Weekend Adventures in the Heart of Georgia: Friday, October 31st through Sunday, November 2nd

Middle Georgians will be celebrating Halloween with trick-or-treating in places like Downtown Macon, by attending a spookily hilarious screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Piedmont Grand Opera House, and by experiencing the debut performance of the Nightmare Cirque horror circus at Houston County Galleria to start the weekend off. Then starting on Saturday, families can enjoy a presentation of Disney on Ice presents Road Trip Adventures at Macon Coliseum and celebrate the first day of the Día De Muertos Cultural Fest at North Houston Sports Complex. Finally, Macon Fashion Week kicks off on Sunday, while The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight brings classical musicians and rock anthems together for an electrifying performance at the Macon City Auditorium. The following are just a few of the fun, unique, and often free events taking place this weekend in the heart of Georgia.

FRIDAY, October 31st

Wini McQueen’s Quilt of Names Art Exhibit at Oak Ridge Cemetery (11 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Fabric artist extraordinaire Wini McQueen will present the art exhibit “The Quilt of Names” on Friday and Saturday of this week. “The Quilt of Names” honors the enslaved people of Africa whose hard work helped build our nation. The exhibit will feature an African Fabric Exhibit, the seeding of a flower garden, a calling of names ceremony, and live music by Kelly Dixson, according to the artist. Multiple local organizations and individuals are supporting the presentation, including Macon Magazine, Historic Macon, Macon Arts Alliance, and Washington Memorial Library, Kathleen O’Neal, and Suzanne Doonan. This free event will take place in Oak Ridge Cemetery, known as the “colored” section of Rose Hill Cemetery: its entrance is located at Riverside Drive and Madison Street.

    > Rose Hill Cemetery’s Oak Ridge Cemetery: 1091 Riverside Drive, Macon

Wini McQueen's large scale fabric artwork were on display at the Macon Mall to celebrate Macon's 200th anniversary (Photographer Nate Weeks)

The Lorax Lounge at Longleaf Distillery (12-10 p.m.)

Longleaf Distillery will present a creative Halloween-themed event for adults this Friday called The Lorax Lounge. Patrons are encouraged to dress up as a Lorax and try to beat the world record for the most Loraxes in one place. Longleaf Distillery will also be doing a very Lorax-approved planting of one tree for every Lorax Cocktail sold. The Lorax Lounge is for the 21-and-over crowd and is free to attend.

    > Longleaf Distillery: 664 2nd Street, Macon

Halloween Kids Party at Serenity Entertainment Complex (4-7 p.m.)

Serenity Entertainment Complex will be giving out candy and Hocus-Pocus punch to celebrate Halloween this Friday. Costumes are highly encouraged. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

    > Serenity Entertainment Complex: 427 Poplar Street, Macon

Trick or Treat in Downtown Macon (4-7 p.m.)

Thousands of trick-or-treaters will start their night at the Otis Redding Center for the Arts’ outdoor amphitheater this year. While there, they will get maps of all the businesses participating in the year’s Trick or Treating as well as enough candy to assure a comfortable retirement for multiple area dentists. Over 40 local organizations and businesses will be handing out candy this year. Trick or Treat in Downtown Macon is free and open to the public.

    > Otis Redding Center for the Arts: 436 Cotton Avenue, Macon

MUSIC: Halloween Concert with Gray City Limits at The Society Garden (8 p.m.)

Gray City Limits will be performing a Halloween show at The Society Garden on Friday night. This band is composed of young musicians from Gray, a small city nestled between Milledgeville and Macon. Costumes are highly encouraged and there will be a kids' costume contest at 8 p.m. There will be $10 cover at the door for guests over 16 for this Halloween Concert from Gray City Limits.

    > The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Piedmont Grand Opera House (9 p.m.)

The Piedmont Grand Opera House screens the cult classic film with live shadow cast performers returning to enhance the interactive experience on Friday night. The screening follows the tradition of audience participation with props during key scenes as Brad and Janet encounter the eccentric inhabitants of Dr. Frank-n-Furter's castle. The venue opens at 8 p.m. for this mature-audience presentation. To preserve the historic building, outside props are prohibited, but prop bags are included with the $20 admission price. Tickets to The Rocky Horror Picture Show cost $20, which includes a prop bag, and can be purchased online at this link.

    > The Piedmont Grand Opera House: 617 Mulberry Street, Macon

Nightmare Cirque at Houston County Galleria (10/31-11/4) (10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.)

A touring horror circus makes its debut under a large tent at Houston County Galleria on Halloween night. The Nightmare Cirque runs from October 31st through November 3rd and bills itself as an adult-oriented experience featuring new acts developed for 2025. This show includes strobe lighting and intense content so it is not appropriate for everyone. Performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. on October 31st, 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on November 1st and 2nd, and 7:30 p.m. on November 3rd. Costumes and masks are not permitted. Reservations for the Nightmare Cirque can be made by calling (956) 708-3002 or visiting nightmarecirque.com.

    > Houston County Galleria: 2922 Watson Boulevard, Centerville

SATURDAY, November 1st

Disney on Ice presents Road Trip Adventures at Macon Coliseum (11 a.m., 7 p.m.)

The traveling Disney on Ice production brings its Road Trip Adventures show to Macon Coliseum with two Saturday performances. The skating show follows Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters as they visit destinations from various Disney films, including Moana's Motunui, the Pride Lands from The Lion King, settings from Aladdin, and scenes featuring Toy Story characters. Venue policy prohibits costumes for guests 14 and older. Visit DisneyOnIce.com for more information about this production. Tickets to Disney on Ice’s Road Trip Adventures start at $20 on ticketmaster.com.

    > Macon Coliseum: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Disney on Ice

Frontier Fall Festival and 20th Annual Fort Hawkins Archeology Day at Fort Hawkins (12-4 p.m.)

Fort Hawkins combines two events on Saturday afternoon, merging its Frontier Fall Festival with the Ocmulgee Archaeological Society's 20th annual Fort Hawkins Archaeology Day. Activities include artifact identification, pottery-making demonstrations, presentations on Georgia Indian lifeways and primitive skills, living history reenactments, blacksmith demonstrations, and tours of the museum and blockhouse. The Fort Hawkins Foundation co-sponsors this free family-friendly, public event.

    > Fort Hawkins: 736 Emery Highway, Macon

Día De Muertos Cultural Fest 2025 at North Houston Sports Complex (11/1-11/2) (3-9 p.m.)

North Houston Sports Complex hosts a Day of the Dead celebration running Saturday and Sunday evenings. The festival includes live musical performances, food and craft vendors, face painting, an altar competition, and a Catrina contest. Sunday’s programming is scheduled for 1-5 p.m. This family-friendly cultural event is free and open to the public.

    > North Houston Sports Complex: 900 North Houston Road, Warner Robins

Northside Village Trunk-Or-Treat at Wilkerson’s Martial Arts (4-8 p.m.)

Wilkerson's Martial Arts presents its third annual Trunk-or-Treat event on Saturday evening. The program features a haunted house attraction, competitions for best costumes and trunk decorations, candy distribution, and prize drawings. This family-friendly Halloween gathering is free and open to the public.

    > Wilkerson’s Martial Arts: 4010 Northside Drive, Macon

ART: Opening Reception of Acts of Resistance at Tanglewood Art Studios (5-8 p.m.)

Tanglewood Art Studios, 478 Creatives, and Macon Rising collaborate on an opening reception for the "Acts of Resistance" exhibition on Saturday evening. The show features works by Middle Georgia artists and contributors from other regions, with pieces addressing themes of resistance, renewal, and community. Opening night attendees can meet participating artists while enjoying refreshments. The free exhibition will remain on view through December 12th, with additional programming planned throughout its run. For the latest updates, Tanglewood Art Studios website. The Acts of Resistance art exhibit and opening reception is free and open to the public.

    > Tanglewood Art Studios: 1085 3rd Street, Macon

2nd Annual Macon Boos & Booze Halloween Bar Crawl (6 p.m.-12 a.m.)

Bar Crawl USA presents its second annual Halloween-themed bar crawl through downtown Macon this Saturday evening, with registered participants able to visit more than ten establishments after a check-in at Cashman’s Pub. Ticket holders receive four complimentary shots or cocktails, discounted drink and food offers, professional photography services, entry into a costume competition with cash prizes, access to registration and after parties, a crawl map and lanyard, and cover-free entry at participating venues. The route includes Cashman's Pub, Tic Toc, Hoops Bar & Lounge, The Daisy Tequila Bar, Reboot Retrocade & Bar, Parish on Cherry, Niche 385, Jalapeños Cantina, The Social Duck, Ocmulgee Brewpub, 570 Dueling Piano Bar, and The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom. Participants can also vote for the best bar decorations and themed drinks. The 2nd Annual Macon Boos & Booze Halloween Bar Crawl is a 21-and-over event and requires advance ticket purchase online at this link.

    > Cashman’s Pub: 382 Cherry Street, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Bar Crawl USA

SUNDAY, November 2nd

MUSIC: The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight at the Macon City Auditorium (7-9 p.m.)

An international touring production called The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight performs at Macon City Auditorium on Sunday evening. The 90-minute show features 14 classical musicians performing rock and metal songs in a candlelit setting, with a repertoire including material from Metallica, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Rage Against The Machine, My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, System of a Down, Guns N Roses, Evanescence, Papa Roach, and The Cranberries. Tickets to The Rock Orchestra are available through Ticketmaster.com.

    > Macon City Auditorium: 415 1st Street, Macon

Nature Journaling with Kenny Grieshop at Amerson River Park’s Native Plant Garden (4-5 p.m.)

The Fringed Campion Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society will host a free nature journaling event with Kenny Grieshop this Sunday at Amerson River Park's Native Plant Garden and Monarch Waystation (near the playground). The first twelve registrants receive complimentary journals. Participants should bring a folding chair, pencil, and journal (colored pencils optional). Register for this unique event through this online form. This family-friendly program is free and open to the public.

    > Amerson River Park: 2551 North Pierce Drive, Macon

Macon Fashion Week’s Macon Shades of Fashion Day Party and Opener (5-8 p.m.)

Macon Magazine and Wesleyan College present Macon Fashion Week, a celebration of style, sustainability, and creativity beginning this Sunday, November 2nd and running through November 8. Macon Fashion Week’s programming takes place at multiple downtown venues, including Vice Bar, JBA, and The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom. Information and registration are available at maconmagazine.com/macon-fashion-week. On Sunday evening, Brandon Harris of Illegal Luxury hosts the opening event for Macon Fashion Week. The gathering serves as an introduction to the week's programming while connecting members of the local fashion community. The event includes a champagne toast and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets to Macon Fashion Week’s Macon Shades of Fashion Day Party and Opener cost $28.50 individually or are included with VIP passes available at maconfashionweek.com.

    > 1410 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Macon Fashion Week

Did we miss an event you are excited about? Leave a comment below to let others know about other fun and interesting events taking place this week in Middle Georgia.