Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights opens Nov. 13, Ice on the Landing Nov. 21, Holidays at Ruby Falls Nov. 27; Santa trains, a Santa 5K and Hanukkah Dec. 4.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Dates come from each attraction’s own website. The Christmas parade, Reindeer on the Riverfront and the county tree lighting are on our separate Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Chattanooga’s holiday lights start early. Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights opens Friday, Nov. 13, the Ice on the Landing rink reopens Nov. 21, and Holidays at Ruby Falls begins Nov. 27. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum runs Santa trains from Nov. 13. On the Southside, the Chattanooga Market’s indoor Holiday Market fills two December weekends.

What this means for you

  • Biggest light show: Rock City, nightly Nov. 13 to Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 24); online tickets only.
  • Santa: Rock City nightly through Dec. 23; the North Pole Limited train Nov. 13 to Dec. 23; free photos at Reindeer on the Riverfront Nov. 27.
  • Skating: Ice on the Landing, Nov. 21 to Jan. 31.
  • Free: Reindeer on the Riverfront and the Lighted Boat Parade, Nov. 27; MAINx24, Dec. 5; the Holiday Market, Dec. 12-13 and 19-20.
  • Book early: Rock City nights can sell out, and TVRM seating is limited.

Light displays

  • Enchanted Garden of Lights, Rock City Gardens, Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Nightly Nov. 13 to Dec. 31, closed Dec. 24, in its 32nd year. Millions of lights cover five trails: the Grand Corridor (the original peace doves, the nativity scene and Toyland), the Bridges trail across the swinging bridge to Lovers Leap, the Hall of the Mountain King, Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village, and Christmas Tree Lane to Carter Cliffs. Tickets are sold online only for a set entry time, and guests cannot enter before it. The trail is not fully stroller or wheelchair accessible; a limited-access trail reaches parts of it. Enchanted Garden of Lights.
  • Holidays at Ruby Falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway. Nov. 27 to Dec. 24. Lights around the outdoor plaza, decorations inside the 1929 limestone castle and a Forest of Wishes for handwritten holiday wishes. The cafe is open without a cave ticket. Holidays at Ruby Falls, 423-821-2544.
  • Holiday Christmas Lights Train, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road. An after-Christmas evening ride with holiday lights, Dec. 26 to Jan. 10. Lights Train.

Santa visits

  • Rock City: Santa is in his workshop at Carter Cliffs, at the end of the Enchanted Garden of Lights trail, nightly through Dec. 23.
  • North Pole Limited, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum: a Christmas train with cocoa, cookies, storytelling and Santa, Nov. 13 to Dec. 23, for ages 1 and up. North Pole Limited, 423-894-8028.
  • Summerville Santa Special: a TVRM day trip to Summerville, Georgia, Nov. 29 to Dec. 13.
  • Reindeer on the Riverfront, Friday, Nov. 27, Coolidge Park: free pictures with Santa from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. See our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Holiday trains and teas for grown-ups

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum also runs the Chattanooga Christmas Dinner Train and the Christmas Tea from Nov. 6 to Jan. 3, the Christmas Lunch Train from Nov. 14 to Jan. 3, and Nightcap With St. Nick, a 21-and-over holiday ride, from Nov. 1 to Dec. 23. All dates are on the museum’s seasonal rides page.

Ice skating

Ice on the Landing reopens Saturday, Nov. 21, and runs through Jan. 31, 2027, under the roof of the First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., home of the Chattanooga Market. Hours and tickets are posted on iceonthelanding.com; Chattanooga Presents, 423-777-5274.

Holiday markets

The Chattanooga Market’s Holiday Market is indoors at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20, with about 200 local and regional artists and free admission. Hours and mall holiday hours are on our Black Friday and holiday shopping page.

Santa runs

  • Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Run, Sunday, Dec. 6, The Commons in Collegedale, 4950 Swinyar Drive: a half marathon, 7-mile run, 5K, 5K walk and kids’ dash, with a kids’ zone. Race page.
  • Chattanooga Jingle Bell Jog 5K, Saturday, Dec. 19, 9 a.m., 200 Riverfront Parkway. Every runner gets a Santa suit and bells for their shoes. Packet pickup 8 to 9 a.m.; rain or shine. Jingle Bell Jog.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4, and ends at nightfall Saturday, Dec. 12, according to Chabad.org. We will add Chattanooga’s public menorah lightings here when they are announced; send yours through our contact page.

What this means for you

  • Garbage is not collected on Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25; Friday garbage goes Saturday, Dec. 26. See our trash and recycling guide.
  • Hamilton County Schools’ winter break runs Dec. 21 to Jan. 1.

Related: Christmas parade and tree lighting, New Year’s Eve in Chattanooga and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When does Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights open in 2026?

Nightly from Friday, Nov. 13, through Thursday, Dec. 31, except Christmas Eve, when it is closed. Tickets are sold online only and prices vary by date and entry time.

Where can kids see Santa in Chattanooga?

Santa is at Carter Cliffs inside Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights nightly through Dec. 23, and aboard the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s North Pole Limited from Nov. 13 to Dec. 23. Reindeer on the Riverfront has free pictures with Santa on Nov. 27.

When does Ice on the Landing open?

The outdoor rink under the First Horizon Pavilion roof, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., reopens Nov. 21, 2026, and runs through Jan. 31, 2027.

Is Ruby Falls decorated for Christmas?

Yes. Holidays at Ruby Falls runs Nov. 27 to Dec. 24, with lights around the outdoor plaza, decorations in the 1929 castle and a Forest of Wishes.

When is Hanukkah in 2026?

Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4, and ends at nightfall Saturday, Dec. 12. We will add Chattanooga’s public menorah lightings when they are announced.