ARTOBER Marietta celebrates the creativity, culture, and expression of our city.
October is National Arts & Humanities Month, the largest annual celebration for the arts and humanities in the nation. Join the Marietta Arts Council as we celebrate the Marietta art scene all month long... and beyond.
From festivals to musicals to concerts and more, Marietta’s event calendar is full of artful offerings. We are happy to present this curated list of options available during the month of October.
These featured events are all performed within the City of Marietta. Many of our resident arts organizations offer performances outside of our city. We invite you to explore them via the full event calendar, available at visitmariettaga.com.
*INFORMATION ACCURATE AT TIME OF PUBLICATION. PLEASE VISIT INDIVIDUAL SITES TO CONFIRM DETAILS.
October 4 | 5-9PM
Marietta Square Art Walk
Experience all the Marietta Square has to offer on a self-guided walking tour of the Marietta Square’s galleries, museums, cultural venues, restaurants and businesses.
October 4 | 8pm
The Purple Madness - Prince Tribute
The “Purple Madness” is the ultimate celebration of the most widely beloved entertainer and profoundly influential artist of all time. Bobby Miller presents an electrifying performance that can be best described as “high energy” and a “must-see” performance. The Prince Purple Madness Tribute Show has all but perfected every last nuance in recreating the sights and sounds of the artist Prince. The group lovingly describes their show as a performance that is second to none.
Tickets available at earlsmithstrand.org
October 4-6
Sleepy Hollow
“Sleepy Hollow” is an adaptation
of Washington Irving’s famous tale about Ichabod Crane, a superstitious schoolteacher who encounters the legendary Headless Horseman in a haunted village.This ballet version blends eerie atmospheric elements with expressive dance to bring the ghostly story and its early American setting to life. Performances are held at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre in Marietta.
Tickets available at georgiaballet.org
October 5 | 9am-2pm
Marietta Square Artisan Market
You’ll find 35 artists on Mill Street, just across from the Marietta Square farmers market. Grab a friend and a cup of coffee and stroll the artisan market. It’s a treasure hunt every Saturday 9am-2pm.
October 5 | 8pm
Strand Ole Opry: Fa-BOO-lous Halloween Hits
Calling all Country Goblins and Ghouls for a celebration full of Fa-BOO-lous Halloween Hits! The Strand Ole Opry features a band of talented musicians on the banjo, upright bass, fiddle, guitar (and maybe a washboard or two), a host of guest vocalists, and good ole southern storytelling (Opry hosts have never let the truth stand in the way of a good story) for an afternoon of folksy entertainment on The Strand stage.
Tickets available at earlsmithstrand.org
October 6 | 4pm
Jazz at The Strand: The Music of Louis Armstrong
Put simply, American Popular Music can be clearly divided into two eras: before Louis Armstrong and after him. His advanced sense of rhythm, melodic innovation, and ebullient charisma mixed together to create America’s greatest musical icon. He’s Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan rolled into one. Get the velvet rope treatment with a VIP pass! VIP tickets include early access seating, a meet and greet with the band, two drink tickets, and a signed poster from the band.
Tickets available at earlsmithstrand.org
October 9 | 5-9pm
Marietta Arts Council Open House at Atlanta Hard Cider
Join the Marietta Arts Council at Atlanta Hard Cider and enjoy a celebration of the arts, complete with a drink special and a raffle. The Marietta Arts Council will receive $1 for every drink purchase!
October 10 | 7pm
Nashville X Marietta: Artists in the Round
This special Songwriters Circle and performance event features five themed rounds, each showcasing four amazing songs. Tickets are just $35, offering you a chance to experience the magic of music as local talents and Nashville’s finest come together to share their creative processes. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow music lovers!
Tickets available at alleystage.org
October 10 | 7pm
Scary Movies at The Strand: Young Frankenstein (1974)
Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein is a nostalgic, hilarious spoof-tribute to classic horror films featuring a fantastic performance by Gene Wilder. One of writer-producer-director Mel Brooks’ best films, Young Frankenstein was made with obvious affection for Mary Shelley’s classic novel about corpse revival by a God-aspiring mad scientist. See it on the big screen at The Strand this October!
Tickets available at earlsmithstrand.org
October 11 - 27
August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, set in 1917, is the story of Harold Loomis who returns to Pittsburgh in search of his wife. He is haunted by the memory of bounty hunter Joe Turner, the man who had illegally enslaved him. Loomis is unable to fully embrace or release the past. His search brings him to Seth and Bertha’s boarding house with his young daughter, Zonia, where “conjure man” Bynum shows him that he really is searching for himself. Presented by Young Voices United.
Tickets and showtimes available at mariettatheatresquare.com
October 11 | 6:30pm
Death, Crime and the Coroner
In the 19th century, the first person called to investigate a suspicious death was the coroner. Hannah and William Root’s eldest son, Willie Root, served as Cobb County coroner from 1883 to 1887. A pharmacist and medical school graduate, Willie Root had a curious relationship with death: serving in gruesome Civil War field hospitals, experiencing personal loss within his family, and witnessing tragic crime scenes as coroner. The lecture will conclude with a tour of the William Root House where a Victorian-era funeral will be on display.
Tickets available at WilliamRootHouse.com
October 12-13
Chalktoberfest
The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art is proud to present Chalktoberfest, an exciting combination of our annual Chalk Art Festival with our Craft Beer Festival. Enjoy your afternoon sampling craft beers, live music from local artists, watching professional Chalk Artists chalk the streets and eating great food at the beautiful downtown square of Marietta. The Chalktoberfest Community Chalk Competition will be held 11am – 1pm on Sunday and provides a unique opportunity for community members to try their hand at creating their own chalk art. A great event for all the family, Chalktoberfest is free to attend.
All proceeds go to the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art. Admission to the Museum is free all weekend-long during Chalktoberfest!
Tickets available at chalktoberfest.com
October 18-20
Dracula
GMDT is thrilled to bring back audience favorite Dracula, the Halloween ballet with a bite! First premiered at GMDT in 2017, Dracula is a chilling original ballet based on the classic novel by Bram Stoker, set to the hauntingly beautiful score of Philip Feeney. Performances take place at KSU Dance Theatre in Marietta.
Tickets available at georgiametrodance.org
October 18 | 8pm 2023
Comedy at The Strand: The Mary Mack Comedy Show
A hybrid of Minnesota and Wisconsin (with a severe cheese dependency), comedian Mary Mack is a favorite on radio shows and podcasts around the country. Get the VIP Ticket Package and get a private meet & greet, early access to seating, two drink tickets, and a poster signed by Mary Mack!
Tickets available at earlsmithstrand.org
October 18 & 25 | 5-9pm
Victorian Funeral Flashlight Tours
During this special after-hours tour, visitors to the William Root House will explore darkened rooms decorated for a Victorian era funeral. Guests will view 19th century embalming equipment, mourning jewelry made from human hair, and other curious artifacts related to death and mourning in the Victorian era.
Tickets available at WilliamRootHouse.com
October 19 | 9am - 4pm
Cherokee Heights Arts Festival
The 16th Annual Cherokee Heights Arts Festival (CHAF) is Saturday, October 19th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Festival is on Freyer Drive NE between Etowah and Chicasaw Drives. Free parking and admission.
Learn more by visiting cherokeeheightsartsfestival.org
October 19 | 9am-2pm
Marietta Square Artisan Market
You’ll find 35 artists on Mill Street, just across from the Marietta Square farmers market. Grab a friend and a cup of coffee and stroll the artisan market. It’s a treasure hunt every Saturday 9am-2pm.
October 19 | 9am-5pm
HarvestFest
Marietta’s HarvestFest is an annual festival held each October. The festival includes the HarvestFest Arts & Crafts Show, Pie Eating Contest, Touch-A-Truck, Scarecrows In The Square, Costume Contest and Halloween Happenings kid’s festival. Enjoy carnival games, inflatable houses, candy and other special activities. 9am-5pm on the Marietta Square.
Learn more at mariettaga.gov
October 19 | 10am-4pm
Pop-in for Family Fun: Boo! Halloween
This month’s Marietta History Center Pop-In event is all about Halloween Crafts, providing children and their families the opportunity to interact with the museum through themed activities and crafts.
Full schedule at mariettahistory.org
October 19-January 4th
Vintage Toys, Modern Cheer: Celebrating Classic Holiday Toys
Step into a world of nostalgia and festive delight with the Marietta History Center’s new holiday exhibit. This enchanting display showcases beloved toys from decades past, bringing joy to all ages through a blend of vintage charm and modern festivity.
October 19 | 6:30pm
Beyond the Veil: Victorians and Spirit Communication
Many Victorians were obsessed with death and the afterlife. Spirit photography, seances, Ouija boards, and automatic writing became popular during this era. Join collector James Freeman of Freeman & Fugate Oddities Company as he delves into the Victorian spiritualism movement and shows off his rare collection of antique oddities.
Tickets available at WilliamRootHouse.com
October 19 | 8pm
Georgia Players Guild Presents: To The Limit: An Eagles Tribute
Don’t Miss ”To The Limit” - An Eagles Experience on Oct 19th at the Strand Theatre! The incredible catalog of the Eagles has stood the test of time and multiple generations. “To the Limit” captures this spirit in a bottle and somehow makes it their own, using the framework of these legends to produce brand-new and exciting moments for every listener to enjoy.
Tickets available at earlsmithstrand.org
October 24 | 8pm
ShakesBEER: Macbeth
Experience the thrilling drama of Shakespeare’s Macbeth like never before with our boisterous ShakesBEER twist! Don’t miss this unique blend of Shakespearean drama and drinking games, where the only thing more intoxicating than the ale is the madness on stage! Cheers to an evening of merriment, mischief, and marvelous misinterpretations!
October 25 | 8pm, 11:59pm
Movies at The Strand: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Not just a movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult tradition that has been passed down through generations. As always, patrons are invited to enjoy the movie in costume. A live organ pre-show on the Mighty Allen Theatre Organ will begin thirty minutes before showtime. Prop bags with everything you need to play along are available for pre-purchase when buying movie tickets while supplies last.
Tickets available at earlsmithstrand.org
October 26 | 9am-2pm
Marietta Square Artisan Market
You’ll find 35 artists on Mill Street, just across from the Marietta Square farmers market. Grab a friend and a cup of coffee and stroll the artisan market. It’s a treasure hunt every Saturday 9am-2pm.
October 26 | 8pm
Scary Movies at The Strand: Hocus Pocus (1993)
300 years have passed since the Sanderson sisters were executed for practicing dark witchcraft. Returning to life thanks to a combination of a spell spoken before their demise and the accidental actions of Max, the new-kid- in-town, the sisters have but one night to secure their continuing existence.
Tickets available at earlsmithstrand.org
October 30 | 5-7pm
Wine Tasting Fundraiser at the Marietta Wine Market
Raise a glass and join the Marietta Arts Council to learn more about the many creative and cultural assets that fill our city. Learn how you can be involved and help us shape the future of Marietta’s art scene. The Marietta Wine Market provides light hors d’oeurves and will taste 4-6 wines. Suggested donation is $10.
October 31 | 7pm
Scary Movies at The Strand: Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
Written and directed by Wes Craven, Nightmare on Elm Street is about teenager Nancy Thompson who must uncover the dark truth concealed by her parents after she and her friends become targets of the spirit of a serial killer with a bladed glove in their dreams, in which if they die, it kills them in real life. Come early for a free organ pre-show on the Mighty Allen Theatre Organ starting a half hour before showtime.
Tickets available at earlsmithstrand.org