Marietta is tuning up for a milestone summer as the 2026 Glover Park Concert Series celebrates its 40th season with free, family-friendly shows on the last Friday of each month from April through September. The season kicks off April 24 at Glover Park on Marietta Square, with each concert starting at 8 p.m. and serving up a mix of tribute acts and era-themed bands designed to pull crowds into the heart of downtown. A special 40th-anniversary pre-concert celebration is set for May 29, turning that Friday into the series’ unofficial birthday party.
Lineup and Dates
The Downtown Marietta Development Authority and the City have rolled out a six-concert slate that opens April 24 with Yacht Rock Schooners and wraps Sept. 25 with Nashville Nation closing the season. In between, the schedule includes A1A, a Jimmy Buffett tribute, on May 29, Guardians of the Jukebox on June 26, Seven Bridges on July 31 and Kasper and The 911 Band on Aug. 28, according to the Cobb Courier.
Rules, Reservations and Seating
The City of Marietta notes that every concert is free and starts at 8 p.m., but prime real estate near the stage comes at a price. A limited number of stage-adjacent tables can be reserved for a fee, with reservations opening at 8 a.m. on the first working day of each month. The event map lists table options and pricing so attendees can plot their perfect setup.
Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome in the park, yet tarps, plastic ground coverings and any materials used to rope off territory will be removed, so no claiming half the lawn with a roll of tape. These details are laid out by the City of Marietta.
Parking and the Anniversary Night
Organizers say the official 40th-anniversary celebration on May 29 will feature pre-concert activities and connect with Marietta’s broader calendar for America’s 250th observances, turning the night into a two-for-one civic celebration. The series is presented in part by Wellstar Health System and backed by a roster of local sponsors, and it runs as a litter-free event in partnership with Keep Marietta Beautiful.
Free street parking is available around the square, with the City Hall parking deck at 205 Lawrence St. and the Care Here lot at 268 Lawrence St. recommended for concertgoers. Questions can be directed to 770-794-5601, as reported by the Cobb Courier.
Why the Series Endures
After four decades, the Glover Park concerts have settled into true downtown ritual status, regularly driving hungry and thirsty crowds toward restaurants and shops ringing the square. Past coverage notes that reserved tables can sell out quickly on the hottest nights of the season, so fans who want a front-row setup for the anniversary show or other peak dates are wise to plan early. Check out free live music under the Georgia sky from earlier seasons.
Poster art for the 2026 series comes from local artist Steve Dininno, and the City lists Recreation Coordinator Emily Hartsfield and Community Engagement Supervisor Maggi Moss as points of contact for reservations and event questions. The event page offers the reservation map, pricing details and an online booking tool for tables. Organizers also ask attendees to follow park rules and “keep Marietta beautiful” throughout the litter-free series. Full contact and reservation information is available through the City of Marietta.
