The City of Marietta is embracing a number of anniversaries and celebrations throughout 2026.
By Lindsay Field Penticuff
Talk about a year of celebrations! In addition to the United States of America turning 250, the City of Marietta has several anniversaries to honor this year, including the 40th anniversary of Glover Park Concert Series, the 30th anniversary of Marietta History Center, and the 20th anniversary of Marietta Square Art Walk.
“Milestones like [these] reflect the City of Marietta’s continued commitment to culture, the arts and tourism, along with a community that shows up and supports them year after year,” said Rachel Langelotti, Communications Manager for the City of Marietta. “And the fact that these longstanding and well-loved programs continue to grow speaks to both strong local support and their ability to attract visitors to be part of the experience. These events activate public spaces, support local organizations and artists, and contribute to the overall vibrancy of Marietta and a strong sense of community connection.”
250th Anniversary: United States of America
In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, the City of Marietta is partnering with local cultural and community organizations, events, and programs to mark the historic milestone. In June, the traveling exhibit “We the People: The Documents That Made Our Nation” on loan from Kennesaw State University will be on display in the lobby of Marietta City Hall. The city also will host an America’s 250th engagement table with community partners at Glover Park Concert Series, featuring historical information, activities, and commemorative items.
This event is a special, year-long, city-wide collaborative celebration, with many opportunities to participate and experience America’s 250th anniversary across the community. For example, with the Georgia Reads for America250 Beanstack Challenge, book lovers can sign up to complete a curated reading list by December 31. The Marietta History Center is focusing on Revolutionary America for its “Pop In For Family Fun” programming, and the Marietta Cobb Art Museum’s Craft Circle series features multiple special craft projects on select Fridays. For the complete list of programs, go to 250inmarietta.com.
Of course, this year’s Independence Day will be one to remember. The city will kick off the Fourth of July with an Independence Eve celebration on July 3 on the Marietta Square, featuring a concert with the homegrown alt-rock band Drivin N Cryin. Marietta’s Fourth in the Park on July 4 will include the largest Let Freedom Ring Parade in its history, additional America’s 250th activities, and an evening concert followed by the grandest fireworks display in the area.
To learn more, visit mariettaparks.com and 250inmarietta.com.
FIFA World Cup Comes to Atlanta
The City of Marietta is bringing the energy of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with “Marietta SoccerFest ’26,” a celebration of soccer in the city that is home to the game.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, June 12 with an evening Watch Party on the Square for the USA FIFA World Cup 26 match viewing in downtown Marietta (8-11 p.m.). The Watch Party on the Square will resume with a full day on Saturday, June 13, featuring additional tournament match viewings and family-friendly soccer activities. Attendees can enjoy the matches on large screens with plenty of space to bring a chair, gather with friends, and visit many of the Square’s businesses for dining and shopping.
The weekend concludes on Sunday, June 14, with Marietta SoccerFest ’26: Kids’ Gateway to the Goal at the Franklin Gateway Sports Complex (3-7 p.m.). This youth-focused event will feature interactive soccer activities, food trucks, and special soccer-related programming for kids of all ages.
“The World Cup watch party events offer a fun, energetic setting where residents and visitors can come together and enjoy the matches as a community,” Langelotti said. “Both [the 250th anniversary and the World Cup] are truly unique and, for many, it may be once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to take part in celebrating.
“The city is pleased to offer opportunities for both the community and visitors to participate,” she continued, “as these are meaningful moments happening across our country, region, and right here in Marietta.”
Glover Park Concert Series
Glover Park
50 N. Park Square
Marietta GA 30060
April-September
mariettaga.gov/concerts
40th Anniversary: Glover Park Concert Series
It’s been four decades since the Glover Park Concert Series kicked off.
“It started when the Glover Park renovation was dedicated,” recalled Carolyn Morris, who helped start the event 40 years ago and now serves as coordinator for the series. “Once the park was redone, the floodgates opened up. …The main objective of the concert series was to help promote the Square.”
The Downtown Marietta Development Authority and the City of Marietta are proud to announce the 2026 Glover Park Concert Series, presented by Wellstar Health System. The 2026 Glover Park Concert Series began in the spring with the Yacht Rock Schooner 70s Smooth Rock show and continues with following lineup:
- May 29: A1A Jimmy Buffet Tribute band
- June 26: Guardians of the Jukebox Soundtrack of the 80s
- July 31: Seven Bridges Eagles Tribute Band
- Aug. 28: Kasper and The 911 Band R&B and Pop
- Sept. 25: Nashville Nation Modern Country Hits
Held the last Friday of the month — April through September — it began with about 800 guests attending the concert series and has grown to nearly 4,000 per show. And as the free event has risen in popularity, they’ve had to close North Park Square and East Park Square to accommodate the crowds.
“The City of Marietta was one of the first free, city concert series out there, especially in metro Atlanta,” Morris says. “I feel like we were at the very beginning of what we now see a lot of cities doing.”
Performers are on stage from 8-10 p.m., but attendees begin showing up as early as 5 p.m. with their coolers and food. Guests are invited to enjoy dinner on the Square or bring a picnic. There also are 45 VIP tables set up in front of the Glover Park stage and another 50 set up on the north side of the Square that guests can rent.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary, Morris says they’ll host a number of pre-concert events this year, including face painting and art projects for children, country line dancing lessons, and more.
“We’ve pulled out all the stops for the 40th anniversary,” she says. “It’s truly an honor to see how Marietta has spotlighted the Square and how the community has embraced it. …It’s a place for everyone to come and gather. I’m just proud to still be involved and grateful that we are moving, progressing, and continuing to make it better.”
Marietta History Center
1 Depot St.
Marietta, GA 30060
mariettahistory.org
30th Anniversary: Marietta History Center
The Marietta History Center will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a landmark anniversary exhibition, “Marietta History Center at 30,” which traces the museum’s evolution from its founding in 1996 to its status today as Marietta and Cobb County’s home for history.
Located in the historic Kennesaw House on the Marietta Square, the center was founded to help preserve and share the rich and diverse history of Marietta and Cobb County.
“Its mission is to ignite curiosity in Marietta’s history by connecting people through compelling stories and engaging experiences,” says Amy Reed, Director at the Marietta History Center. “And this mission is carried out through exhibitions, educational programming, and community engagement initiatives.”
The anniversary exhibition is organized into four chronological chapters that mirror the museum’s rise over three decades, and a special area of the exhibit will focus on the Kennesaw House itself. It opened in late January and will run through late fall.
“The exhibit offers a meaningful opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate not just the Marietta History Center’s milestone, but the shared history it preserves,” Reed added. “By reflecting on the people, stories, and moments that have shaped Marietta over the past three decades, the exhibit invites visitors to connect with their own experiences while enjoying a festive and engaging celebration of the center’s impact.”
The team worked on the anniversary celebration for close to a year.
“Our Collections Manager, Christa McCay, spent months developing the exhibit concept and selecting stories, as well as particular artifacts to display,” Reed said. “When you combine the exhibit curation — design, research, label writing, artifact prep, infrastructure building, sign production, staging, and construction — with the planning and facilitation of the opening reception, as well as producing marketing materials, it takes many months to ensure the experience is both meaningful and engaging for the community.”
Reed added that she believes the center’s anniversary comes at a really exciting and unique time for the city in coordination with the many other anniversary events.
“There is a natural opportunity to build momentum and bring even more people together,” she said. “The Marietta History Center’s 30th anniversary fits perfectly into that broader celebration by providing historical context and a deeper sense of place. While many of these events focus on celebration and community gathering, our exhibits and programming help connect those moments to the stories, people, and history that have shaped Marietta over time.”
Marietta Square Art Walk
Marietta Square
Marietta, GA 30060
First Friday of every month
5-9 p.m.
mariettasquareartwalk.com
20th Anniversary: Marietta Square Art Walk
This year also marks 20 years since the Marietta Square Art Walk was started. “It was founded 20 years ago as a way to celebrate and promote the vibrant local arts community in Marietta,” said Stephanie Coston, Operations Director for the Marietta Square Art Walk. “The event was created to provide a welcoming, walkable experience where residents and visitors can engage directly with local and regional artists, while also supporting small businesses around the Square.”
Coston came on board with the Art Walk 12 years ago and has helped expand it from being hosted just eight months a year to year-round.
“Those additional Friday nights have been well-received, and we find the January event is often just as well-attended as the milder weather events,” she said. “It’s something lovely to look forward to in the dreary winter months.”
Held the first Friday of each month from 5-9 p.m. on the historic Marietta Square, the Art Walk has grown into a staple community event that fosters connections between artists, galleries, merchants, and the public.
“Our Square art galleries schedule their show openings for these evenings, and our sidewalk gallery of local artists is a whimsical mix of all things creative,” Coston said. “Our First Friday celebrations encourage broad participation and reinforce the importance of supporting the arts at a local level and making art accessible to everyone.”
In celebration of 20 years, the Art Walk is enhancing its traditional Friday night event with a larger number of exhibits and live demonstrations on the Square.
