CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — November 25, 2025
Chattanooga’s signature riverfront park is getting a major upgrade just as the city prepares for another huge New Year’s Eve party on the Tennessee River.
City and state leaders have confirmed that the City of Chattanooga has been awarded a $90,000 Tourism Enhancement Grant from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to improve the performance space at Coolidge Park. [1]
The funding will help pay for a new weather‑protective bandshell cover, permanent stage and modernized electrical systems — upgrades designed to make outdoor concerts and festivals more reliable and more professional for performers and audiences alike. [2]
The investment comes less than six weeks before thousands of people are expected to pack Coolidge Park for Chattanooga’s free New Year’s Eve 2025–26 celebration, featuring live music, family activities and midnight fireworks over the Tennessee River. [3]
What the $90,000 bandshell grant will pay for
According to state and local documents, the $90,000 award to Chattanooga is part of a statewide round of Tourism Enhancement Grants totaling more than $2 million distributed to 30 communities. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development lists the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, as receiving a $90,000 grant in its November 13 announcement. [4]
A detailed breakdown from local TV outlet WDEF shows how Chattanooga plans to use the money as part of the “Coolidge Park Live & Electric” project, a multi‑phase plan to revamp the park’s primary performance area: [5]
- Weather‑protective bandshell cover
- A permanent overhead structure to shield performers, instruments and equipment from rain and intense sun.
- Intended to reduce weather‑related cancellations and make events more dependable.
- Permanent stage
- Replaces temporary or rented stages for most events.
- Designed to improve sightlines and create a more polished look for concerts and festivals.
- Updated electrical systems
- More power and better wiring to support modern sound and lighting rigs.
- Aims to improve acoustics, reduce technical glitches and make it easier for touring acts and local production companies to plug in.
City officials told WDEF they are targeting completion in May 2026, effectively turning the riverside lawn into a year‑round, weather‑ready venue for concerts, festivals and community gatherings. [6]
Backstory: Chattanooga was already betting big on Coolidge Park
The state grant arrives on top of work the city began earlier this year to line up funding for the project.
On August 19, 2025, the Chattanooga City Council approved Resolution 32616, authorizing the Parks & Outdoors department to apply for a Tourism Enhancement Grant of up to $100,000 for the Coolidge Park Live & Electric Project, with a local private foundation match of up to another $100,000. [7]
The newly announced $90,000 award suggests that even if the grant came in slightly below the maximum request, Coolidge Park’s performance area is still in line to receive a six‑figure public‑and‑private investment once matching funds are finalized.
A separate local report on the August council meeting noted that the project is expected to cover not only the bandshell but also lighting and electronics for performances — tying directly into the “Live & Electric” branding. [8]
Part of Tennessee’s statewide tourism strategy
The Coolidge Park allocation is one piece of a broader strategy by Tennessee officials to shore up local tourism infrastructure.
In a November 13 release, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development said it is awarding more than $2 million in Tourism Enhancement Grants to 30 communities to “strengthen local tourism assets” and grow the state’s visitor economy. [9]
Eligible projects include:
- Stages and performance spaces
- Wayfinding and visitor signage
- Preservation of historic or cultural assets
- Accessibility upgrades and ADA improvements
- Enhancements to parks, trails and waterfronts [10]
Tennessee tourism leaders describe the program as a way to convert homegrown attractions — like small town parks, riverfronts and historic downtowns — into sustainable economic engines that support small businesses and generate “visitor‑paid” tax revenue. [11]
By directing its grant toward Coolidge Park, Chattanooga is effectively doubling down on the idea that live music, festivals and family‑friendly events are central to how the city markets itself.
Why Coolidge Park is such a big deal locally
Coolidge Park isn’t just a nice patch of grass; it’s one of Chattanooga’s best‑known public spaces and a key stop on the Tennessee Riverwalk.
Key facts about the park:
- Size: roughly 11 acres on the North Shore riverfront. [12]
- Features: a restored 100‑year‑old antique carousel, an interactive play fountain, picnic areas, a pavilion, and access to kayaking and riverboat cruises. [13]
- Location: at the north end of the Walnut Street Bridge, one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges, linking the park directly to downtown attractions like the Tennessee Aquarium and Bluff View Art District. [14]
- Uses: hosts concerts, art festivals, charity events, markets and large community celebrations throughout the year. [15]
Because the primary performance area is right on the river, events are especially vulnerable to sudden storms, heavy rain and intense summer sun. A permanent bandshell and upgraded stage are expected to:
- Reduce last‑minute weather cancellations
- Attract more touring acts and regional festivals
- Make it easier for local arts organizations, schools and community groups to program outdoor events without expensive temporary infrastructure [16]
New bandshell, same party: New Year’s Eve 2025–26 still on the lawn
The new bandshell won’t be finished by this New Year’s Eve — the target date is spring 2026 — but Coolidge Park is already booked for one of Chattanooga’s biggest nights of the year.
Local broadcaster Chattanooga CW is promoting a free New Year’s Eve celebration at Coolidge Park on December 31, starting at 4:00 p.m. and running through midnight. The event will feature: [17]
- Live music on the park’s main stage
- Roaming street performers and family‑friendly “fun zones”
- A lineup of food and beverage vendors along the riverfront
- A community countdown to 2026, capped by midnight fireworks over the Tennessee River
City and partner organizations have also been using social media to recruit local musicians, bands and kid‑friendly performers for paid slots at the New Year’s Eve show, positioning the event as both a celebration and a showcase for Chattanooga’s creative scene. [18]
For now, those performers will likely use the existing stage setup. But by the time New Year’s Eve 2026–27 rolls around, they could be stepping onto a fully upgraded, weather‑protected bandshell designed specifically for events like this.
How the upgrade could change Coolidge Park events
Once completed, the Coolidge Park Live & Electric project is expected to reshape how the park is used day‑to‑day. Based on city documents and state grant guidelines, here’s what residents and visitors can expect: [19]
1. More reliable concerts and festivals
- Weather‑resistant infrastructure will make it easier to book events during shoulder seasons like early spring and late fall.
- Touring acts that require more robust power and lighting will find the upgraded stage more attractive.
2. Better experience for families
- Families already flock to the park for the carousel, fountain and open lawn.
- A stronger events calendar — from kids’ concerts to cultural festivals — could make Coolidge Park an even more obvious “default” weekend destination.
3. Stronger support for local artists
- A permanent, professional‑grade stage gives local musicians, theater groups and dance companies a high‑quality venue without the cost of renting a concert hall.
- The city’s recent calls for performers for New Year’s Eve suggest Parks & Outdoors and arts partners intend to keep using Coolidge Park as a showcase for regional talent. [20]
4. Bigger tourism payoff
- Coolidge Park already ranks among Chattanooga’s top attractions on travel and tourism sites, thanks to river views, walkability and proximity to popular districts. [21]
- With a more capable performance space, the park can anchor multi‑day festivals and events that fill hotels, restaurants and shops across the North Shore and downtown.
If you go: New Year’s Eve at Coolidge Park
Event: Chattanooga New Year’s Eve Celebration
Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Time: Festivities begin at 4:00 p.m.; fireworks at midnight
Place: Coolidge Park, 150 River St., Chattanooga, TN 37405 [22]
Cost: Free and open to the public
What to expect (based on current announcements): [23]
- Multiple live music sets
- Roaming performers and interactive zones for kids
- Food trucks and beverage vendors
- A riverfront countdown and large‑scale fireworks at midnight
Practical tips:
- Arrive early if you want a good spot near the stage or river — the lawn is spacious, but crowds build quickly.
- Consider walking or biking via the Walnut Street Bridge to avoid parking crunches; Coolidge Park connects directly to the Tennessee Riverwalk. [24]
- Check the City of Chattanooga and Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors channels on the day of the event for any weather‑related changes.
The bigger picture
Between the $90,000 state grant, potential local foundation match and a packed calendar of riverfront events, Coolidge Park is emerging as one of the most important public stages in Tennessee — literally and figuratively.
For Chattanooga residents, the payoff should show up in more consistent concerts, more family‑friendly festivals and fewer rained‑out nights on the lawn.
For visitors, especially those discovering the city through travel blogs, tourism sites and Google Discover, the message is simple:
If you want to feel Chattanooga’s energy — its music, its river and its community spirit — you’ll almost certainly find it at Coolidge Park.
References
1. www.tn.gov, 2. www.wdef.com, 3. chattanoogacw.com, 4. www.tn.gov, 5. www.wdef.com, 6. www.wdef.com, 7. chattanooga.gov, 8. chattamatters.com, 9. www.tn.gov, 10. www.tn.gov, 11. www.tn.gov, 12. chattanooga.gov, 13. en.wikipedia.org, 14. en.wikipedia.org, 15. tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org, 16. www.wdef.com, 17. chattanoogacw.com, 18. www.instagram.com, 19. www.wdef.com, 20. www.instagram.com, 21. www.visitchattanooga.com, 22. chattanoogacw.com, 23. chattanoogacw.com, 24. chattanooga.gov
