🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Shop 50 Vendors at Manchester's Holiday Cheer, Bird-Watch on a Flat Chapman Mountain Hike, Walk Chickamauga's History by Twilight, Browse the Shelbyville Craft Festival and Watch Two Georgia Towns Light Their Trees

Or: Six Fresh Outings From This Sunday Through Nov. 28, With Three Free Ones and Two Tree Lightings

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Evening, neighbor. Here are six outings we haven’t told you about before. This Sunday, Nov. 15, you’ve got two good choices: Manchester’s Holiday Cheer, a free craft and vendor day with more than 50 booths and food trucks, or an easy, all-ages guided hike on Chapman Mountain outside Huntsville, where the birding is good. Most evenings from now through December, the Haunted Heart of Chickamauga walking tour leads small groups through that little Georgia town’s Civil War, Cherokee and railroad history at twilight. On Nov. 21–22, the free Shelbyville Craft Festival fills Shelbyville Middle School with makers. And two Georgia neighbors start Christmas early: Dalton lights its tree at Christmas at the Courthouse on Saturday, Nov. 21, and Trenton holds Reindeer Games and a tree lighting on Saturday, Nov. 28. What it means for you: there’s holiday shopping, fresh air, a bit of history and some twinkle lights, and three of the six are free.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Sun., Nov. 15, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Central: Manchester’s Holiday Cheer, Manchester Coffee County Conference Center. Free admission.
• Sun., Nov. 15, 1:30–3 p.m. Central: Hike at Chapman Mountain, Land Trust of North Alabama, Huntsville. Register ahead.
• Tue.–Sat. evenings through Dec. 31, 7–9 p.m. Eastern (6–8 p.m. our time): Haunted Heart of Chickamauga walking tour, Chickamauga, Ga. $23–$28.
• Sat.–Sun., Nov. 21–22, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.: Shelbyville Craft Festival, Shelbyville Middle School. Free admission.
• Sat., Nov. 21, 7–9:30 p.m. Eastern (6–8:30 p.m. our time): Christmas at the Courthouse tree lighting, Dalton, Ga. Check before you go.
• Sat., Nov. 28, 4–6 p.m. Eastern (3–5 p.m. our time): Light Up Trenton Reindeer Games & Tree Lighting, Trenton, Ga.

📝 The one thing to remember: the three Georgia outings run on Eastern time. Chickamauga, Dalton and Trenton are an hour ahead of us, so a 7 p.m. start there is 6 p.m. in Dunlap. Manchester, Shelbyville and Huntsville are on Central, same as your kitchen clock.

🎁 Shop 50-Plus Vendors and Food Trucks at Manchester’s Holiday Cheer

If you’d like to get a jump on Christmas shopping, this is an easy Sunday. Manchester’s Holiday Cheer is a craft and vendor event with more than 50 vendors plus food trucks, held indoors at the Manchester Event Center behind the Holiday Inn. Indoors means you can browse in comfort even on a chilly day.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Central, our time.
• Where: Manchester Coffee County Conference Center (Manchester Event Center), 147 Hospitality Drive, Manchester, Tenn.
• How far: About 65 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by way of Monteagle and I-24. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free admission. Bring money for gifts and food.
• Who’ll love it: Holiday shoppers, crafters looking for ideas and anyone who likes a food-truck lunch.
• Good to know: Organizer contact listed: Kelley Felice, 931-273-4158. Some vendors may be cash only, so bring a little cash just in case.

👉 Read more (The Tennessee Magazine — Manchester’s Holiday Cheer)

🐦 Take an Easy, All-Ages Bird-Watching Hike on Chapman Mountain

Here’s a hike you don’t have to be a mountain goat for. A Land Trust of North Alabama hike leader takes the group through the “flat” part of the Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve on the Driskell and Chasco trails and parts of the Terry and Moonshine trails. Because it avoids the hills, the Land Trust says it suits all ages and levels. The preserve is known as a birding spot, so pack the binoculars.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Nov. 15, 1:30–3 p.m. Central.
• Where: Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve, 1263 U.S. Highway 72 East, Huntsville, Ala.
• How far: About 100–105 miles, roughly 1 hour 55 minutes by way of Scottsboro and U.S. 72. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Not stated on the event page. Check before you go when you register.
• Who’ll love it: Bird-watchers, grandparents with grandkids and anyone who wants a gentle walk in the woods.
• Good to know: About 2 miles in roughly 1.5 hours, rated moderate. Register on the Land Trust’s page; if weather cancels it, they email registered hikers. Their driving directions are written for people coming from Huntsville, so look them over before you leave. Land Trust phone: 256-534-5263.

👉 Read more (Land Trust of North Alabama — Hike at Chapman Mountain)

🏮 Walk Chickamauga’s History at Twilight on the Haunted Heart Tour

For history lovers who enjoy a good story, the Haunted Heart of Chickamauga is a 90-minute to two-hour walking tour through the little town’s brick-lined downtown streets. Guides anchor it in the 1863 Battle of Chickamauga and also share the area’s Cherokee heritage, African American history, railroad days and old Appalachian folklore. For fun, guests get to try ghost-hunting gadgets like EMF meters along the way.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Most Tuesday through Saturday evenings from now through Dec. 31, 7–9 p.m. Eastern, which is 6–8 p.m. Central, our time.
• Where: Southern Shadows, 110 Gordon Street, Chickamauga, Ga.
• How far: About 50 miles, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes by way of Chattanooga. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $23 general admission; $28 on peak-season dates.
• Who’ll love it: Civil War buffs, folklore fans and older kids and teens who like a spooky-but-friendly story.
• Good to know: Wear comfortable walking shoes and a warm coat. A minimum age isn’t listed, so call 706-375-0249 if you’re bringing young children, and to book your night.

👉 Read more (Explore Georgia — Haunted Heart of Chickamauga Ghost Tour)

🧶 Browse Handmade Gifts at the Shelbyville Craft Festival

Shelbyville’s Craft Festival brings artists, makers, jewelry makers, textile artists and home-décor crafters together under one roof for a two-day market. Organizers expect 40 to 90 vendors, and it’s a fine excuse for a Saturday drive into Tennessee Walking Horse country.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21–22, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The online listing shows an odd time zone, so check before you go; Shelbyville is on Central, same as us.
• Where: Shelbyville Middle School, 1200 West McKay Road, Shelbyville, Tenn.
• How far: About 85 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes by way of Monteagle, Manchester and Tullahoma. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free admission.
• Who’ll love it: Gift shoppers who want something one-of-a-kind and anyone who likes chatting with the folks who made it.
• Good to know: Can’t make it? The same organizer lists a second market weekend on Dec. 12–13.

👉 Read more (AllEvents — Shelbyville Craft Festival)

🎄 Watch the Tree Light Up at Dalton’s Christmas at the Courthouse

Whitfield County invites families downtown for Christmas at the Courthouse, a tree lighting on South Selvidge Street that has become a beloved local tradition. The county has described it as a free night with holiday music, hot cocoa and treats, and a visit from Santa.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 7–9:30 p.m. Eastern, which is 6–8:30 p.m. Central, our time. This date comes from the Visit Dalton calendar; the county’s own news page still shows an older year, so check before you go.
• Where: Whitfield County Courthouse, South Selvidge Street, downtown Dalton, Ga.
• How far: About 70 miles, roughly 1 hour 25 minutes by way of Chattanooga and I-75. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free in past years. Confirm for this year.
• Who’ll love it: Families with little ones who want to meet Santa and anyone who loves that first-tree-lighting feeling.
• Good to know: Questions? Whitfield County Board of Commissioners: 706-275-7500. Plan a rested driver for the trip home.

👉 Read more (Visit Dalton — Event Calendar)

🦌 Play Reindeer Games and Light the Tree in Trenton

Just over the state line, Dade County kicks off the season with Light Up Trenton: Reindeer Games & Tree Lighting at Veterans Memorial Park. It’s an early-evening event, so little ones can enjoy the games and the lights and still get home for bedtime.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 28, 4–6 p.m. Eastern, which is 3–5 p.m. Central, our time.
• Where: Veterans Memorial Park, Highway 11, Trenton, Ga.
• How far: About 50 miles, roughly 55 minutes by way of Jasper and I-24/I-59. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Not listed. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Young families, grandparents and anyone who wants an easy, close-to-home start to Christmas.
• Good to know: It’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving, a nice way to walk off the leftovers. The listing doesn’t say what the games are, so think of it as a fun surprise.

👉 Read more (Alliance for Dade — Light Up Trenton)

✅ Your Trip-Planning Checklist

• ✅ Clock check: Chickamauga, Dalton and Trenton are on Eastern time (7 there = 6 here). Manchester, Shelbyville and Huntsville are Central.
• ✅ Now: Register for the Chapman Mountain hike (Nov. 15) on the Land Trust’s page.
• ✅ Sun., Nov. 15: Pick Holiday Cheer in Manchester or the Chapman Mountain hike. Bring cash for vendors, or binoculars for the birds.
• ✅ Before a Chickamauga night: Call 706-375-0249 to book and ask about ages.
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 21: Shelbyville Craft Festival by day, or Dalton’s tree lighting at 6 p.m. our time. Confirm the Dalton date first.
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 28: Light Up Trenton at 3 p.m. our time.
• ✅ Check the forecast and dress in layers; evening events get cold fast in late November.
• ✅ 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 are free?

Manchester’s Holiday Cheer and the Shelbyville Craft Festival list free admission. Dalton’s Christmas at the Courthouse has been free in past years. The Chickamauga tour costs $23–$28. Costs for the Chapman Mountain hike and Light Up Trenton weren’t listed, so check before you go.

Which is closest to Dunlap?

Trenton and Chickamauga, each about 50 miles and around an hour away.

Is the Chapman Mountain hike hard?

No. The Land Trust keeps it on the flat part of the preserve and says it’s fine for all ages and levels. It’s about 2 miles in about an hour and a half.

Is the Chickamauga tour too scary for kids?

It’s mostly history and folklore told on a walk through town, with some gadget-based ghost-hunting fun. No minimum age is listed, so call 706-375-0249 and ask before bringing young children.

Can I do two in one day?

Yes. On Sunday, Nov. 15, you could shop Manchester’s Holiday Cheer in the morning, but the Huntsville hike is in the other direction, so pick one. On Saturday, Nov. 21, shop Shelbyville by day or head to Dalton for the evening tree lighting.

Why do the Georgia events start an hour earlier for us?

Georgia runs on Eastern time. A 7 p.m. Eastern start is 6 p.m. on our Central clocks in Dunlap.

🔗 Other Resources

• The Tennessee Magazine — Manchester’s Holiday Cheer
• Land Trust of North Alabama — Hike at Chapman Mountain
• Land Trust of North Alabama — Guided Hikes calendar
• Explore Georgia — Haunted Heart of Chickamauga Ghost Tour
• AllEvents — Shelbyville Craft Festival
• Visit Dalton — Event Calendar
• Alliance for Dade — Light Up Trenton
• Dunlap.Directory — local businesses and services

🌅 Take It Easy, and Pick the One That Fits

You don’t need to do all six. If you love to shop, try Manchester’s Holiday Cheer this Sunday or the Shelbyville Craft Festival next weekend. If you’d like fresh air, the Chapman Mountain hike is gentle and good for birding. If you love history, take an evening Chickamauga walking tour. And if you’re ready for twinkle lights, Dalton and Trenton light their trees on Nov. 21 and Nov. 28. Jot down three things: Georgia is an hour ahead; register for the hike; and call before you go for any time or price 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.