Bessie Smith Cultural Center

06/16/2026

Join us THIS FRIDAY for our Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom event at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center!

Spend the day with us celebrating freedom, history, culture, and community through a day full of FREE family activities

✨ FREE Museum Admission
🎶 Music by DJ Ant
🍴 Food Trucks
🎨 Kids Activities
🎥 Screening of *“Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom”* Documentary
🤝 Local organizations, community resources, activities, giveaways, and more!

Bring your family, invite your friends, and come celebrate Black history, culture, and community with us at the Bessie.

📍 Bessie Smith Cultural Center
📅 Friday, June 19
⏰ 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Check out the flyer and vendor lineup below and plan your visit!

06/11/2026

🎉 A WEEKEND OF FREE FAMILY FUN 🎶

Celebrate Juneteenth and Black Music Month with us at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center!

Two days of history, music, culture, and community all in one unforgettable weekend.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19 - Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom
🕚 11AM–5PM
🎵 Music by DJ Ant
🍴 Food Trucks
🎨 Kids Activities
🏛️ FREE Museum Admission
🎬 “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” Documentary
🤝 Local organizations, community resources, activities & giveaways

SATURDAY, JUNE 20 - Bessie Smith’s Big 9 Music Fest
🕔 5PM–11PM
🔥 Live Music
🖤 Local Talent
🍗 Local Vendors
🎉 Family-Friendly Fun

Bring your lawn chairs, bring your friends, and come celebrate the history, culture, and music that continue to shape our community.

📍 Bessie Smith Cultural Center
200 E. MLK Blvd. | Chattanooga, TN

Learn more at: www.bessiesmithcc.org/upcoming-events

06/08/2026

🏳️‍🌈 June is Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈

At the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, we proudly honor the life and legacy of Bessie Smith, not only as the Empress of the Blues but also as a trailblazer who was part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Her voice broke barriers, and her truth inspired generations. In the 1930’s, Bessie Smith sang, “The Boy in the Boat,” with the lyrics “When you see two women walking hand in hand, just look ’em over and try to understand: They’ll go to those parties—have the lights down low—only those parties where women can go.”

As we celebrate Pride Month, we recognize the power of authenticity, resilience, and love in all forms. Join us in celebrating the rich intersection of Black history and LGBTQIA+ pride this month and every month.

06/06/2026

SUMMER HOURS ARE HERE

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center is extending summer access to explore Chattanooga’s African American history and culture.

🕙 Summer Saturday Hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📅 Effective Memorial Day through Labor Day *Closed July 4*

Plan your visit, bring the family, and spend part of your summer discovering the stories, music, and history that continue to shape our community.

📍 Bessie Smith Cultural Center
200 E. ML King Blvd. | Chattanooga, TN

06/05/2026

Bessie Smith’s Big 9 Music Fest returns Saturday, June 20, from 3PM–10PM on the lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center for an unforgettable day of music, culture, food, and community celebrating the historic Big 9!

Enjoy food vendors, local artists, and a full day of entertainment in the heart of Chattanooga’s Big 9.

Presented by Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union and made possible through the support of our amazing community partners and sponsors.

📍 Bessie Smith Cultural Center
📅 Saturday, June 20
⏰ 3PM – 10PM
🎟 FREE TO THE PUBLIC!

More information: www.bessiesmithcc.org/festival

06/02/2026

The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is proud to be a Blue Star Museum in 2026! Active military personnel and their families can visit the museum for free from May 16 (Armed Forces Day) through September 7 (Labor Day). We appreciate your service and can’t wait for you to visit. For more info visit www.bessiesmithcc.org

www.bessiesmithcc.org/post/bessie-smith-cultural-center-will-be-a-2026-blue-star-museum

05/21/2026

The museum will be closed on Tuesday 5/26 and Wednesday 5/27 for some very exciting upgrades, additions, and repairs. We will reopen on Thursday 5/28!

For more information visit www.bessiesmithcc.org

05/21/2026

Celebrate freedom, community, and culture with us at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center on June 19 for a full day of FREE family fun! Enjoy exciting activities, games, giveaways, music, food, community resources, free museum admission, and so much more as we come together for our Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom.

Local organizations from across the community will be on-site with interactive activities and resources for all ages, making this a day you do not want to miss!

Learn more and plan your visit at: www.bessiesmithcc.org/event-details/juneteenth-celebration-of-freedom-2026

Join us on Friday, June 19 from 11AM–5PM for the Bessie Smith Cultural Center’s Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom!

Celebrate freedom, culture, and community with:
🎶 Music by DJ Ant
🌮 Food Trucks
🎨 Kids Activities
🏛 FREE Museum Admission
🎥 Screening of “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” Documentary

Bring the whole family and spend the day celebrating on Chattanooga’s historic Big 9 as we honor the history, resilience, and spirit of Juneteenth.

This is a FREE community event! We’ll see you at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center! ❤️🖤💚

05/15/2026

Thank you Dane Wurmlinger TV and WTVC-TV NewsChannel 9 News for this incredible tribute to Bessie! Our museum encapsulates hundreds of the incredible African Americans who have, and are, making Chattanooga amazing!

05/14/2026

Chattanooga, get ready!

Bessie Smith’s Big 9 Music Fest returns Saturday, June 20, from 3PM–10PM on the lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center for an unforgettable day of music, culture, food, and community celebrating the historic Big 9!

Enjoy food vendors, local artists, and a full day of entertainment in the heart of Chattanooga’s Big 9.

Presented by Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union and made possible through the support of our amazing community partners and sponsors.

📍 Bessie Smith Cultural Center
📅 Saturday, June 20
⏰ 3PM – 10PM
🎟 FREE TO THE PUBLIC!

More information: www.bessiesmithcc.org/festival