Here are the downtown happenings through Dec. 6.

The opening reception for the Earth exhibit will be Tuesday from 12-6 p.m. at the Tanner-Hill Gallery Warehouse Row Project Space. For more information, visit www.tannerhillgallery.com.

Memorial Auditorium presents Skillet in concert with Hawk Nelson and Decyfer Down at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Memorial Auditorium. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.chattanoogaonstage.com.

Sam Beall, author of Blackberry Farm’s cookbook and the Farm’s chef, will share the cookbook’s history, recipes and the story of the farm on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Rock Point Books. Visit www.rockpointbooks.com for more information.

Stroll through North Shore on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the North Shore Art Walk. This event will feature nine North Shore galleries with various special exhibitions, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet local artists. For more information, contact Neely Hyde, AVA Director of Exhibits, at 265-4282.

Rock Point Books presents Fun Fridays, a fun children’s reading hour, on Friday beginning at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit
www.rockpointbooks.com.

In-Town Gallery hosts an opening reception for Hard Lessons in Zoology
on Friday from 5-8 p.m. Visit www.intowngallery.com for more information.

River Gallery presents an opening reception Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. for its exhibit Looking Ahead. The December artists invite the viewer to look again at the spaces in between life’s moments. Visit www.river-gallery.com for more information.

Ballet Tennessee’s production of the Nutcracker will be Friday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the UTC Fine Arts Center. Visit www.utc.edu/finearts for more information and to purchase tickets.

Visit River Gallery on Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for a meet the artist event. Meet artist, Courtenay James, and watch an oil painting demonstration, and meet John Kuenneth, jewelry artist, who will have his final collection of bead jewelry for his holiday trunk show. Visit www.river-gallery.com for more information.

Peruse the Mosaic Market on Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mosaic Market is an indoor artist market located downtown at 412 Market St. next to Chili's. All artists and craftspeople are welcome to participate. For more detailed information, please contact Charlie Newton at 624-3915 or neewtonstudio@aol.com.

The Fine Arts Showcase Exhibit is part of the 3rd Annual "24 Hours On MaIn" event on Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. It is the only time this talented group of nationally known Southside artists appear together. The Fine Arts Showcase, also in its third year, is located at 509 E. Main Street. Special guest portrait painter, Mia Bergeron, will be on hand to demonstrate paint beginning at noon. For the 24-hour schedule of events, visit www.mainX24.com. For information, contact Miki Boni at 475-5533.

Take part in a holiday tradition as the Chattanooga Boys Choir presents their Singing Christmas Tree on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Tivoli Theatre. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.chattanoogaonstage.com.

The Chattanooga Downtown Partnership presents its annual Holiday Starlight Parade on Saturday at 6 p.m. The parade route passes along Market Street from Miller Plaza to the Tennessee Aquarium. With a succession of unique holiday entries featuring performing groups, marching bands, vehicles, and floats all strung in twinkling lights, this event is sure to be fun for the whole family. For more information visit www.downtownchattanooga.org.

The Chattanooga Theatre Centre presents its annual Dickens Dinner, a Victorian Holiday Feast on Sunday. This event features a five-course dinner with wine and traditional holiday music entertainmentVisit www.theatrecenter.com for information and to purchase tickets.

Enjoy the Almost Grand Finale Morning After Eggs Benedict Breakfast
Sunday from 6-8 a.m. at OCI/Tripp’s House, 336 East Main St. Your head hurts. You haven't slept. You're hungry. The perfect cure is eggs benedict and a little hair of the dog. The event costs $8 in advance and $10 at the door. This unique event benefits AVA and is sponsored by Barefoot Wine & Bubbly and OCI. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 756-4531.

The Chattanooga Firefighter’s benefit concert featuring The New Rascals is Sunday at Memorial Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Gene Cornish and drummer Dino Danelli with their new incarnation of the Young Rascals with Bill Pascali, former lead singer of Vanilla Fudge, and Charlie Souza, former bassist for Tom Petty. Tickets will be available at the door or to purchase in advance call the Chattanooga Firefighters Association at 899-4990.

Visit the Chattanooga Market on Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for its Holiday Market. For more information, visit www.chattanoogamarket.com.