Holiday events you don’t want to miss in Macon and the rest of Middle of Georgia

Holiday season brings special opportunities for family outings and unique shopping experiences. Here are some of the ones coming up in Middle Georgia.

Main Street Christmas Light Extravaganza 2019

Hundreds of thousands of lights adorn four city blocks in a rainbow of colors. The lights move in time to music arranged and composed by Macon Pops that features local artists. 6-11 p.m. through Jan. 3 in downtown Macon. Free.

Holly Jolly Trolley Tour

A leisurely look at some of Macon’s best holiday displays. 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Dec. 28 starting at The Rookery, 543 Cherry St, Macon. $10, $5 for children 12 and younger.

Celtic Christmas

Robin Bullock, Steve Baughman and Sue Richards perform heart-warming Christmas, Appalachian, Celtic and traditional tunes in the Celtic tradition. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3. at Wesleyan College’s Pierce Chapel, 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon. $25, $15 Mercer students with ID and children 12 and younger.

Lighting of Macon’s Community Tree

Bibb County school children will sing in the season during the ceremony. 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in front of the Macon City Auditorium, 415 First St., Macon. Free.

Keeping Christmas

Take a trip back through time with readings of writings by civilians and soldiers in the Civil War era, and a visit from Father Christmas. Cookies and hot wassail served after the performance. 7 p.m. Dec. 6-7 at Old Richland Church, 2204 Old Richland Church Road, Jeffersonville. $12, $7 for age 12-18, free for ages 11 and younger.

Holiday Sale

Artists Sheila Conn, Harriet Wallace, Sue Quaack, Meg Campbell, Katherine Denton, Karen Shockley, Sharon Bailey and Roger Jamison offer unique, beautiful, sometimes whimsical and amusing handmade gifts. Enjoy delicious refreshments as you shop on Friday evening. Select unusual pieces to give or collect from rooms full of pottery, paintings, prints, jewelry, fabric collage, assemblages and more. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7 and noon-5 p.m. Dec. 8 at 494 Northminster Drive, Macon. Free admission. Check or cash only for purchases.

Hall-iday Hangout

Visit a place where history is celebrated and enjoy music, cookies and cocoa, children’s crafts and Christmas movies in the theater. 4-7 p.m. on Dec. 8, 15 and 22 at Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, 301 Cherry St, Macon. Free.

“Elf – the Musical”

The story of Buddy, a young orphan mistakenly transported to the North Pole and raised as an elf, who embarks on an adventure to discover his true human self. 8 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15 at Theatre Macon, 438 Cherry St., Macon. $25, $20 seniors 60 and older, $25 military with ID and $10 youths 23 and younger.

Christmas Festival

Over two dozen arts and crafts vendors, music, games, free inflatables for the young ones and plenty of food. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 7 at Centerville United Methodist Church, 600 N. Houston Lake Blvd., Centerville. Free.

Historic Vineville Holiday Tour of Homes

This year’s tour showcases a rare look into the area’s delightful bungalows, cottages and Victorian homes filled with charming details. Look around at your leisure during this fully walkable tour. For those that do not care to walk, there is a complimentary shuttle that will be continuously stopping at each featured home and tour location. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Dec. 7 and 1-6 p.m. Dec. 8 at Vineville Academy, 2260 Vineville Ave, Macon. $20 advance, $25 day of tour.

Selfies with Black Santa and Christmas Market

Families have the option of bringing their own phones and cameras for free pictures as well as purchasing pictures. There will also be a Christmas artisan market for unique Christmas gifts, including handmade Christmas wreaths, Christmas desserts and a whole lot more. Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14 at Faith In Action Holiness Church, 1800 Moore St., Macon. Free admission.

Plantation Christmas

Take a tour of Jarrell Plantation decorated for the holidays with authentic decor and enjoy live music, warm cider and cookies, and a story time with Mrs. Claus. Also, write and send a letter to Santa at the old post office. 3-6 p.m. Dec. 7 at Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site, 711 Jarrell Plantation Road, Juliette. $4-$6.50. For groups of 15 or more, make a reservation for reduced rates.

Christmas Jam with Magnolia Moon

In addition to the music, there will be a Human Snow Globe people can get inside of for pictures, and Santa Claus will be there for the kids from 5-7 p.m. There will also be a Campfire Jam from 4-6 p.m. with a s’mores bar before the band takes the stage with some of their pals. A portion of the money raised will be donated to Layaway Santa Middle Georgia. 3-11:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Society Garden, 2389 Ingleside Ave, Macon.

Wesleyan’s Christmas Concert

Featuring Concert Choir, the Wesleyannes and Christmas carole sing-alongs. 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at Wesleyan College-Porter Auditorium, 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon. Free.

Handmade Holiday

Original works by regional artists, curated for the gifting season. Choose from pottery, ornaments, jewelry, scarves and more. Various times through Dec. 11 at Macon Arts Gallery, 486 First St., Macon. Free admission.

Nutcracker of Middle Georgia

Come witness the magic of this Christmas tradition celebrating its 35th season. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-14, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14-15 at The Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry St., Macon. $12-$32.50.

Hay House Christmas Luncheons

The decorated main rooms feature seated holiday meals, plated and served by caterers and Hay House staff. Enjoy Christmas music during the entire event by a local pianist. After the luncheon, guests can view decorations for this year’s Fairy-tale Christmas. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 12-13 at Hay House, 934 Georgia Ave., Macon. $35, reservations required.

Macon Bike Party: Holiday Hustle

Break out your ugly sweaters, funky Santa costumes or any other seasonally appropriate attire for a slow-paced community bicycle ride for people of all ages and skills levels. The ride will end at ZBeans for a hot drink. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 12 at Bike Walk Macon, 338 Poplar St., Macon. Free.

Atlanta Pops Orchestra

“Holiday Inspirations” concert features special guests Chloë Agnew and Timothy Miller. 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts, 325 S. Elbert St., Milledgeville. Various prices.

“The Nutcracker”

Amelia Pelton directs a dance production of the classic ballet. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13-14 and 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at Georgia College’s Russell Auditorium, 201 N Clarke St., Milledgeville. $12, $8 seniors, Georgia College faculty or staff and non-Georgia College students, $5 Georgia College students.

Cookies And Cocoa With Santa

Enjoy tasty treats from food trucks, gifts for all ages from local vendors and Christmas carols by community choirs and schools. There will be complimentary cookies and cocoa as folks carol along the Amerson River Park Trail. And take a free photo with Santa Claus himself. 2-5 p.m. Dec. 14 at Amerson River Park, 2600 Riverview Road, Macon. Free admission.

Children’s Christmas Tea

The decorated main rooms of the Hay House will be the backdrop for a range of activities for young children: Holiday readings in the Music Room by some of our city’s best storytellers, an elaborate demonstration in the dining room of making a gingerbread house, a Christmas craft in the old kitchen and a visit with Santa where photos will be taken. 2-4 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Dec. 15 at Hay House, 934 Georgia Ave., Macon. $25 per child (12 and younger) and one accompanying adult. $50 family rate for up to five people, reservations required.

“God Came Near” Christmas Cantata

A Christmas musical by Tom Fettke with narration by Max Lucado, The worship program will feature the sanctuary choir, brass ensemble, and community orchestra members. 10:45 a.m.-noon Dec. 15 at Vineville Baptist Church, 2591 Vineville Ave, Macon. Free.

Christmas in Downtown

No matter what the temperature, there will be snow at Rosa Parks Square, along with music, free pictures with Santa, carolers, cider, and more. Shop the Holiday Market from 2-6 p.m. for unique, last minute gifts. 4-8 p.m. Dec. 16 at First Street, Macon. Free admission.

O’Tis The Season

Fundraising concert for Otis Redding Foundation features Lamar Williams Jr., as well as the talents from various foundation programs, including the Dream Choir and Otis Camp Allstars. 7-9 p.m. Dec. 19 at Hargray Capitol Theatre, 382 Second St., Macon. $25-$50.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas”

Tim Burton-produced film about Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, who stumbles onto Christmastown and decides he wants Santa’s job, infusing the season with a little Halloween mischief and mayhem. 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at The Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry St., Macon. $5.

“The Polar Express”

In addition to a showing of the animated holiday favorite movies about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, kids will be able to take their own trains ride on the lawn. 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, 301 Cherry St, Macon. Free.

Christmas Songs and Stories with John Berry

Macon favorite mixes his classic hits such as “Your Love Amazes Me” and “Standing On The Edge Of Goodbye” and “I Think About It All The Time” with holiday favorites, including his always-standing ovation performance of “O Holy Night.” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at The Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry St., Macon. $36.50.

Favorite Things Exhibit

Local artwork on sale for $100 and less. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through Dec. 23 at the 567 Center for Renewal at 456 First St., Macon. Free admission.

Holiday Artists’ Market

Unique and handmade gifts for everyone on your list. Various times through Jan. 11. at Middle Georgia Art Association Gallery, 2330 Ingleside Ave., Macon. Free admission.

Parades

Downtown Macon Christmas Parade

This year’s theme is “It’s Beginning to Look a LOT like Christmas.” The parade goes down Cherry and Mulberry streets in downtown Macon. 4-6 p.m. Dec. 2.

Hometown Holidays Parade 2019

A spectacle of lights and music, Forsyth’s annual nighttime parade will begin on Tift College Drive, circle the Courthouse, and continue down Main Street before ending just after Tractor Supply Co. 7-9 p.m. Dec. 5.

2019 Rockin’ Robins Christmas Parade

Warner Robins’ parade starts at the intersection of Sutherlin Drive and go westbound down Cohen Walker towards Lake Joy and end at the intersection with Karl Drive. The parade will be led by Rolling Thunder motorcyclists, who will be pulling a Chair of Honor that commemorates American service men and women who were prisoners of war or are missing in action. 4-7 p.m. Dec. 7.

2019 Byron Christmas Parade: An Outdoor Christmas

Parade will feature floats with an outdoors theme. So you may see the beach, or fishing, or campfires ... you never know. 1-2:30 p.m. Dec. 7.

Milledgeville Christmas Parade

The parade begins at Georgia Military College’s south gate and goes to Elbert Street and down West Hancock before turning south toward Piggly Wiggly. 3 p.m. Dec. 8.