Georgia Food and Wine Festival

The Georgia Food + Wine Festival is a spectacular three-day event that takes place at Jim R. Miller Park each March. Enthusiasts will be treated to an array of culinary delights, with local celebrities and chefs showcasing their skills. With a roster of events designed to tantalize the senses, attendees can look forward to evenings such as “Fired Up” and the signature “Savor” tasting event.

Each day is packed with unique experiences. Friday turns up the heat with barbecue mastery, while Saturday unfolds as the main event, offering a VIP Lounge and numerous beverage varietals to sample. Sunday caps off the festivities with a family-friendly atmosphere.

Not only does the festival indulge your palate, but it also serves a noble cause. The partnership with SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center ensures that enjoyment at the festival translates into support for the community.

Schedule:

Friday, March 21, 2025:

“Fired-Up – Friday”
An evening celebrating everything grilled, smoked, barbecued and more. A wide variety of the best barbecue in the South: beef, pork, chicken, seafood and vegetarian dishes will be available to taste from some of Georgia and the South’s most renowned Pitmasters and chefs. Enjoy live music, wine, beer and spirits tastings in a souvenir glass. This is an all-inclusive event, with food and drink included with admission ticket.

Saturday, March 22, 2025:

“Saturday Savor”
An unbelievable afternoon of sumptuous food and drink, with some of Georgia’s best chefs, restaurants and more offering a variety of delicious bites. Tickets include a souvenir wine glass for unlimited beverage tastings of wine, beer and spirits, along with 10 culinary credits (5 Tokens) good towards purchase of gourmet bites and plates from a variety of restaurants, food trucks and specialty food companies. Samples from the culinary and beverage tasting stages will be available for the first 100 people seated in attendance at the Georgia Grown and Celebrity Chef Cooking Demo Stages. Several live music stages will be located throughout the festival. An artisan market with an assortment of unique items will showcase food products, handmade gifts, artwork, and more.

“Saturday Savor – VIP Lounge”
VIP Lounge tickets include early access to the festival and crystal souvenir tasting wine glass. The VIP Lounge is an exclusive, fully catered VIP Lounge experience with designated restrooms, open bars with cocktails, beer and wine, live music and more,. A limited number of tickets are available. The VIP Lounge ticket also includes full access to the general admission area of Savor and $10 in tasting credits (5 Tokens).

Saturday, March 23, 2025:

“Sunday/Funday”
A fantastic festival finale with live music and a variety of delectable restaurants, farmers, artisans, and food trucks. a variety of beverages for purchase. A family friendly event with something for everybody in the family, including a free Kids Zone. There will be a variety of adult beverages available for purchase, including beer, wine and cocktails. Adult tickets also include 10 tasting credits (5 Tokens).

“Sunday/Funday – VIP Lounge”
Enjoy sipping the afternoon away while listening to live music and enjoying unlimited wine, beer and spirits as well as tasting stations. VIP Lounge tickets include admission to Sunday/Funday from 12 –5 pm. Adult tickets also include 10 tasting credits (5 Tokens).

Address:

Jim R. Miller Park
2245 Callaway Rd SW
Marietta, GA 30008

For more information, please contact Missy Miller at
missy@georgiafoodandwinefestival.com.

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Cobb County Library Book Sale

Marietta.com

The Cobb County Library and The Friends of the Library are hosting their semi-annual book sale at Cobb Civic Center. Over 100,000 items are for sale at the event which takes place in the spring and fall for three days beginning on Friday. Sale items include books both hardbound and paperback for children, young adults, and adults; audio-visuals including books on tape and compact disc; videocassettes; compact discs; records; magazines; and comic books. All proceeds are used to purchase new books and other library materials.

Cobb County Book Sale at Jim Miller Park in Marietta — Kennesaw residents Catherine Dowell (left/back), 4, and Evelyn Dowell (front/right), 2, nab children’s hardback books today during the Cobb County Public Library Friends’ Book Sale. (Photo by Erika Ruthman/CCPLS)

Prices
Prices range from 50 cents to $4. Prices subject to change.
Books, Magazines, Videos, Records, CDs, and More.
Adult Hardbacks $1.50
Large format paperbacks $1.00
Pocket paperbacks $ .50
DVD, BluRay, CD single discs $2.00
DVD, BluRay, CD multidisc sets $4.00
Audiobooks on CD $1.00
Magazines $ .10/ea or $2.00/box
Children’s Hardbacks $1.00
Children’s Paperbacks $ .50
Board & Golden books $ .50
Records & Puzzles $ .50

Acceptable forms of payment are debit, credit, cash, and check. On Friday until 1 pm, ISBN scanners are not permitted. The book sale will only be able to sell up to 2 boxes of items at a time on Friday until 1 pm. Please plan to pay and take items to your vehicle before continuing shopping.

Date:
Spring Sale: March 7-9, 2025
Fall Sale: October TBD, 2025

Time:
Friday from 9 am to 5 pm
Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm – bring your own box day: fill any size box (you can bodily get back to your car) for a flat rate of $10 upper level only and $20 lower level only or mixed.

Admission:
Free

Parking:
Free

Address:
Cobb Civic Center
548 South Marietta Pkwy SE
Marietta, GA 30060
(Formerly held at Jim Miller Park)

For information on the sale or to volunteer for this event, please call Alex Beswick at (770) 528-2320 or visit cobbcounty.org/library.

Annual Cobb 4-H Plant Sale Fundraiser

Marietta.com

Get ready to spruce up your garden while supporting a great cause. The Cobb 4-H Plant Sale Fundraiser is back, offering a vibrant selection of plants that will brighten your landscape and attract beneficial pollinators to your yard. This annual fundraiser directly benefits Cobb 4-H youth development programs, so your purchase helps make a difference.

The plant sale features a mix of classic favorites and exciting new varieties. From colorful blooms to fantastic ferns, the options are perfect for enhancing your yard’s beauty and attracting helpful pollinators. Quantities are limited, so early ordering is recommended to secure your favorites.

Pre Order Date:
Pre-orders are being accepted until Friday, February 28, 2025, at 5:00 pm.

Pick Up Date:
Saturday, March 15, 2025

Pick Up Time:
9 am to 1 pm. Any plants not claimed by 1:00 pm will be considered a tax-deductible donation.

Admission:
Free

Address:
Jim R. Miller Park
2245 Callaway Rd
Marietta, GA 30008

For more information, please call the UGA Cobb County Extension Office at (770) 528-4070 or visit extension.uga.edu.

About Cobb County 4-H:
4-H is a youth organization whose mission is “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development”. Its name is a reference to the occurrence of the initial letter H four times in the organization’s original motto “head, heart, hands, and health.” As a program of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension System, 4-H is part of the nationwide Extension network open to all youth, grades K-12, residing in Cobb County.

2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Marietta.com

The Cobb County Branch of the NAACP together with the Cobb County Government are hosting the annual celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday celebration takes place on the third Monday of January each year.

The event is free and open to all. The celebration features entertainment, dramatic readings, dance, musical performances, and the annual presentation of the “Living the Dream” award to a community member who demonstrates the ideals King exemplified.

The annual celebration takes place at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre. Following the celebration at 1 pm is the Martin Luther King Jr. parade from Lemon Street to the Marietta Square.

Date:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 20, 2025

Time:
10 am to Noon

Address:
Jennie T. Anderson Theatre
548 S. Marietta Pkwy.
Marietta, GA 30060

Admission:
Free

For more information, please call the NAACP Cobb County branch at (770) 425-5757.

You can also watch the Cobb NAACP’s MLK Day Celebration live at 10 am on Cobb TV’s YouTube page.

Learn more about the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade.

MLK Day Parade

Marietta.com

The city of Marietta will celebrate the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a MLK Jr. parade and ceremony. The event takes place on the third Monday in February and is organized by Cobb County Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Al Tariq Temple No. 245, and Al Tariq Court No. 228.

This celebratory parade will trace a route that allows participants to pay tribute to Dr. King’s vision of unity and equality. Participants will begin at 350 Lemon Street at 1 pm and march to the Marietta Square.

Prior to the parade, the Cobb County Branch of the NAACP together with the Cobb County Government are hosting the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration at 10 am at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre.

Date:
January 20, 2025

Time:
1 pm

Parade Starting Address:
350 Lemon St NE
Marietta, GA 30060

Parade Route:

From 350 Lemon St., turn left on Lemon St heading towards Church St.
Turn left onto Church St and continue straight onto W Park Square.
Turn left onto S Park Square.
Turn left onto E Park Square.

For more information:
To learn more about the event or for inquiries, please contact Charlotte from SCLC at (404) 863-0945 or Roger from Al Tariq Temple at (404) 543-5753.

2025 Marietta Square Art Walk

Marietta.com

The 2025 Marietta Square Art Walk takes place in historic Marietta Square on the first Friday of each month from January through December. The Art Walk is a free, self guided tour showcasing local original art and artists. During this free, self-guided walking tour guests will enjoy gallery openings and free admission to Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art.

Enjoy late-night shopping, patio dining, fine art, and live music around every corner. Local artists are hosted by Marietta Square area restaurants, galleries, museums, venues and boutiques from 5 pm to 9 pm, rain or shine, and participating venues display an official Art Walk banner in their window.

artwalk.standard — Formerly “First Friday Art Walk”

2025 Marietta Square Art Walk Schedule:

January 3
February 7
March 7
April 4
May 2
June 6
July 4
August 1
September 5
October 3
November 7
December 5

Hours:
5 pm to 9 pm, rain or shine

For more information, please call (770) 429-1115 or visit facebook.com/MariettaSquareArtWalk

Paintings by Marietta resident McKenzie Snow

Actors promoting The Nutcracker near the fountain in Marietta Square

For more information, please call (770) 429-1115 or visit MariettaSquareArtWalk.com

Cobb County School System Winter Break

Marietta.com

In Cobb County, Winter Break for the 2025-2026 school year takes place from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20, 2026. The break begins on Presidents Day, the third Monday in February. Including the weekends, the Winter Break spans from Saturday, February 14 through Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Future Winter Break Possible Dates:

If the Cobb County School Calendar format stays the same and winter break starts on Presidents Day, these are the likely dates for future winter breaks:

Monday, February 15, 2027 to Friday, February 19, 2027
Monday, February 21, 2028 to Friday, February 25, 2028
Monday, February 19, 2029 to Friday, February 23, 2029
Monday, February 18, 2030 to Friday, February 22, 2030
Monday, February 17, 2031 to Friday, February 21, 2031
Monday, February 16, 2032 to Friday, February 20, 2032
Monday, February 21, 2033 to Friday, February 25, 2033
Monday, February 20, 2034 to Friday, February 24, 2034
Monday, February 19, 2035 to Friday, February 23, 2035

Previous Winter Breaks:

In 2025, winter break took place from Monday, February 17 to Friday, February 21, 2025.

In 2024, winter break took place from Monday, February 19 to Friday, February 23, 2024.

In 2023, winter break took place from Monday, February 20 to Friday, February 24, 2023.

In 2022, winter break took place from Monday, February 21 to Friday, February 25, 2022.

In 2021, winter break took place from Monday, February 15 to Friday, February 19, 2021.

In 2020, winter break took place from Monday, February 17 to Friday, February 21, 2020.

In 2019, winter break took place from Monday, February 18 to Friday, February 22, 2019.

In 2018, winter break took place from Monday, February 19 to Friday, February 23, 2018.

Back to Cobb County and Marietta City School Calendars

Marietta Square Christmas Tree Lighting

Marietta.com

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for the kick-off to the holiday season at Glover Park in the Historic Marietta Square. Local choruses will perform Christmas carols on the main stage and Santa will light the giant Christmas tree.

Ugly Sweater Walking Parade:
Don your ugliest of Holiday sweater (family appropriate) and join Santa in his parade to the Square. If you would like to participate in the ugly sweater parade, apply here by November 15, 2024 at 5 pm.

Write a Letter to Santa:
Meet some of Santa’s elves and watch as your letter gets put straight in to the hands of the Big Man himself. Letter writing stations will be up throughout the park for individuals who want to send their wishes to Santa.

Winter Wonderland’s Festival of Trees
Come and see the amazing trees decorated by local schools and organizations to celebrate the Holiday Season.

2024 Schedule:

Local Choir Performances: Throughout the night
Santa Letter Writing Stations : Throughout the night.
Ugly Holiday Sweater Walking Parade : 4:45 pm
Santa’s Arrival: 5:15 pm
Tree Lighting Ceremony: 6 pm

Date:
December 5, 2024

Time:
4 pm to 8 pm

Address:
50 N Park Square
Marietta, GA 30060

For more information, please call (770) 794-5606.

For more information, please call (770) 794-5601.

Christmas and Holiday Lights at Life University

Marietta.com

Life University’s “Lights of Life” Illuminates the Season

The much-anticipated “Lights of Life” holiday showcase at Life University is a seasonal event that brightens up the campus from Thanksgiving night right through to New Year’s Eve. With an astonishing count of over one million lights spread across more than a mile of campus, this event is a festive treat for the eyes.

Luminous Displays

This event showcases a variety of thematic displays, celebrating different aspects and traditions of the holiday season. From a poignant nativity scene and a majestic menorah to a towering 60-foot Christmas tree, the exhibit offers something for everyone. It even features an animated display that comprises a 65-foot rendition of Santa Claus with his sleigh, which holds the distinction of being the tallest holiday display in the Southeast region.

Beyond the Lights

The event also features several family-friendly activities, including pony rides and a miniature train journey that is perfect for the little ones. Animal lovers will enjoy the petting zoo, while those looking to grab a snack or a warm drink can head over to the concession stand.

Dates for 2024:
Thanksgiving evening through New Year’s Eve.
Open every day from November 28, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

Hours:
Dark (around 6 pm) to 9 pm Sunday through Thursday
Dark (around 6 pm) to 10 pm Friday and Saturday

Admission:
$10 per car/truck
$20 per bus/van

Address:
On the campus of Life University on Barclay Circle, off Hwy 41 just north of Dobbins ARB, Marietta.

Life University
1269 Barclay Circle
Marietta, GA 30060

For more information or questions about Lights of Life, please call (770) 426-2600.

Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour

Marietta.com

The annual Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour, held the first full weekend in December, takes place from December 6-8, 2024 and showcases a variety of historic homes in Marietta.

The Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour features five private historic homes, lovingly restored, filled with antique collections and decorated for the season. Homeowners invite you inside for a unique opportunity to discover how they incorporate these historic treasures into their everyday lives. Along the route, many of Marietta’s historic public buildings are decorated and open for touring.

This year, get a glimpse inside five private homes located in the Whitlock Avenue Local Historic District. Each home has been lovingly restored and will be decorated for the holiday season.

Schedule:

December 6, 2024 from 5 pm to 8 pm
December 7, 2024 from 9 am to 4 pm
December 8, 2024 from 9 am to 4 pm

Tickets:
Tickets may be purchased online or in person at the Marietta Welcome Center or the William Root House. Tickets are not available at tour homes.

$30 in advance
$35 day of tour

For more information and to purchase tickets for the Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour, call the Marietta Visitors Bureau at 770-429-1115, or 800-835-0445 or visit www.MarietttaPilgrimage.com.

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