Here's what the Chattanooga area has to offer this week.
Road trip
If you missed her at the Hamilton County Fair, you can catch Lauren Alaina as close as Nashville singing holiday favorites for Opry Country Christmas, which kicks off Nov. 26 at the Grand Ole Opry House. The Rossville native is scheduled as the spotlight artist Nov. 29. Larry Gatlin will host the show, which also includes performances by The Gatlin Brothers, Riders in the Sky, Chapel Hart, Mandy Barnett and Charlie McCoy. Barnett, a native of Crossville, Tennessee, will perform in each of the Opry Country Christmas shows, which continue through Dec. 18 with multiple artists scheduled to perform. Tickets start at $45. Learn more at opry.com.
CALENDAR
ARTS
ATHENS ARTS CENTER — 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. "Meticulous Sanctum," by Susan Fox and Ryland Thompson, through Dec. 11. Artists reception, 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 9. athensartscouncil.org
AVA GALLERY — 30 Frazier Ave. Annual all-member salon show, through Dec. 23. avarts.org
AVA @ THE INCUBATOR — 100 Cherokee Ave. Hamilton County Business Development Center: Cohort 3 group exhibit by Andy Ramirez, Meagen Rice and Rea Shaw, through Dec. 31. (Parking at Renaissance Park across the street.) avarts.org
CLEARSTORY ARTS — 1673 S. Holtzclaw Ave. First Friday with new works, open studios, mini market, live demos, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 1. clearstoryarts.com
CREATIVE ARTS GUILD — 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, Ga. Artist reception for continuing exhibition "Dalton Roots," featuring artists who grew up in Whitfield County, 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 1. creativeartsguild.org
FRANKLIN COUNTY ARTS GUILD — The Artisan Depot, 204 E. Cumberland St., Cowan, Tenn. franklincoarts.org
› Through Nov. 26: "Something Wicked This Way Comes" community show.
› Nov. 30-Jan. 28: "Winding Down" community show. Opening reception, Dec. 15.
› Through Dec. 23: Ellen Jackson's retrospective art quilts.
GALLERY AT BLACKWELL — 71 Eastgate Loop. Photographic Society of Chattanooga's fall show, through Dec. 1. chattanoogaphoto.org
HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART — 10 Bluff View. "Gilded: Contemporary Artists Explore Value and Worth," through Jan. 8. huntermuseum.org
ICA @ UTC — Institute of Contemporary Art at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St. "Beginninging," annual juried student exhibition featuring 22 artists, through Dec. 2. icachatt.org
IN-TOWN GALLERY — 26A Frazier Ave. intowngallery.com
› Through Nov. 30: “All Member Show.”
› Dec. 1-31: Roger Harvey's "Wizardry With Wood." Opening reception, 5-8 p.m. Dec. 6.
JEWISH CULTURAL CENTER — 5461 North Terrace. "Vocabulary" by 27 local and national artists, through Nov. 30. jewishchattanooga.com
NORTHSIDE GALLERY — Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Ave. Works by 14 area artists, including members of the Civic Arts League of Chattanooga, through Dec. 18. 423-266-1766
RIVER GALLERY — 400 E. Second St. Works by Janet Eskridge, Scott Hill and Tatiana Hill, through Dec. 31. Scott Hill block party (new art), 2-4 p.m. Dec. 2. river-gallery.com
SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY — 4881 Taylor Circle. "Repurposed" ceramics exhibit by seniors Diana Alarcon and Said Kas-Danouch and adjunct instructor Loren Howard in John C. Williams Gallery, Brock Hall, second floor, through Jan. 19. southern.edu
COMEDY
COLONNADE — 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. Henry Cho, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. $35-$50. catoosacolonnade.com
THE COMEDY CATCH — 29 Station St. thecomedycatch.com
› Nov. 30: Next Level Comedy Showcase, 7 p.m. $12.
› Dec. 1-2: Mr. Showtime David Scott, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday $20-$25; 5 p.m. Saturday (all ages, $5-$10, with kids under 5 admitted free), 9:45 p.m. Saturday ($20-$25).
› Dec. 2: The Love & Marriage Game for couples, hosted by Bad Santa, 10 p.m.
FESTIVALS
CHRISTMAS AT THE COURTHOUSE — Rhea County Courthouse, 1475 Market St., Dayton, Tenn. Horse-and-carriage parade, vendors, entertainment, Santa visits, 1-8 p.m. Dec. 2. mainstreetdayton.org
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR — Shelton Farms, 2124 U.S. 41, Pelham, Tenn. Seventy handmade arts and crafts vendors, small businesses, food vendors, photos with Santa, letters to Santa, children's craft corner, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. CST Dec. 2. eventbrite.com
CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE — 62 Blue Ridge St., Blairsville, Ga. Kris Kringle Market, photos with Santa, children's activities, nighttime parade, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 2. visitdowntownblairsville.com
CHRISTMAS ON THE MOUNTAIN — Fall Creek Falls State Park, 2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer Tenn. Handmade crafts, live music, Christmas decorations, breakfast with and visit by Santa Claus, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CST Dec. 2. Free but donations appreciated. tnstateparks.com
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE — Abba's House, 5208 Hixson Pike. Merchandise vendors, food trucks, multicultural music, train rides and story time with train conductor, cookie decorating, letters to Santa, photos with Santa, lighting of Christmas tree and fireworks, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 2. abbashouse.com
WHISPERING GIANTS INTERTRIBAL POW WOW — Museum Center at Five Points, 200 E. Inman St., Cleveland, Tenn. Gathering of nations with music, dancing, storytelling, food, vendors, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 2. Free admission. museumcenter.org
FILM
BOBBY STONE FILM SERIES — Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com
› Dec. 2: "O Brother, Where Art Thou," 2 p.m. $11-$13.
› Dec. 2: "Home Alone," 7 p.m. $11-$13.
› Dec. 2: "The Shining," 10 p.m. $11-$13.
› Dec. 3: "The Polar Express," 2 p.m. $6 adults.
FATHOM EVENTS — fathomevents.com
› Nov. 29: The Metropolitan Opera's "X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X," 1 p.m. at Regal Hamilton Place 8, 2000 Hamilton Place Blvd. Ticket prices tba.
› Dec. 2: The Metropolitan Opera's "The Magic Flute," 12:55 p.m. at AMC Chattanooga, 5080 South Terrace. $19-$25.
› Dec. 3: "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas," 1 and 7 p.m. at AMC Chattanooga, 5080 South Terrace, $13 (plus encore screening at 7 p.m. Dec. 6); UEC Theatres 14 Cleveland, 137 Pleasant Grove Road SW, 3 and 7 p.m., $13.
IMAX THEATER — 201 Chestnut St. "The Polar Express," through Dec. 26 (closed Christmas Day); show times vary. $10. tnaqua.org/imax/deep-sky
MUSIC
BARRELHOUSE BALLROOM — 1501 Long St. barrelhouseballroom.com
› Nov. 26: Poranguí: A Music, Dance and Healing Experience, 7 p.m. $35-$40.
› Nov. 27: American Aquarium, 8 p.m. $25-$30.
› Nov. 29: An Evening With Kevn Kinney, 7 p.m. $20-$25.
› Nov. 30: Brother Cane on 30th anniversary tour, with special guest Stone Horses, 7:30 p.m. $28-$33.
› Dec. 1: Papadosio, with Opposite Box, 9 p.m. $30-$35.
› Dec. 2: Over Easy with Tyler Martelli & Friends honoring Jimi Hendrix, 8 p.m. $12-$15.
THE CAVERNS — 555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham, Tenn. Whiskey Myers & Friends (Adam Hood, Aaron Raitiere), 8 p.m. CST Dec. 2, 5 p.m. Dec. 3 (all times Central). $79 either night, $159 both nights. thecaverns.com
CHATTANOOGA COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA — The Crossing Church, 7501 Standifer Gap Road. Jungle Town Day Care Christmas show, 2 p.m. Nov. 14. Free; donations support Love Without Reason, providing free craniofacial surgery and support therapy. facebook.com/seniorneighbors orchestra
CHATTANOOGA SYMPHONY & OPERA — First Presbyterian Church, 554 McCallie Ave. Handel's "Messiah," featuring CSO Chorus, Choral Arts of Chattanooga, First Presbyterian choir and soloists Eva Martinez (soprano), Hannah Shea (mezzo-soprano), Kameron Lopreore (tenor) and Andrew Gilstrap (bass), 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 3 p.m. Dec. 3. $10-$35. chattanoogasymphony.org
GEM THEATRE — 114. N. Wall St., Calhoun, Ga. In Harmony, a Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton tribute featuring Dave Karl and Wendy T, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 2. $45-$50. Proceeds benefit Safe Haven Ranch in Cedartown, Ga. calhoungemtheatre.org
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. Josh Gates, 8 p.m. Dec. 1. $50-$119. tivolichattanooga.com
REDBUD VENUE — 2314 E. 13th St. Be the Change: Concert for a Cause with Richard Daigle, Bella Lam and Sam Steadman, 7-9 p.m. Dec. 1. $10-$15. redbudvenue.com
ST. PAUL'S ARTIST SERIES — St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 305 W. Seventh St. Boston-based upper-voice ensemble Tapestry presents "Starry Night," program originally designed for Mount Wilson Observatory in Los Angeles, 7:30-9 p.m. Dec. 1. $11-$43. stpaulschatt.org
THE SIGNAL — 21 Choo Choo Ave. Sparkle City Disco & Friends, featuring Carousel, 7 p.m. Dec. 2. $22. thesignaltn.com
SONGBIRDS — 35 Station St. Richard Lloyd Group of Television, 7 p.m. Dec. 1. $25-$28. songbirdsfoundation.org
SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY — 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale. Concerto Competition finals, with young musicians performing with full orchestra, 4 p.m. Nov. 26 in Mabel Wood Hall's Ackerman Auditorium. Free. 423-236-2880
TRI-OCTAVES CHRISTMAS CONCERT — Christ United Methodist Church, 8645 East Brainerd Road. Identical concerts by trio of Willie Kitchens (formerly of The Impressions), Michael Rodgers and Doug Richesin, 7 p.m. Dec. 1, 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Free. Donations support The Bethlehem Center. thebeth.org
UTC FINE ARTS CENTER — 752 Vine St. Concerts by campus ensembles and guests. utc.edu/music
› Nov. 27: Clarion Chorale, 7:30 p.m.
› Nov. 28: Chattanooga Singers, 7:30 p.m.
› Nov. 30: Men's Chorus, Guthrie Quartet, CCA Men's Chorus, 7:30 p.m.
› Dec. 1: Chamber Singers, 7:30 p.m.
OUT & ABOUT
ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL — Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. All-new collection of 30+ lanterns and nine interactive displays, 5:30-9:30 p.m. (last entry at 8:30 p.m.) through Jan. 14. $17-$23 nonmembers, $13-$18 members. chattzoo.org
CHATTANOOGA MARKET'S HOLIDAY MARKET — Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. More than 200 local food vendors, artists and crafts with gift merchandise, decor, foods, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9, 16; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 3, 10, 17. Music by Chattanooga Girls Choir at 2 p.m. Dec. 2; Amber Fults, 12:30 p.m., and Butch Ross, 2 p.m., Dec. 3. chattanoogamarket.com
CHRISTMAS AT MCLEMORE — 32 Clubhouse Lane, Rising Fawn, Ga. Pop-up Christmas tree farm from Raulston Acres, live music, hot beverages, seasonal treats, 3-6 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9. $15. Brunch With Santa, 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 16 and 23. $25 per table. eventbrite.com
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE — Martin Davis House, 58 Hog Jowl Road, Chickamauga, Ga. Tours of home built in 1850, decorated for the season, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 3. Free. Email: jimstaub403@gmail.com
Contributed Photo / The historic Martin Davis House in Chickamauga, Ga., built in 1850, will be decorated for the season and open for tours Dec. 2-3.CIVIL WAR PROGRAMS — nps.gov/chch
› Nov. 27: "The Battle of Ringgold Gap," guided tour, 11 a.m. at Ireland's New York Brigade Monument, end of Depot Street, Ringgold, Ga. Free.
› Dec. 2: "Reconciliation in Chattanooga: The Privileged Profit More Off Consensus Than the Less Privileged," 2 p.m. at Point Park, 110 Point Park. $10 gate fee.
COATS FOR KIDS — Hamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Local firefighters collect winter coats for children in need, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 30 in drop-off lane in parking lot near Cheesecake Factory. hamiltonplace.com
CREATURE COMFORTS GIVEAWAYS — Taco Mac, 423 Market St. Giveaways to celebrate brews from Creature Comforts Brewing Co. of Athens, Ga., as November Beer of the Month: Tropicalia ornament, 5 p.m. Nov. 30 (one per customer while supplies last). tacomac.com
DOWNHOME CHRISTMAS — Ringgold, Ga. Weekend of festivities includes photos with Santa, Christmas shopping, Dec. 1-2. Tree lighting at 6 p.m. Friday starts parade along Nashville Street to Ringgold Depot. nothinlikeringgold.com
ENCHANTED GARDEN OF LIGHTS — Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. A million lights illuminating six distinct holiday realms, including one of the world's tallest walk-through Christmas trees, 4:30-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4:30-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday (park closes later), through Jan. 6 (closed Christmas Eve). $10-$32; tickets online only. seerockcity.com
(READ MORE: Holiday magic is a year-round job at Rock City on Lookout Mountain)
EPB HOLIDAY WINDOWS — 10 W. M.L. King Blvd. Holiday scenes in windows surrounding the building, through Jan. 1. facebook.com/epbchattanooga
(READ MORE: Chattanooga's EPB plans nearly $65 million power grid, storage upgrade)
GINGERBREAD AND SUGAR COOKIES — Sweet & Savory Classroom, 45 E. Main St., Suite 112. Separate seasonal cooking classes for a parent and child (ages 5-13), select dates through Dec. 23. Instruction and supplies provided. $92-$94. sweetandsavoryclassroom.com
(READ MORE: Recipe for success: Sweet and Savory Classroom teaches cooking and leadership)
GINGERBREAD WORKSHOPS — Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. Ninety-minute sessions to create gingerbread houses from kits, with all supplies and cleanup provided, 10:30 a.m. 1 and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 10. Limited to three participants per house. $53-$78. cdmfun.org
HAVE A HOLLY DOLLY CHRISTMAS — Main Line Tattoo Parlour, 317 E. Main St. "Dollymas" activities and art show, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2. mainlinetattoo.com
HOLIDAY BOOK SALE — Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St. (fourth floor). Books in all genres for all ages, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 27-Dec. 1. chattlibrary.org
HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES FOR CADAS — Black Creek Club, 4700 Cummings Cove Drive. Explore homes decorated for the holidays, 3-7 p.m. Dec. 2. Proceeds benefit Council for Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services. $25. eventbrite.com
(READ MORE: $16 million road opens up Aetna Mountain for 1,200 homes, developers say)
HOLIDAYS UNDER THE PEAKS — Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. Seasonal music, decor and themed weekly programming, Nov. 27-Dec. 31 (closed Christmas Day). Photos with Santa, Nov. 26 and Dec. 15-24; scuba-diving Santa, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, except Christmas Eve. tnaqua.org/holidays
HOLIDAY WINDOW TREASURE HUNT — North Shore businesses. NorthShore Merchants Collective hosts ninth annual event to find unlikely hidden objects in 20 merchants' windows to fill out game card, through Jan. 7. Turn in game cards with minimum $1 donation to Northside Neighborhood House for chance to win prizes. Email: tina@shopblueskies.net
ICE ON THE LANDING — First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd. (new location). Outdoor ice rink, through Jan. 28 (hours vary but open holidays; TSSAA BlueCross Bowl, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, will affect schedule and surrounding parking fees). $10-$12 ($2 more on holidays). iceonthelanding.com
LAKESITE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING — City Park, 9301 Thrasher Trail. Craft tables, gingerbread cookie decorating contest, popcorn stringing contest, caroling, reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," refreshments, photos with Santa, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1. lakesitetn.gov
MAINX24 — Main Street and connecting streets. A 24-hour festival celebrating Main Street and surrounding Southside, Dec. 2. Dozens of events include pancake breakfast, parade, chili cook-off, concerts, polar plunge, pop-up zoo, Free admission. mainx24.com
(READ MORE: How to 'discover something new' at Chattanooga's Mainx24 festival, parade)
MISTLETOE MARKET — Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, Ga. Merchandise from local artists and makers, noon-7 p.m. Dec. 1; opens at 10 a.m. Dec. 2, coinciding with Brookwood Elementary School's Christkindlmarkt on campus. creativeartsguild.org
NOOGA LIGHTS — Pine Tree Park (at Soddy Lake), 12000 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy (must enter from northbound lane). Drive-thru holiday light show, with synchronized music on FM radio channel, 6-10 p.m. select nights through Dec. 31. $15 in advance, $20 at gate. noogalights.com
RED BANK CHRISTMAS PARADE AND FESTIVAL — Red Bank City Park, 3801-3899 Redding Road. Festival with merchandise and food vendors, face painting, bounce house, characters including Buddy the Elf, Anna and Elsa, Santa Claus, 4-9 p.m. Dec. 1; parade along Dayton Boulevard at 7 p.m. redbanktn.gov
RUBY FALLS CHRISTMAS — 1720 S. Scenic Highway. Visits with Santa amid holiday decor and twinkling lights, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Nov. 26, then select dates Dec. 2-23. Professionally made photos available for purchase. Cave adventure tickets, sold separately, not required to visit Santa. rubyfalls.com
(READ MORE: Ruby Falls named among best caves in the US)
SANTA'S WONDERLAND — Bass Pro Shops, 1000 Bass Pro Drive. Photos available by reservation, through Dec. 24. Free 4x6 photo with Santa; options for more. basspro.com
SANTA'S WORKSHOP — Bradley Square Mall, 200 Paul Huff Parkway, Cleveland, Tenn. Santa photos, through Dec. 24. Pet photos, 4-7 p.m. Nov. 27, Dec. 4. shopbradleysquare.com
SANTA'S WORKSHOP — Dalton Mall, 816 Walnut Square Blvd., Dalton, Ga. Photos with Santa, Dec. 1-24; walk-up or by reservation. Pajama Parties every Tuesday; Ugly Sweater Parties every Thursday. daltonmall.com
SANTA'S WORKSHOP — Hamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Santa photos, through Dec. 24. Black and white Santas available select dates; pet photos each Monday. Reservations encouraged but not required. hamiltonplace.com
SANTA'S WORKSHOP — Northgate Mall, 271 Northgate Mall Drive. Santa photos, through Dec. 24. Pet photos Mondays through Dec. 18. Reservations encouraged but not required. visitnorthgatemall.com
SAU CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & CONCERT — Southern Adventist University, 4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale. Brief jazz concert and lighting of Christmas tree in front of Wright Hall, 6 p.m. Nov. 28, followed by refreshments in Iles PE Center and Irish Christmas in America show. southern.edu/southernevents
SODDY-DAISY CHRISTMAS PARADE — Dayton Pike from Harrison Lane to Sequoyah Access Road. Includes floats, marching bands, sports teams, 2 p.m. Dec. 3. vva942.com
(PHOTO GALLERY: Setting up a giant Christmas tree in Soddy-Daisy)
STAR PARTIES — Clarence T. Jones Observatory, 10 N. Tuxedo Ave. Weekly series of programs by University of Tennessee at Chattanooga staff continues, 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 3; lecture and planetarium show at 6 p.m. Topic: "Extraterrestrial Life." Featured constellation: Orion. utc.edu/jones-observatory
THEATER
ARTISTIC CIVIC THEATRE — 907 Gaston St., Dalton, Ga. "The 1940s Radio Hour," 2 p.m. Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 2. $14-$19. artisticcivictheatre.com
CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE — 400 River St. Tomie Depaola's "Strega Nona," performed by CTC Youth in Circle Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 16-17. $10-$12. theatrecentre.com
CUMBERLAND COUNTY PLAYHOUSE — 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville, Tenn. ccplayhouse.com
› Through Dec. 22: "White Christmas." $19-$35.
› Through Dec. 23: "Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells." $14-$23.
ENSEMBLE THEATRE OF CHATTANOOGA — Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. Crawlspace: A True Crime Musical, based on interviews of accused killer John Wayne Gacy with forensic psychologist Judy Matthewson, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7-8, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. $25-$30. ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. "PAW Patrol Live: The Great Pirate Adventure, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Nov. 26 (final shows). $30-$106. tivolichattanooga.com
OAK STREET PLAYHOUSE — 418 Oak St. (behind First-Centenary United Methodist Church). Dinner production of "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus," 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 2-3, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7-8, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10. $32. Reservations required. onthestage.com
Find more events, and add your own, at timesfreepress.com/cnevents.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.