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A mother deer and her baby at historic Fort Frederica National Monument in St. Simons Island (Photographer Nate Weeks)
Adventurers this week can enjoy an event that revolves around the humble pickle at Fall Line Brewing Co., gaze at the stars at the Museum of Arts and Sciences or Indian Springs State Park, hang out with frisky felines at Middle Georgia's only cat cafe, and much more. Of particular note for Middle Georgia creatives, 478 Creatives will hold a 5th anniversary party Friday night at Downtown Macon's Tanglewood Art Studios. The following are just a few of the unique, exciting, and often free things to do this weekend in the heart of Georgia.
FRIDAY, July 17th
>> Pickle Fest at Fall Line Brewing Co. in Macon (7/17-7/19)
Pickle lovers get ready for pickle sandwiches, pickle cocktails, pickle beer flights, pickle lemonade, and more at Fall Line Brewing Co. during its 2026 Pickle Fest. Fall Line will be serving its Dill Pickle Flavored Gose (a sour beer) to mark the return of the annual event. On Sunday, there will be a pickle-themed yoga class from Home Grown Yoga starting at 11 a.m. and indoor pickleball from 12 to 5 p.m.: both events are free of charge.
> Fall Line Brewing Co.: 567 Plum Street, Macon
>> ART: 478 Creatives: 5th Anniversary Party at Tanglewood Art Studios in Macon (6-8 p.m.)
478 Creatives will celebrate its 5th anniversary with a party at Tanglewood Art Studios this Friday, while also closing out Adrienne Berkland’s “Crushed It,” which features fantastic paintings of realistic crushed cans and soda can tops. There will also be free parking, free beverages, and an artist talk from Berkland. There is a $5 suggested donation for this event, which goes towards helping 478 Creatives continue its community-building mission in Middle Georgia.
> Tanglewood Art Studios: 1080 Third Street, Suite 500, Macon
Tanglewood Art Studios is located in Downtown Macon (Graphic courtesy of 478 Creatives)>> Neel Lofts’ Grand Opening: Taste the Neighborhood in Downtown Macon (6-8 p.m.)
Neel's Lofts is celebrating finally being open and move-in ready at Taste the Neighborhood this Friday evening. Visitors will get a chance to tour the new lofts, meet the team behind them, and enjoy free food samples from popular Downtown Macon eateries as well as free adult beverages for those 21 and older (2 per person limit). There will also be live music and Building Bingo, where you can win a Mahjong starter set, according to Neel’s Lofts. This event is free and open to the public.
> Neel’s Lofts: 462 Cherry Street, Macon
>> ASTRONOMY: Sky Over Macon at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon (7 p.m.)
The Museum of Arts and Sciences’ Sky Over Macon invites Middle Georgians to gaze in wonder at the vast night sky in the Mark Smith Planetarium. The museum’s observatory will also be open if the weather permits, allowing the curious to see the “starry skies above Macon” up close. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the Planetarium Show starts at 7 p.m., followed by the Science of a Sphere Solar System Tour at 8:15 p.m., and telescopic observation at 9 p.m. (if skies are clear). Sky Over Macon costs $10 for adults and $5 for children (3 to 17 years old).
> Museum of Arts and Sciences: 4182 Forsyth Road, Macon
>> Mermaid Night at Rigby’s Water World in Warner Robins (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Rigby’s Water World and Middle Georgia’s Fairytales and Friends will present Mermaid Day this Friday evening. This family-friendly event will feature several water features to splash and swim in as well as multiple chances to interact with characters from the Little Mermaid universe. Tickets for Mermaid Night are $20 per person.
> Rigby’s Water World: 2001 Karl Drive, Warner Robins
>> THEATRE: The Backlot Players at The Rose Theatre present County Fair in Forsyth (7/17-7/26) (7:30 p.m.)
The Backlot Players at The Rose Theater will present County Fair: A Country Hits Musical, written by Taylor Ferrera and Matthew Webster, and presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French. The Rose Theatre is a historic movie theater that has been restored. This musical tells the story of two sisters “return[ing] to their rural Georgia hometown” to quickly settle their father’s estate, but they soon discover that fate has other plans for them. Purchase tickets for County Fair online at this link.
> The Rose Theatre: 23 West Johnston Street, Forsyth
>> ASTRONOMY: Flint River Astronomy Club’s Astronomy Night at Indian Springs State Park in Flovilla (8:30-10 p.m.)
The Flint River Astronomy Club invites the curious to gaze at the stars from the top of the McIntosh Lake dam this Friday night at “one of the oldest state parks in the United States.” Attendees will learn more about the many stars and planets viewable from our planet. There is no charge for this family-friendly event, but Indian Springs does charge an affordable parking fee.
> Indian Springs State Park: 678 Lake Clark Road, Flovilla
Indian Springs is a scenic and historically significant location in Middle Georgia (Photographer Nate Weeks)>> MUSIC: Nicky Diamonds at Grant’s Lounge (9 p.m.)
Afro-Indigenous Country-Roots/Blues singer/songwriter Nicky Diamonds will perform at historic Grant’s Lounge on Friday evening. Diamonds hails from San Antonio but is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee, according to the musician’s website. Tickets to see Nicky Diamonds in concert cost $15 at the door.
> Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon
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SATURDAY, July 18th
>> Oconee Outfitters’ Family Paddle on the Oconee River in Milledgeville (9 a.m.)
Oconee Outfitters will host a Family Paddle on the Oconee River this Saturday. Participants will meet at the Oconee River Greenway with supplies such as snacks, sunscreen, and beverages. The route is suitable for inexperienced paddlers and will include sandbars and chances to see wildlife, according to Oconee Outfitters. Tickets to the Oconee Outfitters’ Family Paddle start at $15 and can be purchased online at this link.
> Oconee River Greenway: 400 East Greene Street, Milledgeville
>> Friends of Indian Springs State Park and Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites’ Summer Museum Workday at Indian Springs State Park (9 a.m.-12 p.m.)
Indian Springs Park was established in 1826 and currently offers camping, swimming, fishing, and boating. As you can imagine, there is a lot of upkeep to be done due to the number of visitors who stop at the historic park every year. Friends of Indian Springs State Park and Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites invite the Middle Georgia community to help keep this important park in great shape by “cleaning and sprucing up the outside of the museum” on Saturday. Supplies will be provided, and water and snacks will be available. This family-friendly event is for all ages, and there Indian Springs State Park charges is a small parking fee.
> Indian Springs State Park: 678 Lake Clark Road, Flovilla
>> ART: Finding Shapes: Drawing from Found Objects Workshop at Tanglewood Art Studios (9:30-11:30 a.m.)
Savannah's Adrienne Berkland will lead a workshop for creatives that focuses on “community stewardship, observation, and drawing,” according to Tanglewood Art Studios. Berkland’s are exhibit “Crushed It” features items like crushed cans painted in realistic and vibrant ways that make them oddly beautiful. Before this workshop, attendees will participate in a neighborhood cleanup and will then find inspiration in the items found to create art. Tickets for the Finding Shapes workshop cost $30 and can be purchased online at this link.
> Tanglewood Art Studios: 1080 Third Street, Suite 500, Macon
>> SHOPPING: Macon Market at stARTup Studios (7/18-7/19) (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
July’s Macon Market at stARTup Studios takes place next Saturday and Sunday with local artisans, crafters, and small businesses selling a wide range of art, baked goods, jewelry, and more inside a historic, air-conditioned building in Downtown Macon. Vendors can sign up at this link. stARTup Studio’s Macon Markets are free to attend.
> stARTup Studios: 1055 Riverside Drive, Macon
>> Weekend at the Paws Awhile Cat Cafe in Perry (7/18-7/19) (11 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Cat lovers will appreciate spending time at Middle Georgia’s only cat cafe this Saturday and Sunday. The adorable cats lounge about, play with each other, and sometimes even pay attention to the human guests there to spend time with them. And if you get attached to a furry feline during the visit, most of the cats are adoptable, too. The caf will be open from 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors must book their visit in advance on the Paws Awhile Cat Cafe website.
> Paws While Cat Cafe: 1200 Macon Road, Perry
Cats are known for their hilarious antics and big personalities (Photographer Nate Weeks)>> MUSIC: Jon Lee and the Apparitions at Grant’s Lounge in Macon (9 p.m.)
Jon Lee Murphy of Jon Lee and the Apparitions is a southern rock, rhythm and blues singer/songwriter/guitarist based in Savannah. The band will take the historic stage at Grant’s Lounge for a show this Saturday night. Tickets to see Jon Lee and the Apparitions cost $10 at the door.
> Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon
>> MUSIC: Edgewood Heavy at The Hummingbird (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)
Atlanta’s Edgewood Heavy’s sound combines psychedelic rock with modern soul. This will be the first stop on the band’s 2026 tour, Singing Songs for Strangers, which leads them as far away as Greece and Turkey! The Hummingbird will charge a $5 cover for this show.
> The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom: 430 Cherry Street, Macon
Help us continue our mission of highlighting the positive in Middle Georgia today!
SUNDAY, July 19th
>> Survival Basics at Indian Springs Park Museum in Flovilla (1-3 p.m.)
Indian Springs Park’s naturalist will present a mini-class on Saturday. Attendees will learn “what to do when lost and what to put in a basic survival kit.” There is no charge for this event, but there is a small parking fee at the park.
> Indian Springs Park: 678 Lake Clark Road, Flovilla
>> ART/DANCING/COMMUNITY: You are Wanted at Creative Alternative in Macon (4 p.m.)
The You Are Wanted Community Celebration will include arts and crafts, dancing, a school supply giveaway, music, and more. This community event seeks to remind “every young person that they are seen, valued, and wanted.” There is no fee to attend You are Wanted.
> Creative Alternative: 262 Riley Avenue, Macon
>> MUSIC: Mercer University Sacred Harp Singing at Newton Chapel in Macon (4-6 p.m.)
The Middle Georgia Shape Note Collective will be singing Sacred Harp at Mercer University’s Newton Chapel again this Sunday. This type of singing is a type of choral music that started in New England and was continued in the South, according to Wikipedia. Attendees will be invited to sing along from the 2025 Sacred Harp, and free parking is available in front of the historic chapel or along Adams Street, according to the Middle Georgia Shape Note Collective. There is no charge to attend this event.
> Newton Chapel: 1310 Adams Street, Macon
NOTABLE EVENTS NEXT WEEK:
>> TUESDAY, July 21st: Lindsey Stirling (Duality Untamed Tour) at the Atrium Health Amphitheater in Macon (7 p.m.): Violinist, musician, dancer, singer, and composer Lindsey Stirling will be performing at Macon Atrium Health Amphitheater next Tuesday. Stirling’s music blends classical, pop, rock, and electronic dance music, giving her a very unique sound. Tickets start at $51.17 on ticketmaster.com. (3657 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon)
>> FRIDAY, July 24th: Ashes ($10 Beer + A Local Show) at The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre in Macon (8 p.m.): The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre and Macon Magazine introduce another concert in the $10 beer + a local show concert series next Friday, with a performance from Middle Georgia’s Ashes. Ashes is a psychedelic rock and roll band formed in Macon. This concert series is meant to be an answer to the truly outrageous prices for many concert tickets these days. The $10 ticket price also includes 1 beer (for concertgoers 21 and older). (382 Second Street, Macon)
Ashes released the music video for the band's "Where You Going?" a few months ago
>> SATURDAY, July 25th: Bragg Fam and Bragg Jam Concert Crawl in Macon: The Bragg Jam Concert Crawl, preceded by the annual family-friendly Bragg Fam at the Otis Redding Center for the Arts (11 a.m.-2 p.m.), returns to Downtown Macon next Saturday. The lineup this year features headliners Kashus Culpepper and Langhorne Slim, along with dozens of other artists performing at 8 venues around downtown. Tickets for Bragg Jam can be purchased online at this link. (Multiple Venues around Downtown Macon)
Since 2021, Middle Georgia Times has been your source for the events worth attending, people worth knowing, places worth exploring, and the businesses making our communities better.
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- Nate Weeks, Editor of the Middle Georgia Times
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.
