Weekday Adventures in Middle Georgia: Monday, December 1st through Thursday, December 4th

December arrives with visits from Santa visits, Christmas-themed events in Gray and Eatonton,  festive concerts featuring Handel's Messiah and the Mercer Flute Choir's holiday favorites, a unique bike party, and much more. Families will be visiting a bustling Downtown Macon all week now that the Macon Christmas Lights Extravaganza's hourly light shows are on display from 6 to 9 p.m. every night until early January. The following are just a few of the festive, interesting, and often free things to do this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, December 1st

GAMING: Mahjong in Macon at Brasserie Circa (11 a.m.-1 p.m.)

This Monday, Middle Georgia Mahjong League hosts guided and open play at Brasserie Circa for players who have completed introductory classes or are familiar with the game to try out the Mahjong league. Mahjong is a tile-based game of "skill, strategy, and luck" developed in China in the 19th century. The session runs structured like a league meeting, offering support for those who might have questions while playing, according to the Middle Georgia Mahjong League. This event is free to attend. 

    > Brasserie Circa: 4420 Forsyth Road, Macon

Pictures with Santa at Ace of Gray (12/1 and 12/3) (5-7 p.m.)

Families can make lasting holiday memories with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Ace of Gray on both Monday and Wednesday of this week. A professional photographer will take photos for busy parents, and Ace of Gray's gift shop staff will provide cookies and hot chocolate afterward, according to Ace of Gray. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

    > Ace of Gray: 243 West Clinton Street, Gray

TUESDAY, December 2nd

Anti Banned Book Club "Animal Farm" at Bear's Books (6:30 p.m.)

Bear's Books hosts the December session of the Anti Banned Book Club focusing on George Orwell's "Animal Farm" this Tuesday. The facilitated discussion will explore this classic banned book with light refreshments provided. The cost for the Anti Banned Book Club is $10 online atthis link and includes guided discussion and light refreshments. 

    > Bear's Books: 835 Forsyth Street, Macon

MUSIC: Mercer Flute Choir presents "Festive Flutes" in Fickling Hall (7:30 p.m.)

Original Text:
The nationally acclaimed Mercer Flute Choir, conducted by Kelly Via, presents exciting new compositions, along with many holiday favorites. This concert is free and open to the public.

Article Description:
The nationally acclaimed Mercer Flute Choir, conducted by Kelly Via, performs new compositions alongside holiday favorites in their "Festive Flutes" concert on Tuesday evening. The Mercer Flute Choir concert is free and open to the public. 

    > McCorkle Music Building's Fickling Hall: 1329 Adams Street, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Mercer University's Townsend School of Music

WEDNESDAY, December 3rd

Cocoa & Connections at the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce (8:30 a.m.)

The Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce partners with Georgia College's School of Continuing & Professional Studies for the inaugural Cocoa & Connections networking event on Wednesday. According to the Milledgeville-Baldwin Chamber, the festive morning mixer features activities including "Two Truths & A Wish" where participants share business highlights and goals, "Secret Elf Networking" to help fellow business owners, and holiday trivia with prizes. Cocoa & Connections is free to attend and you can register online at this link.

    > Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce: 130 South Jefferson Street, Milledgeville

MUSIC: Glee Club Winter Concert at The Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts (7 p.m.)

Georgia Military College's Corps of Cadets Glee Club performs its Winter Concert at The Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday evening. The concert showcases the cadet chorus in seasonal and traditional repertoire. Tickets to the Glee Club Winter Concert are free online at this link. 

    > The Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts: 201 East Greene Street, Milledgeville

MUSIC: Mercer University Brass Band presents Tis the Season at Peach County High School (7:30 p.m.)

This Wednesday, the Mercer University Brass Band performs "Tis the Season" at Peach County High School, featuring holiday songs and brass band standards. Nathan Gay conducts the concert with graduate conductor Chase Bailey. The Mercer University Brass Band recital is free and open to the public. 

    > Peach County High School: 6859 Moseley Road, Fort Valley

THURSDAY, December 4th

A Christmas Evening in Eatonton (5-8 p.m.)

Downtown Eatonton hosts an evening of shopping, dining, and holiday celebration this Thursday. This family-friendly event starts with the Great Tree lighting at 6 p.m. on the Putnam County Courthouse lawn. Free horse-drawn carriage rides sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank will be riding around throughout the evening. Shoppers can collect punch cards at participating businesses, earning punches with purchases of $15 or more (five punches earns entry into a drawing for a gift basket filled with downtown merchant items). A Christmas Evening in Eatonton is free to attend. 

    > Downtown Eatonton

BIKING: Bike Walk Macon's The Santa Cycle in Downtown Macon (6-8 p.m.)

Macon Bike Party presents the Santa Cycle this Thursday night. Bike Walk Macon describes this event as the "jolliest ride of the year", where the adventurous will explore downtown Macon's spectacular Christmas lights and Mercer Village's Winter Wonderland by bicycle. Riders are encouraged to break out festive lights and Santa costumes for the slow-paced journey, which includes stops for holiday cheer and sweet treats (bring your wallet). Registration begins at 6 p.m. at the Bike Walk Macon office with wheels down at 6:15 p.m. The Santa Cycle concludes at The Rose Room by 8 p.m., where riders receive a 10% discount. Free Bike Walk Macon lights, snacks, and water are provided to participants, and riders can join or depart at any point along the route. Helmets are required to ride. The Santa Cycle is free to participate in. 

    > Bike Walk Macon: 830 High Street, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Bike Walk Macon

Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce Hometown Holiday Parade (7 p.m.)

The Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce hosts the Hometown Holiday Parade with this year's theme "A Holiday Movie Celebration - Lights, Camera, Christmas!" Participants are invited to bring their favorite holiday movies to life through floats and displays. Parade applications remain open for those interested in participating online at this link. The Hometown Holiday Parade is free to attend. 

    > Downtown Forsyth

MUSIC: Winter Orchestra Concert at Howard High School (7 p.m.)

Howard High School's orchestra presents its Winter Concert in the school's auditorium this Thursday evening. The free performance showcases student musicians in seasonal and classical repertoire. The Winter Orchestra Concert is free and open to the public. 

    > Howard High School: 6400 Forsyth Road, Macon

MUSIC: Choral Society of Middle Georgia and Mercer University Choir presents Handel's Messiah at St. Joseph Catholic Church (12/4-12/5) (7:30-9 p.m.)

Original Text:
As Choral Society of Middle Georgia celebrates its 50th anniversary, their holiday performance of G. F. Handel's Messiah with the Mercer University Choir is a favorite holiday tradition!
Conducted by Gary G. Gerber, this year's Messiah will feature soloists Caroline Cooke (soprano), Samantha Mishima Friedman (alto), Jonathan Johnson (tenor), Joel Terning (bass). Tickets for the Thursday, December 4th and Friday, December 5th performances are available at choralsocietymga.com.

Finally, this Thursday (and Friday), the Choral Society of Middle Georgia celebrates its 50th anniversary with a holiday performance of Handel's Messiah alongside the Mercer University Choir. Conducted by Gary G. Gerber, the performance features soloists Caroline Cooke (soprano), Samantha Mishima Friedman (alto), Jonathan Johnson (tenor), and Joel Terning (bass). 

Tickets to this performance can be purchased online at this link for $15.

    > St. Joseph Catholic Church: 830 Poplar Street, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Mercer University's Townsend School of Music

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.