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Ultimate Guide to Chattanooga's Vibrant Music Scene: Venues, Festivals & Legends

Chattanooga offers a diverse array of entertainment venues and restaurants year-round, complemented by a dynamic calendar of music festivals appealing to every genre enthusiast. Explore this comprehensive guide to the city's thriving music scene.

Discover Chattanooga Music on Spotify.

Lonely Planet named Chattanooga one of the Top 10 U.S. travel destinations for 2018 and Ultimate Guide to Chattanooga s Vibrant Music Scene: Venues, Festivals & Legends curated a Spotify playlist spotlighting iconic artists from the Scenic City, including Bessie Smith, Clyde Stubblefield, Angel Snow, and Kane Brown. Immerse yourself in the soulful rhythms and energetic country sounds of #CHAmusic. Access "Chattanooga, A Playlist by Lonely Planet" on Spotify here.

Join NPR's Travel Show "Journeys of Discovery" with correspondent Tom Wilmur discussing Chattanooga's bustling live music scene and the 75th anniversary of Glenn Miller's "Chattanooga Choo Choo." Listen here: "Gig City" Chattanooga, TN - Where Live Music Thrives.


Check out our events calendar for upcoming music events in Chattanooga!


Tennessee Music Pathways

Ultimate Guide to Chattanooga s Vibrant Music Scene: Venues, Festivals & Legends
From north to south, east to west, Tennessee boasts a rich music heritage encompassing country, rock, soul, blues, bluegrass, R&B, and jazz. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development launched the Tennessee Music Pathways initiative, connecting visitors to the state's legendary music history through key people, places, and genres that define America’s soundtrack.

The Bluebird Cafe & Tennessee Tourism Host Open Mic Nights Celebrating Tennessee Songwriters Week

Did you know the last week of February is officially Tennessee Songwriters Week? The Bluebird Cafe’s renowned open mic host, songwriter Barbara Cloyd, led events in Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Johnson City. Local judges selected top songwriters from each city to perform at The Bluebird Cafe on March 31, 2019, during the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival before music industry professionals. Chattanooga's event was at The Camp House on February 21, 2019. Visit tennesseesongwritersweek.com for details. #CHAmusic #MadeinTN #SoundtrackofAmerica
Ultimate Guide to Chattanooga s Vibrant Music Scene: Venues, Festivals & Legends

Chattanooga Wins Levitt AMP Grant for Third Year to Present Free Music Series

Ultimate Guide to Chattanooga s Vibrant Music Scene: Venues, Festivals & LegendsThe Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation awarded Chattanooga, TN, a $25K matching grant as one of 15 U.S. cities for a free concert series on the lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Jazzanooga leads production and booking in partnership with the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau, Bessie Smith Cultural Center, and the City’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. Read more here.

Walker Theatre at Memorial Auditorium

Ultimate Guide to Chattanooga s Vibrant Music Scene: Venues, Festivals & Legends
Chattanooga’s historic Walker Theatre at Memorial Auditorium has been stunningly renovated and announces an exciting fall programming lineup. Check out the lineup.

Music Venues

Ultimate Guide to Chattanooga s Vibrant Music Scene: Venues, Festivals & Legends

From soulful singer-songwriters and classic rock to jazz and high-energy dance parties, Chattanooga's music venues cater to every preference in the Scenic City.


Ultimate Guide to Chattanooga s Vibrant Music Scene: Venues, Festivals & Legends

Famous Chattanooga Musicians

Chattanooga pulses with soulful heritage spanning over a century, nurturing top music industry names past and present. Discover our list of famous artists with Chattanooga roots.


Restaurants with Live Entertainment

Ultimate Guide to Chattanooga s Vibrant Music Scene: Venues, Festivals & Legends

Chattanooga features live music across intimate spots, grand theaters, and dance floors. For a cozy vibe with food and drinks, explore this list of bars and restaurants offering live entertainment.

WUTC takes you behind the scenes of its "Afternoon Music" radio show with host Richard Winham interviewing Chattanooga musician Ryan Oyer. Oyer shares his stunning string arrangements and lyrics, performing "So Far So Good" and "White Star" from his latest EP. #CHAmusic

stupidDOPE.com dubs Chattanooga, TN "one of the most dope places to visit this year." Watch this video by Richard Williams featuring music by local artists Kindora, Rock Floyd, and Swayyvo Morton.

Travel Notes
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    The 2019 Noontunes concert series brings vibrant live music and food trucks to Miller Park every Friday starting September 13. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy performances hosted by experts who share insights into each artists background and song choices—details beyond a standard show. Local vendors add to the fun for all attendees. Noontunes returns this fall to showcase Chattanooga’s exceptional local music talent and deliver a lively lunchtime experience in Miller Park, says Meagan Shinn, prog

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    The Levitt AMP Chattanooga Music Series returns for its third season, energizing the lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in the historic Martin Luther King neighborhood. This beloved event celebrates Chattanoogas rich musical legacy while establishing the district as a premier cultural destination. Presented by RISE, a nonprofit delivering diverse cultural arts programs to foster creative innovation and community empowerment in Chattanooga, in partnership with the Bessie Smith Cultural Cent

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    Ever hand-fed a red panda or ventured deep into hidden caverns? Discover these exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and immersive experiences during your next visit to Chattanooga. WILD Encounters – Chattanooga Zoo For an unforgettable interaction with exotic animals, the Chattanooga Zoo offers WILD Encounters. Get up close with red pandas, two-toed sloths, cotton-top tamarins, and more. These 30-minute sessions include hand-feeding and insights from expert keepers on the animals behaviors and ha