From parades to photos with Santa, here’s how to get into the holiday spirit in Middle GA

It’s the “most wonderful time of the year,” and there are plenty of opportunities for Middle Georgians to get into the holiday spirits. Here’s a list of what’s happening and when. To get your event added to this list, please email tperrineau@macon.com.

Main Street Christmas Light Extravaganza

The 2021 Main Street Christmas Light Extravaganza in downtown Macon runs through Jan. 2 and is presented by Northway Church. With more than 500,000 Christmas lights synced to music arranged and performed by the Macon Pops, the annual holiday tradition is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Lights and music begin at 6 p.m. every night, with shows at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. People can take selfies with Santa Claus on Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 12,17, 18 and 19 from 6-10 p.m., and live reindeer will be on site on Dec. 19. Carriage rides are available for a fee those same nights.

63rd Annual Warner Robins Christmas Parade

• When: Saturday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.

• Where: The parade will start at CGTC and end at Rigby’s along Cohen Walker Drive

Macon-Bibb County Downtown Christmas Parade

• When: Sunday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m.
• Where: The parade will run from MLK Boulevard to First Street along Cherry Street, and then back to Mulberry Street.
• What: Annual downtown Christmas parade. Mayor Lester Miller will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal. The event will be broadcast live on WXGA.

Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital Night of Lights

• When: Monday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.
• Where: Streamed on Atrium Health Navicent’s Facebook page
• What: Annual lighting of Children’s tree. A young patient who battled Multi Inflammatory Syndrome in Children will light the tree in honor of all the hospital’s young patients and the children throughout the communities Atrium Health Navicent serves.

Museum of Aviation’s Festival of Trees

• When: Dec. 9, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Where: MOA Rotunda - Eagle Building, 1942 Heritage Blvd, Robins AFB, GA 31098
• What: Reception celebrating the annual festival of trees with Christmas music, food and a cash bar

Nutcracker of Middle Georgia

• When: Four shows from Dec. 10-12
• Where: Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry St, Macon, GA 31201
• What: The local Nutcracker presentation was started by Macon dance instructor and studio owner Jean Weaver 36 years ago to provide a high-quality performance opportunity for Middle Georgia dance students and to fulfill a vision of providing the region with “The Nutcracker” while working with schools and civic organizations to promote interest in the performing arts.

Christmas in Downtown Macon

• When: Dec. 11 from 4-6 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Macon
• What: NewTown Macon’s annual event with Santa photos, hot chocolate, ornament painting, local shopping and more.

Hay House holiday events

The Hay House, a National Historic Landmark and museum at 934 Georgia Ave. in Macon, is decorated for Christmas and will host several events over the next few weeks.

Special events begin on Sunday, Dec. 5 with a Visit from Santa Claus. A professional photographer will be present from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to take photos of children with Santa.

The museum offers a “Deluxe Christmas luncheon” at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 9-10 that include a self-guided tour of the house.

The Hay House will host its annual black-tie New Year’s Eve Ball from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31 with a “Roaring Twenties” theme. Food and drinks will be served, and dance music will be provided by the Top Hats.

Visit www.georgiatrust.org and click on Hay House events to purchase tickets.

This story was originally published December 3, 2021 at 1:10 PM.