Upcoming Activities
In addition to our full calendar of seasonal events, enjoy these special activities in the gardens throughout the year.
Celebrating 90 Years!
Rock City first opened to the public on May 21, 1932. Owners Garnet and Frieda Carter decided to share their “backyard” with guests 90 years ago. In celebration of our 90th anniversary, Rock City has planned a year-long lineup of enhancements, with four key cornerstones highlighting the attraction’s historical leadership while guiding the pathway forward: Innovation, Sustainability, Art, and People.
Valentine’s Day
February 10-14, 2023
$49 per couple
Package includes tickets for 2 adults to Rock City, sparkling cider or wine from Cafe 7*, souvenir photo and fudge.
*Cafe 7 is open from 11am – 4pm. Photographer available 10am – 4pm.
Shamrock City
March 11- 12 & 18-19, 2023
Visit Rock City for Chattanooga’s premier St. Patrick’s Day event featuring Irish food, specialty beer, Suffolk sheep, a miniature Scottish Highland Cow, and fun for the whole family! You can even see the High Falls flowing green!
Spring Break Safari
March 10 – April 9, 2023
In partnership with the Chattanooga Tourism Company, Rock City is participating in this year’s Spring Break Safari. At Rock City, be a RockQuest Adventurer high atop Lookout Mountain! Pick up a RockQuest Guide that will help you look for clues to many of the geological wonders throughout Rock City.
EarthDayz
April 15-16 & 22-23, 2023
Join us at Rock City Gardens during this naturally fun outdoor premier event…learn how to use recycled materials for an innovative and fun make-and-take project, be mesmerized when Vines and Trees come to life with methodical movement, and see how Art and Nature enhance each other all while enjoying the great outdoors with your family during Earthdayz!
Southern Blooms Festival
May 6-7 & 13-14, 2023 (Mother’s Day Lunch – May 14)
Celebrate spring with Rock City as the gardens burst into bloom. Discover mischievous fairies in Gnome Valley and see a living fountain character! Purchase plants from Frieda’s Flower Sale or relax near Lover’s Leap with the soothing sounds of harp music and a specialty Southern Bloom butterfly pea tea from Café 7.
Summer Music Weekends
Memorial Day Weekend: 5/26-5/29
Fridays-Sundays: 6/2-6/25
Daily, 4th of July Week: 6/30-7/9
Fridays-Sundays: 7/14-8/27
Labor Day Weekend: 9/1-9/4
Enjoy some of the best toe-tapping old time bluegrass and a mix of modern folk country music; combines with a Seven States view during Summer Music Weekends…featuring the music of several returning artists. Spend a summer day at Rock City Gardens, enjoy a fresh-squeezed lemonade, plan to dine at Cafe 7 (serving southern cuisine with a modern twist) AND check out the Rock City Birds of Prey raptor show in the Critter Classroom.
Rocktoberfest
Saturdays & Sundays in October
Let’s Oompah! This premiere Fall Event includes live German music, German food, specialty beer, Birds of Prey shows, costumed characters, and fun for the whole family! Join the fun at Rock City for the 16th annual Rocktoberfest as we celebrate our German heritage and honor our founder, Frieda Utermoehlen Carter!
Enchanted Garden of Lights
Nightly, November 17 – December 31, 2023 (Closed December 24)
Warm your heart during this nighttime, family tradition as you walk through Rock City Gardens’ winter wonderland. Located a quick drive from downtown Chattanooga, this magical Christmas lights experience is one of Chattanooga’s memorable winter events. Take a stroll down the lighted Grand Corridor in Yule Town, experience the twinkle of icy lights in the Arctic Kingdom, and the Magic Forest comes alive to reveal exciting enchantments!
