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1 June 2026, 4:45pm-8:30pm

Join the ladies of The Chattery for a fun night making candles and crafting.

During the evening, Chattanooga-based candle maker Osha Thomas of Escential Things will host a Candle Making Bar, guiding guests through creating their own custom candle. You’ll choose your fragrance, place your wick, and pour a one-of-a-kind candle to take home after it cures. Candles are made with soy-blend wax (contains paraffin), phthalate-free fragrances, and cotton wicks—all vegan-friendly ingredients. Time slots for sign up are 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

While your candle sets, settle into The Chattery's Art Lounge, designed like an art café where creativity flows freely. Browse a variety of materials to collage, watercolor, draw, write, color, or experiment however inspiration strikes. There’s no pressure—just space to create, relax, and connect.

Not in the mood to make a candle? No problem. Come hang out, sip, sketch, and enjoy the Art Lounge vibes all evening.

Whether you’re crafting a candle, making art, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, this night is all about creativity at your own pace.

Meeting Point: The Chattanoogan

1 June 2026, 1:15pm-2:00pm

Join an Aquarium Educator and Aquarist behind the scenes of Ocean Journey to assist in feeding our schooling fishes in the Secret Reef exhibit and learn about the nutritional needs of other marine life in this habitat. You will spend half an hour in the afternoon participating in a unique experience and learning about the animals from the aquarists who care for them. Feed your curiosity alongside our animals during this one-of-a-kind Aquarium experience. The Feeding Frenzy tour involves contact with shellfish and other seafood.

Those with allergy concerns are advised against participating or should contact us for more information.

Tickets will be provided to visit the Aquarium afterwards as a regular guest.

Meeting Point: Meet on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza outside the Ocean Journey building

28 May 2026, 8:45am-10:30am

Say, “Good morning!” to some of the Aquarium’s amazing animals during this exclusive guided tour before opening hours. You will have the opportunity to take in the beauty of the Aquarium and greet the day alongside our animals and animal care staff. A knowledgeable Aquarium Educator will spend 1.5 hours guiding you and your party through parts of the River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings, where you will gain a new perspective on your favorite exhibits. You will get a peek behind the scenes to see how the animals are cared for and have the unique chance to meet one of our ambassador animals.

Tickets will be provided to visit the Aquarium afterwards as a regular guest.

Meeting Point: Meet on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza outside the River Journey building

28 May 2026, 8:30am-10:30am

The Tennessee Aquarium maintains a myriad of live plants inside its two buildings and outside on the Aquarium Plaza. The River Journey building has an emphasis on native plant species, while Ocean Journey on exotic plants.

This experience will feature a tour of some of the indoor plant life by one of the Aquarium’s horticulturists before opening, with you getting your hands dirty and putting in a little work with watering or sweeping to make sure the plants are in tip-top shape before guests enter the building.

Tickets will be provided to visit the Aquarium afterwards as a regular guest.

Meeting Point: Meet on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza outside the River Journey building

2 June 2026, Time TBD

For the culinary folks, join a Tennessee Aquarium aquarist in the River Journey kitchen to prepare food for our animals in the River Giants exhibit. You’ll do unique kitchen work while learning about what goes into feeding the Aquarium’s 13,000 animals. Then, you’ll go above the River Giants exhibit to surface feed and see our dive team enter the water to hand feed the giant fish. Note, this experience involves using sharp knives and contact with raw shellfish and other seafood.

Those with allergy concerns are advised against participating or should contact us for more information.

Tickets will be provided to visit the Aquarium afterwards as a regular guest.

Meeting Point: Meet on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza outside of the River Journey building

Date & Time TBD

For the culinary folks, join a Tennessee Aquarium animal care specialist in the River Journey kitchen to prepare food for our animals in the Delta Country and Turtle Nursery. Diets range from fruits and vegetables to meat and fish. You’ll do unique kitchen work while learning about what goes into feeding the Aquarium’s 13,000 animals. Then, you’ll go to the Delta Country with alligators and turtles to surface feed, followed by a personal visit to the Turtle Nursery with our herpetology collection coordinator. Note, this experience involves using sharp knives and contact with raw shellfish and other seafood.

Those with allergy concerns are advised against participating or should contact us for more information.

Tickets will be provided to visit the Aquarium afterwards as a regular guest.

Meeting Point: Meet on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza outside of the River Journey building

28 May 2026, 8:30am-1:00pm

Visit the freshwater field station of the Tennessee Aquarium and meet the team of conservation scientists working behind the scenes to protect our region’s unique biodiversity and restore aquatic habitats. See live fishes including Lake Sturgeon, Southern Appalachian Brook Trout, and federally endangered Laurel Dace in our propagation room. All three species are reared and raised to reintroduce into restored streams. Then, journey to a local stream within the Tennessee River Basin. Enjoy a peek beneath the surface and discover abundant diversity of aquatic life found only in southeast Tennessee’s waters. Learn how to help safeguard wildlife and clean water for future generations while enjoying hands on exploration of the waters that nourish people and wildlife. 

Disclaimer: This outing involves physical activity – stepping over rocks, moving through water, and maintaining your balance.

Weather in May in Chattanooga may range from warm and comfortable to hot in the upper 80s to low 90s. Recommendations: Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet (closed toe preferable).

A limited supply of waders is available upon request. Shoe size will be needed. Pack plenty of water and some snacks, maybe even a packed lunch.

Tickets will be provided to visit the Aquarium afterwards as a regular guest.

Meeting Point: Meet at The Chattanoogan Hotel to board CTC shuttle.