Chattanooga Market

Chattanooga Market was established by Public Markets, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that created the market to provide healthy, fresh produce, artisan foods, and locally produced arts and crafts in Chattanooga. That nonprofit footing helps explain the market’s broad shape: a producer-only marketplace founded in 2001, with regular market dates plus related events at places including First Horizon Pavilion, Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, and Erlanger Medical Mall. For shoppers, that means a market built around people who are making, growing, or otherwise creating their own goods rather than reselling them.

Why it matters locally

Founded in 2001 as a producer-only marketplace, Chattanooga Market gives Chattanooga-area growers, food makers, and craft vendors a low-cost place to start, grow, and launch businesses built around goods they make or raise themselves. Its stated focus is local and practical: healthy fresh produce, artisan foods, and locally produced arts and crafts for Chattanoogans and visitors.

That local role also extends beyond shopping. Public Markets hosts local charities throughout the season, including the Erlanger Foundation, the Down syndrome Community of Greater Chattanooga, Stadium Corporation, and the Chattanooga Food Bank. The market’s calendar also ties commerce to place, with recurring activity at Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, First Horizon Pavilion, and Erlanger Baroness Hospital’s medical mall area.

What you'll find there

The mix stretches well beyond a single shed of produce stalls. Chattanooga Market’s own calendar points to three distinct patterns: weekly River Market dates with arts, crafts, food, and live music; Wednesday market dates at Erlanger centered on artisan food and makers; and special event weekends at First Horizon Pavilion.

• -Pick up empanadas from Nonni's Empanadas, the featured food truck at Chattanooga Market at Erlanger.
• -Grab gyros from Go Gyro Go, also featured at Chattanooga Market at Erlanger.
• -Find locally made soap from Moccasin Bend Soap Company at the River Market.
• -Catch Wei to Go serving local eats during Chattanooga Beer Fest.
• -Add Windy City Eats to the Beer Fest food lineup.
• -Look for JT’s Burger Box among the local eats at Chattanooga Beer Fest.
• -Hear Sweet Georgia Sound during Opening Weekend programming.
• -Listen for Monday Night Social and Songbirds Kids during the Strawberry Festival.
• -Catch Matt Downer on the River Market music lineup for April 19, 2026.
• -Watch for Maria Jordania on the River Market music lineup for May 2, 2026.
• -Sample beer from Chattanooga Brewing during Chattanooga Beer Fest.
• -Try pours from Oddstory Brewing at Chattanooga Beer Fest.
• -Find cider from Gypsy Circus Ciders on the Beer Fest brewery list.
• -Look for Wanderlinger Brewing among participating brewers.

Events are a major part of the calendar. The River Market opens weekends beginning March 7 for the 2026 season at Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, Opening Weekend returns April 25–26, Strawberry Festival lands May 3, and Chattanooga Beer Fest returns May 23 at First Horizon Pavilion.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed, which is the detail most likely to change how you plan the trip. Parking is paid at adjacent lots, structures, and streets for River Market locations, and paid lot parking is available on campus for First Horizon Pavilion events. The market’s activity is split across more than one Chattanooga site, including First Horizon Pavilion, Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, and Erlanger Medical Mall across from Starbucks, so matching your outing to the right venue matters. Wednesday market dates at Erlanger also place the featured food truck at the East 3rd Street circle.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP/EBT is accepted at Chattanooga Market. Payment details are presented clearly by the market, which helps when you’re planning across regular market dates and special event weekends. Paid parking is part of the visit at River Market and First Horizon Pavilion locations, so budget separately for that.