Your next fall outing could start with a drawing on the street and end with a new favorite band. Chalktoberfest brings art, music, and plenty of reasons to wander to Marietta Square—without requiring a mountain getaway or a packed weekend itinerary.
Presented by the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, the festival returns October 10–11, 2026. General admission is free, making it an appealing option for a day out from Kennesaw or elsewhere around Atlanta. Here is how to put together a visit that leaves time for the artwork, lunch, and a little exploring. Official Chalktoberfest event information.
Chalktoberfest 2026 at a Glance
- Where: Historic Marietta Square, Marietta, Georgia.
- Saturday, October 10: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Sunday, October 11: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
- General admission: Free; budget separately for food, shopping, and any ticketed extras.
- Saturday beer festival: A separate ticketed event, noon–5 p.m.
Check the festival homepage and visitor guide before leaving for schedule changes. The museum at 30 Atlanta Street is a useful orientation point; choose a parking destination separately.
Start with the Chalk Art
The artwork is the reason to slow down. The organizer’s 2026 artist roster includes artists from the United States and abroad, bringing different approaches to the same unusual canvas: pavement.
Make your first lap a scouting walk. Notice the colors, watch how an artist builds shadows, and pick a few pieces to revisit later. Seeing a drawing develop can be more interesting than trying to collect a photograph of every square in one pass.
Give artists room to work and keep shoes, stroller wheels, and bags away from the drawings. For pictures, try a low angle from outside the artwork’s boundary. If a piece uses perspective, changing where you stand can change the way it looks. Ask before taking a close-up of an artist at work.
Build in a Music Break
Treat the music as part of the day rather than background noise on the way to lunch. The official 2026 lineup lists free performances, including these afternoon options:
- Saturday, 1:30–3 p.m.: Michael Price.
- Saturday, 3:15–5 p.m.: Killbillies.
- Sunday, 2–3 p.m.: Sarah Nova Band.
- Sunday, 3:30–5 p.m.: Villarreal.
Pick one set as an anchor and leave the rest of your schedule loose. It gives your group an easy meeting point in the day: art first, lunch next, then time to listen. Recheck performance times close to the weekend.
Come Hungry, and Leave Room to Browse
The 2026 food-truck list includes Lisa’s Creperie, The Mad Greek, The Cheezy Truck, and Williamson Bros Bar-B-Q. Look at the current menus and prices before deciding, especially if your group has dietary needs.
Take a quick look around before joining the first line you see. Ordering at slightly different times can help a group with different tastes, but agree on where to meet afterward. Carry water and set aside a lunch budget so that a free-admission outing does not become a surprise spending spree.
Leave some time for the artists’ market and craft vendors, too. A small purchase can become a reminder of the day long after your festival photos disappear into the camera roll.
Saturday’s Beer Festival: Know What the Ticket Covers
The Craft Beer Festival runs Saturday, October 10, noon–5 p.m. It requires its own ticket; you can enjoy the surrounding art and music without buying one. The organizer currently lists $55 at the gate, with online rates available through its ticket seller. Check the official beer-festival information for the latest details.
Use the 2026 ticket listing to check availability and your final checkout total. The listing says the tasting ends at 5 p.m. regardless of arrival time and is rain or shine, with no weather refunds. If this is part of your plan, leave enough time to enjoy it and arrange your ride home beforehand.
Sunday Adds a Community Art Option
Sunday’s community chalk competition is listed for 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on the official participation page. If someone in your group wants to enter, check the current registration details and rules in advance; free festival admission should not be taken to mean competition entry is included.
For families who are simply browsing, try giving everyone one thing to look for: a favorite animal, the brightest colors, or a drawing that seems to jump off the ground. Compare choices over lunch. It turns a walk through the art into a shared activity without adding another booking.
Parking: Choose Your Destination Before You Drive
The City of Marietta’s downtown parking guide currently lists the City Hall deck at 205 Lawrence Street as free all weekend. It also lists weekend-free city lots at 268 Lawrence Street and 95 Cole Street, alongside paid downtown options.
Free street parking has a two-hour maximum, so check posted limits if you plan to stay for several hours. Festival access, closures, and space availability can affect your route; a parking listing is not a reservation. Follow signs and keep a second option in mind.
A Simple Plan for Your Day
Begin with a walk through the chalk art, then break for lunch before settling in for a performance. Afterward, revisit the drawings you liked most and browse the market. That gives the outing a shape without turning it into a race.
The organizer also lists free museum admission during Chalktoberfest. Check the visitor page for current information if you would like to add an indoor art stop.
Wear comfortable shoes, pack for the forecast, and bring a charged phone. Choose a meeting spot if your group splits up, and leave room to change plans if someone needs a break. The best festival day is the one everyone still enjoys by the time you head back to the car.
Looking for another nearby outing? Save our Kennesaw activity guide for a different weekend. For this one, Marietta offers a good excuse to follow the color, hear some music, and see what a little chalk can become.
Event information checked September 22, 2026. Confirm schedules, ticket details, parking, and access before traveling. All images are AI-generated editorial illustrations and do not document the 2026 event, actual performers, or participating artists’ work.
