🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: A Nutcracker in Chattanooga, a Free Family Night at Creative Discovery, Lindsey Stirling's Snow Waltz, a Hometown Nutcracker in McMinnville, Handel's Messiah and Mannheim Steamroller

Or: Six New Night-Out Ideas, From Thanksgiving Week Through Mid-December

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Thursday, November 5, 2026

Evening, neighbor. This batch is about stage lights and good music. On Sunday, Nov. 22, a touring Nutcracker ballet fills Chattanooga’s Memorial Auditorium. On Wednesday, Nov. 25, violinist Lindsey Stirling brings her Snow Waltz holiday show to the same stage. Chattanooga’s Creative Discovery Museum opens after hours for a free family night on Thursday, Dec. 3. Closer to home, McMinnville’s Park Theater stages its own Nutcracker Fantasy Ballet Dec. 4–6. The Chattanooga Symphony performs Handel’s Messiah Dec. 5–6, and Mannheim Steamroller plays Christmas favorites on Thursday, Dec. 17. What it means for you: one is free, five need tickets, and the Chattanooga stops run on Eastern time, so watch the clock.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Sun., Nov. 22, 3 p.m. (Eastern): NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet, Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga. Tickets $50 and up.
• Wed., Nov. 25, 7:30 p.m. (Eastern): Lindsey Stirling: The Snow Waltz Tour, Chattanooga. Tickets required; price not posted on the page I could read.
• Thu., Dec. 3, 5:30–8 p.m. (Eastern): Community Night: Winter Playland, Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga. Free.
• Fri.–Sun., Dec. 4–6 (Central): Nutcracker Fantasy Ballet, Park Theater, McMinnville. Fri. and Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Tickets required.
• Sat.–Sun., Dec. 5–6, 3 p.m. (Eastern): Handel’s Messiah, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. $45 general, $75 VIP.
• Thu., Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. (Eastern): Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga. Tickets required.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: Chattanooga runs an hour ahead of us. For the five Chattanooga stops, subtract one hour to get Dunlap time. The Nov. 22 ballet at 3 p.m. Eastern is 2 p.m. our time. Lindsey Stirling at 7:30 p.m. Eastern is 6:30 p.m. our time. The free museum night, 5:30–8 p.m. Eastern, is 4:30–7 p.m. our time. Messiah at 3 p.m. Eastern is 2 p.m. our time. Mannheim Steamroller at 7:30 p.m. Eastern is 6:30 p.m. our time. McMinnville is on Central time, same as Dunlap. Most listings print only a clock time, so check before you go.

🩰 Take the Family to a Big Touring Nutcracker in Chattanooga

If you want one grand holiday outing, this is it. NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet is a touring production that comes to more than 80 cities a year. Choose Chattanooga describes an international cast, acrobatics, big costumes and larger-than-life puppets set to Tchaikovsky’s music. It’s a different show from Chattanooga Ballet’s own Nutcracker, which comes later in December.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026, 3 p.m. Eastern (2 p.m. our time). Runs about two hours.
• Where: Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga.
• How far: Roughly 30–35 miles, about 50 minutes from Dunlap. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Listed at $50 to $600 by Choose Chattanooga. Buy through the venue or the tour’s own site, not a resale site, since resale prices run higher.
• Who’ll love it: Ballet fans, grandparents treating the grandkids and anyone who wants a big, polished holiday show.
• Good to know: It’s a Sunday matinee, so you can be home by suppertime. Check before you go for seat prices and parking.

👉 Read more (Choose Chattanooga — NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet)

🎻 Catch Lindsey Stirling’s Snow Waltz Holiday Show

Violinist Lindsey Stirling is known for dancing while she plays, and her Snow Waltz Tour is a holiday show. It lands in Chattanooga the night before Thanksgiving, which makes a fun treat for visiting family.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Eastern (6:30 p.m. our time).
• Where: Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga.
• How far: Roughly 30–35 miles, about 50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Tickets required through Live Nation. I couldn’t read an official price, and resale listings I saw started around $65–$87 and change. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Teens, violin and holiday-music fans and families home for Thanksgiving.
• Good to know: It’s a weeknight with a drive home after dark, the night before a big cooking day. Plan accordingly.

👉 Read more (Live Nation — Lindsey Stirling: The Snow Waltz Tour)

🦖 Play for Free After Hours at Creative Discovery Museum

Once a month, Chattanooga’s Creative Discovery Museum opens its doors in the evening at no charge. December’s Community Night is themed Winter Playland. The museum says families can dig for dinosaur bones in UnEarthed, launch rockets in the STEM Zone and make art in ArtSpace, all through play.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, 5:30–8 p.m. Eastern (4:30–7 p.m. our time).
• Where: Creative Discovery Museum, downtown Chattanooga (321 Chestnut St.; confirm the address on the museum’s site).
• How far: Roughly 30–35 miles, about 50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free. The page I read doesn’t say whether you need to reserve a spot, so check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Families with kids, grandparents and anyone who wants a no-cost evening out.
• Good to know: It’s a Thursday evening and a free night can get busy. Arrive early.

👉 Read more (Creative Discovery Museum — Community Night)

🎭 See a Hometown Nutcracker at McMinnville’s Park Theater

Want a Nutcracker without the big-city drive? The Park Theater in McMinnville presents A Nutcracker Fantasy Ballet, put on by Paula Barnes and Camryn Austin. The story follows Clara from Christmas Eve to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy waits.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. (Central, same as ours).
• Where: The Park Theater, 115 W. Main St., McMinnville.
• How far: Roughly 36 miles, about 50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Tickets required. I couldn’t find prices. Call the box office at 931-506-2784 or look at the theater’s website. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Families with young dancers, ballet fans and anyone who likes a small-town theater.
• Good to know: The box office is open Tuesday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The Sunday 2 p.m. show is the easiest for little ones.

👉 Read more (Main Street McMinnville — Nutcracker Fantasy Ballet)

🎶 Hear Handel’s Messiah With the Chattanooga Symphony

Handel’s Messiah is a December classic, and the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera performs it with the CSO Chorus, conducted by Darrin Hassevoort. If the “Hallelujah” chorus is a family favorite, this is the live version.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, 3 p.m. Eastern (2 p.m. our time), according to the Chattanooga Journal. The symphony’s own page lists the dates but no times.
• Where: First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, per the Chattanooga Journal. Check the street address and parking before you go.
• How far: Roughly 30–35 miles, about 50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Zoned general admission $45, VIP $75, half price for students and children, plus a $4 online fee.
• Who’ll love it: Choir and classical fans and anyone who wants a quiet, beautiful afternoon.
• Good to know: The symphony says these shows fill up fast. Box office: 423-267-8583, Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern.

👉 Read more (Chattanooga Symphony & Opera — Tickets & Events)

🎄 Hear Mannheim Steamroller Play Christmas Favorites

Mannheim Steamroller has been a holiday sound for decades, and its Christmas tour stops in Chattanooga in mid-December. It’s a big, lights-and-music evening for fans who grew up with the albums.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thursday, Dec. 17, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Eastern (6:30 p.m. our time).
• Where: Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga.
• How far: Roughly 30–35 miles, about 50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Tickets required through Live Nation. I couldn’t read an official price; resale listings I saw started in the low $50s. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Longtime fans, couples and families who like instrumental Christmas music.
• Good to know: It’s a Thursday night, and a late drive home. Meters downtown are free after 6 p.m. unless signs say otherwise, and the free CARTA downtown shuttle runs on weekends.

👉 Read more (Live Nation — Mannheim Steamroller Christmas)

Before you head out, a quick checklist:

• 🕰️ Subtract one hour for every Chattanooga stop. McMinnville is on our time.
• 🎫 Buy tickets from the venue or Live Nation, not a resale site, and look at the final price before you pay.
• 📍 Confirm the church address for the Messiah before you leave.
• 🅿️ Plan parking near Memorial Auditorium and leave early for evening shows.
• 🌙 Remember the late drive home on the Nov. 25 and Dec. 17 weeknight shows.
• ⛽ Fill up before you leave. Need a local mechanic or gas stop? Look on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these is free?

Only the Creative Discovery Museum Community Night on Thursday, Dec. 3. The other five need tickets.

Which one is closest to Dunlap?

The five Chattanooga stops are about 30–35 miles away. McMinnville’s Nutcracker is roughly 36 miles. All six are about 50 minutes by car, so none is a long drive.

Which ones are on Eastern time?

All the Chattanooga stops: the Nov. 22 ballet, Lindsey Stirling, the museum night, Messiah and Mannheim Steamroller. McMinnville is on Central time, same as Dunlap.

Which are best with younger kids?

The free museum night, either Nutcracker matinee (Nov. 22 in Chattanooga or Sunday, Dec. 6 in McMinnville) and the Messiah afternoon if your kids can sit quietly. The Lindsey Stirling and Mannheim Steamroller shows are evening concerts.

Why are some prices missing?

I only list a price when an official page shows it. For McMinnville’s Nutcracker, Lindsey Stirling and Mannheim Steamroller, I couldn’t read an official price, so I say so. Always check before you go.

Can I pair any of these in one trip?

On the weekend of Dec. 5–6 you could see McMinnville’s Nutcracker on Saturday night or Sunday afternoon, or Messiah in Chattanooga at 3 p.m. Eastern, but not both on the same day. They’re in different directions.

🔗 Other Resources

• Choose Chattanooga — NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
• Live Nation — Lindsey Stirling: The Snow Waltz Tour
• Creative Discovery Museum — Community Night
• Main Street McMinnville — Nutcracker Fantasy Ballet
• Ready On The Radio — Nutcracker Fantasy Ballet showtimes
• Chattanooga Symphony & Opera — Tickets & Events
• Chattanooga Journal — Nutcracker and holiday shows
• Live Nation — Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
• Dunlap.Directory — local businesses and services

🌅 Take It Easy, and Pick the One That Fits

You don’t have to do all six. If you want something soon, the touring Nutcracker is Sunday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. our time. For a free night with the kids, mark Thursday, Dec. 3. For a hometown show, McMinnville’s Nutcracker has a Sunday 2 p.m. matinee. Jot down three things: subtract one hour for Chattanooga, buy tickets from the venue, and check before you go. And for more calm, useful news from right here at home, keep reading Dunlap.Today and find local help on Dunlap.Directory.