June 19–21in & around the Chattanooga metro area
Two things own this weekend: Father's Day Sunday and Juneteenth on Friday. In between, the Black Jacket Symphony plays Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet note-for-note Friday night, Nightfall lights up Miller Plaza for free, and the Chattanooga Film Festival runs all four days. Weather-wise, Friday's the gamble -- warm with an evening storm chance that should mostly clear by 8, so have a Plan B near Miller Plaza. Saturday's the clean one, mid-80s and mostly sunny. Sunday holds mostly sunny in the mid-80s with a passing afternoon storm possible.
Friday
The signature free summer Friday downtown -- Holy Roller headlines with Marlow Drive opening. Bring a chair, grab food from the vendors, and stake out the plaza before the band starts.
The album-cover-to-cover series takes on Bon Jovi's 1986 monster, every track in order, then a second set of the hits. Doors at 6:30. If you know every word to "Livin' on a Prayer," this is your room.
The city's marquee film weekend -- four days of features, shorts, and the kind of weird, wonderful programming that landed it on MovieMaker's "25 Coolest Film Festivals." In-person downtown, with a virtual track running into next week.
Two comedians, one stage, multiple shows across both nights at the Choo Choo's comedy room. The later sets run rowdier -- pick your energy.
Soul-rock singer Lamont Landers headlines Barrelhouse with Cody Matlock opening -- one of the better homegrown live-music draws on the calendar this weekend.
Saturday
The Southside marks Juneteenth with music, food, and community at Cocoa Cafe. Saturday's cultural anchor, in the neighborhood where the tradition runs deepest.
A free riverfront block party at Coolidge Park -- music, vendors, and the carousel running, with the river right there. Easy to pair with the market across the bridge.
The Saturday makers-and-produce market on the aquarium plaza. Local growers, food, and the river as a backdrop -- a good first stop before the day fills up.
A bourbon-and-spirits tasting at St. John's that doubles as a fundraiser for Preserve Chattanooga. A grown-up Saturday night with a good cause behind it.
Florida hard-rockers Blacktop Mojo bring the Texas Checkmate Tour to Barrelhouse, with Seven Year Witch and Anything But Human opening. Saturday night's loud option.
Sunday
The Chattanooga Market throws a Father's Day edition under the pavilion roof -- live blues, beer, and market vendors. Covered setting, so the afternoon sky isn't your problem. Sunday's centerpiece for taking Dad out.
The caverns make a Father's Day of it with cave tours and aboveground activities. A genuinely different way to spend the day with Dad -- cool underground while it's mid-80s up top.
That's the weekend.
See everything on in the Chattanooga metro area — all weekend, all week.
See all eventsUpdated June 18, 2026 · Times verified the week of publication; we surface what's really on — how The Lineup chooses.