Head of the Hooch

View on map
Sports & AdventureChattanooga
Dates7–8 November 2026Confirmed listing
Duration2 daysListed event span
Crowd-2100
Best forCompetition, enduranceHead of the Hooch bills itself as the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Head of the Hooch in Chattanooga

Head of the Hooch is a two-day competitive rowing regatta held each November in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on the Tennessee River at Ross's Landing Park. Organized by the all-volunteer nonprofit Friends of the Hooch, it is a head race, a timed, single-file distance event rather than side-by-side sprints, run over a 3.1-mile downstream course, drawing thousands of rowers from high school, collegiate, and masters programs nationwide. It is a rowing event, not a music festival.

Head of the Hooch began in 1981 as a modest head race organized by the Atlanta Rowing Club on the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, Georgia, in front of the club's own boathouse.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Head of the Hooch bills itself as the South's largest head race and one of the biggest rowing regattas in the country, drawing more than 6,500 athletes annually

02

The mystery stays covered

It began in 1981 as a small event organized by the Atlanta Rowing Club on Georgia's Chattahoochee River, source of the event's nickname, before outgrowing that venue and eventually relocating to Chattanooga's Tennessee River

03

The city starts moving

The regatta is run entirely by volunteers through the nonprofit Friends of the Hooch, with no paid staff, and Rowing News magazine has cited it as one of the most laid-back and hospitable regattas in the country

04

The water draws everyone in

It fields separate divisions for youth, novice, collegiate, and masters rowers, with masters competitors racing into their eighties

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Boats race in a continuous

Water and renewal

Living ritual

single-file procession down the 3

The sacred route

Living ritual

1-mile course rather than head-to-head

The local code

Living ritual

a head-race format rooted in the sport's English origins

Tradition 5

Living ritual

The regatta also maintains a dedicated para and para-inclusive rowing division and closes the weekend with a spectator and competitor social gathering by the river

Tradition 6

Living ritual

known as Party on the Pier

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

7–8 November 2026

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Cold-weather layers are essential since early-November mornings on the Tennessee River can be well below the daytime high; a warm jacket, hat, and gloves are recommended for spectating...

Safety

At Head of the Hooch, respect barriers, moving equipment and marshal guidance; photos are never worth stepping into active areas.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Head of the Hooch does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map35.05 N, 85.31 WOpen in Google Maps

Chattanooga, TN

Nearest airportTYS — McGhee Tyson
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Head of the Hooch does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Chattanooga via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Chattanooga, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for November.Compare faresFestival gearCold-weather layers are essential since early-November mornings on the Tennessee River can be well below the daytime high; a warm jacket, hat, and gloves are recommended for spectating riverside, with room to shed layers as the day warms. Competing rowers wear team-issued racing unisuits under warmups, following their club or school's uniform requirements.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Head of the Hooch?

Head of the Hooch is listed for 7–8 November 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Head of the Hooch take place?

The festival is listed in Chattanooga, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

2 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Chattanooga, TN

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLheadofthehooch.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates7–8 November 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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