Marietta Glover Park Concert Series: Your Guide to Free Live Music off the Marietta Square

The Marietta Glover Park Concert Series is one of the most popular outdoor music events on the north side of metro Atlanta. Centered around the historic Marietta Square, it offers free, family-friendly concerts just a short drive from the city, giving Atlanta residents and visitors an easy way to enjoy live music without heading downtown.

If you live in Atlanta, stay in the city for work, or you’re visiting and want a relaxed night out, this series can be a great alternative to crowded indoor venues and big-ticket concerts.

What Is the Marietta Glover Park Concert Series?

The Glover Park Concert Series is a recurring outdoor concert lineup held on select evenings in Glover Park, the central green space in Marietta Square:

• Location: Glover Park, 50 N Park Square NE, Marietta, GA 30060
• Distance from Downtown Atlanta: Roughly 20–25 minutes by car (traffic-dependent)
• Cost: Typically free admission for general lawn seating
• Season: Commonly runs monthly in the spring, summer, and early fall

Concerts usually feature cover bands, tribute acts, and popular genres like classic rock, Motown, beach music, country, and R&B. The atmosphere is casual and social, with couples, families, and groups of friends spreading blankets and lawn chairs across the grass.

Why It’s Popular with Atlanta Locals

For people who live in or visit Atlanta, the Glover Park Concert Series offers:

• A more relaxed alternative to large venues like State Farm Arena or Lakewood Amphitheatre
• Free entertainment, which is helpful if you’re watching your budget
• A walkable square lined with restaurants, dessert spots, and small shops
• A setting that feels like a small-town festival while still being in the Atlanta metro area

Many Atlantans pair the concert with dinner on the Marietta Square, then walk over to the park with portable chairs or blankets.

When the Concerts Typically Happen

Exact dates change each year, but the pattern is fairly consistent:

Because weather, booking, and city planning can affect the schedule, Atlanta residents usually:

• Check the current-year schedule in advance
• Confirm start times the day of the concert if storms are possible
• Note any special theme nights or tribute bands they especially want to see

Location Details and Getting There from Atlanta

Exact Location

• Glover Park / Marietta Square
  50 N Park Square NE
  Marietta, GA 30060

This is the heart of Historic Marietta, with the concert stage set near or within the park and the Square’s businesses surrounding it.

Driving from Atlanta

From central Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, or the Westside), the most common routes are:

• I-75 North toward Marietta
• Exit toward North Marietta Parkway (Loop 120)
• Follow signs to Marietta Square / Glover Park

Atlanta residents coming from Buckhead or Sandy Springs may also use I-285 West to connect to I-75 North, depending on traffic.

Plan extra time if:

• You’re traveling during Friday rush hour
• There’s a Braves game at Truist Park (nearby area congestion)
• Weather is poor and may slow traffic

Parking Near Glover Park

Parking is generally available in:

• City-owned decks and lots around the Square
• Metered street parking in surrounding blocks
• Some private lots associated with businesses (check posted rules)

Tips for Atlanta visitors:

• Arrive early for better parking, especially for popular bands.
• Consider parking a few blocks away and walking in if decks near the Square are full.
• Pay attention to time limits and posted signs, as some spaces may have restrictions even during events.

What to Expect at the Concerts

Atmosphere and Crowd

The Glover Park Concert Series is known for being:

• Family-friendly – children, strollers, and multi-generational groups are common
• Relaxed and social – people chat, dance, and picnic
• Community-oriented – many attendees come from Marietta, East Cobb, and Atlanta neighborhoods

If you’re used to loud club shows in Atlanta, this feels more like a community festival than a nightclub or bar venue.

Seating and Viewing Areas

Generally, the park is divided into:

• Lawn / blanket area – for those who want a casual picnic setup
• Chair seating areas – where standard-height lawn chairs are allowed
• Sponsor or reserved sections – sometimes roped off closer to the stage (availability and rules vary by year)

Atlanta residents often bring:

• Folding camp chairs
• Blankets or low-profile loungers
• Small coolers (subject to event rules)

Always double-check what’s allowed for the specific year or show; some restrictions can change over time.

Food, Drinks, and Nearby Dining Options

Bringing Your Own

Many people treat the concert as a picnic night:

• Pack sandwiches, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, and desserts
• Use soft-sided coolers for easier carrying and maneuvering on the grass

Alcohol policies can vary, and open container rules may be enforced. If you’re used to Atlanta’s mixed policies by neighborhood, don’t assume it’s the same in Marietta—check the event guidelines for the current season before bringing alcohol.

Eating on the Marietta Square

One of the biggest perks, especially for people coming from Atlanta, is the range of walkable restaurants around the Square. Before or after the show, you’ll find:

• Sit-down restaurants with Southern, Italian, Mexican, or American menus
• Coffee shops and bakeries for snacks and desserts
• Ice cream and dessert spots that stay busy on concert nights

Many Atlantans make a reservation or arrive early to eat before the concert, then walk into the park as music starts.

Family and Kid-Friendliness

The Glover Park Concert Series is often a go-to for families in the metro area:

• Kids can sit on blankets, dance, or play quietly near their families.
• The open, grassy area feels less confining than an indoor venue.
• Restrooms are typically available nearby around the Square.

Tips for Atlanta parents:

• Bring ear protection for younger children if they’re sitting close to the speakers.
• Pack snacks, water, and a light jacket for cooler evenings.
• Consider bringing a small stroller if you’re walking from more distant parking.

What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)

Here’s a quick checklist to help you plan from Atlanta:

Helpful to bring:

• ✅ Lawn chairs or blanket
• ✅ Small cooler (if allowed for that season)
• ✅ Water and non-alcoholic drinks
• ✅ Light jacket or sweater (nights can cool down even in late spring)
• ✅ Bug spray for warm-weather evenings
• ✅ Cash or card for nearby food and treats

Often not allowed or limited (verify for current season):

• ❌ Large tents or canopies that block views
• ❌ Grills or open flames
• ❌ Drones
• ❌ Pets in certain areas, depending on local rules and crowd size

Rules can evolve, so Atlantans who attend regularly usually check official updates each season.

Weather, Cancellations, and Rescheduling

Because the series is outdoors, weather in metro Atlanta can affect shows:

• Light rain may not always cancel a concert, but heavy rain, lightning, or storms can.
• In some seasons, concerts may be rescheduled or postponed to another date.

To avoid surprises:

• Check the forecast for Marietta, not just central Atlanta.
• Verify same-day updates from official event or city communication channels.
• Have a backup plan for dinner or indoor activities around the Square if weather disrupts the show.

Accessibility and Comfort

The Marietta Square area and Glover Park typically offer:

• Sidewalk access and paved paths around much of the square
• Benches and other seating areas on the periphery
• Nearby public restrooms or facilities during major events

If you or someone in your group has mobility concerns, plan to:

• Park in a deck or lot with elevator or ramp access
• Arrive earlier to secure a comfortable, accessible viewing spot
• Use chairs instead of low blankets for easier standing and sitting

How the Glover Park Concert Series Compares to Other Atlanta Music Options

Within the overall Atlanta things-to-do landscape, the Marietta Glover Park concerts offer:

• Budget-friendly entertainment compared with ticketed shows in Midtown or downtown
• A smaller-scale, neighborhood feel compared to large amphitheaters
• A convenient option for those living in North Atlanta, Smyrna, Vinings, or East Cobb who want to avoid driving far into the city at night

People staying in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead often pair a visit to Kennesaw Mountain, shopping at nearby centers, or exploring the Marietta Square’s museums and historic sites with the evening concert for a full day just outside Atlanta.

Quick Planning Summary for Atlanta Visitors

• What it is: Free outdoor concert series at Glover Park on Marietta Square
• Where: 50 N Park Square NE, Marietta, GA 30060 (northwest of Atlanta via I-75)
• When: Select evenings, mostly spring–fall, often on Fridays
• Cost: Free general admission (lawn seating); special seating options may vary
• Best for: Couples, families, groups of friends looking for casual live music
• Key tips:
  • 🚗 Leave Atlanta early to beat traffic and find parking
  • 🪑 Bring chairs or blankets for the lawn
  • 🍽 Plan dinner or dessert on the Marietta Square
  • 🌦 Check weather and event updates the day of the show

For anyone in Atlanta wanting a laid-back evening with music, food, and a walkable historic square, the Marietta Glover Park Concert Series is a consistently popular choice.