Chattanooga is an understated and great location for destination weddings. Many couples come here to get married because of its scenic reputation and others enjoy the rich history. It’s also a great city to plan intimate dates prior to your wedding, and even to wind down afterwards. But, did you know that Chattanooga also offers plenty to see and do for your wedding guests as well?

Check out this list of things to do in Chattanooga to round out your weekend destination wedding experience.

Where to see Christmas Lights in Chattanooga

Rock City

Christmas Lights on Jason Drive

Christmas lights Jason Drive

Nooga Lights Soddy Daisy

12000 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379 | noogalights.com

Holiday lights Christmas train

4119 Cromwell Rd, Chattanooga, TN holiday-christmas-light-train

@hope.maum

7 of the best Christmas lights + activities in Chattanooga, TN – going on right now ✨🎄 1) Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights ✨ nightly thru Jan 4th (except Christmas eve!) Located on Lookout Mountain, this is (in my opinion) the best walk-thru light display in the area. 2) Tennessee Valley Railroad’s Holiday Train Rides 🚂 now thru Dec 23rd! Various rides available including daylight Santa rides, nighttime adult-only rides, and Christmas tea! *North Pole ride is basically sold out* 3) Asian Lantern Festival 🏮 now thru Jan 23rd (Wed-Sun only!) Another great walk-thru light display, happening at the Chattanooga Zoo! 4) Chattanooga Choo Choo’s holiday decor 🎄 Great for walking around & taking family photos in front of their huge tree after eating around Main St! 5) Ice Skating at First Horizon Pavilion ⛸️ now thru Feb 2nd! Be sure to check hours & dates before going as they vary. 6) Christmas Drive Thru Lights on Jason Drive 🚗 A neighborhood light display in East Ridge that takes donations for a local charity. 3720 Jason Drive, East Ridge, TN 37412 **this can get busy with traffic, be mindful of others** 7) Christmas decor at Rosie Mae’s Alpaca Farm 🦙 Open everyday, hours vary! Great place to get coffee and pet/feed 9 alpacas with cute holiday decor around the farm. Send to someone looking for Christmas light displays, drive thru lights, or holiday events in Chattanooga 📌✨ #chattanooga #chattanoogatn #christmasdecor #holidays #christmaslights #holidayseason

♬ Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

Nooga Lights at Chattanooga Choo Choo

1400 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402 | noogalights.com

Asian Lantern Festival Chattanooga Zoo

301 North Holtzclaw Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404 | 423-697-1322

Opens November Lantern Festival Information

Nooga Lights at Chester Frost Park

2277 Gold Point Cir N, Hixson, TN 37343 | event ticket information

A drive-thru holiday lights experience to be enjoyed by all ages from your own vehicle. The drive takes approximately a half-hour to thru the 1.5-mile route.

Date: November 14-31st

Ice on the Landing

1400 Market St Chattanooga, TN | 423-265-0771 | Tickets and Information

Dates: November December

This is an out door rink so its weather dependent. If it’s raining or really really warm out they will temporarily close until the ice conditions improve. The ice is very crowded during popular times of day. My best advise is to go on a weeknight or very early in the day. If you go on a sunday afternoon you’ll be shuffling through chewed up snow and bumpy ice. If you time it to go on a cold weeknight and get on freshly resurfaced ice it’ll be great!

The “Zamboni” is cute, it’s a retrofitted golf cart.

Don’t want to skate? No problem, you can grab some hot chocolate and enjoy the lights and laughter on the rink.

Enchanted Garden of lights at Rock City

1400 Patten Rd, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750 | 706-820-2531 | Event Information and tickets

See Rock city on a self guided tour. This usually takes an hour or so viewing the soaring rock formations, caves and lush woodland gardens covered in lights.

Date: November / December

Gratefull at Bessie Smith Cultural center

200 E M L King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Date: November

Gratefull is a luncheon for the community in front of the Bessie Smith Center. You can volunteer to help

Volunteer info

Build Floral Centerpieces

Chattanooga TN | 423-584-3021 | Event information

Date: November

Learn to build your own holiday centerpiece with seasonal flowers to take home with guidance and techniques by Lang Floral Design.

Grateful Gobbler 5K walk/run

820 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402 | 423-847-5844 | Event Information

This is a good way to get some exercise in before any thanksgiving dinners. The route starts in Coolidge Park, crossed the the walnut street bridge, and finishes back on the Coolidge park side.

There are also volunteer opportunities leading up to the race and on thanksgiving morning.

Date: Thanksgiving morning

Reindeer on the riverfront Boat parade

Ross’s Landing, 201 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN | event information

Date: November 25

family fun with live reindeer and Santa. The annual Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks.