The Winter Days & Lights holiday event season downtown has been awarded as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.  This event season runs from November 28 through December 12, featuring over 130 downtown buildings lit from street to sky and three weeks of family-oriented holiday activities.

Four events make up this holiday series, beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving at Ross's Landing, Friday, November 28, with the Grand Illumination on the River presented by EPB. Breakfast with Santa is held the next morning, Saturday, November 29, at The Chattanoogan. Festivities continue the Saturday, December 6, with the Holiday Starlight Parade and Concert in Downtown Chattanooga. The final event is the Appalachian Christmas concert, held at Miller Plaza's Waterhouse Pavilion on Friday, December 12.