Winter Days & Lights all begins Friday, Nov. 28, with the Grand Illumination on the River. This free family event will take place beginning at 6 p.m. at Ross's Landing, where attendees can browse through a mini Holiday Market featuring 20 arts and crafts vendors from the Chattanooga Market to find unique gifts while enjoying warm food and drink concessions.
At 7 p.m. crowds will witness the 28th annual lighted boat parade, a live Nativity Scene and a holiday performance by the Chattanooga State Concert Choir.
Following the lighted boat parade will be a downtown lighting extravaganza, featuring song and dance performances and the popular singing Santa. A glittering fireworks finale will bring the evening to an end at 8:50 p.m.
Breakfast with Santa will be Saturday, Nov. 29, at The Chattanoogan. With two seatings, the first at 8:30 a.m. and the second at 11:30 a.m., Breakfast with Santa will feature a buffet with all the trimmings and holiday fun including entertainment by the Creative Discovery Museum's Science Theatre and a musical show by singing Santa. This event costs $12 for children and $18 for adults. Tickets for Breakfast with Santa may be purchased online at www.downtownchattanooga.org
or by calling 265-0771.
Downtown streets will sparkle during the Holiday Starlight Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6. Beginning at 6 p.m., the Holiday Starlight Parade will proceed from Miller Park up Market Street to the Tennessee Aquarium. With a succession of unique holiday entries, this hour-long parade is known for its dazzling Yuletide theme featuring performing groups, marching bands, vehicles and floats strung in twinkling lights.
Appalachian Christmas, the final event in the Winter Days & Lights series, will be held Friday, Dec. 12, in Miller Plaza's Waterhouse Pavilion. The event begins at 7 p.m. with local favorites, The Dismembered Tennesseans and The Morgans and Lynne Haas. Then at 8 p.m., headliner Sierra Hull, who was recently nominated as the IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year, will take the stage. Admission to Appalachian Christmas is $3, with complimentary hot cider and sugar cookies provided throughout the event. Children 10 and under are free.
For more information on Winter Days and Lights, call 265-0771 or visit www.downtownchattanooga.org .