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LookoutChatt
Nightfall's Final Friday, Free Queen on the Riverfront & the Margarita Festival
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July 31st - August 2nd, 2026
Hey Chattanooga,
There's a certain feeling that shows up right around the last week of July here. The heat hasn't broken, the calendar somehow keeps filling up, and the city decides to go out loud instead of quietly.
Friday, Nightfall closes out its 2026 season at Miller Plaza with Et Cetera and MT Jones. It's the last free Friday night concert of the summer, and if you haven't made it downtown for one yet, this is the one. Also Friday, Bona Fide opens its doors on Southside, already booked solid, but worth a walk-in shot if you're in the area. Saturday stacks even deeper: a free Queen tribute at Ross's Landing, Jerry Fest running two stages of Grateful Dead all day, and the Margarita Festival turning First Horizon Pavilion into a city-wide taste-off. Sunday winds it down at Chattanooga Market with a National Farmers Market Week celebration.
Here's everything happening this weekend. 👇
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🎵 THE BIG ONE 🎵
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🎵 Nightfall Free Summer Concert Series, The Finale
The beloved Nightfall series closes out its 2026 season with a soul-meets-contemporary-jazz double header. Et Cetera opens at 7pm, followed by MT Jones at 8pm. It's the last free Friday night concert of the summer downtown, bring your folding chairs and your favorite people.
🕐 Friday, July 31st, 6:00pm to 9:30pm
📍 Miller Plaza, Downtown
FREE
More Info →
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🧛 Night Market: Crimson Court
Verre Noir on Frazier Avenue goes full gothic for a vampire-themed night of local art, food, and dark magic. Dress in your best vampire attire and enter the Vampire Costume Contest for a chance to earn your place in the Crimson Court. Tattoo artists, local makers, a magician, live drop-in D&D, live painting, and food and drinks round out the night. Centuries-old vampire, freshly turned fledgling, or just here for the vibes, all welcome.
🕐 7:00pm to 10:00pm
📍 Verre Noir, Northshore (36 Frazier Ave)
More Info →
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🎤 Jack Tatum w/ Luke Simmons & the Lovestruck
Chattanooga's own Jack Tatum brings his hazy, psychedelic blend of hip-hop and R&B to Songbirds. Luke Simmons & the Lovestruck open with Appalachian-rooted warmth.
🕐 7:00pm
📍 Songbirds, Southside
$17 ADV / $20 DOOR
Details & Tickets →
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💀 Die Laughing Comedy
Atlanta comedian Katie Hughes, 2019 Creative Loafing Critics' Choice Best Comedian and Stand-Up NBC finalist, brings her sharp-but-silly set to Barrelhouse Ballroom, backed by a seasoned supporting lineup.
🕐 7:00pm doors, 8:00pm show
📍 Barrelhouse Ballroom, Downtown
$15 ADV / $20 DOOR
Details & Tickets →
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🏔️ Ruby Falls Lantern Tour
Explore Ruby Falls after dark, just you, a small group, and handheld lanterns illuminating the cave walls all the way to the underground waterfall. Ages 10+, advance reservations required, sells out consistently.
🕐 Select times, book ahead
📍 Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain
TICKETED
Details & Tickets →
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🎬 Bobby Stone Film Series: Waitress
The free film series at the Tivoli continues with Waitress (PG-13, 1h 48m), the story of a Deep South waitress who finds an unexpected path forward when someone new arrives in her town.
🕐 7:30pm
📍 Tivoli Theatre, Downtown
FREE
More Info →
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🍝 Bona Fide Opens on Southside
The new restaurant and bar at 55 Johnson Street opens its doors tonight. Seasonally inspired food, handmade pastas and desserts, and a thoughtfully curated bar program. Already booked solid with reservations, but there's limited walk-in availability this weekend if you want to try your luck.
🕐 Opens Friday, July 31st
📍 55 Johnson Street, Southside
More Info →
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👑 Kings of Queen (Riverfront Nights)
Ross's Landing hosts the city's free riverfront concert series, and this week's headliner earns the billing: a Queen tribute bringing Freddie Mercury energy to the waterfront. Lovelace opens. Bring your chairs and blankets, arrive early. Leashed dogs welcome, no outside alcohol.
🕐 6:00pm
📍 Ross's Landing, Downtown
FREE
More Info →
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🚴 Bike the Boardwalk
Outdoor Chattanooga leads a guided, fully-equipped 8-mile round-trip ride along the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway, including the elevated boardwalk section above the creek. All skill levels, recommended for ages 10+.
🕐 8:30am to 11:30am
📍 South Chickamauga Creek Greenway
Details & Registration →
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🎸 Jerry Fest 2026
Seven bands. Two stages. All Garcia, all day. Five Wits and Barrelhouse Ballroom team up to celebrate the life and music of Jerry Garcia with continuous sets from St. Owsley, Grass is Dead, Gold Turns Gray, Lew Card's Trip, Chants in The Void, The Other Brothers, and Crooked Wits. Kids under 10 free.
🕐 2:00pm to midnight
📍 Five Wits & Barrelhouse Ballroom, Downtown
$30 ADV / $35 DOOR
Details & Tickets →
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🍹 Chattanooga Margarita Festival
The city's favorite restaurants and bars compete for the title of Best Margarita in Chattanooga. Entry includes 10 mini margaritas so you can taste your way through and vote for your favorite.
🕐 5:00pm to 8:00pm (VIP entry 4:30pm)
📍 First Horizon Pavilion, Downtown
$49 – $95
More Info →
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🛍️ Chattanooga River Market
Local jewelry, handcrafted goods, artisan foods, woodworking, and home goods from regional makers. Live music, a food truck on-site, and a relaxed waterfront vibe.
🕐 10:00am to 5:00pm
📍 Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, Downtown
FREE
More Info →
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🎶 Belles at Songbirds
Belles brings her powerhouse voice and vivid storytelling to Songbirds, including "Son of Jolene," her collaboration with Dolly Parton. Standing show, small-venue energy.
🕐 7:00pm
📍 Songbirds, Southside
$15 ADV / $20 DOOR
Details & Tickets →
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💪 Chattanooga Wellness Expo
McKenzie Arena becomes a free community health hub for the Wellness Expo (the rebranded Minority Health Fair). Health screenings, educational resources, fitness activities, local vendors, and giveaways, all at no cost.
🕐 9:00am to 1:00pm
📍 McKenzie Arena, Downtown
FREE
More Info →
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🚂 The National Train Show 2026
The Chattanooga Convention Center hosts the National Train Show, intricate operating model railroads, a huge exhibitor hall, hands-on demonstrations, and a world-record T-TRAK layout attempt. Great for the train-loving kid in your life (or adult, no judgment).
🕐 Aug 1st to Aug 2nd, 9:00am to 4:00pm both days
📍 Chattanooga Convention Center, Downtown
Details & Tickets →
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🌽 Chattanooga Market: National Farmers Market Week
It's National Farmers Market Week, and the Chattanooga Market is spotlighting the farmers, growers, makers, musicians, and food vendors who make it Chattanooga's best Sunday tradition. Live music from Eli Palmer and Josh Branum.
🕐 11:00am to 4:00pm
📍 First Horizon Pavilion, Downtown
FREE
More Info →
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🌿 Nature as Teacher: A Mindfulness Practice
Crabtree Farms hosts this monthly nature-based mindfulness gathering, guided seated meditation, mindful walking, and quiet reflection outdoors. Led by ecotherapist Holli Richey. Open to everyone, no prior experience needed.
🕐 Sunday, August 2nd
📍 Crabtree Farms
FREE (donations welcome)
More Info →
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🎬 Bobby Stone Film Series: City of God
The film series returns Sunday afternoon with City of God (R, 2h 10m), the acclaimed Brazilian crime drama set in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. A genuine masterpiece of modern cinema, and a rare chance to see it on a big screen in Chattanooga.
🕐 4:00pm
📍 Tivoli Theatre, Downtown
FREE
More Info →
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Chattanooga FC wins 4-0: The boys in yellow extended their unbeaten streak with a dominant 4-0 rout of Philadelphia Union II last week. The Lookout Army showed up. Good form at exactly the right time of season. chattanoogafc.com →
Water Lantern Festival recap: If you were at Chester Frost Park last Saturday for the Water Lantern Festival, you know. Hundreds of floating lanterns across Lake Chickamauga at dusk, it was one of those nights. Read more →
TN Aquarium penguin colony grows: There's a new penguin at the Tennessee Aquarium, and the Pulse describes them as a "chill" addition to the colony. We need to meet this penguin. tnaqua.org →
Ocoee River Olympic Route turns 30: In 1996, the Upper Ocoee River hosted the only Olympic whitewater competition ever staged on natural rapids. Nantahala Outdoor Center runs guided trips on that same Class III to IV route all summer. Plan your trip →
Travis Knight goes national: Chattanooga artist Travis Knight's vintage-horror-meets-pop-culture illustration work got a full Pulse feature this week. The man is building something. Read the feature →
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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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That's your weekend.
Enjoy your weekend, Chattanooga. With a lineup this stacked, there's no excuse to stay in. If you make it to any of these, hit reply and tell us about it. We read every one.
See you next Thursday,
The Lookout team
Enjoying this? Forward it to a friend who lives here. They'll thank you Sunday night.
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LookoutChatt
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