From the time I was a child, I remember my parents taking my brother and me for a drive around town to see holiday lights. Now that I live in New York City, lights are everywhere, spread across all five boroughs, celebrating the holidays in big city fashion. But a recent trip back to my original hometown, Chattanooga, Tennessee, reminded me of simpler days.
On a Mission to Save Christmas
Despite its continued growth, Chattanooga is still a relatively small city nestled in the valley beside Lookout Mountain. Of course, there are many new things that weren’t around when I last lived there in the early 1970s. For example, Time to Escape – an escape room in downtown Chattanooga where participants are locked in a room and follow clues to solve a mystery. If successful, they escape the room before time runs out. Themed adventures vary year-round, but since it was the holiday season, we chose the Saving Christmas adventure.
I’ll be honest: I’m not good at solving mysteries. So, as the door locked behind us in a room resembling a cozy cabin decorated for Christmas, I immediately wanted to ring the buzzer and request a few hints to get us started. But, my team members – which consisted of my daughter, her husband and my 14-year-old grandson – were determined to solve the mystery of an evil disgruntled elf who had hidden Santa’s bag of toys and interrupted his flight pattern. It was up to us to save Christmas. Without giving away any secrets, we ultimately solved the mystery and saved the holiday with just seven minutes to spare. You’re welcome.
A Festive Forest and a Winter Wonderland
During the holiday season, downtown Chattanooga’s Miller Park transforms into a festive forest. Sponsored by the Better Business Bureau in partnership with local businesses, the Festive Forest boasts 78 creatively decorated trees.
While all the trees added twinkling lights to the season, each had a unique decorative touch. My favorites included Cluster Funk, where a pink cowgirl hat served as a tree topper and an ornament wished “Goodwill to Y’all!” Another favorite represented a long-time Chattanooga attraction, Ruby Falls. Other trees were sweetly decorated by schoolchildren. And, of course, there had to be a Grinch-themed tree—it’s a holiday must! With Lookout Mountain overlooking the city, a fan favorite was Camp Lookout’s campfire-themed tree surrounded by firewood logs and decorated with fiery red and orange ribbons, fire symbols, and giant marshmallows on sticks.
Across from Miller Park, the Electric Power Board (EPB) building lights up the season with joyful window decorations depicting this year’s theme of “Chattanooga Polar Palooza.” An 80-plus-year tradition, this year, the display presents a cleverly blended blizzard of a winter wonderland and the magic of the carnival.
The Chattanooga Choo Choo Shines Bright
Perhaps the city’s most famous landmark, the Chattanooga Choo Choo brings a new experience to the holiday celebration this year with the Choo Choo Holiday Walk-Thru Light Show NoogaLights. While the Chattanooga Choo Choo remains a city tradition, this Christmas-themed walkable light show features a not-so-traditional light show with an hour’s worth of synchronized music to gardens of themed lighting.
Christmas Cheer for a Cause
Meanwhile, back in the Chattanooga neighborhood where my parents live and my grandmother before them, East Ridge displays one of the most spectacular residential holiday light displays I’ve ever seen. Tucked away on Jason Drive in the center of a hilly community, the holiday spirit shines brightly.
This drive-through privately owned attraction brings not only the neighborhood together but also others seeking the spirit of the season. The attraction is free, but donations are welcome, and all funds collected go to local charities. Now, that’s the true holiday spirit!
Wishing you and yours a happy and peaceful holiday season!