Enjoy winter in Chattanooga with the following downtown events happening through Monday, Dec. 8.
The Chattanooga Lady Mocs basketball team will be in action twice this week when they host conference new-comer Samford on Monday at 7 p.m. and Alabama A&M on Saturday at 7 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.GoMocs.com or call 266-MOCS.
Siskin Children's Institute will provide a free community education session entitled "Positive Behavior Supports" as part its Autism Series and Early Childhood Education Series. This class will take place on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Institute's training room. For more information on this or the many other free training opportunities that Siskin Children's Institute offers, visit www.siskin.org.
Bring your family and friends to the Hunter Museum and enjoy the galleries, trees and other holiday displays as well as several fun, festive events. The Hunter Museum partners with Blush magazine to celebrate the role color plays in our lives during True Colors this Thursday at 6 p.m. Shop a special holiday gift expo that features locally crafted gifts, holiday activities and live music during the FREE First Sunday and Holiday Gift Expo this Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Visit www.HunterMuseum.org for more information.
Tanner Hill Gallery will host a Holiday Open House featuring good wine and great art this Friday from 5:30-8 p.m. Visit www.TannerHillGallery.com for more information.
River Gallery will host and opening reception for the exhibit "Mugs and More" this Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. Select artists will create a mug allowing their individual artistic style and personality to emerge in the character of the piece. Joining these artists is blacksmith Susan Hutchinson and printmaker Betty MacDonald takes a journey into the imagination. Visit www.river-gallery.com for more information.
In-Town Gallery's annual Holiday Open House, "An Elegant Evening of Art," will be held this Friday from 5-8 p.m. The theme is an elegant spoof on the economy. For more information, visit www.InTownGallery.com.
Mainx24, an annual event with 24-hours of Main Street activities, will be held from 8 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday morning. The day begins with a Pancake Breakfast with Horse and Carriage Rides benefiting Habitat for Humanity, followed by a full day of activities including a Southside gallery hop; a Chattanooga tree lighting; a visit with Santa; and several demonstrations by local artists. There's also a bicycle scavenger hunt, a fashion-show at the ChooChoo and midnight storytelling. The event concludes with an after-party in the wee hours with mimosas and eggs benedict. A complete schedule and list of participants is available at www.mainx24.com.
Downtown streets will sparkle during the Holiday Starlight Parade on Saturday. The 2008 Holiday Starlight Parade will proceed from Miller Park up Market Street to the Tennessee Aquarium beginning at 6 p.m. This event is produced by the Chattanooga Downtown Partnership and City of Chattanooga Parks and Recreation. With a succession of unique holiday entries, this event is known for its dazzling Yuletide theme featuring performing groups, marching bands, vehicles and floats all strung in twinkling lights. For more information on the parade, please call the Chattanooga Downtown Partnership at 265-0771 or visit www.DowntownChattanooga.org.
Dickens' A Christmas Carol continues through Friday, Dec. 19, at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Disney's "Alice in Wonderland Junior" will be presented Friday, Dec. 5, through Sunday, Dec. 21. A special opening night reception and dedication of the youth theatre will follow the production. For tickets, call the box office at 267-8534 or visit www.TheatreCentre.com.
The Chattanooga Boys Choir presents the 46th Annual Singing Christmas Tree, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Tivoli Theatre. Joining the choir will be special guest narrator Marcia Kling, the CSO Youth Orchestra, and Ballet Tennessee. For ticket information, please call 642-TIXS.
Over 150 vendors featuring handmade gifts for the holidays will be at the Chattanooga Market's Holiday Market this Saturday and Sunday. Shop for unique gifts including jewelry, photography, clothing, sculpture, canvas artwork, wooden toys, holiday decorations and more from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the First Tennesse Pavilion. Visit www.ChattanoogaMarket.com for more information.