Weekend Adventures in the Heart of Georgia: Friday, November 21st through Sunday, November 23rd

The weekend before Thanksgiving brings Middle Georgia together through art, music, and social occasions, including the opening reception for Artspace Macon's "Kindred" exhibition, the 9th Annual Christmas at the Ranch in Jackson, which will feature over 100 craft vendors, and lots of live music at the Skydog 79 music festival honoring Duane Allman's memory. The following are just a few of the interesting, fun, and often free things to do this weekend in the heart of Georgia.

FRIDAY, November 22nd

ART: Kindred: A Showcase of the Artspace Community at Artspace Macon (4-7p.m.)

Artspace Macon presents "Kindred," an exhibition celebrating "the spirit of family, both chosen and created through art," with an opening reception this Friday. The showcase features work from instructors, facilitators, Creative Pathways Fellows, and students who comprise the Artspace community. Kindred also includes a special presentation of artwork by Avis Thompson Adamson Scott, grandmother of instructor and community builder Laura Sugg, displayed in Artspace Macon's back studio. The Kindred opening reception is free to attend.

    > Artspace Macon: 2378 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Artspace Macon

FOOD: Food Truck Friday with music from The Party Knights in Downtown Perry (6-9 p.m.)

Perry will present its last Food Truck Friday of 2025 this Friday. The Party Knights band will perform, there will be family-friendly and free activities, and lots of food trucks and restaurants selling tasty food for hungry attendees. Food Truck Friday is free to attend.

     > 808 Carroll Street, Perry

SPORTS: Medieval Knight at the Macon Mayhem vs. Rail Yard Dawns Hockey Game at the Macon Coliseum (7 p.m.)

The Macon Mayhem travel back in time for Medieval Night as they face the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs on Friday night. Fans are encouraged to wear their best armor or gowns for an evening of "knights, dragons, and on-ice battles". Doors open at 6 p.m. with puck drop at 7 p.m. Tickets to this game start at $17.35 online at this link.

    > Macon Coliseum: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

MUSIC: Amsterdam After Dark from the Mercer University Jazz Combo in Fickling Hall (7:30 p.m.)

The Mercer University Jazz Combo performs works by George Edward Coleman, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sonny Rollins this Friday. Director Monty Cole leads on saxophone, joined by Kiah Shealy on piano, Zach Carman on bass, and Jonathan Lease on percussion for an evening of jazz reminiscent of Amsterdam after dark. The Mercer University Jazz Combo concert is free and open to the public.

    > McCorkle Music Building’s Fickling Hall: 1433 Adams Street, Macon

MUSIC: Rivertown Breakdown at The Society Garden (8-10 p.m.)

Rock and roll band Rivertown Breakdown performs at The Society Garden this Friday night. There is often a cover charge at The Society Garden that helps support the performers.

    > The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

MUSIC: Taylor Hunnicutt and Rob Leines at Grant’s Lounge (9 p.m.)

Taylor Hunnicutt and Rob Leines take the stage at Grant's Lounge for an evening of live southern rock music at the historic venue this Friday evening. Tickets to this show cost $15 at the door.

    > Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Taylor Hunnicutt's official music video for her song "All or Nothin'" debuted 3 years ago

SATURDAY, November 23rd

RACE: 3rd Annual Macon Music Half Marathon (8 a.m.)

The Macon Music Half Marathon returns to Macon for a 3rd year this Saturday. This race starts at Central City Park (aka Carolyn Crayton Park) and takes runners by locations connected to Macon's musical heritage, including the Grand Opera House, Little Richard's Home, Capricorn Studios, and Mercer's McDuffie Center for Strings. Registration for the Macon Music Half Marathon currently costs $80 online at this link.

    > Central City Park: 1959 Highway 42 North, Jackson

9th Annual Christmas at the Ranch at The Rivers Ranch (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)

The Rivers Ranch hosts its 9th Annual Christmas celebration featuring over 100 craft vendors, food trucks, free pictures with Santa, a petting zoo, bounce houses, and face painting this Saturday. All proceeds benefit Butts Mutts animal rescue organization. Entry to the 9th Annual Christmas at the Ranch costs $5 per person (children under 12 attend free).

    > The Rivers Ranch, Inc.: 1959 Highway 42 North, Jackson

SHOPPING: Smoke Stack Farmer’s Market (9 a.m.-1 p.m.)

The Smoke Stack Farmer's Market offers shoppers a chance to buy local and fresh produce, meats, breads, desserts, and more. The market operates year-round, rain or shine, every Saturday. The Smoke Stack Farmer's Market is free to attend.

    > Smoke Stack Farmer’s Market: 342 Rose Avenue, Macon

Feed the City 2025 at Hope Church (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)

This Saturday, Hope Church hosts a drive-through food distribution event providing one turkey and one bag of food per vehicle to families in need. Participants should remain in their vehicles to receive items. Volunteer opportunities are available through the church's registration system at this link. Feed the City is free for recipients.    

    > Hope Church: 204 Sullivan Road, Fort Valley

Santa at the Hay House (11/22-11/23) (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

One of Macon's longest Christmas traditions returns as Santa arrives at Hay House this Saturday and Sunday. Admission includes a self-guided tour of the opulent mansion, a photo opportunity with Santa, and a sweet treat, according to the Hay House. Tickets to see Santa at the Hay House cost $50 online at this link.

    > Hay House: 934 Georgia Avenue, Macon

MUSIC: The Sounds of Christmas Concert at Skipper Farms (5 p.m.)

Skipper Family Farms presents a Christmas concert featuring the nativity story told through music alongside a live nativity scene. Concessions will also be available during this festive event. Admission to The Sounds of Christmas Concert costs $5 per person. Children 5 and under attend free.

    > Skipper Family Farms: 4164 Jones Road, Macon

MUSIC: Cash's Juke Joint featuring Katherine Ball at The Society Garden (8 p.m.)

Macon native Angel "Cash" Ocasio, Jr. returns home with Cash's Juke Joint for a stop on The Road Home Album Release Tour at The Society Garden this Saturday evening. Katherine Ball will open the show with her soulful singing.

    > The Society Garden: 2385 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Graphic courtesy of The Society Garden

SUNDAY, November 24th

MUSIC: Skydog 79 at Central City Park (12-5 p.m.)

The Skydog Music Festival celebrates what would have been Duane Allman's 79th birthday with music, community, and charitable giving on Sunday. Every year, the music festival collects donations for the Depaul USA Daybreak Center, which "provides services to individuals facing the immediate crisis of homelessness in Macon." Admission to Skydog 79 requires bringing 10 or more items from the following donation list: paper towels, spray deodorant, razors, laundry detergent, Pine-Sol, backpacks, coffee creamer, shampoo, or lawn trash bags (33 gallon or larger).

    > Central City Park: 150 Willie Smokie Glover, Macon

Soundbowl Sunday at Wellness Hug (4-5:15 p.m.)

Wellness Hug hosts a sound bath meditation using singing bowls, gongs, and chimes to create a relaxing soundscape that helps combat the Sunday scaries. Participants lie down with eyes closed while a practitioner plays instruments designed to reduce stress and promote mindfulness at this unique event. Sign up for Soundbowl Sunday online at this link.

    > Wellness Hug: 476 Third Street, Suite 2, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Wellness Hug

MUSIC: Chained, Turn Cold, Thrones, and Axero at the Reverb Room (6 p.m.)

Four hardcore and thrash bands converge at the Reverb Room for an all-ages show this Sunday evening. The lineup features Chained (a hardcore band from South Carolina), Turn Cold (a thrash/hardcore band from Atlanta), Thrones (a hardcore band from Athens), and Axero (a hardcore band from Atlanta). Tickets to this all ages show cost $10 presale and $15 at the door.

    > Reverb Room: 1758 Watson Boulevard, Macon

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.