Your One-Stop Guide

Markets & Festivals, All Year Long

From spring garden galas to the holiday Christkindlmarkt season, most of our events are free to attend and family-friendly — an easy way to spend a weekend, support local makers, and find something good to eat. Here’s what you’ll find on this page:

The 2026 Calendar

Markets & Festivals by Season

The full year, grouped by season. Times can shift slightly closer to each date — tap through to an event for the confirmed schedule, venue map, and vendor details.

May – September · Spring & Summer Markets

Garden galas, riverfront block parties, twilight night markets, and the season’s festivals — plus our bi-weekly Choo Choo Farmers Markets running all summer long.

Artisan Market

Mother's Day Gala

May 9–10 · The Commons, Collegedale, TN

A Mother's Day weekend market at The Commons in Collegedale — gifts, flowers, artisan goods, food, and drinks. A two-day event built around local mak…

Farmers Market

Choo Choo Farmers Market

Thursdays · 3:00–6:00 PM · May–September · Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga, TN

A true farm-forward market experience featuring fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, honey, meats, and other local favorites in a welcoming community…

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Artisan Market

Garden Gala

May 30 · Chattanooga Green, Chattanooga, TN

A spring celebration at Chattanooga Green featuring art, handmade goods, flowers, plants, garden-inspired vendors, and farmers market favorites in a…

Twilight Night Market

Twilight Firefly Market

June 6 · Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga, TN

A magical evening market at the Chattanooga Choo Choo featuring juried art, handcrafted goods, local makers, live music, and shopping under the light…

Artisan Market

CommUNITY Block Party

June 20 · Coolidge Park, Chattanooga, TN

An inclusive community celebration at Coolidge Park — daytime vendors, food, and family fun, then an immersive evening with DJ, full bar, and high-en…

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Twilight Night Market

Twilight Hot as Hades Market

July 18 · Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga, TN

The spiciest market of the year, packed with fiery foods, bold flavors, heat-inspired treats, artisan vendors, and sizzling summer fun for spice love…

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Artisan Market

127 Yard Sale at the MACC

August 6–9 · MACC, Signal Mountain, TN

STMA's stop on the World's Longest Yard Sale — four days of vintage finds, antiques, makers, food, and unforgettable treasure hunting on Signal Mount…

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Festival

Watermelon Festival

August 22–23 · McDonald Farm, Sale Creek, TN

A family-friendly summer festival packed with watermelon fun, artisan vendors, food, live entertainment, contests, farm experiences, and two unforget…

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Twilight Night Market

Twilight Grand Market

August 29 · Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga, TN

A vibrant shopping experience at the Chattanooga Choo Choo featuring retail finds, artisan goods, specialty food, drinks, live music, and one of Chat…

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Festival

Cheese & Beer Festival

September 18–19 · Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga, TN

A delicious day of artisan cheeses, craft beer, tastings, live music, specialty food, and shopping in one unforgettable flavor-filled festival experi…

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October · Fall Fairs & Festivals

Autumn in the Tennessee Valley — heritage craft fairs, harvest markets, and Halloween-weekend events as the season turns.

Festival

Ketner's Mill Fair

October 3–4 · Ketner's Mill, Whitwell, TN

East Tennessee's beloved country arts fair featuring handmade artisans, Southern food, live demonstrations, historic charm, wagon rides, farm animals…

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Artisan Market

Spooky Paws Pet Parade

October 10 · Tennessee River Park, Chattanooga, TN

Pet-friendly fall parade and market at the Tennessee River Park — costume contest, pet-focused vendors, food, and family fun along the river.

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Twilight Night Market

Twilight Harvest Moon Market

October 10 · Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga, TN

A magical autumn evening at the Chattanooga Choo Choo featuring artisan shopping, moonlit ambiance, seasonal drinks, live atmosphere, and a cozy cele…

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Festival

Haunted Grounds

October 28–31 · McDonald Farm, Sale Creek, TN

A hauntingly fun Halloween experience at McDonald Farm featuring haunted attractions, spooky encounters, food, family fun, eerie surprises, and unfor…

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November – December · Holiday Markets

Our European-inspired Christkindlmarkt series and Christmas markets across the region, where you’ll find handmade gifts, festive food, and seasonal cheer.

Holiday Market

Christkindlmarkt Commons

November 7–8 · The Commons, Collegedale, TN

Our signature European-inspired holiday market featuring artisan gifts, festive food, twinkling lights, Glühwein, and a magical Old-World Christmas a…

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Holiday Market

Christkindlmarkt Coolidge

November 21–22 & November 28–29 · Coolidge Park, Chattanooga, TN

Our European-inspired Christkindlmarkt comes to Chattanooga's iconic riverfront at Coolidge Park — artisan gifts, festive food, Glühwein, twinkling l…

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Holiday Market

Christmas at the Choo-Choo

December 5–6 & December 12–13 · Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga, TN

A magical multi-weekend holiday market at the Chattanooga Choo Choo featuring artisan gifts, festive shopping, seasonal drinks, holiday music, and Ch…

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Holiday Market

Christmas in the Country

December 12 · McDonald Farm, Sale Creek, TN

A charming holiday celebration at McDonald Farm featuring artisan shopping, festive treats, seasonal cheer, and a cozy country Christmas atmosphere f…

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Holiday Market

Last Minute Market

December 19–20 · The Commons, Collegedale, TN

Finish your holiday shopping in style with artisan gifts, festive treats, live music, and a cheerful Christmas market filled with last-minute treasur…

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Looking for something this weekend specifically? Or browse the full 2026 events calendar →

Built for the Region

A Market Worth the Drive

Every event we run is curated, not crammed. We balance vendor categories carefully so each market stays varied — fewer duplicate booths, more discovery, and a better day for shoppers and makers alike.

From the riverfront at Coolidge Park to the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo and the working farm in Sale Creek, our venues are part of what makes each event feel like a destination — not just another weekend stop.

A Shop the Market At event at Coolidge Park on the Chattanooga riverfront

Know Before You Go

Types of Markets We Run

Not sure what to expect? Here’s a quick rundown of the kinds of events we produce across Chattanooga and Southeast Tennessee.

Farmers Markets

Fresh, seasonal produce and goods straight from local growers and makers — like our bi-weekly Choo Choo Farmers Markets, May through September.

Art & Craft Markets

Juried handmade work from regional artists and crafters: candles, jewelry, woodwork, leather, ceramics, original art, and more.

Seasonal Festivals

Bigger weekend events built around a theme or the season — the Watermelon Festival, the Cheese & Beer Festival, and Ketner’s Mill Fair among them.

Holiday Markets

Our Christkindlmarkt series and Christmas events bring gifts, treats, and Old-World holiday charm to multiple venues every November and December.

Around the Region

Where Our Events Happen

We host markets at venues across the Chattanooga area — from downtown to the riverfront to the mountains. Each venue has its own guide with directions, parking, and upcoming events.

Make a Day of It

Planning Your Visit

01

Most events are free

The majority of our markets are free to attend. Any admission is always noted on the individual event page.

02

Family-friendly

Bring the kids — and at most outdoor markets, the leashed dog too. There’s room to wander and plenty to see.

03

Come hungry

Nearly every market has food vendors and local treats, from farm-fresh bites to festival favorites.

04

Rain or shine

Outdoor events run rain or shine unless we announce otherwise. Follow us on social for any weather updates.

For Makers, Growers & Artists

Want to Sell at a Market?

We’re always looking for makers, growers, artists, and food vendors to join our events. Whether you’re new to markets or a seasoned vendor, there’s a spot for you across our 2026 calendar.

Booth fees vary by event, applications are free, and registration is handled through EventHub — you’re only charged once your application is approved.

Questions? Email vendors@shopthemarketat.com or call (423) 414-4510.

Vendor booths at a Shop the Market At festival at McDonald Farm in Sale Creek

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

When is craft fair season in Chattanooga?
Markets run year-round here. Spring and summer bring farmers markets and outdoor festivals, fall centers on events like Ketner’s Mill Fair, and the holiday season (November–December) is packed with our Christkindlmarkt series and Christmas markets.
Are Chattanooga markets free to attend?
Most of our events are free to enter. A few festivals carry a small admission or support fee, and any exceptions are noted on that event’s detail page.
Where are the markets held?
Across the region — the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Coolidge Park, Chattanooga Green downtown, The Commons in Collegedale, the Mountain Arts Community Center on Signal Mountain, McDonald Farm in Sale Creek, and Ketner’s Mill in Whitwell.
How do I become a vendor?
Browse the 2026 calendar, pick the events that fit your business, and apply through EventHub — applications are free and you’re only charged once approved. Start on our Vendors page, or email vendors@shopthemarketat.com.
What kinds of vendors are at your markets?
A curated mix of local growers, artists, crafters, and food vendors — handmade goods, fresh produce, original art, gifts, and treats. Every vendor is reviewed individually so each market stays balanced and varied.

Never Miss a Market

See What’s Coming Up

Browse the full 2026 calendar of markets, festivals, and farmers markets across Chattanooga and Southeast Tennessee — with dates, venues, and vendor info for every event.

All Markets & Festivals Become a Vendor