Holiday festivities, decorations, and new renovations at the Chattanooga Choo Choo

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – There’s a whole lot happening at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

“Today is the first day of everything holiday for us,” Director of Operations at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Kelly Skinner said.

On Friday, they kicked off several holiday celebrations and had on display some beautiful Christmas decorations.

“The lobby is completely decorated,” Skinner said.

The decorations include a 30 ft. Christmas tree covered in lights and ornaments.

“We have wreaths and lights and local artists went ahead and did some large Christmas ornaments that hang in our dome lobby. They are in the original position of what chandeliers would’ve been back in 1909.”

An ice skating rink opened up in the Chattanooga Choo Choo courtyard.

“Ice on the Landing is opening for its fifth year,” Chattanooga Presents Operations Manager Ann Ball.

“We love being in this part of Chattanooga. We love being in this part of the southside and seeing all these happy faces as people come to skate,” Ball said.

“It’s an absolute blast,” Ice Skater Kate Spurling said. “I’ve had the most fun here. I started skating about two months before this opened, taking lessons. So, when it opened I as just like overjoyed.”

In addition to the ice skating rink. There was a farmers market in the courtyard.

“The Lookout Farmers Market arrived today at 6 o’clock. So, every Friday from 6 to 9 they’re going to be down here. They have all kinds of homemade goods, from pies, cookies, food,” Skinner said.

The holiday festivities come as the Chattanooga Choo Choo recently underwent some renovations.

“We have been really transforming the property over the coarse of the last 3 plus years,” Skinner said.

“So, we’re proud to welcome Echelon Studio. It’s a fitness and spinning studio. They’re grand opening was last week. Additionally, we have the Chattanooga Jewelry store. They’re down here as well. They have another shop on Signal Mountain. And, then lastly, we’ll have a distillery, Gate 11 Distillery will open on December 1st,” Skinner said.

Santa and Mrs. Claus were also at the Choo Choo.

Many of these festivities will continue through the rest of the year.

For more information check out head to the Chattanooga Choo Choo website.