29 Dec Marietta Events You Can’t Miss in 2023
Marietta is a city with a thriving arts scene, a diverse culinary landscape and plenty of natural beauty. Aside from all of its constant offerings, Marietta is also home to a full calendar of crowd-pleasing events. Here are some events we think you shouldn’t miss this year.
January
Kick off the year with some events that you can continue to attend every month, like the First Friday Art Walk. On the first Friday of every month, you can grab a drink on the Marietta Square and enjoy entertainment and fine art at each of our downtown galleries. In addition, spend your Saturday mornings at the Marietta Square Farmers and Artisans Markets. Find everything from specialty foods to flowers to art at these local markets, which take place every weekend that isn’t affected by inclement weather.
February
Make new memories with the whole family at the 2nd annual Family Fancy Pants Dance hosted by the City of Marietta. Dance around the world with music from many cultures including, the Polish Polka and the Argentinian Tango. The event is open to children ages 5 to 12 years old and their fathers, mothers, or other special person in their life. The event includes music, dancing, games, dinner, prizes and more. Marietta’s Family Fancy Pants Dance will be held on February 12th, 2023.
March
March is the month of St. Patrick’s Day. Look out for fun local events at breweries and bars and plan to attend the 2023 Shamrock Shuffle. The Marietta Shamrock Shuffle is an annual 5K that benefits the Marietta Police Athletic League, an organization which serves hundreds of local youths annually through sports, recreation, mentoring and education programs.
In 2023, the City of Marietta will also be introducing a brand-new event, Marietta the Gathering. ”Marietta the Gathering is a new festival hoping to be held each March in Glover Park at the Historic Marietta Square, celebrating Geek Community, pop culture, and the arts. The festival will include the Guild Show, a collection of art makers, merchandisers, crafters, and smiths; Tourney Alley, a street full of board games, card tournaments, and possibly video game arcade; as well as several other panels, performances, and contests in and around Glover Park.”
April
If food is your favorite festival draw, April in Marietta is for you. Get tickets now for the Georgia Food and Wine Festival at Jim R. Miller Park March 23-26, 2023. “The legendary barbecue event, ‘Fired-Up’ starts your weekend off right. This is an all-inclusive, food and drink tasting event. Saturday’s main event, ‘Savor’ offers hundreds of unlimited beer, wine and spirits tastings, a Georgia Celebrity Chef Stage, VIP Lounge, artisans, and live music. ‘Sunday/Funday’ is the budget friendly and family-friendly day, with Kids Zone, VIP Lounge Oyster Roast, live music and more.”
Close out the month with Cobb County’s largest and longest running food event, Taste of Marietta. Taste of Marietta brings all of the flavors of Cobb County together for a day of tasting like you can’t imagine. Enjoy dishes from dozens of local restaurants, food trucks and caterers. The event includes live entertainment, a kids zone, beverages and more. Taste of Marietta is the perfect place to find your new favorite restaurant. And did we mention that it is completely free to enter? Bring your whole family and eat until your heart and stomach are content (or at least very full). This year’s event is on April 30, 2023.
May
The fun doesn’t end in April. On the first weekend of May, May-Retta Daze brings more fun to the Marietta Square. This event offers two days of arts & crafts, food and festivities to Downtown Marietta. Enjoy a full music festival line up while surrounded by unique exhibitors and vendors.
Come back one week later to see unbelievable public art at M2R TrailFest. “M2R TrailFest is a public arts festival featuring the debut of numerous art installations in Downtown Marietta along portions of the Mountain to River Trail and in public parks. From large scale murals to Art Drops, the arts come alive throughout the entire day of the festival. With dance, singing, music, interactive art and so much more for all ages, this event is the celebration of the year for our #mariettaARTscene.”
June
This year, Cobb County NAACP is bringing back the annual Juneteenth Celebration. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery and dates back to 1865. In the past, this three-day celebration has included such fun as movie screenings, special performances from Grammy Award winning artists, vendors and activities. Don’t miss this annual celebration of freedom for all.
July
4th of July in the Marietta Square is well-loved by all. Kick the day off with the Let Freedom Ring Parade, followed by an all-day festival with concerts, a bell-ringing ceremony, and, of course, fireworks. Hosted by the City of Marietta, the 4th of July Celebration brings a full day of excitement to many, while celebrating American independence.
August
Enjoy an outdoor activity this August while avoiding the southern afternoon heat. The Glover Park Summer Concert starts at 8 p.m. on the last Friday of the month and provides free entertainment from local artists. If you like the sound of that, we have good news for you! You can enjoy a Glover Park Summer Concert EVERY MONTH between April and September!
September
We have the perfect Labor Day weekend plans for you! Marietta’s Art in the Park is returning to the Historic Marietta Square for its 37th year! “Our incredible three-day juried Fine Art Festival takes place on the historic Marietta Square in Glover Park and attracts over 50,000 guests. This professionally managed event is ranked #13 by Sunshine Artist Magazine in 2022 in the 100 Best Fine Art & Design Shows and was named one of the Best Shows in America for 2010-2020. It is consistently awarded a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society and is the only fine art festival held in Cobb County.”
October
This October, watch the Marietta Square turn into a work of art as dozens of chalk artists transform the streets into a giant masterpiece at Chalktoberfest. “Enjoy your afternoon sampling craft beers, live music from local artists, watching professional Chalk Artists chalk the streets and eating great food at the beautiful downtown square of Marietta. A great day out for all the family, the Chalk Fest is free to attend. All proceeds go to the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art.”
Also in October, take in all the fall vibes in the Marietta Square at HarvestFest. This annual event hosted by the city of Marietta is fun for all ages. Enjoy the HarvestFest Arts & Crafts Show. Enter a pie eating contest. Touch a truck. Snap a picture with one of many scarecrows. This event is fun for the whole family and offers something for all ages.
November
Join the City of Marietta and the Kiwanis Club of Marietta in paying tribute to our veterans at the Marietta Veteran’s Day Parade on November 11. The parade begins at the Roswell Baptist Church and enters the Marietta Square, commemorating those who have paid the ultimate price serving our nation.
Return to the Marietta Square on Thanksgiving Day for the Gobble Jog 5K benefitting MUST Ministries. Make memories with your family in a very rewarding way by starting your holiday off with a run that will benefit yourself and many members of our community.
December
Make plans to see Santa make his way into the Marietta Square at the City of Marietta’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Take in the Festival of Trees decorated by local elementary schools. Hear performances from local school and church choirs while enjoying the Marietta Square holiday decorations.
Make plans to attend the 37th annual Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour! Each year, you can take a glimpse inside a handful of private homes located in one of Marietta’s historic districts. Each home is lovingly restored and decorated for the holiday season. Visit Marietta and Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society organize this annual tour, which has been featured in Southern Living and named a Top 100 Event in North America.
Stay up to date with these events at much more by using our online event calendar, and make sure to share your event photos with us on Instagram by using #visitmariettaga.