Macon GA
12-31-2024 10:01am

Last Adventures of 2024 and the First Adventures of 2025: Unique and Fun Things to Do in Middle Georgia this Week

Visitors to Coleman Hill will watch the implosion of the abandoned Hilton Hotel on Wednesday and can also see bands like BAS perform during the Bragg Jam Second Sunday Concert Series throughout the year (Photographer Nate Weeks)


This is the last events post for 2024, and I want to thank you for reading the Middle Georgia Times. These articles are meant to encourage readers to participate in the community that surrounds you by attending events that we feature throughout the year. A healthy community is a huge part of living a good life, and we hope to help you connect with others like you in Middle Georgia who hold your values, enjoy the same activities, and are your neighbors regardless of whether they are currently strangers or friends. 

TUESDAY, December 31st

New Year’s Eve

                      Read about more Middle Georgia New Year’s Eve Celebrations here

Family New Year’s Eve Dance Party at The Society Garden (5-8 p.m.)

The Society Garden will once again present a family-friendly New Year’s Eve event this year. The New Year’s Eve dance will feature a DJ performing from 5 to 8 p.m., as well as a snow machine, hot cocoa, a smores kit, and more. There will be a kid-friendly New Year’s Eve countdown at 8 p.m. with confetti pops and snow, according to the venue. Admission is $5 at the gate for the Family New Year’s Eve Dance Party, which includes a festive hat or tiara.

 > The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

New Year’s Eve Celebration at Churchills on Cherry (5 p.m.-12:45 a.m.)

Churchills on Cherry will host a celebration for those who want to dress up and enjoy a hot meal with entrees like whole red snapper and southern chicken parm and live music. Musicians Mr. Alphonso Thomas (saxophone) and Darren Winters (piano) will be performing during this celebration. Reserve your spot for the New Year’s Eve Celebration at Churchills on Cherry at this link.

 > Churchills on Cherry: 557 Cherry Street, Macon

New Year’s Rave (8 p.m.)

The New Years Rave will feature nine different DJs spinning a variety of electronic dance music including dubstep, riddim, downtempo, bass, and house music on two stages. DJs who will be performing at this event include Brando, D3mo, Yert, Mush, Lylewind, Sike, Dankus, Redboi, and Caddywompus. The New Year’s Rave is free to attend.

 > 275 College Street, Macon

MUSIC: New Year’s Eve Jelly Jam at the Jelly Elephant in Gordon (8 p.m.)

The Jelly Elephant is a live music venue in Gordon that has gained a reputation among musicians and music lovers as a happening place to be. Gordon is located only about 20 minutes from Macon and has been in business for 20 years. Musicians will be jamming out together to celebrate New Year’s Eve, and a fireworks show will take place within view of the venue.

 > Jelly Elephant: 117 Railroad Street, Gordon

MUSIC: New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Macon Moose Lodge (8 p.m.)

The Macon Moose Lodge will present a New Year’s Eve Celebration with Big Mike. This event is free to attend, but donations are appreciated.

 > Macon Moose Lodge: 2217 Gray Highway, Gray

MUSIC: Neal Lucas Trio at Grant’s Lounge (10 p.m.)

The Neal Lucas Trio will perform “simple country blues” as part of a New Year’s Eve celebration at Grant’s Lounge. The band is made up of talented musicians Neal Lucas (guitar/vocals), Neal Fountain (bass), and Sean O’Rourke (drums). Tickets to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the Neal Lucas Trio cost $10 (plus fees) online or $10 at the door.

 > Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

<!-- EMBEDDED YOUTUBE URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiW4SWDmj_8 -->

The Neal Lucas Trio recently performed the song "Cold Feet" at the The Piedmont Grand Opera House

MUSIC: New Year’s Eve Celebration at Buffington’s (10 p.m.-2 a.m.)

The restaurant and music venue Buffington’s will be presenting a New Year’s Eve celebration with two local alternative rock bands, Subatomic and Subject to Change. Buffington’s will also have drink specials, and attendees will receive a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight to toast the coming year and the year behind us. This event is free to attend.

 > Buffingtons: 120 West Hancock Street, Milledgeville

WEDNESDAY, January 1st

Hotel Implosion Watch Party on Coleman Hill (8-9:30 a.m.)

Celebrate the brand new year with a bang. NewTown Macon and Downtown Macon are teaming up to host an event where people can gather and watch the implosion of the Hilton Hotel, where Elvis and other stars once stayed while in Macon. Bring chairs and anything else to get comfortable. This event is free to attend.

 > Coleman Hill: 285 Spring Street, Macon

Graphic courtesy of NewTown Macon

New Year’s Day Brunch at Oliver’s Corner Bistro (11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)

Oliver’s Corner Bistro, which has served visitors to Downtown Macon since 2017, will be offering a New Year’s Day Brunch. Reserve your spot for Oliver’s New Year’s Day Brunch at this link.

 > Oliver’s Corner Bistro: 496 2nd Street, Macon

New Year’s Day Hike on Brown’s Mount (1:30 p.m.)

The Fringed Campion Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society and the Georgia Native Plant Society will host a New Year’s Day Hike on Brown’s Mount, which is topped by a fossilized reef that even has sand dollars in it. The organizers request that attendees dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes/boots for hiking, and bring a water bottle. This event is free and open to the public.

 > Brown’s Mount: 2069 Joe Brown Drive, Macon

THURSDAY, January 2nd

ROAD TRIP: WonderLights Disco Nights at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens (5:30-9:30 p.m.)

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, which is part of the University of Georgia, offers gardens, nature trails, and a conservatory, as well as special events like the WonderLights Disco Nights. This unique event invites visitors to “experience the light show trail while grooving to disco hits,” according to the State Botanical Garden. Tickets to WonderLights Disco Nights, which will take place from January 2nd through January 5th, cost $15 for adults and are free for children ages 4 and younger.

 > State Botanical Garden of Georgia: 2450 South Milledge Avenue, Athens

Graphic courtesy of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens

FRIDAY, January 3rd

2024 Southern Pickleball Championships at Rhythm & Rally (8 a.m.-9 p.m.)

The 2024 Southern Pickleball Championships will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of this week at the Play Rhythm & Rally located in the old Macon Mall. Men’s and Women’s Singles will take place on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Men’s and Women’s Doubles will take place on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Mixed Doubles are scheduled for Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are currently over 1,000 registered players for the 2024 Southern Pickleball Championships.

 > Rhythm & Rally Sports and Events: 3661 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon

January First Friday in Downtown Macon (5-11:45 p.m.)

Another First Friday event will take place this Friday in Downtown Macon. Visitors to downtown during this month’s First Friday will get a chance to see showings of the Macon Christmas Lights Extravaganza, which will take place every hour from 6 to 9 p.m. There will also be public ice skating open at the Macon Coliseum for only $7 per skater. Art appreciators can take part in self-guided art crawls at art galleries like Gallery West, the 567 Center for Renewal, the Green Light Gallery, and the McEachern Art Center. There are also many unique retail shops, like Bear’s Books, The Bohemian Den, Upper Echelon WRLD Clothing, and more, as well as restaurants like Bearfoot Tavern, Braddock’s Cask & Table, Tokyo Alley, and music venues, like the historic Grant’s Lounge.

 > Downtown Macon

Vision Board Party at the Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center (5-7 p.m.)

There will be a family-friendly Vision Board Party taking place at the Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center this Friday. The organizers will have popcorn and drinks for attendees at this all-ages and all-genders event where guests will create a “vision for the future.” This event is free and open to the public.

 > Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center: 1931 Rocky Creek Drive, Macon

MUSIC: Roofdog at Grant’s Lounge (8 p.m.)

Roofdog will be playing their unique style of music, described as “a rootsy combination of rock, blues, country, and more,” at Grant’s Lounge on Friday night. Roofdog’s members include Andy Johnson (guitar/vocals), Trey Dunnahoo (bass), Ethan Hamlin (keys/vocals), and Jody Hightower (percussion). Tickets to the Roofdog show cost $10 (plus fees) online or $10 at the door.

 > Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

MUSIC: SWAIN at Wild Wing Cafe Macon (9-11 p.m.)

SWAIN is an acoustic rock band from Macon led by singer and songwriter Stephen Swain. They will be performing for guests at Wild Wing Cafe this Friday night.

 > Wild Wing Cafe: 5080 Riverside Drive, Macon

MUSIC: Tres Hombres at The Hummingbird (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)

Tres Hombres will perform at Downtown Macon’s The Hummingbird on Friday night and early into Saturday morning. Tres Hombres is a band based out of Warner Robins that can often be found playing southern rock at venues around Middle Georgia. There will be a $5 cover at the door for the Tres Hombres show.

 > The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom: 430 Cherry Street, Macon

SATURDAY, January 4th

New Year’s Resolution Walk at Amerson River Park (8:45 a.m.)

Bike Walk Macon and Walk with a Doc will offer a free New Year’s Resolution Walk this Saturday at the beautiful Amerson River Park. Walk with a Doc meets every first Saturday of the month and gives attendees a chance to learn about a current health topic from a local healthcare provider and then take part in a slow-paced health walk around the park. If you would like to start 2025 with a healthy New Year’s Resolution Walk, meet at the AGL Pavilion (next to the playground).

 > Amerson River Park: 2654 Riverview Road, Macon

Georgia Wrestling Federation Winter Warriors at Gray-8-Skate Family Entertainment Center in Gray (6:30-9 p.m.)

The Georgia Wrestling Federation will present Winter Warriors at Gray-8-Skate this Saturday evening. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the bell rings at 7 p.m. Tickets for this wrestling event cost $8 for adults or $4 for kids in advance and $10 for adults or $6 for kids the day of the event.

 > Gray-8-Skate Family Entertainment Center: 4151 Gray Highway, Gray

MUSIC: Alamo at Grant’s Lounge (9 p.m.)

The southern rock band Alamo, which was founded in the early 70s, will return to Grant’s Lounge this Saturday. Tickets to see Alamo in concert cost $10 (plus fees) online or $10 at the door.

 > Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

MUSIC: blue at Billy’s Clubhouse (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)

blue is an early alternative rock/pop-punk band from Milledgeville that was formed in 2021. They will be rocking out at North Macon’s Billy’s Clubhouse this Saturday. There is no cover at Billy’s.

 > Billy’s Clubhouse: 1564 Forest Hill Road, Macon

Photograph courtesy of blue

SUNDAY, January 5th

Bingo at Barks N Brews (2 p.m.)

Barks N Brews will host its first Bingo event this Sunday while it celebrates National Whipped Cream Day. While the human guests get bingo cards, their furry friends will receive a complimentary whipped cream pup cup. The Grillin & Chillin food truck will also be onsite for this event. Bingo winners will receive day pass certificate for Barks N Brews.

 > Barks N Brews: 695 Riverside Drive, Macon

Happy New Year from Middle Georgia Times! May 2025 strengthen you and your community and remind us all of the importance of the people that surround us. 

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