Community Events
Kennesaw hosts annual events throughout the year that celebrate the rich history, delicious cuisine, and distinctive culture of Kennesaw, Cobb County, and Georgia itself. Two of our annual events, the Kennesaw Farmer’s Market and the First Friday Concert Series, are also hosted by the Downtown Development Authority.
Big Shanty Festival
Celebrating the history and legacy of Big Shanty, the annual two-day event draws over 60,000 attendees from across Georgia and kicks off with a parade followed by live entertainment including Civil War event re-enactments, and over 200 vendors providing food, arts & crafts, and more!
Pigs and Peaches
Beginning in 2000, Pigs and Peaches was originally a backyard blues concert and barbecue cook-off for amateur cooks. Now, 20 plus years later, the event has grown into a Kennesaw staple, spanning two days with non-stop music, great barbecue, and fun for the whole family.
More of Our Great Events
Dining
The City of Kennesaw strives to be a progressive community that is vibrant and inclusive. The fruits of these efforts can be seen within our dining options. From cozy cafés that serve traditional Southern breakfast classics to restaurants serving modern international dishes, the culinary options in Kennesaw are plentiful and diverse. The town has a number of beloved local eateries with signature dishes, as well as popular chain restaurants.
Drinks
There’s no shortage of places to enjoy a drink and some live music, or just relax and chat over a cup of coffee.
We have a selection of locally-owned coffee shops like Honeysuckle Biscuits and Bakery that are great for grabbing your morning cup of joe or meeting up with friends in addition to our very own roasteries - right here in Kennesaw - that offer fresh roasted coffee beans for sale.
Local breweries like Dry County Brewing Company provide a place for friends and family to gather together and enjoy a pint brewed right here in Kennesaw. Bernie’s, another local favorite, offers craft beer, wine, and cocktails, in addition to their signature meals like chicken schnitzel and oysters on the half shell.
Shopping
Experience Kennesaw’s unique culture and one-of-a-kind shopping experience by visiting one of our exceptional big box retailers or locally owned boutiques.
Town Center at Cobb, while housing many popular apparel and home goods stores, also offers exceptional events and activities like the Peachtree Express Train Ride through the mall that make it an ideal destination for shopping and entertainment.
Museums
Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art
Located at Kennesaw State University, The Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art presents works of art from the University’s permanent collection consisting mostly of American art from the 18th-20th centuries. It also exhibits contemporary works by local and nationally-recognized artists. The ZMA also serves as a center for education and professional development.
The Museum of History and Holocaust Education
The Museum of History and Holocaust Education at Kennesaw State University presents public events, exhibits, educational resources and training rooted in World War II and the Holocaust and the generational shifts that relate to those events.
The Southern Museum - A Smithsonian Affiliate
The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, a prestigious Smithsonian Affiliations member, is a family-friendly destination devoted to trains, big and small. The Museum is home to the General, the locomotive stolen by Union spies in what came to be known as "The Great Locomotive Chase," one of the most daring episodes of the Civil War. Also on display is an impressive collection of military artifacts, including two of the first Medals of Honor ever awarded, and objects that tell the personal story of the Civil War from the perspective of civilians and individuals that are often overlooked. The nation's only full-scale reproduction of a beltdriven locomotive assembly line, along with an office, pattern shop, factory equipment, and two locomotives in various stages of development, tells the story of manufacturing and trains in the South after the war. Visitors will also find Georgia's 'Merci' Gratitude Boxcar, a gift of thanks from France for providing aid to their war-torn country following World War II. For little train enthusiasts, the 5,000 square foot education center is full of interactives and playsets for kids of all ages.
