First Friday
First Friday, presented by Robins Financial Credit Union, is your ticket to downtown Macon! During the first Friday of each month, the streets of downtown Macon come alive with live music, art exhibitions, delicious eats, and cold brews. First Friday offers something for everyone!
You can find a sample of several events you can't miss this First Friday by browsing through this page which is updated monthly with the latest specials!
2026 First Friday Dates
January 2
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February 6
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March 6
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April 3
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May 1
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June 5
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July 3
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August 7
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September 4
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October 2
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November 6
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December 4
SPECIAL EVENTS
Art Walk
Every First Friday, Macon's vibrant art scene comes alive with an exciting array of events throughout the city's galleries. From live music and artist opening receptions to special refreshments and exclusive deals, there's something for every art lover to discover.
McEachern Art Center (332 2nd St.), 6 PM
Summer Exhibit Opening Reception:Bringing together a range of practices, materials, and perspectives, this exhibition highlights how artists at different stages engage process, experimentation, and form in distinct but connected ways.
Artist Featured:Craig Coleman,Wendy Deschene, Reed Gallo, Jenni Horne, Hannah Mock, Isabel Neely, Meredith Ochoa, Jeff Schmuki
Macon Arts Alliance (486 1st Street), 4-7 PM
Macon Arts Alliance is excited to present their June show, “Embodiment”, featuring works by mixed media artist Courtenay Puckett. This mixed media body of work explores the banana tree as a metaphor for the human life cycle, its rhythms of growth, fruiting, decay, and renewal reflecting our own processes of becoming "Embodiment" will be available to view from June 5 to June 26.
Bohemian Den (502 Cherry Street), 5-7 PM
First Friday is for art, community, and liberation. Join us June 5th from 5–7 PM at The Bohemian Den for UNRESTRICTED, an art exhibition by Rhonda Sunshine Miller celebrating freedom, vision, and resilience.Come experience powerful works, meaningful connections, and the creative spirit that reminds us what it means to live unrestricted.All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.
Rose Room (378 2nd Street), 5:30 PM - 12 AM
Join us for First Friday at The Rose Room for “What We Grow Through,” a solo showcase by local artist & owner of Artspace Macon, Casie Trace. This collection explores womanhood, growth, and the experiences that shape us. Opening night is also Casie’s birthday celebration! Artist talk will begin at 5:30PM, followed by cake from @berserkdesserts and light snacks from @porchlightbakingco. Check out their picnic special too!
Just Tap'd & Tanglewood Art Studios Collaboration
Tanglewood Art Studios is bringing Adrienne Berkland, who creates beutiful paintings of crushed aluminum cans, to Just Tap'd where she will be doing a live painting of a Fall Line crushed can on First Friday. You can also see her work at an opening reception at Tanglewood Studios on Thursday, June 4 from 5-8 PM!
Gallery West (447 3rd St), 5-8 pm
Gallery West offers a 50% off sale on Kirk West blues photography and sale pricing on original paintings by the late, great Lynn Tate, some of which appear here for the first time. Also on display, the entire Kirk West music photo collection and paintings by John Mollica.
The 567 Center for Renewal (456 1st St), 5-8 pm
Join us for the opening reception of "See the Children," featuring work by Black artists telling the truth with color, pressure, joy, and memories. See the new exhibit, meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments.
NIghtLIfe & Entertainment
June First Friday:
- Grant's Lounge, 9-11 PM, Macon Music Revue: A self-described "preservation band" that celebrates the artists and songs associated with its namesake city. The five-piece group mines the catalogs of hometown heroes Little Richard and Otis Redding while also exploring the output of Capricorn Records.
- Hummingbird Stage & Taproom, 9:30-11 PM: Georgia Red Clay is a southern rock band based out of Atlanta, Ga. Playing all types of venues ranging from small bars to the large scale, GRC has left their mark all over the Southeast.
- Soul Spots, presented by Bragg Jam and NewTown Macon: You can catch The Dubshak Band perform outside of J. Reid's Tavern and Braddock's Cask and Table from 6-8 pm. Head to Picnics & Popsicles in Turpin Park to catch The Basement Club from 5- 7 PM! The Social Duck will feature Half Grass performing from 6-8 PM.
- Theatre Macon, 8 PM: "Dear Evan Hansen" opens at Theatre Macon with the show starting at 8 PM. Tickets are almost sold out! Act Fast!
Rose Room
Experience vinyl DJ sets every First Friday from 8 pm to midnight at this upscale cocktail lounge on Second Street. Find unique seasonal cocktails and timeless classics in a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere where exceptional hospitality meets authentic Macon charm.
Grant's Lounge
The Original Home of Southern Rock hosts live music every weekend and offers happy hour deals. It also has a delicious new food menu featuring hot chicken, burgers, catfish sandwiches, and its famous pork chop sandwich. This historic venue, where the Allman Brothers and Southern rock legends got their start, welcomes all with cold beer, great music, and authentic Macon hospitality.
JBA
JBA joins the First Friday festivities each month with their signature themed events featuring live entertainment and a vibrant atmosphere. JBA is Downtown Macon's largest nightclub, hosting live performances and DJs weekly! JBA has two main rooms; the front has a dance floor to groove the night away on, and the back has pool tables, dart boards, and more. They have three bars, so there's no waiting here!
Loom and Hightales at Hotel Forty Five
See local artists set the mood starting at 7 pm at Hotel Forty Five's premier restaurant Loom. Plus, enjoy craft cocktails and small bite specials. Or head up to the 6th floor of Hotel Forty Five to see the beautiful skylines of Macon at the rooftop bar, Hightales. See live entertainment options and sip on delicious Macon-themed drinks!
Restaurants & Retail
June Specials
- Sixth Avenue is teaming up with Switch Macon for a vendor market on First Friday! Sixth Avenue has vintage clothing bins and also puts out newly stocked items in their shop. Check out their authenticated shoes, clothes and more!
- Redemption Tattoo, 90s' and Picnic Flash Tattoos: Get themed flash tattoos at Redemption that are in coordination with Switch Macon's 90s-themed bar and feature fun summer and picnic-themed tattoos for First Friday!
- Switch Macon's Patio Market: First Friday is back, and our patio is turning into a curated summer market packed with local style, custom pieces, and all the nostalgic vibes you could ask for. Come shop local, sip themed cocktails, and experience our brand-new 90’s theme while you’re here.
- Shuster's Candy and Creamery is perfect for a date night! They are open through 10 PM on Fridays.
- The Social Duck: Try duck pin bowling, and we guarantee you will be obsessed after one time! They also have drink and food specials! It's perfect for a group night out or even a date! Dance to a Soul Spot artist outside their business too!
- Flight Time at Bearfoot: Located above Bearfoot on Second Street, Flight Time is downtown Macon's newest elevated experience. Fusing Tiger Woods-caliber golf technology with F1 racing and flight simulators, all paired with craft cocktails and stunning views of Second Street!
- Reboot Retrocade and Bar: Macon's only arcade that doubles as a bar! Themed drink specials, plenty of arcade games, and good times guaranteed!
- The Bohemian Den: Stays open late through 9 PM on First Fridays and will have an art show! Check out their art gallery show!
- Sweet Eleanor's is now hosting Afterglow on Friday and Saturday nights. This is a sober late-night event with low lights, coffee, mocktails, and small plates. Stop by and also get their Picnic specials!
- Longleaf Distillery has "Appy Hour!" From 4 PM to 7 PM, get the snack of the month for 50% off. Check out their picnic special!
- First Fridays at Loom, located in Hotel Forty Five: Kick off the month the right way—under the stars, with good vibes and even better deals! See local artists set the mood starting at 7 PM on the patio
Open Container Guidelines for First Friday
Sip, stroll, and explore downtown Macon during First Friday! From 5pm to 10pm, you can grab a drink from participating bars and restaurants and take it to-go while you enjoy the night.
Here's what you need to know:
- Order your drink from any downtown bar or restaurant.
- Taking it to-go? It must be in an official First Friday cup provided by that business
- Only drinks purchased downtown and served in these branded plastic cups are allowed in public spaces, including sidewalks and outdoor gathering areas.
- Outside alcohol or unapproved containers aren't permitted
Thank you to our First Friday cup sponsors! (Fall Line, McEachern Center for the Arts, Piedmont Grand Opera House, and Capricorn logos)