Marietta fills its Thanksgiving week with a morning race on the Square, a classic holiday movie with a live organ, a drive-through light show that opens on the holiday itself, and a hometown ballet. Four events fall between November 23 and December 1, 2026. Each entry lists what the organizer has published and what to confirm before you go. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, and the City of Marietta closes City Hall on that day and the Friday after, so plan around the holiday. The city's own tree lighting and Ugly Sweater Parade is set for December 3, just after this window.
MUST Ministries Gobble Jog on Marietta Square
The Gobble Jog is a Thanksgiving morning tradition that raises money for MUST Ministries, which provides food, housing assistance and emergency help to neighbors facing hunger and homelessness.
When
Thursday, November 26, 2026. The 10K and the Phantom Runner option start at 7:30 a.m. The 1K untimed fun run starts at 8:45 a.m., the 5K timed run at 9:00 a.m. and the 5K untimed walk or run at 9:05 a.m. The Tot Trot, a 50-yard dash, begins at 10:30 a.m.
Where
Marietta Square, 50 N Park Square NE, Marietta, GA 30060.
Cost and tickets
Registration is listed at $60 for the 10K, $60 for the timed 5K, $55 for the untimed 5K walk or run, $55 for the 1K untimed run, $45 for the Phantom Runner and $30 for the Tot Trot. Registration is handled through RunSignUp, the platform the organizer uses for the race, and the page shows the full price list for each event.
Good to know
The Phantom Runner option is for people who cannot attend in person, and the page does not list a distance for it. The page describes the 1K as a fun run for kids and the Tot Trot for children 4 and under. Proceeds support MUST Ministries, and the registration page tracks a fundraising goal of $30,000, with about $19,289 raised when it was checked. Because the start times run from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., the whole program finishes before most Thanksgiving meals begin, which leaves the afternoon free.
Holiday Movies at The Strand: Elf
The Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre screens Elf on the day before Thanksgiving, with three showtimes.
When
Wednesday, November 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. A live pre-show concert on the Mighty Allen Theatre Organ begins 30 minutes before each film.
Where
The Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, 117 North Park Square, Marietta, GA 30060, on the Square.
Cost and tickets
The ticketing page lists each showtime with a Buy button and no price, so check the Strand's ticket site for current prices.
Good to know
The film is rated PG and runs 1 hour and 37 minutes. The Strand invites guests to wear a favorite holiday sweater and to sing loud for all to hear, and it describes the film as a modern Christmas comedy for the whole family about a young man raised as one of Santa's elves who travels to New York City to find his biological father. The three showtimes make this an easy fit for a day when relatives are traveling or visiting, and the early organ concert adds time to the outing.
Lights of Life at Life University
This drive-through display has run since 1989 and starts its season on Thanksgiving night.
When
The university's page lists an opening date of November 26, 2026, and a closing date of December 31, though its FAQ gives November 27 as the first night, so confirm the opening night with the university. Lights come on at sunset, about 5:30 p.m., and stay on until roughly 9:00 to 10:00 p.m., with the end time varying by day. It runs rain or shine unless severe weather interferes.
Where
Life University, 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta, GA 30060. Guests drive a route of about a mile and a half through the lit campus in a car, truck, van or bus.
Cost and tickets
Admission is $15 per car or truck and $30 per bus, a flat rate any day of the season. No advance tickets are needed, and payment at the entrance is by cash or major card. The carnival rides, train rides and petting zoo cost a small fee beyond the vehicle admission.
Good to know
The display uses more than a million lights and includes illuminated tunnels, and vendors sell sweet treats and seasonal drinks. No closures are listed for 2026. The Travel Cobb listing adds that pony rides, train rides, a petting zoo and a concession stand return, and that vendors set their own schedules and fees. For weather updates, the university directs visitors to its social media accounts.
The Nutcracker by Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre
The hometown company stages six performances over Thanksgiving weekend at the Cobb Civic Center.
When
November 27 through 29, 2026, with six performances over the weekend. The organizer's page does not list showtimes, so open the ticket page for the exact schedule.
Where
The Jennie T. Anderson Theatre at the Cobb Civic Center, 548 S. Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta, GA 30060.
Cost and tickets
Tickets are priced at $27.50, $35, $40 and $45, and they are sold on the company's ticket page. The organizer directs buyers to its ticket page for the exact schedule.
Good to know
The company says the production promises to delight audiences of all ages and lists no age restrictions or recommendations. Because six shows are spread over three days, there is usually a choice of day or evening seating, though the organizer has not published the times.
Marietta Thanksgiving Week Questions
What else is on the Marietta calendar? The Travel Cobb calendar lists a Journey tribute concert at the Strand on November 28, a Glory Haus Warehaus Sale at 1045 Cobb Parkway North from November 27 through 29, and Comedy on the Square at The Alley Stage on November 27 and 28. Times, prices and age guidance are not published in that listing, so check with each venue.
What closes for Thanksgiving? The City of Marietta closes City Hall and Marietta Power and Water offices on November 26 and 27. The Marietta History Center is closed on Thursday and Friday and open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., so November 24, 25 and 28 are its open days in this window. On Thanksgiving Day itself, the Gobble Jog fills the morning on the Square and Lights of Life lists November 26 as its opening night, though its FAQ gives November 27, so confirm that date with the university. The Nutcracker and the Strand film both sit on other days.
When does the Square light up for the holidays? The city lists its Christmas tree lighting and Santa on the Square at Glover Park on Thursday, December 3, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Holiday performances begin at 4:00 p.m., the Ugly Holiday Sweater Parade is about 5:00 p.m., Santa arrives around 5:15 p.m. and the tree lights at 6:00 p.m. Craft stations, Santa letter stations and winter games run throughout the evening, and the city lists a Menorah Lighting on December 5. Those fall after this window.
Where do I confirm details? Use the Lights of Life page for the display and the Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre ticket page for The Nutcracker.
