Chattanooga's Holiday Trail Of Lights Includes Safe, Outdoor Options

  • Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Chattanooga drapes it boats, bridges, cliffs and more in millions of twinkling lights to dazzle visitors in the annual Holiday Trail of Lights. This year, Chattanooga’s attractions are getting creative to increase safety and provide outdoor viewing of light displays.  

Some outdoor experiences include EPB’s Holiday Windows, a tradition dating back to the World War II era; the Lighted Boat Parade on the Tennessee River, which passes under the twinkling snowflakes on the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge; ice skating at Ice on the Landing at the Chattanooga Choo Choo; and the wonder of winding through Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights. 

Chattanooga’s Holiday Trail of Lights includes these 14 major points of interest: 

  1. Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights
  2. Discover Wonder & Adventure at Ruby Falls
  3. Tennessee Aquarium’s Holidays Under the Peaks & Polar Express 3D in IMAX
  4. Ice on the Landing at the Chattanooga Choo Choo
  5. Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s North Pole Limited & Holiday Train Excursions
  6. Lighted Boat Parade on the Tennessee River
  7. Twinkling Snowflakes on the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge
  8. EPB’s Holiday Windows
  9. Chattanooga Riverboat Company’s Southern Belle & Holiday Season of Cheer
  10. Holiday Lights at the Chattanooga Zoo
  11. Wonder Wall at High Point Climbing & Fitness
  12. Holiday Magic at the Chattanooga Choo Choo
  13. Christmas Experience in the Bluff View Arts District
  14. Explore Lights & Science at the Creative Discovery Museum 

Along the Holiday Trail of Lights, guests will find festive activities (including virtual options like SCUBA Claus at the Tennessee Aquarium), delicious holiday meals (dine-in or to-go), Santa sightings and shopping. On the NorthShore, 28 businesses are joining together to offer the Holiday Window Treasure Hunt for safe, family fun outside. 

In addition to walkable districts like the NorthShore, Chattanooga’s many public spaces and parks create opportunities for social distancing.

Its mild climate and outdoors are perfect for winter strolling and hiking, climbing, biking, running and endless adventuring. 

Chattanooga is less than a two-hour drive from Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham and Huntsville. After arriving, the city’s urban core is easily walkable, providing additional opportunities to see holiday lights sprinkled throughout the Scenic City. 

Download the official Holiday Trail of Lights Guide and explore the NEW Interactive Map at VisitChattanooga.com/Winter. Use #TrailofLightsCHA on social media for the chance to be featured by @VisitChatt on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Travel
Lake Winnepesaukah Invites Guests To Be Part Of History With Launch Of 100th Anniversary Digital Mosaic
  • 4/29/2025

Lake Winnepesaukah is turning 100—and this season, guests are invited to be part of something unforgettable. Launching on Thursday, the park's brand-new 100th Anniversary Digital Mosaic is ... more

Updates Continue At Prater's Mill
  • 4/25/2025

The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners shared ongoing improvements at Prater’s Mill that preserve its charm while creating new opportunities for the community to enjoy the site. From restoring ... more

Tennessee Aquarium IMAX Theater Offers Sensory-Friendly Film Screenings In April, May
  • 4/22/2025

The Tennessee Aquarium IMAX Theater is providing opportunities for an even broader audience to experience the wonders of giant-screen entertainment with a pair of sensory-friendly screenings ... more