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Macon's Brown's Mount gives hikers an uncommon view of Downtown Macon and also is home to Native American earthwork and a former Civil War signal station (Photographer Nate Weeks)
2025 is behind us, while a new year full of possibilities is mostly ahead of us this first full week of 2026. The adventurous can enjoy multiple programs at Downtown Macon's Bear's Books, play trivia with family at Forsyth's Chick-fil-A, co-work at The Belltower, and more. The following are just a few of the interesting, fun, and often free things to do this week in the heart of Georgia.
MONDAY, January 5th
>> Winter Reading Program at Bear’s Books (12 p.m.)
Readers can start the year the right way with Bear's Books' Winter Reading Program by picking up trackers at the bookstore on Monday. Participants will read 12 books from multiple genres during the Winter Reading Program , then rank the read books in March. Participants have a chance to win prizes and take part in a unique March Madness-type event. This Tuesday, Bear’s Books also hosts an Anti Banned Book Club, which will be discussing John Green’s acclaimed “Looking for Alaska.” Tickets to Bear’s Books Winter Reading Program cost $25 online at this link.
> Bear's Books: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon
Graphic courtesy of Bear's Books>> TRIVIA: Trivia with Brenda at Chick-fil-A in Forsyth (6-7:30 p.m.)
Trivia with Brenda brings a fun evening of trivia to Forsyth’s Chick-fil-A this Tuesday. Don’t worry if you can’t make it this Monday: Trivia with Brenda is scheduled to take place every Monday night starting this week. This family-friendly event is free to attend.
> Chick-fil-A: 101 Industrial Park Road, Forsyth
TUESDAY, January 6th
>> Parallel Play Silent Disco at The Belltower (5-8 p.m.)
This Tuesday, the Belltower Creative Resource Center presents a night of “low-pressure co-work” where attendees can work solo or with others on anything from art projects to taxes. While working, you can listen to music on silent disco headphones with two channels, as well as request particular music. Co-working is a way to take care of business while sharing a work environment with others. This low sensory event is meant to help you get things done while sharing space with others doing the same.
> The Belltower: 2371 Ingleside Avenue, Macon
Graphic courtesy of The BelltowerWEDNESDAY, January 7th
>> SPORTS: Mercer Bear’s Football Team Head Coach Joel Taylor Introductory Press Conference (5 p.m.)
Mercer University’s 22nd head coach, Joel Taylor, will speak along with Mercery’s athletics department officials on Wednesday in the college’s Heritage Hall. Taylor Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and attendees are asked to enter Heritage
Hall through the main entrance of the University Center, with available parking in the lot behind OrthoGeorgia Park's right field wall. This event is free to attend.
> Mercer’s Heritage Hall: 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon
>> MUSIC: Belltower Karaoke and BASS at The Belltower (7-10 p.m.)
The Belltower Collective hosts an evening of karaoke and Open Mic music, poetry, comedy, spoken word, and experimental performances this Wednesday, with The Belltower’s Kava Bar open from 5 until 10 p.m. The shy can enjoy a private suite karaoke room for those who want to sing with friends or warm up. Belltower Karaoke and BASS is free to attend.
> The Belltower: 2371 Ingleside Avenue, Macon
THURSDAY, January 8th
>> January Federated Salon: An Introduction to the Hebrew Bible at Longleaf Distillery (7 p.m.)
Rabbi Elizabeth Bahar will present a three-part January Federated Salon exploring the Hebrew Old Testament at Longleaf Distillery that starts this Thursday. Attendees will learn about “how the Bible was constructed (January 8th), what ancient Israel was waiting for (January 15th), and how themes of silence and absence shape the text” (January 22nd), with a combined closing session taking place on January 29th. The January Federated Salon is free to attend, but registration is required at this link to attend.
> Longleaf Distillery: 664 2nd Street, Macon
>> MUSIC: Bragg Jamuary at JBA (8-11 p.m.)
Bragg Jam’s annual college-aged Battle of the Bands, Bragg Jamuary, begins this Thursday with performances from Buster Chrome (9 p.m.), Little Gracie (9:45 p.m.), and the Palace Rats (10:30 p.m.) at Downtown Macon’s JBA. Bragg Jamuary will take place every Thursday in January and feature twelve bands. Music lovers can vote for their favorite band for $1, either in person at JBA (where the vote counts 5 times) or online, where voting opens this Thursday. The winning band will receive $1,500 and open at the Capitol Theatre for the 2026 Bragg Jam Concert Crawl. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the music starting at 9 p.m. The final concert will include a performance from each of the bands who received the most votes for their performances at the concerts on January 8th, January 15th (The Id, Giant DeNiro, Sweet Diesel), January 22nd (Robin Callaway, Strictly Liquid, Ashes), and January 29th (Sons of Midnite, MothaFunka, Red Oaks). The voting round for the finalists will take place from February 5th through 11th. All Bragg Jamuary shows are free to attend.
> JBA: 425 Cherry Street, Macon
Graphic courtesy of Bragg JamDid 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.
