Family events in Hamilton County, TN

A scaled-back edition of the popular downtown Chattanooga Market sets up inside the Erlanger Medical Mall, next to Starbucks. It operates year round in a compact setting that reflects the larger market on a smaller scale. Each week, a rotating food truck pulls into the circular drive to offer another food option for visitors.

This youth book club welcomes readers in grades 1 through 4 to discuss Haunted Castle on Hallow's Eve from the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne. Snacks are provided. To register, call 423-867-7323.

After Family Storytime at the South Chattanooga Library, adults can chat with other grownups while children play. This gathering offers time to connect and learn from each other.

IBMA Bluegrass Live!® returns to Chattanooga with a refreshed format that emphasizes intimacy and curation while keeping the high-energy bluegrass spirit fans expect. Centered in downtown, the experience will span primary stages at the Chattanooga Convention Center, The Signal, and Barrelhouse Ballroom, bringing audiences closer to the music and aiming for comfort and consistency regardless of weather. A tighter footprint means fewer tickets than in past years, including a limited number of VIP options, so planning ahead is important for those who want to be part of this boutique setting. Additional locations across the city, including outdoor gathering spaces like Miller Park and Miller Plaza, will round out the festival experience. More is in development, with an emphasis on fostering a stronger connection and an immersive exchange between artists and fans.

A family-friendly gathering at the YMCA where jeep enthusiasts decorate their vehicles and dress up, then pass out candy to children. Participants are encouraged to arrive early to set up their jeeps before the festivities begin.

Enjoy a free, sensory friendly Halloween celebration at Elevate Behavior Services, where the space is transformed into a gentle, spooky setting designed with kids in mind. The event includes a relaxed costume party that welcomes creative, spooky, or silly outfits, plus games and activities for children. Trick or treating practice stations offer free candy in a safe and supportive environment to help build confidence, and bounce houses give little ones a place to jump and play. Local therapy providers, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy, will host booths with free resources and seasonal fun. Guests can also meet the Elevate Behavior Services team, see the space, and ask questions about ABA therapy while enjoying the community atmosphere.

Experience Ruby Falls by lantern light on an after-hours guided tour through the cave to the waterfall. Groups are smaller and the pace is relaxed, with additional time spent at the falls. The route is about one mile round trip, includes uneven surfaces and 36 stairs, and takes place in low light. Guests ages 10 and up should be prepared to walk, stand, and maintain the group pace for up to two hours. Advance reservations are required, and timed-entry tickets are available online only. Offered on select nights, and this popular tour often sells out quickly.

Hosted at Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts in Chattanooga, this in-person math competition welcomes students in grades 3 through 8. Awards are presented for both individual and team achievements. Schools may register any number of teams, with up to five students on each. Expect games and plenty of fun throughout the day.

At Audubon Acres, a special fundraiser supports building a traditional 1800s style blacksmith forge that will anchor future living history programs. The project is designed to create hands on educational opportunities for school groups, families, and visitors for years to come. Highlights include live blacksmithing demonstrations by skilled artisans, a silent auction featuring unique items, experiences, and locally donated treasures, and living history reenactors who portray everyday life in the 1800s. The historic cabin will be open for tours, and guided history hikes will explore the stories connected to Audubon Acres. Funds raised help bring this educational forge to life, offering a place where visitors can learn how blacksmiths shaped communities in the 19th century while preserving the past and inspiring future generations.

Hosted by B&B Discount in collaboration with Chip’s Cars & Coffee, this fall family festival blends automotive excitement with community fun. A car show will spotlight a variety of cars and trucks, and the Chip’s Cars & Coffee crowd brings tasty coffee and a friendly atmosphere. Shoppers can take advantage of a big store sale and explore a market of local vendors, makers, crafters, and small businesses. Children can enjoy a festive trunk or treat for costumed kids, with music from a live DJ setting the tone throughout the day. Food trucks will be on site with plenty of options. It is a family friendly celebration of cars, coffee, shopping, treats, and neighborhood spirit.

The second annual Galleria in the Gorge brings together art, cars, food, and fall activities. The event features food trucks, a car show, a silent auction, hayrides, and golf cart tours of the campus. A chili cook-off adds some heat, while local artisans and vendors share their offerings. Set amid beautiful autumn scenery, it is presented in partnership with the Soddy Daisy Cruisers Car Club.

A cheerful harvest marketplace celebrates the bounty of the season, gathering local makers, tasty food trucks, and activities for families. Explore artisan goods, autumn favorites, and unique treasures while enjoying flavorful bites, live music, and kid-friendly fun. With brisk fall vibes and lively energy, it blends shopping, dining, and seasonal entertainment for all ages. It offers a bright way to support small businesses and savor the tastes and traditions of fall.

The Down Syndrome Community of Greater Chattanooga, in partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society, hosts an annual Buddy Walk that honors and uplifts people with Down syndrome and their families while fostering understanding and acceptance across the community. Last year nearly 1,000 people registered and more than $45,000 was raised. These funds are the main support for programs, grants, and scholarships that assist families and loved ones throughout the year. The 2026 Chattanooga Buddy Walk continues this tradition with a welcoming day of celebration built around a shared cause.

Presented in partnership with Chattanooga Riverboat Company, this guided eco tour travels by boat from downtown Chattanooga to Maclellan Island on the Tennessee River. A guide shares insight during the cruise and on the island, offering a closer look at its natural and cultural significance. The experience features the island’s history, native plants and wildlife, and conservation efforts led by the Chattanooga Audubon Society, with discussion of invasive species control and the erosion challenges shaping the island’s future. A visit with the island’s goats and their guardian dog illustrates how targeted grazing supports vegetation management. Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy footwear and bring plenty of water. The walk covers roughly one mile on dirt paths. Restrooms are available on the boat or at composting toilets on the island.

This event takes place at the Chattanooga Market in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

This annual fall festival fundraiser features a performance by the Axel Dancers. Activities include crafts and games, pumpkin carving, trunk or treat, and even a haunted studio. Friends, family, and neighbors can enjoy a festive mix of creative projects and playful activities.

Epikos hosts a Pokémon League gathering for local trainers. Entry is free for locals, and every participant receives a prize pack.