The Marietta Square is buzzing this week. Between the Glover Park concert series, weekly farmers market mornings, and one of the city's signature arts festivals rolling into Glover Park, you won't have to drive far to find something memorable. Below are four standout events in Marietta from April 29 through early May 2026, plus answers to the questions locals and newcomers ask most.
Quick Look: Marietta This Week
Here are the four events worth blocking out on your calendar this week. Marietta Square Farmers Market on Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to noon. May-retta Daze Arts, Crafts & Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3 at Glover Park. Glover Park Concert Series with the Yacht Rock Schooners kicking off the season (tables for the May 29 A1A Jimmy Buffett tribute go on sale May 1). Art Blooms at Smith-Gilbert Gardens, running all week. Keep reading for the full breakdown on each one.
1. May-retta Daze Arts, Crafts & Music Festival
May-retta Daze is the big one. Held the first weekend in May on the historic Marietta Square, this free festival takes over Glover Park with rows of artist booths, handmade goods, food vendors, and live acoustic music on the Glover Park stage. It has been a Cobb County springtime tradition for decades and draws visitors from across metro Atlanta.
What to know: Saturday, May 2 is also Kentucky Derby day, and May-retta Daze leans into it with the May-retta Derby Daze Hat Parade. Meet at the Glover Park Gazebo at 11 a.m. for an 11:30 a.m. post time. No pre-registration needed, just show up with your most creative handmade hat. Prizes go to the most unique designs.
Pro tip: Park once, then walk the Square. Pair the festival with brunch on the Square and the Farmers Market in the Mill Street lot (9 a.m. to noon).
2. Marietta Square Farmers Market
Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Mill Street Parking Lot adjacent to the Square. The farmers market is a weekly staple through the growing season and a reliable way to start your Saturday in Marietta with fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and prepared foods from regional vendors.
What to know: This market is outdoor and leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome. Bring reusable bags and arrive early for the best selection. It pairs perfectly with May-retta Daze the same weekend.
3. Glover Park Concert Series
The 2026 Glover Park Concert Series runs on the last Friday of every month from April through September. The April 24 opener features the Yacht Rock Schooners performing 70s smooth rock, and next up is A1A, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, on Friday, May 29 at 8 p.m.
What to know: Tables for the May 29 show go on sale Friday, May 1. The series is free to attend, produced by the Downtown Marietta Development Authority with the City of Marietta and Marietta Parks, Recreation and Facilities, and presented by Wellstar Health System. Bring lawn chairs or blankets if you don't snag a table.
4. Art Blooms at Smith-Gilbert Gardens
Smith-Gilbert Gardens in nearby Kennesaw pairs outdoor sculpture with seasonal blooms for its Art Blooms exhibition, running throughout April and into May 2026. It is an easy, low-key afternoon. Walk the gardens, take in the rotating sculptures, and enjoy the season at its peak.
What to know: Weekday afternoons tend to be quieter. The gardens are a short drive from the Marietta Square and make a great midweek break when the Square is less busy.
How to Plan a Weekend Around Marietta Square
The Square is walkable and compact, which makes stacking events easy. A typical Saturday during a festival weekend might look like this: farmers market first thing Saturday morning, then the Derby Hat Parade at 11:30, then browse May-retta Daze booths into the afternoon, grab a late lunch on the Square, and end the day at The Strand or at a Glover Park concert once the series is in full swing.
Parking is easiest in the public decks a block off the Square. Weekend mornings fill up fast, so plan to arrive before 10 a.m. if you want to be close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May-retta Daze free? Yes. Admission to May-retta Daze is free. You only pay for food, drinks, and anything you buy from the artist and maker booths.
Are the Glover Park concerts free? Yes, the Glover Park Concert Series is free and open to the public. Reserved tables for each show go on sale the first of the month of the concert.
Where is the Marietta Square Farmers Market held? The Saturday market is held at the Mill Street Parking Lot adjacent to Glover Park on the Marietta Square, from 9 a.m. to noon.
What should I wear to the Derby Hat Parade? Anything Derby-themed and a creative handmade hat. Prizes go to the most unique designs, so don't be shy.
Where can I park near the Marietta Square? Public parking decks and surface lots on the streets surrounding the Square are your best bet. During festival weekends they fill up early, so arrive before 10 a.m. or plan to walk a few blocks.
Final Thoughts
Marietta the week of April 29 delivers a little bit of everything: an outdoor sculpture walk, a weekly farmers market, a live concert on the Square, and one of the biggest spring festivals in Cobb County. Block out Saturday, May 2 on your calendar, bring a hat, and make a day of it on the Square.
