Weekend Adventures in Middle Georgia

This weekend, you can wear your ugliest sweater with pride, watch the Macon Mayhem hockey team play in the Macon Coliseum, attend an electronic dance music festival in Downtown Macon, and much more. The following are just a few of the festive, fun, and often free events taking place this weekend in the heart of Georgia.

FRIDAY, December 19th

  >> Photos with Santa at Ted Wright Park (1-5 p.m.)

Visit Warner Robins invites you to come take photos with Santa, drink a warm beverage at a hot cocoa bar, taste some sweet cookies, and bring the kids to enjoy fun holiday activities at Ted Wright Park this Friday. This event is free and open to the public.

    > Ted Wright Park: 2841 Moody Road, Bonaire

  >> HOCKEY: Macon Mayhem vs. Quad City Storm - Winter Wonderland: Elf Edition at the Macon Coliseum (7 p.m.)

The Mayhem will face off against the Quad City Storm on Friday during Elf Night. Hockey fans are encouraged to put on cheery elf attire to start the beginning of the Mayhem’s Winter Wonderland Weekend. If you can’t make it to the game on Friday, there will also be games on Saturday (Frozen Edition) and Sunday (Salute to Service). Doors open at 6 p.m. and the puck drops at 7 p.m. There will be specialty jerseys worn at this game. Tickets to see the Mayhem battle the Quad City Storm on Friday and Saturday, or the Pensacola Ice Flyers on Sunday, start at $17.95 online at this link.

    > Macon Coliseum: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

Graphic courtesy of the Macon Mayhem

  >> MUSIC: Macon Me Rave Festival at The Hummingbird, JBA, and Late Nite (9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.)

Macon Me Rave is an electronic dance music (EDM) festival that first took place earlier this year on June 6th. Its organizers say this music festival is the first of its kind to come to Downtown Macon. Local DJs will entertain dancing patrons at The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom (Pickles, Lunar Lighthouse), JBA (kvizen, S!ke, and Carlos Flores), and Late Nite (DJ Wes) during the Macon Me Rave Festival. Learn more about the Macon Me Rave Festival at this link.

    > The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom, JBA, and Late Nite

  >> Carriage Rides at Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza (6-10 p.m.)

Visitors to Downtown Macon can take carriage rides through the festive Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza this weekend. The carriage rides will depart from the fountain located at Third and Cherry Streets. Pricing information for the carriage rides is provided by the third-party vendor operating the carriage.

    > 3rd Street, Macon

SATURDAY, December 20th

  >> Jen's Christmas Market at Howard Community Club (12-8 p.m.)

Jen's Christmas Market will feature live music from Roland Fall, 3 magic shows from Middle Georgia musician Evan Dupree, elf yoga, and vendors selling a variety of festive items. There will also be food trucks on-site as well as a trail of lights for the kids, according to the organizer. This event is free to attend.

    > Howard Community Club: 5645 Forsyth Road, Macon

  >> The Musical: Daughter of the King at The Douglass Theatre (12/20, 12/21) (2 and 6:30 p.m.)

The Musical: Daughter of the King, written and directed by S. Kristi Douglass, combines gospel, jazz, latin, and rhythm and blues with a screenplay about "faith, family, and divine purpose" and has two showings on Saturday and one on Sunday. This family-friendly production is part of The Douglass Theatre's Signature Playwright Series and tells the humorous and heartwarming story of the King sisters as they navigate the difficulties of love and legacy and along the way create "a few holiday miracles of their own." Tickets to The Musical: Daughter of the King cost $25 online at this link.

    > The Douglass Theatre: 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Macon

  >> YOGA: Winter Fire Flow: Twerk and Somatic Healing Workshop at Wellness Hug (3 p.m.)

Wellness Hug is offering a unique yoga class this Saturday that combines twerking and somatic healing in a judgment-free environment. Attendees should wear comfortable and breathable workout clothes, sneakers or bare feet (and optional festive outfits and accessories). Register for the Twerk and Somatic Healing Workshop for $25 online at this link.

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

Graphic courtesy of Wellness Hug

  >> Wanna Tuft Holiday Event at Wanna Tuft Studio (5:30 p.m.)

This Friday, Wanna Tuft Studio will present an event where you can create a holiday rug and receive 15% off. Wanna Tuft Studio is a unique Middle Georgia business that allows patrons to create their own unique rugs from a selection of festive designs. You can book your holiday rug-making experience online for $60+ at this link.

    > Wanna Tuft Studio: 1080 3rd Street, Macon

  >> 2nd Annual Macon Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl (6-11:59 p.m.)

The 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl returns to Downtown Macon this Saturday. Participants will wear their ugliest sweater, tacky holiday attire, and dance with other ugly sweater wearers at multiple bars/music venues, including Cashman’s Pub, the Tic Toc Room, Hoops Bar & Lounge, The Daisy Tequila Bar, Reboot Retrocade & Bar, and at least 8 other participating location. This 21 and up event includes an Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl koozie, 4 holiday themed items (shots, cocktails, or food), a photographer capturing hilarious photos, and more. Learn more about the 2nd Annual Macon Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl at this link. Tickets start at $31.02 on eventbrite.com.

    > Various Locations in Macon

  >> Miracle on Ingleside: A Court of Miracles Christmas at The Society Garden (6 p.m.)

Miracle on Ingleside is described as a Holiday Circus and will take place this Saturday at The Society Garden. This Court of Miracles event will feature a silent disco with 2 channels of kids and family-friendly holiday songs, along with songs for the more mature crowd. Miracle on Ingleside will also feature Christmas karaoke, live painting, face painting, an aerial circus performance, and interactive holiday vendors.

    > The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

  >> MUSIC: DireWoof and Friends presents the 7th Annual A Very Jerry Christmas at Grant’s Lounge (8 p.m.)

The 7th Annual A Very Jerry Christmas brings Grateful Dead-inspired Christmas music to the historic stage at Grant’s Lounge on Saturday evening. This concert event from the talented DireWoof and Friends is for any lover of jam band music or the Grateful Dead. Tickets to A Very Jerry Christmas can be purchased at the door or online at this link.

    > Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

SUNDAY, December 21st   

  >> Winter Solstice Gathering at The Florrest (2:30-8 p.m.)

Celebrate the Winter Solstice at The Florrest this Saturday with an indoor workshop, a community potluck, and more. Mena Teijeiro, The Florrest’s founder, is a certified Biofield Tuning Practitioner who will lead a tuning fork and energy session. Guests should bring comfortable clothing, shoes suitable for forest trails, and a dish or something to share for the community potluck. Those who bring a friend get $10 by using the code BRINGAFRIEND when purchasing two tickets. Tickets to the Winter Solstice Gathering cost $55+ on The Florrest’s website.

    > The Florrest: 351 Otis Redding Drive, Round Oak

  >> MUSIC: Andy and Mandy’s Hard Candy Christmas Concert at The Society Garden (4-7 p.m.)

Andy and Mandy's Hard Candy Christmas is a unique Christmas concert taking place at The Society Garden this Sunday. This event will feature an evening of country music from Andrew Sovine and Mandy Madson featuring their “high lonesome sound and lowbrow humor.”

    > The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Andy and Many performing a lovely version of Willie Nelson's "Crazy"

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.