# Free things to do with kids in Chattanooga this week

> Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Chattanooga this week: we found 22 free outings, including Hamilton YMCA Fall Fest & Trunk or Treat, River Market and Chattanooga Market: Bluegrass Sunday, plus 19 library programs. Five free days and events are coming up, including two museum or zoo free days, each with its date. And two places never charge admission, like Downtown Library and Coolidge Park.

- Last checked: 2026-10-19
- 22 free outings this week; 5 free days and events coming up; 2 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/chattanooga/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/chattanooga/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/chattanooga/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/chattanooga/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade** at Coolidge Park, Chattanooga, TN. When: Fri Nov 27, 2026. Time: 4–8 p.m. (parade 7, fireworks 8). Price: Free. Official page: https://www.rivercitycompany.com/reindeer-on-the-riverfront (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Reindeer on the Riverfront** at Coolidge Park (new location for 2026), Chattanooga, TN. When: Fri Nov 27, 2026. Time: 4–8 p.m.; Santa photos 4:30–7:30; reindeer 4–6:30; boat parade 7; fireworks 8. Price: Free. Free Santa pictures, live reindeer, lighted boat parade. Official page: https://www.rivercitycompany.com/reindeer-on-the-riverfront (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Santa at Campbell's Christmas Tree Farm** at Campbell's Christmas Tree Farm, 7503 Walnut Hills Dr, Harrison, TN 37341. When: Opening weekend, Fri Nov 27–Sat Nov 28. Time: Fri 2–6pm; Sat 10am–6pm. Price: Free to visit; trees priced by size (cash, Venmo or card). A small family choose-and-cut farm with free hot chocolate, a fire and a big Santa's sleigh for photos. It's open Fridays and Saturdays through Dec 12 or until the trees sell out. Official page: https://sites.google.com/view/campbells-christmas-tree-farm/home (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Museums for All at the Tennessee Aquarium** at Tennessee Aquarium, Riverfront, downtown. When: Any open day. Price: $5 per ticket for the SNAP EBT cardholder and up to three guests; kids 3 and under free. Bring the EBT card and a matching photo ID to the ticketing center on the Aquarium plaza. Official page: https://tnaqua.org/accessibility-inclusion/museums-for-all/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Museums for All at the Chattanooga Zoo** at Chattanooga Zoo, Warner Park. When: Any open day. Price: $5 adults and $2 kids 3–12 with a SNAP EBT card (up to four tickets per card); 2 and under free. Show the EBT card at the ticket booth. Not valid for special events. Official page: https://www.chattzoo.org/visit/tickets (checked 2026-10-19)

## Free this week

- **Music & Movement (Eastgate)** at Eastgate Library, 5705 Marlin Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Jump, wiggle, dance and jiggle: a Monday morning music class for ages 0 to 5 and their grown-ups. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/music-movement-eastgate/2026-10-19/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Bounce (Downtown)** at Downtown Library, 1001 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. Bouncy rhymes, songs and a story for babies up to 18 months. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/baby-bounce-at-downtown-monday-thursday-and-saturday-10am-2/2026-10-19/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Time (Downtown)** at Downtown Library, 1001 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 11–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. Songs, stories and movement for toddlers 18 to 36 months. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/toddler-time-downtown-ages-18-36-months/2026-10-19/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Time (Downtown, Tuesday)** at Downtown Library, 1001 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. A Tuesday morning toddler storytime downtown. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/toddler-time-at-downtown-tuesday-10am/2026-10-20/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Bounce (Eastgate)** at Eastgate Library, 5705 Marlin Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. Rhymes, bounces and a short story for babies up to 18 months. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/baby-bounce-at-eastgate-tuesday-10am/2026-10-20/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Preschool Storytime (Northgate)** at Northgate Library, 278 Northgate Mall Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37415. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. Stories, songs and activities for ages 3 to 5. Also at 11am. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/preschool-storytime-at-northgate-tuesday-10am/2026-10-20/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Lunchtime Baby Bounce (Downtown)** at Downtown Library, 1001 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 12–12:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. A noon baby bounce for babies up to 18 months. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/baby-bounce-downtown-12-pm-ages-0-18-months/2026-10-20/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Time (Northgate)** at Northgate Library, 278 Northgate Mall Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37415. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. Songs, stories and movement for toddlers 18 to 36 months. Also at 11am. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/toddler-time-at-northgate-tuesday-10am-2/2026-10-21/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Preschool Storytime (Downtown)** at Downtown Library, 1001 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. A Wednesday storytime for ages 3 to 5. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/preschool-storytime-at-downtown-wednesdays-10am/2026-10-21/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Time (Eastgate)** at Eastgate Library, 5705 Marlin Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. A toddler storytime for 18 to 36 months. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/toddler-time-at-eastgate-wednesday-10am/2026-10-21/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Outdoor Storytime (South Chattanooga)** at South Chattanooga Library, 925 West 39th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37410. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Storytime outside for kids 0 to 5. Dress for the weather. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/outdoor-storytime-with-south-chatt-ages-0-5-2-2/2026-10-21/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Storytime (Eastgate)** at Eastgate Library, 5705 Marlin Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Stories and songs for kids 0 to 5 and their caregivers. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/family-storytime-eastgate/2026-10-22/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Bounce (Northgate)** at Northgate Library, 278 Northgate Mall Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37415. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. Rhymes and bounces for babies up to 18 months. Also at 11am. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/baby-bounce-at-northgate-thursdays-10am/2026-10-22/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Storytime (South Chattanooga)** at South Chattanooga Library, 925 West 39th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37410. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A Thursday family storytime for ages 0 to 5. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/family-storytime-south-chatt-ages-0-5-2-3/2026-10-22/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Chat & Play (South Chattanooga)** at South Chattanooga Library, 925 West 39th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37410. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 11–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Open play for kids 0 to 5 while grown-ups get to know each other. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/chat-play-ages-0-5-their-grownups/2026-10-22/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Yoga Storytime (Eastgate)** at Eastgate Library, 5705 Marlin Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 2–7. Friday stories with simple yoga poses for ages 2 to 7. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/yoga-storytime-ages-2-7/2026-10-23/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Hamilton YMCA Fall Fest & Trunk or Treat** at Hamilton Family YMCA, 7430 Shallowford Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 5:30–7:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. A free family fall festival with trunk or treat, food trucks, inflatables, face painting and a fall market. Open to members and non-members. Official page: https://www.ymcachattanooga.org/events/fall-festival (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Saturday Songs & Stories (Eastgate)** at Eastgate Library, 5705 Marlin Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–6. Sing, move and listen to stories on Saturday morning, for ages 0 to 6. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/saturday-songs-stories-ages-0-6/2026-10-24/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Day Out (Northgate)** at Northgate Library, 278 Northgate Mall Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37415. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10am–12pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Northgate’s monthly Saturday family program with a mix of activities for all ages. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/family-day-out-2/2026-10-24/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **River Market** at Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, 1 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37402. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10am–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. The Saturday riverfront market by the aquarium: local makers, a food truck (Smash Boyz) and live music from Hiwassee Bend. Free to browse. Official page: https://www.chattanoogamarket.com/event/river-market-oct24-26 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Storytime (South Chattanooga, Saturday)** at South Chattanooga Library, 925 West 39th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37410. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 11–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A Saturday storytime with stories and songs for kids 0 to 5. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/event/family-storytime-south-chatt-ages-0-5-2-2/2026-10-24/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Chattanooga Market: Bluegrass Sunday** at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga, TN 37408. When: Sun Oct 25. Time: 11am–4pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. The big Sunday market with produce, local eats and makers, plus two free sets from the Redbud Bluegrass Band on the Sunday Funday Stage. Free admission; pay lot parking. Official page: https://www.chattanoogamarket.com/event/chattanooga-bluegrass (checked 2026-10-19)

## Always free

- **Downtown Library**, 1001 Broad St. The main branch of the Chattanooga Public Library, with baby, toddler and preschool storytimes most weeks. Official page: https://chattlibrary.org/locations/downtown/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Coolidge Park**, North Shore, 150 River St. Riverfront lawns on the North Shore built around the Bud Ellis Carousel, a restored 1894 Dentzel. The play fountain runs May through September. Official page: https://chattanooga.gov/things-to-do/parks/coolidge-park (checked 2026-10-18)

## Free library storytimes

- **Chattanooga Public Library**: Weekly at 4 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings. Baby, toddler and preschool storytimes at the Downtown Library and branches around the city. Calendar: https://chattlibrary.org/

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### What’s free to do with kids in Chattanooga this weekend?
This week we found 22 free outings for ages 0–6, including Hamilton YMCA Fall Fest & Trunk or Treat, River Market, Chattanooga Market: Bluegrass Sunday and Music & Movement (Eastgate). See [free this week](https://littlesweekly.com/chattanooga/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

### Are there free museum or zoo days in Chattanooga?
Museums for All at the Tennessee Aquarium: Any open day ($5 per ticket for the SNAP EBT cardholder and up to three guests; kids 3 and under free). Museums for All at the Chattanooga Zoo: Any open day ($5 adults and $2 kids 3–12 with a SNAP EBT card (up to four tickets per card); 2 and under free). Dates come from each venue’s own page; see [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/chattanooga/free/#free-days).

### What free holiday events are there for kids in Chattanooga?
Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade, Reindeer on the Riverfront and Santa at Campbell's Christmas Tree Farm are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/chattanooga/free/#free-days).

### Where can we go for free any day in Chattanooga?
Downtown Library and Coolidge Park don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

### Is there free indoor play in Chattanooga?
Yes: Downtown Library. See all of them on [indoor play places in Chattanooga](https://littlesweekly.com/chattanooga/indoor-play/#places).

### Are library storytimes free in Chattanooga?
Yes. Chattanooga Public Library runs free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

### How do you check these free listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).