Hey Chatt!! Here is your July 3rd to July 5th, 2026 weekend guide!

★ ★ ★  The Big One  ★ ★ ★

United 250 Mayors' Finale: Drone Show + Pyro Waterfall

A choreographed 500-drone show above the Tennessee River, the largest drone display in local history, plus a 1,000-foot pyro waterfall cascading from the Market Street Bridge. This is Chattanooga's centerpiece for America's 250th birthday. It's free, it's all ages, and the riverfront will be packed, so arrive early and plan your parking.

📍 Map    Event Details →

Lineup: Goodbye Girls (5:00 PM), The Essentials (6:30 PM), The Mood Swings (8:00 PM)
Where: Miller Park stage (this week's show moves from the Plaza to the Park), 850 Market St
Details: Three acts instead of the usual two for the holiday weekend, capped by Nashville soul-pop six-piece The Mood Swings and their big horn section. Food trucks, artisans, and cold drinks on site. All ages.

📍 Map    nightfallchattanooga.com →

🥃 Summer Jazz Nights at Gate 11 Distillery

Time: 8:00 to 10:00 PM
Where: Gate 11 Distillery, 1400 Market St Suite 108 (inside the Chattanooga Choo Choo)
Cost: $5 • 21+
Details: Cha Jazz Fest's first-Friday series brings a fresh jazz combo to the Gate 11 stage each month, paired with craft cocktails in the historic terminal.

📍 Map    gate11distillery.com →

🏃 4 on the 4th Pancake Run (10th Annual)

Time: Run at 8:00 AM, store open 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Where: Fleet Feet Chattanooga, 307 Manufacturers Rd
Details: Run 4 miles, then come back for pancakes, fruit, and juice, plus doorbuster shoe and clothing sales all day. All ages.

📍 Map    fleetfeet.com →

🧪 Creative Discovery Museum: Red, White & Blue Day

Time: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (extended holiday hours)
Where: 321 Chestnut St, downtown
Cost: Standard museum admission, members free
Details: Science shows, story times, signing the Declaration of Independence, the 21 Geyser Salute, and patriotic hands-on activities all day. Best for the grandkids, toddlers through about age 12.

📍 Map    cdmfun.org →

🛍 Chattanooga River Market

Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, 1 Broad St, downtown riverfront
Details: Dozens of local and regional artisans, a featured food truck, and live music along the riverfront. Free admission, all ages.

📍 Map    chattanoogamarket.com →

🦎 Repticon Chattanooga (Day 1 of 2)

Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Where: Camp Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Pkwy, East Ridge
Cost: $12 adults, $6 ages 5 to 12, ages 4 and under free (online only)
Details: Live reptiles and exotic animals from around the world, expert vendors with deals you won't find in stores, and educational seminars throughout the day. All ages.

📍 Map    repticon.com →

🎉 Sportsbarn 4th of July Reunion & Community Open House

Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Where: Sportsbarn, 1790 Hamill Rd, Hixson
Details: A reunion and open house welcoming all past and present East, Downtown, and Hixson members, plus the community. Reconnect, celebrate, and spark some nostalgia. All ages.

📍 Map    Event Info →

🥩 250th Celebration: Free Cookout + All American Dance

Time: Starts at 12:00 PM
Where: American Legion Post 95, 3329 Ringgold Rd, East Ridge
Details: Entertainment, a free cookout, a cornhole competition, and an All American Dance to celebrate the country's 250th. All ages welcome.

📍 Map    Event Info →

🎸 Riverfront Nights x America 250: Johnny Folsom 4, A Johnny Cash Tribute

Time: Festivities from around 2:00 PM • Opener Courtney Cowart & Bad Matador at 7:00 PM • Johnny Folsom 4 at 8:30 PM
Where: Ross's Landing, 100 Riverfront Pkwy
Details: An extended riverfront afternoon with a colonial village, history tours, vendors, food and drink, then the Man in Black tribute under the stars. Stick around, because the 10 PM drone show and pyro waterfall happen right here. All ages.

📍 Map    riverfrontnights.com →

🍺 Red, White & Brew Pub Crawl

Time: 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Starts at The Bitter Alibi, downtown
Cost: $19.50 to $24.16 per person • 21+
Details: A patriotic pub crawl hitting multiple downtown bars. Wear your red, white, and blue.

📍 Map    Tickets →

⚽ Chattanooga FC vs. Inter Miami CF II + Post-Match Fireworks

Time: Kickoff 7:30 PM, fireworks after the final whistle
Where: Erlanger Park, 2658 Pipe Way (the Lookouts' brand new ballpark in the South Broad District)
Cost: Buy tickets in advance, price varies
Details: Heads up if you had Finley Stadium on your calendar: this match moved! It's the first-ever soccer match at Erlanger Park, with CFC hosting Messi's affiliate club for a marquee America 250 night capped by fireworks over the ballpark. All ages.

📍 Map    Buy Tickets →

🎇 More July 4th Fireworks Around the Region

Soddy Daisy Independence Day: Soddy Lake Recreation Complex, 10 AM to 11 PM, live music at 5 PM, fireworks at dark • 📍
Collegedale Freedom Festival: The Commons, 4950 Swinyar Dr, Collegedale, 5 PM to 10 PM, fireworks at 10 • 📍
Lakesite Freedom Celebration: Dallas Bay Church, 8305 Daisy Dallas Rd, Hixson, 6 PM to 10 PM • 📍
Cleveland, TN Fireworks: Bradley Square Mall, fireworks around 9:15 PM with synchronized music • 📍

🦎 Repticon Chattanooga (Day 2)

Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (note the later Sunday start)
Where: Camp Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Pkwy, East Ridge
Cost: $12 adults, $6 ages 5 to 12, ages 4 and under free (online only)

📍 Map    repticon.com →

🫐 Red, White and Blueberries at the Chattanooga Market

Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Where: First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd
Details: Local vendors go all in on blueberries: fresh-picked berries, pie, shaved ice, lemonade, salsa, plus artisan crafts and live music from Switchback. Blueberry pie-eating contests at 12:00 and 2:00 PM (sign up at the front desk), and the vendors face off at 3:00 PM. Free admission, pay lot parking on site. All ages.

📍 Map    chattanoogamarket.com →

🧘 Riverfront Yoga

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Ross's Landing, down by the water's edge
Details: A first-Sunday-of-the-month class along the Tennessee River. Bring your own mat and wind down the holiday weekend. Questions? DM @chaparksdept on Instagram. All ages.

📍 Map    Event Info →