Family Fun in Cobb County This Weekend: April 17–19, 2026
Spring is in full bloom across Cobb County, and this weekend is packed with wonderful family-friendly fun! Whether you're looking for arts and crafts, live entertainment, fresh plants for the garden, or a little local history, there's something for every family to enjoy. Here's your guide to the best events happening in Marietta and Kennesaw this weekend — plus a preview of what's coming up soon in Acworth, Smyrna, and Powder Springs!
🌸 MARIETTA
🌿 1. 26th Annual Plant Sale & Expo
📅 Friday, April 17 & Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Jim R. Miller Park Covered Arena, 2245 Callaway Rd SW, Marietta, GA 30008
💲 FREE Admission & Parking
The 26th Annual Plant Sale and Expo returns to Jim R. Miller Park for two full days of gardening goodness! This beloved Cobb County tradition is one of the best ways to kick off the spring gardening season. The event features a wide selection of plants in every price range — perennials, herbs, ferns, native plants, ornamental trees, shrubs, and more from knowledgeable vendors and from the home gardens of the Master Gardeners themselves.
Shop plants grown by Cobb Master Gardeners, explore the kids' corner, browse the yard sale, and discover unique gifts from specialty vendors including plants, herbs, honey, sauces, crafts, pottery, bird accessories, and yard art. The event also features activities for kids at the Kids Corner — with free face painting, educational materials, and a scavenger hunt. Proceeds support community gardening education, scholarships for horticulture students, and local demonstration gardens.
🔗 Learn More & Plan Your Visit
🎨 2. Cobb County Spring Arts Festival
📅 Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Rd SW, Marietta, GA 30008
💲 FREE Admission & Parking
New this year — and happening right alongside the Plant Sale — is the Cobb County Spring Arts Festival! Visitors can shop from local artisans, try food from food trucks and vendors, listen to live entertainment, and have fun at the "Kidz Zone." Browse beautiful blooms, discover locally sourced honey, find the perfect bird accessories for your backyard, and pick up gardening tips from the experts. Two incredible events in one location — and it's all FREE!
🔗 Learn More at Cobb County Parks
🏛️ 3. Pop-In for Family Fun: "Mountain to Marietta"
📅 Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Marietta History Center, 1 Depot Street, Marietta, GA 30060
💲 FREE
The Marietta History Center's popular monthly Pop-In for Family Fun continues in 2026 with this month's exciting theme: "Mountain to Marietta: How Nature and History Meet!" These engaging and educational events are designed for children and their families, featuring fun and interactive activities and crafts centered around a unique monthly theme.
All 2026 Pop-Ins are completely FREE, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Cauthorn, Owen, and Sanders — ensuring that the museum is accessible to all families regardless of financial circumstances. It's a wonderful opportunity to spark a love of history and nature in your little ones!
🔗 Learn More at the Marietta History Center
🥕 4. Marietta Square Farmers Market
📅 Saturday, April 19 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Every Saturday, year-round)
📍 Marietta Square, Marietta, GA
💲 FREE to Attend
Don't miss the weekly Marietta Square Farmers Market while you're in the area! This beloved weekly tradition features local and heirloom produce, artisanal goods, plants, and prepared foods every Saturday from 9am–12pm. It's the perfect spot to grab a fresh breakfast, pick up seasonal produce, and soak in the charm of historic Marietta Square before your big day of fun!
🏔️ KENNESAW
🎊 5. Big Shanty Festival — 50th Anniversary Celebration!
📅 Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
📅 Sunday, April 19 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Downtown Kennesaw, 2871 N Main St, Kennesaw, GA 30144
💲 FREE Admission & Live Entertainment
This is the BIG one this weekend — and it's a landmark milestone! Founded five decades ago, the Big Shanty Festival has grown into Kennesaw's largest and most beloved community event. What began as a small local gathering in historic downtown Kennesaw has evolved into a multi-day celebration of arts, food, music, and small businesses — drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year. In April 2026, the Big Shanty Festival proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary!
This free, family-friendly event features hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, a wide variety of food vendors, live entertainment across multiple stages, a kids zone, and crowd-favorite attractions like the ReadyGo Dog Show. A parade kicks off the festival at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, with more than 2,000 kids participating — representing every sports association and school in the area — along with local businesses, beauty pageant winners, and high school marching bands from Allatoona, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, Harrison, and North Cobb.
Parking is available throughout downtown Kennesaw, and a free shuttle runs continuously between the festival and Swift-Cantrell Park all weekend. Rain or shine — the fun goes on!
🔗 Official Big Shanty Festival Website
🔗 City of Kennesaw Event Page
🔗 Downtown Kennesaw Event Details
🗓️ Weekend At-a-Glance
| Event | City | Date(s) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26th Annual Plant Sale & Expo | Marietta | Apr 17–18 | FREE |
| Cobb County Spring Arts Festival | Marietta | Apr 18 | FREE |
| Pop-In for Family Fun: "Mountain to Marietta" | Marietta | Apr 18 | FREE |
| Marietta Square Farmers Market | Marietta | Apr 19 | FREE |
| 🎊 Big Shanty Festival (50th Anniversary) | Kennesaw | Apr 18–19 | FREE |
💡 Tips for Making the Most of Your Weekend
☁️ Check the Weather
April in Georgia can be beautiful — but afternoon showers are always possible! Both the Big Shanty Festival and the Plant Sale & Expo run rain or shine, so don't let a little drizzle stop you. Pack a light rain jacket for the kids and wear comfortable walking shoes.
🅿️ Parking Tips
In Marietta (Jim R. Miller Park): Parking is FREE in the event center general parking lot, with a North lot for overflow (grassy lot on Al Bishop Drive — marked with signage).
In Kennesaw (Big Shanty Festival): Parking is available at Adams Park, Kennesaw First Baptist Church, and Swift-Cantrell Park. A free shuttle runs continuously from Swift-Cantrell Park to the festival grounds throughout the weekend.
At the Marietta History Center: Street and lot parking are available throughout downtown Marietta Square.
🎒 What to Bring
- 💵 Cash & Cards — Many vendors prefer cash
- 🛺 Stroller or wagon for little ones — all events have ample walking
- 👜 Reusable bags — you'll want them for all your plant and vendor finds!
- ☀️ Sunscreen & hats — spring Georgia sunshine is no joke
- 💧 Water bottles — stay hydrated while exploring
⏰ Plan Your Saturday Strategically
With so much happening on Saturday, April 18, here's a suggested family itinerary to make the most of it all:
- 9:00 AM — Marietta Square Farmers Market | Marietta Square
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Plant Sale & Expo + Spring Arts Festival | Jim R. Miller Park
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM — Pop-In for Family Fun: Mountain to Marietta | Marietta History Center
- 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM — Big Shanty Festival | Downtown Kennesaw
🗺️ Coming Up in Cobb County — Don't Miss These!
While Acworth, Smyrna, and Powder Springs don't have major city-sponsored events this particular weekend, they have some incredible events just around the corner. Put these on your calendar now!
🌼 SMYRNA — Spring Jonquil Festival
📅 Saturday, April 25 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM & Sunday, April 26 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Mark your calendars for next weekend! The Smyrna Spring Jonquil Festival features more than 150 arts & crafts booths, more than 10 food booths, a live entertainment stage, beer gardens, and various children's activities. Artisans from all over the Southeast bring handmade crafts, paintings, clothing, furniture, jewelry, and much more. The huge interactive area includes inflatables, sand art, and more — a perfect family day out in full spring bloom!
🔗 Smyrna Jonquil Festival Details | City of Smyrna Events Calendar
🎵 ACWORTH — Live at Logan Farm Park
📅 Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 5:00 PM
Live at Logan Farm Park returns on Saturday, April 25! The Acworth Arts Alliance is partnering with the City of Acworth to bring you a FREE concert at Logan Farm Park. This annual fundraiser supports scholarships for students pursuing degrees in art and funds arts initiatives in underfunded programs. A beautiful spring evening for the whole family!
🔗 City of Acworth Events Page | Visit Acworth Tourism
🐉 ACWORTH — Dragon Boat Festival
📅 Saturday, May 2, 2026 | Dallas Landing Park, Acworth
The Acworth Dragon Boat Festival hits the water on Saturday, May 2! Corporate and community teams race in 46-foot long ornamental dragon boats on Lake Allatoona — an up-and-coming Olympic sport and an absolutely unique experience for the whole family. Fun-filled days for all ages!
🦐 POWDER SPRINGS — Powder Springs Seafood Festival
📅 Friday, May 15, 2026 | 5:00 PM onward
Powder Springs has a great one coming up in May! The Powder Springs Seafood Festival is a community celebration with food, merchandise, and artisan vendors set in the heart of downtown Powder Springs. A wonderful night out for families and seafood lovers alike!
🔗 City of Powder Springs Events | Downtown Powder Springs Events
📲 Stay Connected with Your Cobb County Communities
Keep up with all the latest events in your city by bookmarking these community pages:
- 🏛️ Marietta: mariettaga.gov
- ⛰️ Kennesaw: kennesaw-ga.gov
- 🌸 Smyrna: smyrnaga.gov
- ⚓ Acworth: acworth-ga.gov
- 🌿 Powder Springs: powderspringsga.gov
- 🗺️ All of Cobb County: travelcobb.org
💛 A Final Word from Our Community
What a wonderful time to be a family in Cobb County, Georgia! This weekend is a perfect reminder of what makes our communities so special — neighbors coming together, local businesses thriving, children learning and playing, and the simple joy of spending quality time together out in the fresh spring air.
Whether you're digging into some kettle corn at the Big Shanty Festival, picking out a new perennial at the Plant Sale & Expo, or introducing your little ones to local history at the Marietta History Center — these are the moments that build strong families and stronger communities.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend. God bless you and yours, and we'll see you out there, Cobb County! 🙏🌸
Have an event we missed? Submit it to your city's community page so we can feature it next time!
