The Big Shanty Festival is an annual event that brings out the best of Cobb County’s most vibrant cities.
In downtown Kennesaw, this free festival features over 250 arts and crafts vendors, food stalls, live music, a parade, and children’s activities. Aside from being one of the best Atlanta-area festivals, the Big Shanty Festival is a classic community event with broad appeal.
The Big Shanty Festival: What To Know
The Big Shanty Festival, officially known as the Superior Plumbing Kennesaw/Big Shanty Festival, is an annual event held in downtown Kennesaw, Georgia, that’s been running for nearly five decades.
The vibe’s a mix of small-town heritage and modern fun—Kennesaw’s old nickname “Big Shanty” ties it to its Civil War-era roots, but today it’s about community and commerce. It draws over 60,000 people, boosting local businesses and tourism.
Here’s what you should know if you’re planning to check it out or just want the rundown:
What is The Big Shanty Festival?
It’s happening on April 12-13, 2025, for its 49th year. The festival kicks off Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., after a parade that’s been canceled this year due to low participation—usually it’d start at 9:30 a.m. with kids, sports teams, and marching bands.
Sunday runs from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free, so you won’t need to shell out just to walk in.
Big Shanty Festival: What To Expect
Expect a big setup: over 250 arts and crafts booths, 25 food vendors slinging fair classics like turkey legs and funnel cakes, and a beer garden for those looking to sip something cold.
It’s family-friendly with a kid’s zone featuring activities, plus live entertainment all weekend—think acoustic sets at the food court, puppet shows by Peter Hart of Atlanta Puppetry, and a new Ready Go Dog Show with frisbee-catching dogs at the United Bankshares Amphitheater.
The Georgia Grown Member Village is back too, spotlighting local Georgia-made goods.
Location-wise, it’s smack in downtown Kennesaw near the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. If you’re driving up I-75 north, take Exit 273 (Wade Green Road), head west for about two miles, and you’ll hit it.
Parking’s available at Adams Park, Kennesaw First Baptist Church, and Swift-Cantrell Park, with free shuttles running from Swift-Cantrell to the festival both days. Main Street gets closed off, making it safer to roam between spots like City Hall and the museum area.
Final Word
Heads-up: it’s pet-friendly—lots of folks bring dogs—but the crowds and hot pavement can be rough on pups, so plan accordingly. Weather’s not a dealbreaker; it’s rain or shine. For more details, you can call JRM Management at (770) 423-1330. That’s the gist—big, busy, and a slice of North Georgia life.
Atlanta is for tourists, but it’s also for locals. If you want to explore Georgia’s largest city, do it on your terms and check out the fun, cool and new things happening in Atlanta this weekend and even on the weekday. You can start downtown, and get it crackin’ in Buckhead. Check out the newest Atlanta restaurants, beautiful parks and unexplored spots you’ve only heard about. AtlantaFi your experience!