Unique and Fun Ways to Ring in the New Year in Macon and Greater Middle Georgia

As 2025 approaches, many people will be celebrating the successes and the lessons of the past year as well as the arrival of a new year where anything could happen. Celebrants will be able to welcome the new year at venues all over Middle Georgia where there will be events for singles, couples, and kids. From nostalgic bar crawls to dazzling rooftop parties and live concerts, there’s a little something for everyone this year. Here’s a roundup of the top unique events to kick off the new year in style.

New Year’s Eve Events in Macon

Y2-25K: The Quarter Century Bar Crawl (7 - 12 p.m.)

Rewind to the early 2000s with the Y2-25K Bar Crawl, a nostalgic evening filled with themed drinks and fun. The crawl takes place from 7 p.m. to midnight, featuring stops at Rose Room, Reboot Retrocade & Bar, and Kinjo Kitchen & Cocktails. Grab a punch card at any of the participating locations, collect stamps at each location, and you’ll be entered to win prizes like gift cards. Punch cards can be picked up and dropped off at any of the participating locations.

Roaring 20s New Year’s Eve Party at Hightales Rooftop Bar (9 p.m.)

Transport yourself back to the glamorous 1920s at Hightales Rooftop Bar. Dress in your finest vintage attire and enjoy live music, DJ sets, passed hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails, and scenic rooftop views of Macon. The party includes a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.

Blackberry Smoke Concert (9 p.m.)

Fans of live music can head to the Macon City Auditorium for a rocking performance by Blackberry Smoke. The show starts at 9 p.m., promising a high-energy night of Southern rock to end 2024. Ticket prices currently start at $32 on ticketmaster.com.

Blackberry Smoke's official acoustic video for "One Horse Town" has currently been streamed around 107 million times on YouTube

New Year’s Prix-Fixe Dinner at Braddock’s Cast and Table (6, 8 p.m.)

For those looking to indulge in fine dining, Braddock’s Cast and Table is offering a New Year's Prix-Fixe Three Course Dinner with seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. Guests will choose between seven items for the three courses and add-ons including Oysters Rockefeller, a 4 oz Lobster Tail, and a Sommelier's Wine Flight will also be available for purchase. To reserve your spot, call (719) 930-3714 or email idavis3614@gmail.com. 

Macon Mayhem v. Pensacola Ice Flyers Hockey Game (6 p.m.)

The Macon Mayhem will face off against the Pensacola Ice Flyers on New Year's Eve. The theme for the game will be New Years Eve Party. Tickets start at $13 on the Macon Mayhem's website.

Just Tap’d Balloon Drop (9 p.m.)

Celebrate at Just Tap’d, where 600 balloons will drop at midnight. Guests can enjoy $4 glasses of champagne and watch the ball drop in New York City on the big screen.

NYE Party at 20's Pub with Reckless Soul (9 p.m.-2 a.m.)

Guests at 20's Pub will enjoy live music from Reckless Soul as well as a Midnight Breakfast Buffett, drink specials, party favors, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. There will be a $10 cover charge at the door. You can also reserve a table by calling (478) 475-5860.

The Ultimate Winter White New Year's Eve Party at the Macon Centreplex (9 p.m.-2 a.m.)

The Original Lakeside, best known for the catchy and extra funky 1980 tune "Fantastic Voyage," and special guests will perform at The Ultimate Winter White New Year's Eve Party presented by 9 Entertainment. AJ the DJ will provide musical entertainment and there will be free Ciroc shots while supplies last and a Midnight Champagne Toast. The host hotel for the event is the Marriott City Center (book groups under New Years Eve Room Block). Tickets are $40 in advance and can be purchased at several places, both in Macon and Milledgeville.

NYE Party with DJ Talk Nerdy to Me at Billy's Clubhouse (9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.)

Billy's will celebrate New Year's Eve with a countdown to 2025 with DJ Talk Nerdy starting at 10 p.m. DJ Talk Nerdy will present a review of the music of this year while mixing popular party songs to get the crowd moving. There is no cover at Billy's Clubhouse.

Graphic courtesy of Billy's Clubhouse

New Year's Eve with The Macon Sound at The Hummingbird (9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.)

The Macon Sound will perform starting at 9:30 p.m. and The Hummingbird will be popping complimentary champagne at midnight. There will be a $5 cover at the door for this New Year's Eve celebration.

JBA’s New Year’s Party (10 p.m.)

Starting at 10 p.m., JBA’s New Year’s bash features DJ Steel spinning tracks all night. The party also includes pool, darts, and free champagne at midnight. Bring warm clothing donations for free entry.

New Year’s Eve Events in Perry

Perry Buzzard Drop (7 p.m. - 12 a.m.)

Perry celebrates the end of 2024 with a unique celebration that pays homage to the buzzards that used to land on Perry's water tower, even though the city's water towers still have buzzards perched on them, but now they are mostly buzzard effigies with real buzzard feathers. The Perry Buzzard Drop includes live entertainment, a "Kiddie Countdown," confetti cannons, and more. 

City of Perry Government and Visit Perry

Sterling Silver New Year's Eve at My Bar (9 p.m.)

Taylor Zeigler and My Bar will celebrate New Year's Eve at My Bar. The theme for the night is Sterling Silver Baby or just dressing up as your favorite person of 2024. There will also be a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

New Year’s Eve Events in Gray

New Year's Eve Celebration at Gray-8-Skate Family Entertainment Center (7 p.m.- 1 a.m.)

Gray-8-Skate will be offering a deal for $25 that will include unlimited skating, laser tag, playground access for kids 11 and younger, a slice of pizza, a game card, and entry until 1 a.m. There will also be a balloon drop at 12 a.m.

ROAD TRIP: ATLANTA

1st Annual Sol Dance NYE Celebration: Threshold (9 p.m.- 2 a.m.)

Sol Dance is a popular ecstatic dance organization led by DJ Scott Houston in Atlanta that hosts phone free, talk free, and consent positive space events at various locations around the city. Threshold will take place in a 10,000 square foot, high ceilinged building and will include a Community Artisan Market, a non-alcoholic Herbal Elixir and Sensory Bar by The Bardo, ATL, and a Cacao Balcony Lounge and Activation Space from Christina Della Iacono + Friends. Threshold will be split into two sections, the first to celebrate the ending of 2024 and the second the beginning of 2025. "Pay-What-You-Can" tickets can be purchased from $20 to $35 at the door online through December 30th and will cost $35 at the door. Threshold will take place in Ambient + Studio located at 520 Northside Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30310.

NEW YEAR'S DAY EVENTS IN MACON

Public Ice Skating at the Macon Centreplex (12 - 6 p.m.)

Keep the fun going on New Year’s Day with a family-friendly outing at the Macon Centreplex. Public ice skating sessions will be available throughout the day, with one hour sessions starting at 12 p.m. and going through 6 p.m. offering a perfect way to start 2025.

Macon Hilton Implosion (9 a.m.)

While there is currently no official event planned for the implosion of the Downtown Macon Hilton (which was later also a Ramada Inn), there is an unofficial event being held on Coleman Hill starting at 8 a.m.. Attendees will bring in the new year while watching the historic building dramatically implode to the ground (if all goes as planned) around 9 a.m.

Many people will remember the time a Marta bus amusingly blocked one cameraman's view of the Georgia Dome implosion

The Atlanta Fulton County Stadium implosion happened back in 1997