Luminaria Festival Shines Bright
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Fifth Annual Luminaria Festival lit up the Virginia Avenue Greenway tonight, transforming the streets into a glowing corridor of art, music, and community spirit.
Presented by the St. Elmo Stroll, the festival began in 2021 as a small neighborhood gathering and has grown into a beloved annual tradition.
Over the past five years, the event has raised nearly 15,000 dollars for local nonprofits while celebrating creativity and connection in shared public spaces.
Founder Kim Frankel Marsh said the idea was inspired by the warmth she witnessed among neighbors during a Halloween evening in the pandemic, sparking a desire to create more intentional opportunities for people to connect across streets and differences.
Tonight’s festival stretched along the Virginia Avenue Greenway between 44th and 55th Streets.
Attendees enjoyed live music, dance performances, a holiday market, and children’s activities.
Additional highlights included a bike parade hosted by Outdoor Chattanooga and White Oak Bicycles, along with appearances by Santa and festive characters from Playful Evolving Monsters.
The free, family friendly festival wrapped up a night of art, music, and community celebration.
Proceeds from this year’s festival benefit the Chattanooga Humane Education Society, supporting compassionate care, education, and resources for animals across the region.
