🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: A Holiday Dog Pageant in Huntsville, Ice on the Landing in Chattanooga, MTSU’s Messiah Sing-Along, the Summerville Santa Special Train, the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Run, Sparta’s 81st Christmas Parade, a Jog Full of Santas and an After-Christmas Lights Train

Or: Cheer On Costumed Pups, Lace Up Some Skates, Sing the Hallelujah Chorus, Ride a Train With Santa, Run for a Little Debbie Ornament, Wave at a Parade, Watch Santas Jog and Ride Through a Tunnel — Eight New Outings Within About 100 Miles of Dunlap

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Sunday, October 25, 2026

Evening, neighbor. Grab the coffee (or the decaf) and a pencil. Here’s batch number seventy-three of Hundred-Mile Happenings, our running list of unusual, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap. Same promise as always: when, where, how far, what it costs and who’ll love it, in plain words. And no repeats. Every one of these is new to the list.

This batch runs from mid-November into the new year. On Sunday, Nov. 15, Huntsville’s Rocket City Dog Bar holds a HOWLiday PAWgeant for pups in holiday costumes. Chattanooga’s Ice on the Landing rink reopens Saturday, Nov. 21 and stays open through January. On Sunday, Nov. 29, MTSU invites everybody to sing along with Handel’s Messiah, free. The Summerville Santa Special train rolls out of a Georgia depot on weekends from late November into December. On Sunday, Dec. 6, Collegedale hosts the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Run. Sparta holds its 81st Rotary Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 12. A crowd of runners in Santa suits takes over Ross’s Landing for the Jingle Bell Jog on Saturday, Dec. 19. And after Christmas, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum runs its Holiday Christmas Lights Train, Dec. 26 through Jan. 10.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Sun., Nov. 15, 1–3 p.m. (Central — our time): HOWLiday PAWgeant, Rocket City Dog Bar, Huntsville. Humans free; $10 per pup to enter the pageant.
• Sat., Nov. 21 through Sun., Jan. 31 (Eastern): Ice on the Landing skating rink, Chattanooga. $12 adults, $10 children, skates included.
• Sun., Nov. 29, 3 p.m. (Central — our time): Messiah Sing-Along, MTSU, Murfreesboro. Free.
• Weekends, late Nov. to mid-Dec. (Eastern): Summerville Santa Special train, Summerville, Ga. $24, ages 2 and up.
• Sun., Dec. 6, races start 8 a.m. Eastern (7 a.m. OUR time): Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Run, Collegedale. Kids’ dash about $12; 5K about $34 (goes up after Nov. 5).
• Sat., Dec. 12, time to be announced (Central — our time): 81st Sparta Rotary Christmas Parade, downtown Sparta. No admission listed.
• Sat., Dec. 19, 9 a.m. Eastern (8 a.m. OUR time): Jingle Bell Jog 5K, Ross’s Landing, Chattanooga. $40 to run, Santa suit included.
• Sat., Dec. 26 through Sun., Jan. 10 (Eastern): Holiday Christmas Lights Train, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Chattanooga. $26 adults, $17 children.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: Huntsville, Murfreesboro and Sparta are on CENTRAL time like us. Chattanooga, Collegedale and Summerville, Ga., are all EASTERN, one hour ahead. For those, subtract an hour. And remember, daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, before any of these. Set the clocks back one hour on Halloween night. The one-hour difference between us and Eastern time stays the same.

🐶 Cheer On Costumed Pups at Huntsville’s HOWLiday PAWgeant

“On Dasher! On Dancer! Ummm, on Fido?” That’s how the organizers put it. The Third Annual HOWLiday PAWgeant invites dogs to strut their stuff in holiday costumes, with prizes and trophies for first, second and third place. Even if your dog stays home, there are vendors, raffles, adoptable pups and photos with Santa. It all benefits Notorious D.O.G. Dog Rescue.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sun., Nov. 15, 2026, 1–3 p.m. (Central — our time). Pageant check-in starts at 12:30 p.m., and the pageant begins about 1:15 p.m.
• Where: Rocket City Dog Bar, 2404 Clinton Ave. W., Huntsville, AL.
• How far: About 105 miles, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes. This is the long drive of the batch, just past our 100-mile line. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Humans are free. Entering a pup in the pageant is $10, and dogs need a Dog Bar membership or day pass (price not listed: check before you go).
• Who’ll love it: Dog lovers, kids who like dress-up and anybody thinking about adopting a pup.
• Good to know: The pageant is limited to 50 pups, so register early by email or at rocketcitydogbar.com. Walk-ups are taken if space allows. It’s a dog park with a bar, so beer is served. Questions: 256-698-0180.

👉 Read more (Enjoy Huntsville — HOWLiday PAWgeant)

⛸️ Lace Up at Ice on the Landing, Chattanooga’s Open-Air Rink

Ice on the Landing is Chattanooga’s only open-air ice skating rink. It sits under the roof of the First Horizon Pavilion, home of the Chattanooga Market, so it’s open-air without being out in the rain. Each ticket gets you a 60-minute skate session, and skate rental is included.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Opens Sat., Nov. 21, 2026, and runs through Sun., Jan. 31, 2027. Daily hours are posted on iceonthelanding.com: check before you go. Hours there are Eastern, so subtract an hour.
• Where: First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd., Chattanooga, TN.
• How far: About 33 miles, roughly 50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $12 adults, $10 children per 60-minute session. Holiday prices are different. Same price if you bring your own skates.
• Who’ll love it: Kids home for Thanksgiving or Christmas break, grandparents who skated as children (or like to watch from the rail) and anybody who wants that snow-globe feeling.
• Good to know: Wear gloves and thick socks. Chattanooga Presents: 423-777-5274.

👉 Read more (Choose Chattanooga — Ice on the Landing)

🎶 Sing the Hallelujah Chorus at MTSU’s Messiah Sing-Along

You don’t just listen at this one. You sing. The MTSU School of Music hosts a Messiah Sing-Along in its concert hall, and the audience joins in on Handel’s famous choruses. If you’ve ever wanted to belt out “Hallelujah!” with a few hundred neighbors, this is your chance.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sun., Nov. 29, 2026, 3–4 p.m. (Central — our time).
• Where: T. Earl Hinton Music Hall, Wright Music Building, MTSU, 1301 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, TN.
• How far: About 78 miles, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free.
• Who’ll love it: Church choir members, music lovers, seniors and families who want a peaceful start to the Christmas season.
• Good to know: MTSU’s ticket listing has shown this event as “sold out,” which for a free concert may mean free seats were reserved. Check MTSU’s School of Music events page before you go. Most MTSU concerts are also livestreamed on the school’s YouTube channel, so you can sing along from home if needed. It’s the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so watch for holiday traffic.

👉 Read more (Only in Murfreesboro — Messiah Sing-Along)

🎅 Ride to Santa’s Workshop on the Summerville Santa Special

The city of Summerville, Ga., calls it a “small-town Hallmark movie” kind of day. You board a heated Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum train at the historic Summerville Depot and ride to “Santa’s Workshop” in Trion to pick up Old Saint Nick. On the 75-minute round trip, elves lead Christmas carols, somebody reads “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”, and Santa walks through every car to greet families and pose for photos.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Weekends from late November to mid-December 2026. The City of Summerville announced Nov. 28–29, Dec. 5–6 and Dec. 11–12. The museum’s page lists the season as Nov. 29–Dec. 13. Pick your exact date and departure time on the ticket page: check before you go. Times are Eastern.
• Where: Summerville Depot, 119 E. Washington St., Summerville, GA.
• How far: About 75 miles, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $24 per person, ages 2 and up. Children under 2 ride free. All sales are final.
• Who’ll love it: Little ones who believe, and the grandparents who love watching them.
• Good to know: Each child gets a keepsake, plus chocolate milk and a chocolate chip cookie. Arrive 30 minutes early. Strollers and car seats can’t go on the train. These rides usually sell out, so buy early. TVRM: 423-894-8028.

👉 Read more (Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum — Summerville Santa Special)

🎄 Run (or Walk) for an Ornament at the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Run

If there’s a snack cake that means “Christmas” around here, it’s the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake, and it’s baked right down the road in Collegedale. This fun run has a half marathon, a 7-mile run, a 5K run, a separate 5K walk and a Kids’ Dash. Participants get a shirt, a goody bag with Little Debbie snacks and a Little Debbie Christmas Tree ornament, and every finisher gets a medal. There’s a Little Debbie costume character on hand, too.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sun., Dec. 6, 2026. Start times are Eastern: 7-mile 8 a.m., half marathon 8:03, 5K run 8:15, Kids’ Dash 8:18, 5K walk 8:35. That’s 7 to 7:35 a.m. OUR time.
• Where: The Commons in Collegedale, 4950 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, TN, starting and finishing at Little Debbie Park.
• How far: About 48 miles, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Kids’ Dash (ages 2–10) $12.43; 5K run or walk $33.78; 7-mile $44.45; half marathon $55.13 (fees included). Prices go up after Nov. 5. No refunds.
• Who’ll love it: Walkers, runners, kids and anybody with a soft spot for those snack cakes.
• Good to know: The Kids’ Zone has an inflatable obstacle course, a petting zoo, touch-a-truck and yard games. Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys. Proceeds go to the Collegedale Veterans Memorial Park. Later that day, the city hosts Christmas in Collegedale at the same spot, 3 p.m. to dusk Eastern, ending with a tree lighting. The event is capped at 500 people, and pets should stay home.

👉 Read more (RunSignup — Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Run)

🎺 Wave at Sparta’s 81st Rotary Club Christmas Parade

For 81 years, the Sparta Rotary Club has put on a Christmas parade, and that’s a hometown tradition worth seeing. Sparta is a short, pretty drive up the plateau, and it’s on our time.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Dec. 12, 2026. Start time to be announced: check before you go.
• Where: Downtown Sparta along Bockman Way. The chamber listing gives 117 E. Bockman Way, Sparta, TN.
• How far: About 45 miles, roughly 1 hour 5 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: No admission listed.
• Who’ll love it: Kids, grandkids and anybody who loves a small-town parade.
• Good to know: Call the Sparta-White County Chamber at 931-836-3552 in early December for the start time and route. Bring a folding chair and a warm coat.

👉 Read more (Sparta-White County Chamber — 81st Rotary Christmas Parade)

🔔 Watch a Crowd of Santas Run the Chattanooga Jingle Bell Jog

Here’s a sight you won’t forget: a crowd of Santas running through downtown Chattanooga. Instead of a race shirt, every runner gets a full Santa suit and a pair of jingle bells to tie on their shoes. Finishers get a holiday medal. There’s also a shorter Elf Dash for the young (or young at heart).

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Dec. 19, 2026. Packet pickup 8–9 a.m. Eastern; 5K starts at 9 a.m. Eastern (8 a.m. OUR time); Elf Dash at 10 a.m. Eastern (9 a.m. our time).
• Where: Ross’s Landing, 200 Riverfront Pkwy., Chattanooga, TN.
• How far: About 32 miles, roughly 50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: 5K $40 and Elf Dash $24.50 (fees included). No ticket is mentioned for folks who just come to watch.
• Who’ll love it: Runners, walkers, families and anybody who’d laugh at seeing hundreds of Santas jingle by.
• Good to know: It’s rain or shine, no refunds. Leave early. That 8 a.m. our-time start means a 6:45 a.m. departure from the Valley.

👉 Read more (RunSignup — Chattanooga Jingle Bell Jog)

🚂 Ride Through Missionary Ridge on TVRM’s Holiday Christmas Lights Train

When the presents are open and the house gets quiet, here’s a calm way to keep Christmas going. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum runs an after-Christmas evening ride in enclosed, heated vintage coaches. The 6-mile round trip passes through the old Missionary Ridge Tunnel, crosses four historic bridges and stops for a working turntable demonstration at East Chattanooga, where the locomotive is spun around.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Dec. 26, 2026, through Sun., Jan. 10, 2027, evenings. The ride lasts about 60–65 minutes. Departure times are on the ticket page and are Eastern: check before you go.
• Where: Grand Junction Depot, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga, TN.
• How far: About 40 miles, roughly 1 hour. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $26 adults, $17 children, priced per seat.
• Who’ll love it: Train fans, families with visiting grandkids and anybody who missed the pre-Christmas crowds.
• Good to know: There’s no Santa on this one, and no snacks are served onboard (the depot sells them). The lights are at the depots and along parts of the route, not the whole way. Arrive 20 minutes early, because trains won’t wait. Free parking. TVRM: 423-894-8028.

👉 Read more (Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum — Holiday Christmas Lights Train)

✅ Remember These Dates

• Sat. night, Oct. 31: Set the clocks back one hour. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.
• By Thu., Nov. 5: Sign up for the Little Debbie Tree Cake Run before prices go up.
• Sun., Nov. 15, 1–3 p.m. (our time): HOWLiday PAWgeant, Huntsville. Humans free; $10 per pup.
• Nov. 21 to Jan. 31: Ice on the Landing, Chattanooga. $12/$10.
• Sun., Nov. 29, 3 p.m. (our time): Messiah Sing-Along, MTSU. Free.
• Late Nov. to mid-Dec. weekends: Summerville Santa Special. $24. Buy early.
• Sun., Dec. 6, 7 a.m. OUR time (8 Eastern): Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Run, Collegedale.
• Sat., Dec. 12, time TBA (our time): Sparta Rotary Christmas Parade.
• Sat., Dec. 19, 8 a.m. OUR time (9 Eastern): Jingle Bell Jog, Ross’s Landing.
• Dec. 26 to Jan. 10: Holiday Christmas Lights Train, TVRM. $26/$17.

✅ Trip-planning checklist

• ✅ Write the time zone on the fridge note: Huntsville, Murfreesboro and Sparta are Central — our time. Chattanooga, Collegedale and Summerville are Eastern — subtract an hour.
• ✅ Buy ahead for both train rides, the runs and the pup pageant. The Santa Special usually sells out.
• ✅ Make it a Chattanooga day: pair a skate at Ice on the Landing with the Jingle Bell Jog morning or a Lights Train evening.
• ✅ The Lights Train ends after dark. Bring a buddy who’s comfortable driving the mountain at night.
• ✅ Bring gloves, a warm coat and a folding chair for the parade and the races.
• ✅ Check the event page the morning you go in case plans change.
• ✅ Fill up and grab a biscuit before you leave the Valley. Find local stops on Dunlap.Directory.

Remember: check the clock, check the weather, and pick the outing that fits your crew. A good day trip gets you home tired and happy, not worn out.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are these events already on earlier Hundred-Mile Happenings lists?

No. We keep a covered-events list and skip anything we’ve already featured. All eight of these outings are new for article #73. We’ve covered other events at some of the same places, like Holidays at Ruby Falls, Christkindlmarkt at the Commons in Collegedale and Stable 41’s winter skating in Fort Oglethorpe, but these are separate events.

Which ones are free?

The Messiah Sing-Along is free, and humans get into the PAWgeant free. Sparta’s parade lists no admission. Skating is $12 for adults and $10 for children, the Santa Special is $24, and the Lights Train is $26 for adults and $17 for children. The runs cost from about $12 for the Kids’ Dash to $55 for the half marathon.

Which ones are best for kids?

The Summerville Santa Special is made for them, with Santa, carols and a keepsake. The Tree Cake Run has a Kids’ Dash and a petting zoo, skating is a hit with all ages, and kids love a parade and a dog in a costume.

Which ones are easiest if I don’t walk far?

The Messiah Sing-Along is a seated concert, and both train rides let you sit in a heated coach (call TVRM ahead about boarding help). At the parade, bring a folding chair and park as close as you can. You can watch the skaters from the rail.

Eastern or Central: which clock do I set?

Dunlap and Sequatchie County are on Central, and so are Huntsville, Murfreesboro and Sparta. Chattanooga, Collegedale and Summerville, Ga., are on Eastern time, one hour ahead. Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1, before all of these events.

How do you pick these events?

We look for one-of-a-kind, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap, and we check each one against the organizer’s own page, the local tourism calendar or local news whenever we can. When a detail isn’t posted, or two sources don’t agree, we say so. We keep a list so we never repeat an event. If you know a hidden gem, tell us at Dunlap.Today.

🔗 Other Resources

• Enjoy Huntsville — HOWLiday PAWgeant
• Ice on the Landing — hours and tickets
• Only in Murfreesboro — MTSU Messiah Sing-Along
• TVRM — Summerville Santa Special
• Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Run
• Sparta-White County Chamber — Rotary Christmas Parade
• Chattanooga Jingle Bell Jog
• TVRM — Holiday Christmas Lights Train
• National Weather Service Morristown: Valley forecast
• Dunlap.Directory: Local businesses for gas, food and supplies

🌅 Slow Down and Go See Something

You don’t need a big trip to make a good memory. A pup in a Santa hat, a slow lap around the ice, a hall full of people singing “Hallelujah,” a train ride with Santa, a snack-cake ornament, a hometown parade, a crowd of jogging Santas and a lit-up tunnel are all within a drive of home. Grab a buddy, check the clock and the weather, and go.

Keep exploring, keep it easy and keep reading. Read Dunlap.Today for more Hundred-Mile Happenings, and find the Valley businesses that’ll fuel your trip on Dunlap.Directory.