Summer Events and Festivals in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga is a fun city to visit any time of the year, but in late May, the scenic city bustles with local summer time events and festivals, beginning with the Nightfall, followed by Riverbend Music Festival and Riverfront Nights. Hot summer days also call for outdoor activities on the river like canoeing, kayaking, and white water rafting. Here is a list of events happening in Chattanooga and its surrounding areas this summer:

Nightfall concert series
Every Friday night, from May 20^th to September 9^th, Chattanooga downtown comes alive with the Nightfall concert series. The venue is at Miller Plaza, located at the corner of Market Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. It is free, and the music is good, making it a great place to hang out on a nice summer night.

Riverbend Music Festival
Riverbend is a 9 day music festival along the downtown Chattanooga riverfront. This summer, the festival takes place from June 10 to June 18. This year's lineup includes the Beach Boys, Huey Lewis and the News, Miranda Lambert, Alan Jackson, Kelly Pickler (of American Idol fame), and a host of other artists and bands.

From now until Jun 9^th, you can buy general admission pins for $30 at any local Kangaroo Express convenience stores. After that, the price goes up to $40 at the admission gate. One-night wristbands are available at any gate entry for $24; $12 for seniors and military personnel. Click on the Riverbend Music Festival website for the latest information regarding schedule of the bands and artists.

Coolidge Park
There is always something going on at Coolidge Park. One of the biggest events in the summer is the Pops in the Park concert and fireworks on July 4 when Chattanooga celebrates America's Independence Day. A great place to watch the fireworks is from Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge.

Riverfront Nights
Although the website hasn't been updated, Riverfront Nights, the free Saturday night musical series will return for its fifth season beginning August 6^th. The lineup was announced on the local news Channel 9 last month. The concert will be held at Ross Landing on Chattanooga's waterfront, a fabulous live entertainment venue for the whole family.

Tennessee River Cruise
See Chattanooga from the river! Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the river aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat. Choose a sightseeing cruise, or opt for a lunch or dinner cruise. The riverboat is located at Pier 2 in downtown Chattanooga. Click on Southern Belle Riverboat to make your reservation online or call 800-766-2784

Looking for something more exciting? The River Gorge Explorer, a high-speed catamaran, will not only thrill adults and kids alike, but will also provide an insight into the wildlife that inhabits the Tennessee River Gorge. A Tennessee Aquarium naturalist will be on board to point out the amazing array of wildlife species. Also known as "Tennessee's Grand Canyon," the Tennessee River Gorge winds through 26 miles of the Tennessee River, providing photo opportunities at every turn. Don't forget the camera and binocular!

Whitewater Rafting
Venture outdoors and get wet on a hot summer day! The Ocoee River, an hour east of Chattanooga and the site of the 1996 Olympic kayak events, is the perfect place for whitewater rafting, tubing or kayaking. With the amount of rainfall this spring, the Ocoee will no doubt be a popular place for visitors to go and create a thrilling and memorable experience. For more information on Whitewater rafting, click on the Outdoor Adventure Rafting (OAR) website.

Enjoy Chattanooga and have a great summer!