Free Marietta HarvestFest returns to Historic Marietta Square on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The City of Marietta confirms a full day of fall activities including Touch-A-Truck, Halloween Happenings, Scarecrows in the Square, costume contests, inflatables, games, live DJ entertainment, and an arts-and-crafts market. Current local event listings identify general admission as free, while food and vendor purchases are optional.
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1. Free Marietta HarvestFest Details
Marietta HarvestFest is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Historic Marietta Square. The City of Marietta says the festival runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and brings together family activities, seasonal entertainment, a craft market, vehicles, contests, and Halloween-themed fun.
Current local event guides list admission as free. That means families can enjoy the general festival without buying an admission ticket, while purchases from food vendors, artists, and local businesses remain optional.
2. Halloween Happenings for Kids
One of the biggest family attractions is Halloween Happenings, the kids-focused seasonal portion of HarvestFest. The city includes it in the 9:00 a.m. festival opening schedule and highlights Halloween activities alongside the craft show and Touch-A-Truck.
Families can also enjoy inflatables, games, seasonal activities, and costume fun during the day. Specific kids activities can vary, so check the current city page before attending if there is one activity your child especially wants to try.
3. Touch-A-Truck
Touch-A-Truck runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and lets visitors get an up-close look at City of Marietta vehicles. The city lists firetrucks, police vehicles, tractors, tow trucks, and other equipment as examples of what may be on display.
This portion of HarvestFest is especially useful for families with younger children who enjoy big vehicles. Because the Touch-A-Truck portion closes earlier than the main festival, plan to arrive before 2:00 p.m. if it is one of your priorities.
4. Costume and Pie-Eating Contests
The city schedule includes a pie-eating contest beginning at 11:30 a.m., a costume contest at 2:00 p.m., and a pet costume contest at 3:00 p.m. The pie-eating contest is open to ages 6 and older and requires free registration.
Contest rules, arrival times, and capacity can differ, so review the current city event page before entering. Families who only want to watch can still enjoy the festival atmosphere without registering for a contest.
5. Scarecrows in the Square
Scarecrows in the Square is another seasonal highlight. Schools, clubs, businesses, and nonprofit groups create scarecrow displays that are shown throughout Glover Park during HarvestFest.
These displays add a strong Halloween and fall theme to the Square and make the event easy to enjoy while walking between activities. Some participating groups may also offer treats or kids activities at their scarecrow displays.
6. Arts, Crafts, Food, and Optional Purchases
The HarvestFest Market includes handmade arts and crafts from local and regional exhibitors. Visitors can browse the booths without being required to buy anything, but vendor merchandise, food, drinks, and treats are separate purchases.
That distinction is important for freebie hunters: general admission is free, while shopping and food are optional. You can still have a full festival experience without making a purchase if you focus on the public activities and entertainment.
7. More Free Halloween Events Near Atlanta
If you are building an October activity calendar, browse our Best Halloween Freebies guide for more crafts, trick-or-treat events, free movies, festivals, printables, and seasonal family activities.
You can also check the Halloween Freebies and Free Events categories for newly verified local events. Seasonal schedules can change, so always confirm the provider page before making a special trip.
8. Final Thoughts
Marietta HarvestFest is a strong free fall and Halloween-adjacent event for metro Atlanta families. With Touch-A-Truck, Halloween Happenings, scarecrows, contests, games, inflatables, and a full-day schedule, there is enough to make a worthwhile outing without paying an admission fee.
Mark Saturday, October 17, 2026 on your calendar and plan around the activities you care about most. The festival runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., while Touch-A-Truck ends at 2:00 p.m.