🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Eat Soup to Piano Music in Athens, Catch Free Poetry and Dance at the Hunter, Sip Free Cocoa at a Huntsville Sugarplum Market, Watch the Holly King Duel the Oak King, Skate Jasper's Square, Hear Dustin Lynch at Home and Ride a Carriage in Jamestown

Or: Seven Fresh Outings From a Free Soup Supper Next Tuesday to a Small-Town Christmas on Dec. 5, Including Ice Skating Just Down the Road in Jasper

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Thursday, November 12, 2026

Howdy, neighbor. Here are seven outings we haven’t told you about before. On Tuesday, Nov. 17, the Arts Center in Athens serves a free soup supper while local pianists play holiday music from room to room. On Thursday, Nov. 19, Chattanooga’s Hunter Museum hosts a free hour of pictures, poetry and dance called Vision+Verse. On Saturday, Nov. 21, you can sip free hot cocoa at the Sugarplum Market in Huntsville, or head toward Knoxville for a free Medieval Holiday Festival with a petting zoo and a Yule fire. On Saturday, Nov. 28, Jasper opens its skating rink on the courthouse square, about half an hour from home. On Tuesday, Dec. 1, country star Dustin Lynch comes home to Tullahoma for a children’s benefit. And on Saturday, Dec. 5, Jamestown throws a Small Town Tennessee Christmas with carriage rides and a live nativity. What it means for you: four of these are free, one is right next door, and there’s something for music lovers, crafters and kids alike.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Tue., Nov. 17, 5–7 p.m. Eastern (4–6 our time): Arts on the Side, soup supper and Piano Walk, The Arts Center, Athens. Free.
• Thu., Nov. 19, 6–7 p.m. Eastern (5–6 our time): Vision+Verse: Posing as Past, Hunter Museum, Chattanooga. Free.
• Sat., Nov. 21, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Central: Sugarplum Market, Annabella at Cedar Glen, Huntsville. Free, with free cocoa.
• Sat., Nov. 21, noon–7 p.m. Eastern (11–6 our time): A Medieval Holiday Festival, Mascot, near Knoxville. Free; $2 parking.
• Opens Sat., Nov. 28 (weekends 2–8 p.m. Central): Downtown skating rink, Jasper square. $7 adults, $5 kids, skates included.
• Tue., Dec. 1, 7 p.m. Central: Dustin Lynch and Friends Benefit, Tullahoma High School. $25, cash or check.
• Sat., Dec. 5, 3–6 p.m. Central (parade 10 a.m.): Small Town Tennessee Christmas, downtown Jamestown. Cost: check before you go.

📝 The one thing to remember: Athens, Chattanooga and Knoxville run on Eastern time. They’re an hour ahead of us, so a 5 p.m. soup supper in Athens starts at 4 p.m. in Dunlap. Huntsville, Jasper, Tullahoma and Jamestown are on Central, same as your kitchen clock. And if you want Dustin Lynch tickets, they go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 17, cash or check only.

🎹 Eat a Free Soup Supper While Pianists Play Holiday Music in Athens

Here’s a gentle way to spend a Tuesday evening. The Athens Area Council for the Arts invites everyone to Arts on the Side, a free drop-in night at its Arts Center. You’ll get a catered soup supper, see two new art exhibits, and take a “Piano Walk,” strolling from the lobby to the music wing to the performance hall while local pianists play seasonal music. It’s a friendly way to meet neighbors and see what the arts center offers.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 5–7 p.m. Eastern, which is 4–6 p.m. our time. Drop in anytime during those two hours.
• Where: The Arts Center, 320 North White St., Athens, Tenn.
• How far: About 65 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free, supper included.
• Who’ll love it: Piano lovers, folks who’d enjoy a hot supper and a little culture, and anyone curious about the arts in a neighboring town.
• Good to know: The center says it will name the featured pianists soon. Soup can run out at free suppers, so earlier is better.

👉 Read more (Athens Area Council for the Arts — Arts on the Side)

🎭 See Pictures, Poetry and Dance Come Together at the Hunter Museum

The Hunter Museum of American Art sits high on the bluff above the Tennessee River, and its Vision+Verse programs pair art with spoken word. This one, called “Posing as Past,” brings together Christopher Shaw and PROVIDENCE Newson Dance Co. for a one-hour program that blends images, spoken word and movement to look at how people are shown in pictures. It’s short, it’s free and it’s a nice reason to see the museum at evening time.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thursday, Nov. 19, 6–7 p.m. Eastern, which is 5–6 p.m. our time.
• Where: Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave., Chattanooga.
• How far: About 45 miles, roughly 55 minutes by way of Signal Mountain or U.S. 127. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free. The listing says all Vision+Verse programs are free and open to the public.
• Who’ll love it: Poetry fans, dance lovers and anyone who likes a thoughtful hour out.
• Good to know: Whether you need to sign up ahead isn’t stated, so check before you go. Questions: Hunter Museum, 423-267-0968.

👉 Read more (Hunter Museum — Vision+Verse: Posing as Past)

🍬 Sip Free Hot Cocoa and Shop Handmade Gifts at Huntsville’s Sugarplum Market

If you like to get a jump on Christmas shopping, the 2026 Sugarplum Market is a cozy one. Local artisans sell handmade gifts, holiday décor and sweets at Annabella at Cedar Glen in Huntsville, and shoppers get free hot cocoa. There’s no admission and parking is free, so you can spend your money on the good stuff.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Central, our time.
• Where: Annabella at Cedar Glen, 5264 Rustic Trail, Huntsville, Ala.
• How far: About 100 miles, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes by way of Jasper and Scottsboro. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free admission and free parking. Bring money for the vendors.
• Who’ll love it: Gift hunters, cocoa drinkers and anyone who likes to buy from the person who made it.
• Good to know: Bring a little cash in case a vendor does not take cards. Event details are posted on the organizer’s Facebook page.

👉 Read more (Redstone Rocket — Around Town, with Sugarplum Market details)

🛡️ Watch the Holly King Duel the Oak King at a Free Medieval Holiday Festival

This one is just plain fun and a bit unusual. The Knoxville Medieval Festival group puts on A Medieval Holiday Festival in Mascot, on Knoxville’s northeast side. The main event is an old legend acted out: the Holly King versus the Oak King, the winter king and the summer king. There’s also a 12-foot tree lighting, a petting zoo, a Yule fire lighting at dusk, a game called “spear the apples,” fire performers and a visit from Father Christmas.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 21, noon–7 p.m. Eastern, which is 11 a.m.–6 p.m. our time.
• Where: 865 Axe Throwing, 5821 Babelay Road, Mascot, Tenn.
• How far: About 115 miles, roughly 2 hours 10 minutes by way of Pikeville and I-40. That’s a little past our usual 100 miles. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free admission. Parking is $2 per car.
• Who’ll love it: Kids who love knights and castles, families who like a costume or two, and anyone who wants to see a Yule fire lit.
• Good to know: Service animals only, so leave the family dog home. We found this on an event-listing site, so check before you go with the Knoxville Medieval Festival’s own page. Stay for the fire lighting at dusk, then plan on a late drive home.

👉 Read more (StayHappening — A Medieval Holiday Festival)

⛸️ Lace Up Skates on the Courthouse Square in Jasper

You don’t have to drive far for this one. The Town of Jasper opens its winter skating rink on the downtown square on Saturday, Nov. 28, the weekend after Thanksgiving. It’s synthetic ice, so it works even on mild days, and skates are included in the price. It’s a great way to burn off some turkey and pie.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Opens Saturday, Nov. 28. Regular hours: Thursday and Friday 4–8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2–8 p.m., Central, our time. The closing date for the season isn’t stated, so check before you go.
• Where: Downtown square, Jasper, Tenn.
• How far: About 25 miles, roughly 30 minutes down the Valley. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $7 per adult, $5 per kid, skates included.
• Who’ll love it: Kids, teens and grandparents who remember skating on a frozen pond.
• Good to know: Want a skating birthday party? Call Jamie Webb at 931-808-3359. Wear gloves; falls happen on any ice.

👉 Read more (SValleyNow — Skating begins November 28 in Jasper)

🎤 Hear Dustin Lynch and His Songwriter Friends Raise Money for Kids in Tullahoma

Country star Dustin Lynch, a Grand Ole Opry member with ten No. 1 songs, grew up in Tullahoma. Each year he comes home for the Dustin Lynch and Friends Benefit, and this is the 11th. He and his songwriter friends tell how a song gets written, then sing it. All proceeds go to local children’s charities he picks. Folks who’ve been say it’s a real treat.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Tuesday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m. Central, our time.
• Where: Tullahoma High School auditorium, Tullahoma, Tenn.
• How far: About 75 miles, roughly 1 hour 25 minutes by way of Monteagle. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $25 general admission. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 17, 4:30–6 p.m. at the South Jackson Performing Arts Center in Tullahoma. Cash or check only, four tickets per person, first come, first served.
• Who’ll love it: Country fans and anyone who likes the story behind a song.
• Good to know: Tickets are sold in person, so plan a trip to Tullahoma on Nov. 17 or ask a friend there to stand in line. $250 sponsorships, which include a meet-and-greet, are due by Nov. 15 through Lane and Evelyn Curlee, 931-581-0360.

👉 Read more (Tullahoma News — Dustin Lynch coming back home Dec. 1)

🎄 Ride a Carriage and See a Live Nativity at Jamestown’s Small Town Tennessee Christmas

Up on the plateau near Big South Fork, Jamestown spends a whole Saturday on Christmas. It starts with the Jamestown Rotary Club Christmas Parade at 10 a.m. In the afternoon, downtown fills with a live nativity, carriage rides, photos with Santa, ornament crafts, food and craft vendors, carolers and bounce houses, with cookies and cocoa at the courthouse. The town lights its Christmas tree at 6 p.m.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Dec. 5. Parade 10 a.m.; festivities 3–6 p.m.; tree lighting 6 p.m. Jamestown is on Central time, same as us.
• Where: Downtown Jamestown, Tenn. (the Fentress County Chamber is at 114 E. Central Ave.).
• How far: About 90 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes north on U.S. 127 through Crossville. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Not stated. Carriage rides or vendors may charge, so check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Families with young kids, and anyone who loves an old-fashioned small-town Christmas.
• Good to know: It gets cold on the plateau after dark, so bring a heavy coat for the tree lighting. Questions: Fentress County Chamber, 931-879-9948.

👉 Read more (Fentress County Chamber — Small Town Tennessee Christmas)

✅ Your Trip-Planning Checklist

• ✅ Clock check: Athens, Chattanooga and Knoxville are on Eastern time (5 p.m. there = 4 p.m. here). Huntsville, Jasper, Tullahoma and Jamestown are Central.
• ✅ Tue., Nov. 17: Free soup supper and Piano Walk in Athens. It’s also the day Dustin Lynch tickets go on sale in Tullahoma: bring cash or a check.
• ✅ Thu., Nov. 19: Vision+Verse at the Hunter, 5 p.m. our time. Call ahead if you want to be sure of a seat.
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 21: Pick one: the Sugarplum Market in Huntsville, or the Medieval Holiday Festival near Knoxville (bring $2 for parking).
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 28 and after: Skate the square in Jasper. Pack gloves.
• ✅ Tue., Dec. 1: Dustin Lynch and Friends, 7 p.m. in Tullahoma.
• ✅ Sat., Dec. 5: Small Town Tennessee Christmas in Jamestown. Bring a warm coat for the 6 p.m. tree lighting.
• ✅ Fill up before you go. Need gas, a tire check or a good breakfast spot on the way? Look on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these is closest to Dunlap?

The skating rink in Jasper, about 30 minutes away. The Hunter Museum in Chattanooga is next, at about 55 minutes.

Which ones are free?

Arts on the Side in Athens, Vision+Verse at the Hunter and the Sugarplum Market are free. The Medieval Holiday Festival is free to enter, with $2 parking.

How do I get Dustin Lynch tickets?

In person only, starting Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the South Jackson Performing Arts Center in Tullahoma. They’re $25, cash or check, with a limit of four per person.

Do I need to bring my own skates to Jasper?

No. Skates are included in the $7 adult and $5 kid price.

Who are the Holly King and the Oak King?

They’re characters from an old European winter legend. The Holly King stands for the dark half of the year and the Oak King for the light half, and they “battle” as the seasons turn. At the festival, it’s a play put on for fun.

Why do the Athens, Chattanooga and Knoxville times look an hour off?

Those places are on Eastern time. Subtract one hour to get Dunlap’s Central time.

🔗 Other Resources

• Athens Area Council for the Arts — Arts on the Side
• Hunter Museum of American Art — Events
• StayHappening — Vision+Verse: Posing as Past
• Redstone Rocket — Around Town (Sugarplum Market)
• StayHappening — A Medieval Holiday Festival
• SValleyNow — Skating begins November 28 in Jasper
• Tullahoma News — Dustin Lynch coming back home Dec. 1
• Fentress County Chamber — Small Town Tennessee Christmas
• Dunlap.Directory — local businesses and services

🌅 Take It Easy, and Pick the One That Fits

You don’t need to do all seven. If you’d like a quiet evening, the soup supper in Athens or Vision+Verse at the Hunter costs nothing. If you’re shopping, the Sugarplum Market comes with free cocoa. If the kids love knights, the Medieval Holiday Festival is worth the longer drive. And Jasper’s skating rink is close enough for an after-supper trip. Jot down three things: Athens, Chattanooga and Knoxville are an hour ahead; Dustin Lynch tickets go on sale Nov. 17, cash or check; and call before you go for anything we couldn’t confirm. For more calm, useful news from right here at home, keep reading Dunlap.Today and find local help on Dunlap.Directory.