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LookoutChatt
Your Weekly Guide to Chattanooga
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August in Chattanooga has been delivering all summer, and this weekend is not slowing down. The anchor: Riverfront Nights returns Saturday with a free Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute at Ross's Landing, chairs, blankets, leashed dogs, and that distinctly Chattanooga feeling of being exactly where you're supposed to be on a summer night.
But that's just the centerpiece. Friday has a Boogie Wonderland skate night at the Calvary Pavilion in St. Elmo and a beginner-friendly downtown kayak trip. Saturday layers on the 53rd Missionary Ridge Road Race, Double-A baseball at Erlanger Park, and Lee Bains recording a live album at Cherry Street Tavern. Sunday? The Chattanooga Market goes back-to-school at First Horizon, a Chattanooga story finally hits the big screen at Songbirds, and Jonnie W headlines the Comedy Catch.
It's a lot. Pick your spots. Here's everything worth doing this weekend. 👇
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In This Edition
🛼 [Friday] Boogie Wonderland skate night, St. Elmo, 6–9:30pm
🎸 [Saturday] FREE Riverfront Nights: Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute at Ross's Landing
🎤 [Saturday] Lee Bains records a live album at Cherry Street Tavern
🎬 [Sunday] The Last Sunday – a Chattanooga historical drama premieres
🎤 [Sunday] Jonnie W at The Comedy Catch
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📅 Friday, August 7
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🛶 Downtown Kayak
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Paddle the Tennessee River through downtown on a beginner-friendly guided trip, with two morning sessions to choose from, led by Outdoor Chattanooga's experienced staff. Great way to see the city from a different angle before the weekend hits.
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🕐 Friday, Aug 7
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8:00–10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–1:30 PM
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📍 Tennessee River, Downtown
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AGES 13+
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→ 8am Session
→ 11am Session
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🛼 Summer Skate Nights: Boogie Wonderland
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The final themed night of Outdoor Chattanooga's Summer Skate series is the one you want to end on. Boogie Wonderland means disco funk, nostalgic beats, nonstop dance energy, and a costume contest for the bold. Free skate rentals for the first 30 skaters. Food from Food Trappers Union.
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🕐 Friday, Aug 7
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6:00–9:30 PM
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📍 Calvary Pavilion, 3333 St. Elmo Ave, St. Elmo
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FREE
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→ More Info
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📅 Saturday, August 8
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🏃 Missionary Ridge Road Race (53rd Annual)
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One of Chattanooga's longest-running road races returns for its 53rd year: a 4.7-mile race plus a 1-mile fun run, both starting and finishing at Bragg Reservation on Missionary Ridge with sweeping views of the city and Lookout Mountain. Counts toward Chattanooga Track Club Runner of the Year points. Note: no parking at Bragg Reservation, shuttle from McCallie School starts at 6am.
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🕐 Saturday, Aug 8
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8:00 AM (4.7-mile), 8:05 AM (1-mile fun run)
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📍 Bragg Reservation, Missionary Ridge
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REGISTRATION REQUIRED
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→ Details & Registration
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⚾ Knoxville Smokies at Chattanooga Lookouts
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Double-A baseball comes to Erlanger Park as the Lookouts face the Knoxville Smokies. Intimate setting, close-to-the-action seats, and the kind of summer evening that earns its own Instagram post.
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🕐 Saturday, Aug 8
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6:30 PM
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📍 Erlanger Park, Downtown
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TICKETED
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→ Details & Tickets
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⭐ THE BIG ONE ⭐
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🎸 SkynFolks: A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
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Free outdoor concert on the river. Bettin' on the Mule opens, then SkynFolks delivers a full Lynyrd Skynyrd set at Ross's Landing. Chairs, blankets, and leashed dogs are all welcome. Outside alcohol isn't allowed on site, but food and drink are available from vendors. Come early, this will be a crowd.
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🕐 Saturday, Aug 8 (evening – check site for set times)
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📍 Ross's Landing, Downtown Riverfront
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FREE
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→ More Info
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🎵 Lee Bains + James Leg + Marty Bohannon
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Lee Bains headlines a run of shows at Cherry Street Tavern this month that are being recorded for a new live album, the follow-up to his 2018 "Live at the Nick." Southern punk meets folk and garage rock from one of the Southeast's most acclaimed indie songwriters. James Leg and Marty Bohannon round out the bill at one of the Scenic City's most intimate venues.
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🕐 Saturday, Aug 8
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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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📅 Sunday, August 9
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🛒 Back to School Market
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The Chattanooga Market at First Horizon Pavilion this Sunday is going back-to-school: fresh produce, lunchbox snacks, local vendors, and a reason to get moving early. Live music from Mike Jaynes at 12:30 and Mike Wheeler at 2:00pm.
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🕐 Sunday, Aug 9
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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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🎬 The Last Sunday – Film Premiere
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Songbirds hosts the premiere of The Last Sunday, a historical drama based on the true story of Ed Johnson, a Black Chattanoogan wrongfully convicted and lynched on the Walnut Street Bridge in 1906, a case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court and remains one of the most significant civil rights moments in this city's history. Includes a Q&A with the filmmakers. If you only go to one film event this year, make it this one.
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🕐 Sunday, Aug 9
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8:00 PM
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📍 Songbirds, 206 W. Main St., Southside
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TICKETED
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→ Details & Tickets
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🎤 Jonnie W at The Comedy Catch
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Nationally touring comedian Jonnie W closes out the weekend at The Comedy Catch Sunday evening: story-driven stand-up with musical bits, 10 million-plus Dry Bar Comedy views, Grand Ole Opry alum, and he recently toured with Nate Bargatze. Clean, funny, crowd-pleaser energy.
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🕐 Sunday, Aug 9
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6:00 PM
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📍 The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd
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TICKETED
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→ Details & Tickets
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📌 In Case You Missed It
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The Tivoli is coming back. Chattanooga's historic Tivoli Theatre will reopen October 20–21 with two inaugural shows from Billy Strings, after a nearly four-year, $75M renovation. The Tivoli Theatre Foundation's Broadway season returns to the venue in 2027. → Read more
New restaurant alert on the Southside. Bona Fide Restaurant & Bar has opened a new spot on the Southside bringing modern dining to the corridor. → Read more
Holy Smoke BBQ goes permanent. The family-run Holy Smoke BBQ has opened a brick-and-mortar home, faith-forward, community-oriented, and the kind of permanent location that signals they're here to stay. → Read more
Chattanooga FC has a new head coach. Richard Dixon is taking the helm at Chattanooga Football Club on a multiyear deal. → Read more
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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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Enjoy your weekend, Chattanooga. If you end up at Riverfront Nights Saturday night, hit reply and tell us how it went, we genuinely want to know.
See you next Thursday,
The Lookout team
Follow us on Instagram for daily Chattanooga content: @lookoutchattanooga
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