From a backyard blues jam to a full-blown celebration of fire, flavor, and foot-stompin’ country tunes, Pigs & Peaches has grown into one of the region’s most beloved festivals, drawing nearly 60,000 hungry music lovers each year. It all started in 2000, when the City of Kennesaw’s Parks & Recreation Department threw a small blues concert and backyard barbecue cook-off for a handful of amateur grillers at the Historic Train Depot. The backyard tradition kept rollin’ until 2007, when organizers decided to turn up the heat, sanctioning the cook-off and giving competitive teams room to shine. By 2008, the festival had grown to include more pitmasters, vendors, and fans, cementing its place as a staple of Kennesaw’s fall. Now, come hungry, stay late, and soak up two days of smoky BBQ, country music, and hometown celebration. This is 26 years of barbecue, boots, and good times. Kennesaw’s...
The 2026 Big Shanty Bazaar will be The Art Station’s second-annual mini-Renaissance festival, and will feature an artist market, live performances, whimsical activities, craft demonstrations, and more. The Big Shanty Bazaar will be held alongside the reception and awards for Southern Superstition, a juried gallery exhibit (2pm – 4pm).
Kennesaw Holly Days brings a full calendar of festive fun, including the annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, holiday markets, concerts, and visits with Santa. Depot Park in Downtown Kennesaw transforms into a winter wonderland, glowing with more than 100,000 lights. Stroll through a sparkling light tunnel, snap photos beside towering toy soldiers and gift towers, and admire the festive sleigh — a picture-perfect backdrop for seasonal cheer. Each event highlights our vibrant community, offering countless ways to connect, share joy, and make the season truly unforgettable. Join the celebration and discover why in Kennesaw, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. Downtown Kennesaw invites the community to shop local this holiday season with its Holiday Loyalty Card program, designed to reward customers for supporting small businesses. Shoppers can participate by spending $...
Join the Kennesaw Big Shanty Festival for arts, food, music, and community fun in historic Downtown Kennesaw. Celebrate 50 years of tradition this April 2026.
