Fall Weekend in Marietta: Things to Do October 2 to 4, 2026

It's the first weekend of October in Marietta. That means the last days of the fair, a full Saturday on the Square, and real trail weather at Kennesaw Mountain.

Here's my short list for the weekend. We checked every event on its official page, but plans change, so tap through and confirm before you head out.

Friday, October 2

North Georgia State Fair, final weekend. The fair runs through Sunday at Jim R. Miller Park, 1345 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta. On Friday, gates open at 4 p.m. and the fair runs until midnight, according to the fair's daily schedule. Admission is $15. Seniors 55 and older pay $10, kids 10 and under get in free, and parking is free. The fair's traffic plan routes cars via County Services Parkway, and shuttles run from the Cobb Safety Village. Details: northgeorgiastatefair.com

Ragtime at Marietta's Theatre in the Square. The Tony Award-winning musical runs September 25 through October 11 at 11 Whitlock Avenue, just off the Square. Buy your tickets through the theatre's official site. The theatre says it only honors tickets bought there or at its box office: mariettatheatresquare.com

Saturday, October 3

Saturday is the big day, so let's break it down.

Marietta Square Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to noon. The market sets up every Saturday, year round, at 41 Mill Street. Get there early for the best selection: mariettasquarefarmersmarket.com

Marietta Square Artisan Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's right alongside the farmers market on Mill Street. This open air market shows off locally made art every Saturday.

Family Fun Day at the fair, 10 to 11 a.m. The fair opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with free admission and free rides from 10 until 11. It stays open until midnight. The fair's schedule also lists a MUST Ministries food drive that offers free admission for five non-perishable items per person, so check the daily specials page for details: fair daily specials

First Saturday Art in Action, noon to 4 p.m. The Marietta Artists Guild opens its studios at the Artisan Resource Center, 585 Cobb Parkway South. It's a free afternoon of meeting artists and watching work in progress.

Museums near the Square, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Marietta History Center at 1 Depot Street and the Marietta Gone With The Wind Museum at Brumby Hall, 472 Powder Springs Street, are both open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both are closed Sunday, so Saturday is your window this weekend.

Saturday night on the Square. Pick one:

• Wicked Sing-Along at the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, 117 North Park Square. Showtimes and tickets: earlsmithstrand.org
• Comedy on the Square, 8 to 9:30 p.m., at The Alley Stage, 11 Anderson Street.
• Ragtime at Theatre in the Square.

Sunday, October 4

Hike Kennesaw Mountain. Fall is a great time to hit the trails at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Park grounds are open 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. through the end of Daylight Saving Time, and the Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Just to be clear, you can't drive to the top anymore. The road is closed to personal vehicles, and a free shuttle runs daily instead. The daily pass is $5, and the park doesn't take cash. Plan your visit: nps.gov/kemo

Last Blast at the fair. Sunday is the fair's final day, open 12:30 to 10 p.m.

Jazz at The Strand: The Music of Duke Ellington. A Sunday night on the Square to close out the weekend. Showtimes and tickets: earlsmithstrand.org

A few tips

• Parking at the fair: follow the official traffic plan at the fair's traffic and shuttle page. It lists which roads close and where the shuttle picks up.
• Bring a card: Kennesaw Mountain is cashless.
• Double-check times: community calendars change, so confirm on each event's page the morning you go.

Out exploring this weekend?

Here's a little insider tip. A weekend like this is one of the best ways to test-drive a neighborhood. Grab coffee on the Square, walk a trail, and notice how the drive feels on a Saturday. If you're thinking about buying in Marietta or anywhere in Cobb County, the Clareo team and I can help you turn a good weekend into a clear plan.

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