Georgia

A park ranger leads a 90-minute car-caravan tour of the battlefield; the visitor center is open daily 8:30am-5pm.

  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free

Sat and Sun at 10am and 2pm. Needs at least four adults to run; subject to staffing.

Details at National Park Service ↗

Library storytimes & programs (7, free)

From Chattanooga Public Library branches and Cherokee Regional Library (North Georgia). Some need registration; check the library page.

Saturday, Oct 24

10amFamily Day Out · Northgate Library, Chattanooga (Hixson) 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1

Big outings

Sat, Oct 31 · 10am

River Market

Chattanooga riverfront (see site) — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · Downtown & North Shore

The weekly Saturday riverfront market with live music, food and local arts and crafts.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free
Details at Chattanooga Market ↗
Sat, Oct 31 · 4:30pm–7:30pm

Midtown Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat

Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · East

A big free Halloween-night trunk-or-treat with 30+ decorated trunks, city vehicles to explore and a candy bus; the library gives out free books.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free
Details at Midtown Connect ↗
Sun, Nov 1 · 11am

Haunted Market and costume parade

Chattanooga Market (First Horizon Pavilion) — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · Downtown & North Shore

The Chattanooga Market's Halloween Sunday: bring the little ghosts and goblins for the annual costume parade.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free
Details at Chattanooga Market ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · North & Mountains

Trails, creeks and fall color at the foot of Lookout Mountain, plus a wildlife sanctuary with native animals.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free

Grounds open sunrise to sunset; Welcome Center 9am-4pm Tue-Sat.

Details at Reflection Riding ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15 · 10am

Ranger tours of Chickamauga Battlefield

Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center — Fort Oglethorpe, GA · Catoosa Co. · North Georgia

A park ranger leads a 90-minute car-caravan tour of the battlefield; the visitor center is open daily 8:30am-5pm.

  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free

Sat and Sun at 10am and 2pm. Needs at least four adults to run; subject to staffing.

Details at National Park Service ↗

Library storytimes & programs (8, free)

From Chattanooga Public Library branches and Cherokee Regional Library (North Georgia). Some need registration; check the library page.

Friday, Oct 30

Saturday, Oct 31

Weekend of Nov 6–8

Big outings

Oct 23 – Nov 15

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · North & Mountains

Trails, creeks and fall color at the foot of Lookout Mountain, plus a wildlife sanctuary with native animals.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free

Grounds open sunrise to sunset; Welcome Center 9am-4pm Tue-Sat.

Details at Reflection Riding ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15 · 10am

Ranger tours of Chickamauga Battlefield

Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center — Fort Oglethorpe, GA · Catoosa Co. · North Georgia

A park ranger leads a 90-minute car-caravan tour of the battlefield; the visitor center is open daily 8:30am-5pm.

  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free

Sat and Sun at 10am and 2pm. Needs at least four adults to run; subject to staffing.

Details at National Park Service ↗
Nov 7 – Nov 8

Nooga FamJam street festival

Fort Street (next to the Chattanooga Convention Center) — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · Downtown & North Shore

A free family street festival with vendors, food trucks and activities, the same weekend as Chattanooga Comic Con.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free

Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-2pm.

Details at Nooga FamJam (Eventeny) ↗

Library storytimes & programs (7, free)

From Chattanooga Public Library branches and Cherokee Regional Library (North Georgia). Some need registration; check the library page.

Friday, Nov 6

Saturday, Nov 7

Weekend of Nov 13–15

Big outings

Oct 23 – Nov 15

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · North & Mountains

Trails, creeks and fall color at the foot of Lookout Mountain, plus a wildlife sanctuary with native animals.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free

Grounds open sunrise to sunset; Welcome Center 9am-4pm Tue-Sat.

Details at Reflection Riding ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15 · 10am

Ranger tours of Chickamauga Battlefield

Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center — Fort Oglethorpe, GA · Catoosa Co. · North Georgia

A park ranger leads a 90-minute car-caravan tour of the battlefield; the visitor center is open daily 8:30am-5pm.

  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free

Sat and Sun at 10am and 2pm. Needs at least four adults to run; subject to staffing.

Details at National Park Service ↗
Nov 14 – Nov 15

Christkindlmarkt Signal Mountain

Mountain Arts Community Center (MACC) — Signal Mountain · Hamilton Co. · North & Mountains

European-style holiday market with artisan gifts, festive food and cozy mountain holiday atmosphere.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Free
  • Indoors

Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-6pm.

Details at Shop the Market At ↗

Library storytimes & programs (9, free)

From Chattanooga Public Library branches and Cherokee Regional Library (North Georgia). Some need registration; check the library page.

Friday, Nov 13

Saturday, Nov 14

10amFamily Day Out · Northgate Library, Chattanooga (Hixson) 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free