Discover the vibrant pulse of downtown Macon through NewTown Macon's exciting array of signature events. With a packed calendar featuring concerts, food and art markets, holiday festivities, educational experiences, and more, there's always something special happening in our thriving community. Whether you're seeking a family outing, a solo adventure, or a romantic night out, Downtown Macon offers an event that will capture your heart. Join us as we celebrate the magic and energy of our city with our annual signature events. Scroll down to explore the full lineup and mark your calendar for unforgettable experiences in Downtown Macon.
First Friday
First Friday, presented by Robins Financial Credit Union, is your ticket to downtown Macon! Check out live music, the First Friday art crawl, special events, and delicious eats during this monthly celebration of all that downtown Macon has to offer. See a full list of First Friday events monthly on the NewTown Macon Facebook page!
Family Fun Zone
Third Street Park (in front of Piedmont Brewery and Kitchen) is transformed into the Family Fun Zone during First Friday! NewTown Macon brings out games and sets up a craft station for families to enjoy while they’re out and about during First Friday. Join us for the Family Fun Zone every month, except July and September.
French Fry Fight
July 13 is National French Fry Day! To celebrate, downtown Macon restaurants participate in a friendly French Fry Fight. On July 13, sample fry specials at participating restaurants and see who is serving up the best and most creative take on this classic side. Try them all and vote for your favorite French fry special. The restaurant with the most votes wins bragging rights and the French Fry Fight trophy! Find the participating business on the NewTown Macon Facebook page annually in July.
Bright City
Bright City, a public art experience, brings light and photography to Macon's beautifully unique alleyways, turning them into a more inviting and vibrant public space for navigating downtown. Bright City features a curated group of local and national photographers who have shown that through their lens they can transform the everyday into something curious and illustrate the emotional state of Macon. Photographs are turned into light boxes and presented along the brick path of Macon's 2nd Street Lane.
Bright City is curated & produced by Dashboard. Presented by NewTown Macon. Made possible with support from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.Â
Fair Food Frenzy
Turkey legs, funnel cakes, cotton candy, oh my! Fair food is coming to Downtown Macon! Participating businesses will offer fair food, themed drinks, and retail specials on the second weekend of October. Come one, come all! Please note: this is not a food truck or food vendor event!
Tour of Progress
Join NewTown Macon for a behind-the-scenes tour of downtown Macon’s transformative development. Each October, NewTown Macon’s Tour of Progress, presented by Cadence Bank, provides a sneak peek of projects underway and a look into what programs fuel our vibrant downtown. This event is family-friendly and FREE! Find more information on this event every September on the NewTown Macon Facebook page.
Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Macon
On October 31 from 4pm to 7pm, downtown Macon businesses and organizations will open their doors to trick-or-treaters. Families are invited to visit downtown retailers and restaurants in our walkable and safe urban core. After you've collected all the candy you can stand, stick around for dinner and enjoy spooky specials! This event is free and open to the public. Happy Halloween!
Shop Small Saturday
Show your love for downtown's locally owned and operated businesses by participating in an annual day of shopping small! On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, downtown businesses offer specials and promotions to kick off your holiday shopping.
Macon Pops Christmas Spectacular
Kick off the Macon Christmas Lights Extravaganza with a FREE concert presented by Macon Pops on the Friday after Thanksgiving! Experience the Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza with a live concert synchronized to over 500,000 lights. Macon Pops performs original arrangements of your favorite holiday classics, featuring Macon musicians. The concert takes place outdoors at the intersection of First Street and Poplar Street in downtown Macon. This event is free and open to the public!Â
Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza
Join us in downtown Macon and experience the wonder of 500,000+ interactive Christmas lights synced to music arranged and composed by Macon Pops! The Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza, presented by Northway Church, runs annually from the Friday after Thanksgiving through the Sunday after New Years Day. The lights and music come to life every night from 6-10pm. Shows begin on the hour at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00pm. Walk or drive through the lights at your own leisure!
Donate S’more Love
Join NewTown Macon for free s'mores under the Christmas lights! Individually packaged s'mores materials, including marshmallows for roasting, will be available on Poplar Street between Second Street and Third Street during December First Friday. During this event, we encourage you to bring a donation for someone in need to spread the love this holiday season. Items needed will be published on the NewTown Macon Facebook page annually in November.Â
Selfies with Santa
Take a free selfie with Santa at the Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza presented by Northway Church! Santa takes a break from his Christmas preparations to hear what boys and girls would like for holidays every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night in December. Santa and his sleigh parked on Poplar Street in Hollingsworth Park (the block between Third Street and MLK Jr. Blvd.) from 6pm-10pm. Parents will be able to snap a pic for this fun photo op. This event is FREE and open to the public!
Selfies with Santa and His Reindeer
Each December, Santa's reindeer take a test flight to downtown Macon before setting off on their annual global adventure! See live reindeer and take selfies in Hollingsworth Park, the block of Poplar Street between First Street and Second Street, during the Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza, presented by Northway Church. Santa will also be present for selfies with his reindeer pals. This event is FREE and open to the public! Look for the official date on the NewTown Macon Facebook page in late November.
