New Smart Music Festival Set to Debut in Chattanooga

News Summary

Chattanooga will host its inaugural Smart Music Festival from May 23 to May 25, 2025, at Ross’s Landing. This vibrant event will showcase E-D-M and pop music over three days, featuring multiple stages and a variety of gourmet food options. While Riverbend Festival takes a year off for restructuring, the community can enjoy Riverfront Nights to keep the musical spirit alive, ensuring a bright cultural future in the city.

Exciting New Festival Coming to Chattanooga!

Chattanooga is stepping up its festival game with the upcoming debut of the Smart Music Festival, a vibrant celebration of E-D-M and pop music set to take place from May 23 to May 25, 2025. This new festival is sure to bring a wave of energy to the city, designed to cater to a diverse audience with an array of musical performances and delicious food options.

A Fresh Musical Experience

The festival will be hosted at the picturesque Ross’s Landing, a stunning location along the Tennessee River that perfectly aligns with Chattanooga’s thriving culture. This event will be a three-day extravaganza filled with non-stop beats, thanks to four specially curated stages that will showcase a lineup of fantastic artists.

Gourmet Delights and Vendor Opportunities

Food lovers, get ready! The organizers are rolling out the red carpet for culinary creativity, boasting 30 food trucks and tents that will offer a variety of options to tantalize your taste buds. If you’re a foodie or vendor looking to get in on the action, applications are currently open for anyone interested in serving their offerings at this exciting new festival.

A Change for Riverbend Festival

Meanwhile, Chattanooga’s iconic Riverbend Festival, which has been part of the city’s cultural landscape for over 40 years, will be taking a hiatus in 2024. The decision has been made by the organizing committee, known as Friends of the Festival, in a bid to reevaluate and restructure the event for its future. Aiming to return to its roots, Riverbend Festival is determined to celebrate music that reflects the authentic spirit of Chattanooga.

2024: A Year of Transition

After facing challenges during the pandemic and the festival being canceled for two consecutive years, Riverbend made its last appearance in 2022. However, it’s important to note that this beloved event is not disappearing forever. The organizers have expressed optimism for the festival’s future, reassuring the community that Riverbend will return in a refreshed format.

Filling the Void with Riverfront Nights

To keep the musical spirit alive in 2024, the community can look forward to the expanded Riverfront Nights concert series, which will feature 14 Saturdays full of concerts throughout the summer. This initiative aims to fill the gap left by Riverbend’s hiatus, offering locals and visitors alike a chance to gather by the river, enjoy live music, and create new memories.

A Bright Future Ahead

Chattanooga is navigating these changes with a sense of hope and renewal. The introduction of the Smart Music Festival alongside the expansion of Riverfront Nights showcases the city’s commitment to maintaining a vibrant music scene, despite temporary challenges faced by existing festivals. As the city prepares for this wave of development, residents can anticipate a fresh musical atmosphere that highlights not only international acts but also local artists, further enriching the community’s cultural landscape.

Mark your calendars for the Smart Music Festival in 2025, and keep an ear out for the exciting happenings in 2024 with Riverfront Nights—Chattanooga’s musical journey continues to evolve!

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HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• WDEF: New Music Festival Headed to Chattanooga’s Riverfront
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Music
• Times Free Press: Unveiling Chattanooga’s Newest Attractions
• Google Search: Chattanooga Festivals
• News Channel 9: Riverbend Festival on Hiatus for 2024
• Google Scholar: Chattanooga Music Festivals
• Local 3 News: A Look at Riverbend Over the Last 40 Years
• Google News: Riverbend Festival