Chattanooga's fall: free Pickin' in the Park Oct. 24, Boo in the Zoo, Rock City's Enchanted Pumpkin Patch to Oct. 31 and the Head of the Hooch Nov. 7-8.

Last checked Oct. 20, 2026. This page is updated each year. Dates, times and prices come from each organizer’s own site, linked below.

Fall in Chattanooga peaks over the next three weeks. IBMA World of Bluegrass brings a free Pickin’ in the Park to Miller Park on Saturday, Oct. 24; Rock City’s Enchanted Pumpkin Patch on Lookout Mountain runs through Halloween; and the Head of the Hooch, a rowing regatta that the organizers say draws more than 6,500 athletes, takes over Ross’s Landing on Nov. 7-8. For questions about Chattanooga Market events, call 423-565-9130.

Updated Oct. 20: Oktoberfest has passed; added the free Pickin’ in the Park on Oct. 24 and the Head of the Hooch’s 7:52 a.m. first race.

Plan ahead

Festivals

  • Pickin’ in the Park, Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Miller Park and Miller Plaza, downtown. Free, no ticket: bluegrass from college bands, Kids on Bluegrass and Chattanooga musicians, plus crafts and food, as part of IBMA World of Bluegrass. Pickin’ in the Park. The ticketed festival is on our World of Bluegrass page.
  • Chattanooga Bluegrass, Sunday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., First Horizon Pavilion. Two free sets on the Sunday Funday Stage. Event page.
  • Haunted Market, Sunday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m., First Horizon Pavilion, with the annual costume parade. Event page.
  • Head of the Hooch, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7-8, Ross’s Landing Park. The volunteer-run head race on the Tennessee River starts at 7:52 a.m. Saturday, the organizers’ schedule says. Spectator and parking information is on the regatta site. Expect Riverfront Parkway closures; last year the city closed it between Aquarium Way and Molly Lane from the Wednesday before the regatta through Sunday night.

Pumpkins and Halloween

  • Enchanted Pumpkin Patch at Rock City, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, through Saturday, Oct. 31. Four nighttime trails with glowing pumpkins. Ticketed. Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights follows from Nov. 13 to Dec. 31. Rock City events.
  • Boo in the Zoo, Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave., 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 23, 24 and 31. Candy stations, costume shows and character meet-and-greets. Ticketed separately from zoo admission. Boo in the Zoo.
  • Dread Hollow Haunted House, Ruby Falls, through Sunday, Nov. 1. Ruby Falls also runs a Lantern Tour: Ghost Walk Edition through Oct. 31. Ticketed. Ruby Falls events.

Family farms around Hamilton County also open pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the fall. Their hours change from year to year; check each farm’s own site or social media before you drive out.

Outdoors

The city’s Outdoor Chattanooga division runs guided hikes and kayak history tours through the fall; dates are on the city calendar. Our parks and trails guide covers the Riverwalk and Stringers Ridge.

What this means for you

  • The free festivals are at the First Horizon Pavilion on Sundays; parking there is in pay lots.
  • Rock City, Ruby Falls and the zoo events are ticketed; buy from each attraction’s own site.

Related guides: things to do this month, trick-or-treat hours and farmers markets.

Frequently asked questions

When is Chattanooga Oktoberfest 2026?

The 2026 Chattanooga Oktoberfest has passed: it ran Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, at the First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd., with free admission. The Chattanooga Market has not yet announced 2027 dates.

Where is there a pumpkin patch near Chattanooga?

Rock City on Lookout Mountain, Georgia, runs its Enchanted Pumpkin Patch, a nighttime trail of lit pumpkins, through Oct. 31, 2026. Tickets are required.

When is the Head of the Hooch 2026?

Nov. 7-8, 2026, at Ross’s Landing Park on the Chattanooga riverfront. Racing starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.

What Halloween events are there in Chattanooga?

Boo in the Zoo at the Chattanooga Zoo (Oct. 23, 24 and 31), Ruby Falls’ Dread Hollow haunted house (through Nov. 1) and the Chattanooga Market’s Haunted Market costume parade on Nov. 1.