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LookoutChatt
Your Weekly Guide to Chattanooga
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August in Chattanooga hits different, and this weekend the waterfront becomes the center of the universe. River Games lands at Ross's Landing Friday: wakesurfing, death diving, BMX, skateboarding, USA Diving, kayak competition, live music, food vendors, and 25,000+ spectators, all free on our doorstep. It runs through Sunday, and there's no wrong way to do it.
Friday also brings a solo set from Taylor Hollingsworth at The Woodshop, a lantern tour through Ruby Falls after dark, and a moth identification workshop at Verre Noir on Frazier Avenue (the Cecropia moth, North America's largest native moth, only in Chattanooga). Saturday layers on StarNight, Siskin Children's Institute's Western Glam gala at the Convention Center, Squeeze at Walker Theatre, a book fair on Frazier Avenue, and the SPLASH Youth Arts Festival free at Miller Park. Sunday winds down with the 423 Lemon Drop Festival, Market Trivia at the Chattanooga Market, and Cars and Coffee.
It's a lot. Pick your spots. Here's everything worth doing this weekend. 👇
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In This Edition
🌊 [Friday] River Games kicks off at Ross's Landing – free all weekend
🦋 [Friday] Cecropia Moth workshop at Verre Noir, Frazier Ave
🌟 [Saturday] StarNight 2026, Siskin's Western Glam gala at the Convention Center
🎨 [Saturday] SPLASH Youth Arts Festival (free!) at Miller Park
🍋 [Sunday] 423 Lemon Drop Festival at Miller Park
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📅 Friday, August 14
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⭐ THE BIG ONE ⭐
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🌊 River Games x ChattaWake |
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Wakesurfing, death diving, BMX, skateboarding, USA Diving, kayak launching, live music, and food vendors, all free at Ross's Landing all weekend long. One of Chattanooga's biggest events of the summer, right on our riverfront. Drew more than 25,000 spectators last year. Whether you walk down for an hour or stake out a spot for the whole day, there's no bad way to do River Games.
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🕐 Friday–Sunday, Aug 14–16 • All day
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📍 Ross's Landing, Downtown
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FREE
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→ More Info
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🦋 August Entomology Workshop – The Cecropia Moth
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Verre Noir on Frazier Avenue hosts a moth identification workshop focused on the Cecropia, North America's largest native moth. Part science, part art, 100% weird in the best way.
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🕐 Friday, Aug 14
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Evening
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📍 Verre Noir, Frazier Avenue, Northshore
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CHECK VENUE
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→ More Info
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🎸 Taylor Hollingsworth
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An award-winning songwriter and former member of Conor Oberst's Mystic Valley Band brings a gritty mix of folk, blues, and rock to The Woodshop Listening Room for an intimate solo set. Dinner and drink specials available.
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🕐 Friday, Aug 14
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Doors 5:00 PM • Show 6:00 PM
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📍 The Woodshop Listening Room, 5500 St Elmo Ave
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$15.35–$102.81
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→ Details & Tickets
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🕯️ Ruby Falls Lantern Tour
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After hours, after dark, only the glow of handheld lanterns between you and the underground waterfall. Smaller groups, relaxed pace, extended time at the falls. Ages 10+, about a mile round trip, and it sells out fast.
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🕐 Friday, Aug 14
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Evening – select timed entry slots
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📍 Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain
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ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY
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→ Details & Tickets
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🎵 JD Pinkus, Tall Tall Trees, Obelisk
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Three acts, one night at Cherry Street Tavern. JD Pinkus, best known as bassist for Butthole Surfers, brings a solo set that lands somewhere between folk, alternative bluegrass, and psychedelic punk. Tall Tall Trees and Obelisk round out a stacked bill.
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🕐 Friday, Aug 14
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9:00 PM
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📍 Cherry Street Tavern, 719 Cherry Street, Downtown
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$19.50
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→ Details & Tickets
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📅 Saturday, August 15
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🌟 StarNight 2026
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Siskin Children's Institute's largest fundraiser of the year, celebrating more than 60 years of service. This year's theme is Western Glam: cocktail reception, elegant dinner, silent and live auctions, and high-energy entertainment. All proceeds benefit Siskin Children's Institute.
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🕐 Saturday, Aug 15
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7:00–10:00 PM
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📍 Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter St, Downtown
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TICKETED
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→ Details & Tickets
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🃏 The Flip Trade Show
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Not a performance, a marketplace. Sports cards, Pokémon, TCG, and collectibles fill the Convention Center for buyers, sellers, and traders. A fun stop if you or your kid are into the hobby.
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🕐 Saturday, Aug 15
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10:00 AM–5:00 PM
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📍 Chattanooga Convention Center, Downtown
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ADMISSION ON-SITE
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→ More Info
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🎵 Squeeze
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The British rock band behind "Tempted," "Cool for Cats," and "Pulling Mussels" plays Walker Theatre. Whether you grew up on their 80s catalog or just appreciate tight songwriting from a band that still delivers live, get tickets before they're gone.
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🕐 Saturday, Aug 15
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8:00 PM
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📍 Robert Kirk Walker Community Theater (Walker Theatre)
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TICKETED
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→ Details & Tickets
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📚 Book Fair on Frazier Avenue
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Verre Noir and Almanac Supply Co. team up with neighboring businesses to turn Frazier Avenue into a neighborhood-wide literary block party. Rare and secondhand books, independent authors, curated picks, handmade goods. Family-friendly, all day.
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🕐 Saturday, Aug 15
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All day
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📍 Frazier Avenue, Northshore
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FREE
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→ More Info
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🎨 SPLASH Summer Youth Arts Festival
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Miller Park hosts this free summer arts festival showcasing young Chattanooga talent, live performances, visual art, and community in one of the city's best outdoor gathering spots. Bring the family, grab a spot in the shade.
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🕐 Saturday, Aug 15
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10:00 AM–3:00 PM
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📍 Miller Park, Downtown
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FREE
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🛍️ St. Elmo Maker's Market
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Local vendors, live music, food, and craft beer at The Tap House in one of the city's most beloved neighborhoods. Good vibes, easy afternoon, great excuse to wander St. Elmo.
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🕐 Saturday, Aug 15
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11:00 AM–3:00 PM
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📍 The Tap House, St. Elmo
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FREE
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→ More Info
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🎭 Bat Boys and Bad Decisions
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For the ACOTAR crowd: a fantasy-themed charity event at Moxy Downtown where the Inner Circle convenes for challenges, dancing, theatrical performances, secretive prophecies, and themed cocktails. All proceeds benefit Rise for ALS Chattanooga.
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🕐 Saturday, Aug 15
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6:30 PM
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📍 Moxy Chattanooga Downtown, 1220 King Street
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TABLES FROM $250
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→ Details & Tickets
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📅 Sunday, August 16
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🌊 River Games x ChattaWake – Final Day
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Last chance to catch the action at Ross's Landing before it wraps for the year.
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🕐 Sunday, Aug 16
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All day
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📍 Ross's Landing, Downtown
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FREE
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⛳ Good Good Golf Club Invitational
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36 two-person teams face off in alternate shot at Sweetens Cove, the same course the Good Good Tour plays the following day. Regulation 18 holes, then a 3-hole sudden death knockout to crown the winner. Players get exclusive tee gifts at check-in. Spectators welcome to watch the action at one of the most talked-about courses in the Southeast.
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🕐 Sunday, Aug 16
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10:30 AM–4:00 PM (check-in from 8:30 AM)
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📍 Sweetens Cove Golf Club, South Pittsburg, TN (≈45 min from downtown)
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CHECK LINK FOR ENTRY
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→ Details & Tickets
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🍋 423 Lemon Drop Festival
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A full-day party at Miller Park built around the signature lemon drop cocktail: live music, food trucks, shopping, and afternoon-into-evening vibes right in the heart of downtown.
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🕐 Sunday, Aug 16
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2:00–8:00 PM
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📍 Miller Park, Downtown (928 Market Street)
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TICKETED
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→ Details & Tickets
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🎯 Chattanooga Market: Market Trivia Edition
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The Chattanooga Market debuts a new theme day: trivia pop-ups throughout the market with questions on general knowledge, pop culture, food, and history. Come for the vendors and produce, stay to see if your team can take the crown.
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🕐 Sunday, Aug 16
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11:00 AM–4:00 PM
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📍 First Horizon Pavilion, Downtown
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FREE
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→ More Info
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🚗 Cars and Coffee
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Sponsored by Quick Everett's Garage, this month's meetup gathers near Chattanooga Whiskey on Riverfront Parkway. Swing by to see the builds, grab a coffee, and talk shop with the Chattanooga car community.
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🕐 Sunday, Aug 16
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Morning
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📍 900 Riverfront Parkway, Downtown
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FREE
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→ More Info
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📌 In Case You Missed It
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CFC makes it 10 unbeaten. Chattanooga FC extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches this week, one of the best stretches in club history. → Read more
Gas down 21 cents. Local gas prices dropped this week. Not a small thing heading into a big event weekend, fill up before you go.
2027 UTMB World Series: Chattanooga bound. The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc World Series is coming to Chattanooga June 4–6, 2027, the first Southern US stop for the series. Massive for tourism and the running community alike.
Blood shortage, donors needed now. Local blood banks are in critical need of donations. If you're able to give, now is the time. → Find a location
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Visiting Chattanooga? 🧳
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🚂 Have family coming to town? Here's your afternoon.
Chattanooga Derailed: Trolley Tour + Train Ride
A vintage trolley ride through downtown plus a trip on the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's Missionary Ridge Local. Turntable demo, restoration shop, the whole thing. Perfect for when the in-laws visit.
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🍴 Hungry for a Chattanooga deep dive?
Southside Food Tour with Lunch
Three hours, six stops, one very full stomach. A guided walking tour through Chattanooga's Southside with tastings at local restaurants, plus a sit-down lunch to finish. Learn a little history, meet the people behind the food, and skip the "where should we eat" debate entirely.
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⚓ Have you ever seen Chattanooga from the water?
Private Electric Boat Rental on the Tennessee River
Skipper your own quiet electric boat down the Tennessee River. No license needed, no gas fumes, no engine noise. Cruise past Ross's Landing, under the Walnut Street Bridge, and along the Riverwalk at your own pace. Bring snacks, bring a cooler, bring the people you actually want to spend an afternoon with.
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Booking through these links may support LookoutChatt at no cost to you.
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Happy weekend, Chattanooga. If you go to nothing else, at least walk down to River Games for an hour, it's free, it's on the riverfront, and it's the kind of thing you'll walk past and regret not stopping for. And if you make it to the moth workshop, hit reply and tell us what you learned. We want to know.
See you next Thursday,
The Lookout team
Follow us on Instagram for daily Chattanooga content: @lookoutchatt
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