Tis the season to be…watching parades, shopping and eating
till you drop, appreciating others, giving thanks and remembering why many of
us celebrate Christmas. There are so many fun, unique and special events held
around Chattanooga for the Holiday Season, it is hard to keep track of them
all. I hope the below list will help you. This list is for events held in
November only. Be sure to check out my December list for more great Holiday
Happenings.
A 5k run on November 3rd at the Academy Sports
& Outdoors Hamilton Place Mall. This run will benefit YMCA’s Strong Kids
Campaign. Bring the entire family and wear your favorite Holiday running gear.
To register, visit hamiltonplace.com.
Starting time is 8:30 am.
On November 3, 2012, Hamilton Place Mall welcomes Santa
Clause to the mall in their annual Holiday Parade. Festivities begin at 11:00
am at the upper level Sears store. The parade will end near the food court. The
children will then escort Santa through Hamilton Place Mall to his chair at Center Court.
Be sure to arrive early for great seats.
Children of all ages can visit with Santa at Hamilton Place
Mall this year, 2012, from November 3rd through Christmas Eve. He is
located at the lower level near Center Court. He is available for photos from
10 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday and on Sunday from 12 pm until 6 pm. He usually
takes a break around 1 to 2 pm and 5 to 6 pm (even Santa has to eat) during the
long days. On Sunday, his break is around 3 to 4 pm. Christmas Eve’s hours will
be 10 am to 6pm with a break around 1 to 2 pm. Picture prices range from $21 to
$45
.
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Show your support and appreciation to our service members,
veterans and military families by sending a holiday card through the Red Cross
and Pitney Bowes’ “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program. Cards must be postmarked
no later than December 7. Please address all cards to Holiday Mail for Heroes,
PO Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456. Please refrain from sending “care
packages”, monetary donations or using glitter or other inserts with the cards.
More information and requirements are available to redcross.org/holidaymail.
Every Saturday in November the Georgia Winery is having a
Holiday Open House from Noon to 4pm. Featuring complimentary hot mulled wine,
free wine tasting and a gift shop to please even the pickiest, these open
houses are sure to be a magical wine and shopping experience. For more
information call 706-937-WINE or visit georgiawines.com.
Admission is free.
Shopping is great anytime but is essential during the
Holiday Season. Personally, I love all of the fun Thanksgiving and Christmas
decorations and buying presents for others. The Chattanooga Market is a great
way to buy unique items and support local individuals. Held every Sunday, from
11 am to 4 pm, at the First Tennessee Pavilion in downtown Chattanooga, it
showcases local artisans and the wares. For more information, visit chattanoogamarket.com.
Santa Paws at Hamilton Place Mall
Enchanted Garden of Lights
Santa Paws at Hamilton Place Mall
On November 14th & 28th bring in
your furry friends, from 6 to 9 pm for a holiday photo with Santa. All pets
must be on a leash or in a carrier and should be brought in through the food
court only.
Enchanted Garden of Lights
See Rock City bathed in the brilliance of Christmas lights. Beginning
November 16, 2012, Rock City Gardens will be transformed each night into an
Enchanted Garden of Lights. This season marks the 18th year of the
North Pole Adventure at Rock City Gardens. The hours for this Enchanted Garden
will be daily, except for Christmas Eve, from 6 till 9 pm through January 5,
2013. Prices range from $10.95 (for children) to $21.95.
Saturday November 17 at 8:30, Santa wants to share his
breakfast with the children of Chattanooga. A $5 ticket includes a Chick-fil-A
breakfast, fun games and a visit from Santa. All proceeds will benefit the
Chattanooga Kids on the Block.
The Creative Discovery Museum is spreading holiday cheer
every chance they get this year. With three different events exploring the fun
and spirit of winter and Christmas, there is certainly something for every
child (or child at heart) out there. The first is the Holiday
Shoppe, which allows children to pick out reasonable priced items as gifts
for their family and friends. To top the shopping trip off, children will
receive just a bit of help wrapping each gift. Next is Snow
Day on November 17th from 12 pm to 4 pm. Enjoy face-painting,
paper mitten garlands, snowmen and stories. Finally, explore the science and
fun behind Winter Wonders.
Have a snow ball fight and build castle forts all while learning animal tracks
in the snow. Winter Wonders will be held from November 17, 2012 till January 8,
2013.
Go , go, go Vols! Oops, sorry my Tennessee spirit got
carried away there. Santa is showing his true colors by dressing in Vols orange
on select days this year. On November 21 and December 5, come on to Rocky Top, I mean Hamilton
Place Mall from 6 to 9 pm for pictures with Santa in VOLS orange. Speaking of Vols and Christmas, check out this oh so cool Christmas tree I found. It is a must have for any Vols fan...
Deck the Falls
Don’t forget to watch the Ooltewah High School Band marching in
Chicago’s McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade. The parade will (of course) take
place on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, from 8 to 11 am CST and will be shown on cable channel WGN America to approximately 75 million households, including the
Chattanooga area.
Giving back to others is a big part of the Holiday Season
and the Grateful Gobbler Walk is a great way to give back to our community. On
Thanksgiving Day at 8 am, individuals from across the Chattanooga area brave
the cold November air to get out and raise money (and awareness) for
Chattanooga’s homeless community. It is the perfect time to share our thankfulness
for the things we have and give to those who do not have these things. To
register for the walk or for more information, visit the Grateful Gobbler website.
Deck the Falls
Beginning November 22, 2012, Ruby Falls will be “Decked out” in Christmas splendor. The sounds of the season will entertain guests throughout the tour while a special state of the art LED Holiday Light Show plays at the waterfall. Prices range from $9.95 to 17.95 a person.
Closed Door Entertainment, a local community theatre group
from north Georgia, will present a musical adaptation of the holiday classic, A
Christmas Carol at the Tivoli Theatre. The dates for the performances are
November 23 and 24 at 7:30. There will be a special Sunday performance on
November 25th at 2 pm. Ticket prices range from $20 to $28.50 plus
convenience fees and can be purchased at Chattanooga.gov.
This concert is presented by the Chattanooga Music Club and features
organist Larry-Douglas Embury from Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, the Metropolitan Bells,
Jericho Brass and 16 year old Daniel Mata. It will be held on Friday November
30th at 7:00 pm at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium. Admission
is free.
