School is back in session, the sunset arrives earlier each night, and there is the slightest hint of a chill in the air—summer is drawing to a close in Chattanooga. With the arrival of autumn in the Scenic City, though, the fun is just beginning. Chattanooga’s vibrant foliage and plethora of fall activities should put it at the top of your list of places to visit as we dive into a new season. Here are some of our favorite festivals, attractions, and all-around great places to enjoy the autumnal scenery on your trip to Chattanooga this fall.

Food and Drink

Bacon and Barrel Festival

$54 | Sept 26 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | First Horizon Pavilion

The annual Bacon and Barrel Festival is your opportunity to get "hog-wild" as bacon-loving local restaurants and barrel-aged spirits from around the world are brought together for an evening of southern indulgence. Your Bacon & Barrel ticket includes unlimited samples of signature bacon-themed dishes and 12 whiskey samples, plus live music, fun photo opps, and more!

Beast Feast at Wanderlinger

Free + | Sept 27 | 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Wanderlinger Brewing Co. 

Wanderlinger is firing up the pits for a feast like no other — plates will be piled high with smoked Tennessee wild boar, hearty meat rabbits, and a variety of bratwurst and sausages. Pair it all with Wanderlinger’s freshly brewed beers for the ultimate fall feast. The evening heats up from 6PM–9PM with live music from the Owen Saunders Band, bringing good-time tunes to keep the steins swinging.

Apple Festival

Free + | Oct. 5 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | First Horizon Pavilion

Nothing says Fall better than a crisp apple. The Chattanooga Market celebrates our local farms and their freshly picked apples, and vendors love to join the harvest festival by making all things apple: apple pies, apple butter, apple strudel, and even apple candles & apple-scented lotions.

Chattanooga Oktoberfest

Free + | Sat - Sun, Oct. 11 - 12 | First Horizon Pavilion 

This free German-themed festival held at the Tennessee Pavilion is Chattanooga’s oldest and largest Oktoberfest celebration. The weekend-long event features more than 100 local and seasonal brews, as well as authentic German foods. You can practice your polka dancing to the sounds of local oompah bands and see who will win the coveted title of Mr. and Miss Oktoberfest. Beer aside, this event offers fun and games for the whole family.

Looking for more ways to explore Food and Drink this fall?

Stay up to date with our events calendar!

Music and Activities

World of Bluegrass Music Festival: Bluegrass Live!

Free | Sept 19 - 20 | Downtown Chattanooga

Capping off IBMA World of Bluegrass® is IBMA Bluegrass Live!®, a two-day festival showcasing the very best in bluegrass music across Miller Park, Miller Plaza, and Patten Square in downtown Chattanooga. 

The 2025 lineup features Sierra Ferrell, The Wood Brothers, Sierra Hull, The Infamous Stringdusters, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Alison Brown, Sister Sadie, Jim Lauderdale & The Po' Ramblin' Boys, Missy Raines & Allegheny, Micheal Cleveland & Jason Carter, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Woody Platt & The Bluegrass Gentlemen, East Nash Grass, Mountain Grass Unit, Authentic Unlimited, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Trey Hensley, Unspoken Tradition, Wyatt Ellis, Mason Via, DownRiver Collective, The Often Herd, and Kids on Bluegrass. 

Come be part of this historic celebration in the heart of Chattanooga! 

3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival

Free | Oct 3 - 4 | Ross's Landing

Happening on Chattanooga's Riverfront each October, this annual celebration of all things Bluegrass should definitely be on your calendar! 3 Sisters combines both traditional and contemporary bluegrass to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

47th Annual Ketner's Mill Fair

$8 (cash only) | Kids 12 & under: Free! | Oct 4 - 5 | Ketner's Mill

Join us for a weekend of arts, crafts, food, and family fun at the 2025 Ketner’s Mill Fair on Saturday, October 4th: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST and Sunday, October 5th: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM EST!

Enjoy handmade arts and crafts, live music, and plenty of delicious Southern-style food and drinks, including a craft beer bar. Take in the scenery on a wagon ride through the countryside, then explore the region’s rich heritage with paintings, pottery, woodworking, and more. Don’t miss a tour of the historic Ketner’s Mill, or stop by the petting zoo and artisan demonstrations

Family Friendly

ChattaBOOga!

In October, Chattanooga transforms into ChattaBOOga! The fun and frights to be had are not of the typical haunted city. 

For the bravest of souls looking to be scared white as a ghost, test your nerves with an intense haunted experience crawling with terrifying creatures, chilling ghost tours of Chattanooga’s most haunted spots or a race against time to stop a runaway train at an escape room. 

For more mild experiences, gather the family to enjoy trick-or-treating at the zoo or an aquarium visit on weird creatures with abilities and behaviors that seem stranger than any legend or myth. 

Go on a Train Ride!

Whether you opt for a family-friendly ride on the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's Rail's, Wizards, & Spells train ride pairs well with their Spells & Potions Special-Tea or opt for a longer route like the Copperhill Special to indulge in the fall colors, a ride on the local rails is a great way to experience fall in Chattanooga! 

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Lucky for you, there are six pumpkin patches near the Scenic City, each offering its own brand of fall fun. 

The Tennessee Dude & Guest Ranch hosts its 4th Annual Pony Pumpkin Patch on October 4 and 11, with all proceeds benefiting the Sequatchie Valley Program of Agriculture. In addition to pony rides and hands-on activities, visitors will find plenty of pumpkins to take home. 

Over in Ooltewah, Smith-Perry Berries Farm kicks off Pumpkin Season on September 19, with pumpkins available all the way through Halloween. 

Head up to Flat Top Mountain Farm’s Fall Festival (September 19 – November 2) for pumpkins, scenic views, and an impressive lineup of activities. This 201-year-old family farm features local vendors, hayrides, two corn mazes, food trucks, U-Pick flowers, pony rides, and face painting. 

If variety is your thing, Ocoee Valley Farms delivers with more than 80 pumpkin varieties in every color, size, and shape—including some perfect for baking pumpkin pie. After your pumpkin hunt, refuel with Southern comfort food before tackling hayrides, corn mazes, and barnyard fun. 

For a nostalgic, all-ages adventure, Guthrie Pumpkin Farm has long been a local favorite. Opening on September 27, this farm offers a corn maze, wagon rides, an animal petting barn, super slides, tricycle races, a giant bounce pad, see saws, and more. It’s a true fall festival experience packed with family-friendly activities. 

Finally, don’t miss Mayfield Farm Park’s Fall Festival (September 27 – November 2), where 40 acres of fun await. Alongside endless pumpkins, you’ll find a corn maze, Silo Light Show, zip lines, U-Pick flowers, a cow train ride, mountain slides, kiddie slides, and a variety of food vendors. 

No matter which pumpkin patch you choose this season, you’re guaranteed a festive day full of pumpkins, activities, and autumn charm. 

Getting Outside

Guild Hardy Trail 

Located just a few minutes from downtown, the Guild Hardy trail is a converted railroad that stretches for about five miles on Lookout Mountain. The wide gradual path is perfect for a gentle stroll on a fall afternoon, and its four access points provide flexibility for time and distance. With its smooth gravel, you can look up at the beautiful foliage all you want without the worry of rocks or roots. Along the trail, you’ll pass Civil War relics, historic sites such as Craven’s House, and you’ll even spot the famed Ruby Falls.

Prentice Cooper State Forest

Prentice Cooper is perfect for viewing the beautiful colors of fall because of its quiet remoteness and dense tree coverage. Visitors can enjoy the serenity of the many trails, or catch a spectacular view of the river gorge from the Snoopers Rock and Mullins Cove overlooks.

Foliage from the River

In fall, the Southern Belle Riverboat offers boat rides to view the changing leaves from the river. These cruises mean getting gorgeous and unique views of the fall foliage while relaxing on a luxurious watercraft.

Explore More Ways to Experience Fall Colors

Learn more about how you can experience fall colors in the Scenic City! See dazzling fall colors by land, water, and air, and sample some of the best handcrafted delights created from a bountiful harvest of our region at local restaurants and farmers' markets.