This weekend: Christmas train rides, ‘Nutcracker!’
Even with Christmas on Monday, there’s still plenty to do in Chattanooga this weekend. Take a festive train ride with the Tennessee Valley Railroad, shop for holiday gifts at several last minute markets and check out Christmas productions like “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” at Memorial Auditorium. Here’s this weekend’s chronology.
ARTS
› Photographic Society of Chattanooga continues its holiday show at the Gallery at Blackwell, 71 Eastgate Loop. Society members will have their work displayed, and prints will be available for purchase. Gallery hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The show will run through Feb. 1. Learn more at chattanoogaphoto.org.
› In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., continues its exhibition, “Wizardry with Wood,” featuring the woodworking artistry of Roger Harvey. The gallery will also participate in the Northshore Merchants Collective’s ninth annual Holiday Treasure Hunt through Jan. 3. Gallery hours are 11-6 p.m. MondaySaturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The December exhibition will run through Dec. 31. Learn more at intowngallery.com.
› Association for Visual Arts, 30 Frazier Ave., continues its annual all-member salon show. It is the gallery’s final exhibition of the year and also the largest, featuring works from 110 local and regional artists. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, noon-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Monday and Tuesday. The exhibition will run through Saturday. Learn more at avarts.org.
› ClearStory Arts, 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave., will host a Last Chance Open House from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. As part of the gallery’s “Deck the Walls” exhibition, the open house will give attendees the opportunity to shop for handmade gifts and artwork. There will also be holiday music and hot chocolate. Learn more at clearstoryarts. com.
DANCE
› “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” will be at 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. Experience the international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists as they perform the Christmas classic, “The Nutcracker,” featuring classical European ballet, acrobatics, puppets and handcrafted sets and costumes. Tickets cost $42-$94. Learn more at tivolichattanooga. com.
MUSIC
› Vienna Light Orchestra will have a concert at 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 214 E. Eighth St. The concert will feature timeless seasonal music and will be illuminated by thousands of candles, creating a unique and mesmerizing experience. Tickets cost $35-$85; Basilica parishioners may use a promo code online to receive a 10% discount. Learn more at stspeterandpaulbasilica.com and viennalightorchestra.com.
› Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., will have two shows going into the weekend. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, Call Me Spinster, Lily Bethke Band, Brotherton Road and Jason Lyles will perform; tickets cost $15. At 9 p.m. Friday, Dank Tank with Mr. Dankie’s Christmas Jugband will perform; tickets cost $12 in advance or $15 the day of show. Learn more at barrelhouseballroom.com.
› Musician James Rogers will perform at the annual Home for the Holidays concert at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. Rogers will perform classic holiday tunes along with some original songs. Tickets cost $20-$25; there is a $2 discount for seniors and children 12 and under. Learn more at catoosacolonnade.com.
OUT & ABOUT
› Ice on the Landing continues for the season with hours from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. MondaysWednesdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays and noon-9 p.m. Sundays at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd.; the rink will be open 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Christmas Eve and 4-10 p.m. Christmas Day. Tickets cost $12-$14 for adults and $10-$12 for children 12 and under; admission includes skates. Ice on the Landing will be open through Jan. 28. Learn more at iceonthelanding. com.
› Rock City, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga., continues its annual Enchanted Garden of Lights from 4:30-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 4:30-10 p.m. Fridays-Sundays; the attraction will be closed Christmas Eve. The winter wonderland is illuminated by six distinct holiday realms and features festive fun for all ages. Tickets are sold online only, and prices are subject to change based on the day; tickets for regular night admission cost $17.95-$27.95. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga. The Enchanted Garden of Lights will run nightly through Jan. 6. Learn more at seerockcity. com/lights.
› Tennessee Valley Railroad will have several Christmas train experiences through this weekend. At 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday departing from the Grand Junction Depot, 4119 Cromwell Road, adults 21 and older can enjoy Nightcap with St. Nick, a one-hour train ride featuring seasonal alcoholic drinks (all drink options are available alcohol free); tickets cost $65-$140. At 11 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, enjoy Christmas tea in the Grand Junction Depot; tickets cost $45 per person or $440 for a private room that seats up to eight (train ride tickets must be purchased separately). At noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday departing from the Hiwassee River Scenic Railroad, 9406 Highway 411, Delano, the Hiwassee Holiday Train will offer letters to Santa, cookies and milk and a visit from Santa; tickets cost $24-$40. From Tuesday-Jan. 14 departing from the Grand Junction Depot, the Holiday Lights Train will be a 45-minute sundown ride aboard a light-decorated train; tickets cost $15-$23. Learn more at tvrail.com.
› Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave., continues its Asian Lantern Festival from 5:30-9:30 p.m. WednesdaysSundays; the attraction will be open Christmas Eve. The festival features more than 30 lanterns and nine interactive displays. The lanterns feature zoo animals, traditional Asian lanterns and natural elements. The festival is ticketed separately and does not include daytime zoo admission; festival tickets cost $13.50-$18.50 for zoo members, $17-$23 for nonmembers. The festival will run nightly Wednesday-Sunday through Jan. 14. Learn more at chattzoo.org/events.
› NoogaLights will be open from 6-10 p.m. Wednesday-Tuesday at 12000 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy; the attraction will be open Christmas Eve and Day. In addition to its customized lighting exhibits and fanfavorite exhibits from years past, attendees will be able to tune in with any FM radio to enjoy music timed to the light show. Admission costs $15 per vehicle if purchased online or $20 per vehicle at the gate. NoogaLights will be open select nights through Dec. 31. Learn more at noogalights.com.
› Outshine Adventures, an eco-tour and immersive outdoor experience company, will host its second annual Winter Hike Challenge starting Thursday and going through March 19. The challenge encourages those interested to hike 90 miles in 90 days. Interested hikers can register online, choose a rewards level and then go hiking; rewards levels cost $40-$200. Outshine
will host monthly group hikes, and those who don’t join the challenge can still join the group hikes for $20 each. Learn more at outshineadventures.com.
› Ooltewah Nursery will host the Ooltewah Farmers Market’s seasonal celebration, Christmastime at the Market, from 3-5 p.m. Thursday at the nursery, 5829 Main St., Ooltewah. The market will feature local crafters and artists as well as farm and food artisans. The farmers market will announce the lineup of vendors at 6 p.m. Wednesday; to receive the lineup, subscribe to the market’s newsletter. Learn more at ooltewahnursery.com.
› “Christmas Can Be A Drag” will be from 7:30-10 p.m. Thursday at Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. This chapel and LGBTQ+ holiday service will feature worship music of various genres and traditions, drag performances, spoken word, testimonial stories and a sermon. This is a free service. Learn more at barkinglegs.org.
› Bobby Stone Film Series will have a screening of “The Grinch,” the 2018 animated adaptation of Dr. Suess’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!,” at 7 p.m. Friday at the Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. The film is rated PG. Tickets cost $11.50-$13.50. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com.
› Last Minute Market, hosted by Shop the Market at, LLC, will be from 3-8 p.m. Saturday at the Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale. The one-day extravaganza will give shoppers the opportunity to pick up a variety of last-minute Christmas gifts. The market will feature arts and crafts vendors and more. Learn more on Shop the Market at’s Facebook page.
› Connecting Vets to Resources will host its second annual Homeless Veterans Fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Mac Avenue Event Space, 1304 McCallie Ave., Suite A. The fundraiser will feature a one-man play by Vincent L. Hale, dinner, door prizes, board games and dancing. Tickets cost $54; proceeds will benefit Chattanooga’s homeless veterans; donations are tax deductible, and a contribution letter will be mailed out Dec. 31. Learn more at cv2r.org.
› A Magical Cirque Christmas will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. Attendees of all ages will enjoy a variety show, featuring awe-inspiring performances set to holiday music. Tickets cost $48-$113. Learn more at tivolichattanooga.com and magicalcirquechristmas.com.
THEATER
› Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., will present a production of “My Last Christmas on da Plantation” at noon and 7 p.m. Saturday. The original play by Aaron “Cherokee” Ellison follows a man who finds himself in the position of being a gatekeeper on a plantation and decides to take matters into his own hands. Tickets cost $10-$25. Learn more at barkinglegs.org.