Image
This weekend will feature lots of unique events for adventurers of all ages, with a back-to-school event for kids, an after-hours swim for adults at Rigby's Water World, lots of live music, and much more. Downtown Macon will be filled with the sound of music on Saturday when the annual Bragg Jam Concert Crawl returns with performances at 8 different venues. The following are just a few of the fun, interesting, and often free things to do this weekend in the heart of Georgia.
FRIDAY, July 24th
>> Houston County Family Connection’s 17th Annual Back to School Bash 2026 in Warner Robins, Perry, and Centerville (9 a.m.)
Houston County Family Connection Houston County Family Connection marks 17 years of helping local students start the school year prepared with its annual Back to School Bash, spread across three locations on Friday morning. Families can visit the in-person event at CB Watson Primary in Warner Robins from 10 a.m. to noon, or take advantage of drive-thru distributions at Perry High School and Thomson Middle School in Centerville, both running 9-11 a.m. This back to school event is free for Houston County families.
> CB Watson Primary: 61 Martin Luther King Street, Warner Robins
> Perry High School: 1307 North Avenue, Perry
> Thomson Middle School: 301 Thomson Road, Centerville
>> Adults Only After Hours Swim at Rigby’s Water World in Warner Robins (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
The kids have had all summer to enjoy Rigby's Water World, and now it's the grown-ups' turn. The Warner Robins water park stays open after hours this Friday evening for guests 21 and older, offering two hours of slides and swimming without a single floatie-clad toddler throwing a fit in sight. Note that the Adventure Bay pool will be closed for this event. Tickets to the Adults Only After Hours Swim cost $20 per person.
> Rigby’s Water World: 2001 Karl Drive, Warner Robins
>> MUSIC: PunkNite’s Pop Punk Emo Night with Reckless Giants and Up From Here at Reverb Room in Warner Robins (7 p.m.)
PunkNite brings its touring pop-punk and emo celebration to the Reverb Room on Friday, so dig out the studded belts and perfect your eyeliner. The night features live sets from Reckless Giants, a Gainesville, Florida three-piece, and Nashville's Up From Here, a band the organizers describe as having "classic warped-tour energy," plus hours of DJ sets spinning throwback anthems between acts. Tickets to Pop Punk Emo Night can be purchased online for $15 plus fees at this link.
> Reverb Room: 1758 Watson Boulevard, Warner Robins
>> MUSIC: Ashes at The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre in Macon (8 p.m.)
The Capitol Theatre and Macon Magazine continue their summer concert series built on a simple premise: local music and a local beer for $10, with no outrageous fees attached. Friday's installment features Ashes, a Macon psychedelic rock outfit led by Lewis Ashe alongside Mason Wiley, Chris Hankey, and Erik Wolstenholme. This local band is known for harmonized vocals, atmospheric textures, and high-energy live shows. The band released its self-titled debut EP earlier this year and has been building a following across the Southeast. Tickets to see Ashes cost $10 and include a local beer (for concertgoers 21 and older).
> The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre: 382 2nd Street, Macon
The Capitol Theatre is just one of the historic music venues located in Downtown Macon (Photographer Nate Weeks)>> MUSIC: Backstreet Hooligans’ Rock ’n Roll Takeover at The Society Garden in Macon (8 p.m.)
Warner Robins rockers Backstreet Hooligans bring straight-ahead rock 'n roll to The Society Garden's main stage this Friday night. The beer garden music venue is open from 5 p.m. to midnight, with a food truck on site for anyone looking to eat while rocking out. The Society Garden will charge a $10 cover starting at 7 p.m.
> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon
>> MUSIC: Maxwell Street: A Tribute to ‘70s Rock at Grant’s Lounge in Macon (9 p.m.)
Atlanta's Maxwell Street takes the stage at Grant's Lounge on Friday with a set list pulled straight from the ‘70s. For over a decade, this collective of lifelong musicians has recreated the sounds of Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, The Grateful Dead, The Band, The Pretenders, Journey, and Macon's own Allman Brothers. Tickets to Maxwell Street: A Tribute to '70s Rock cost $10.
> Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon
SATURDAY, July 25th
>> SHOPPING: Carrington Woods Neighborhood Yard Sale in Milledgeville (8 a.m.)
Bargain hunters can hit more than 10 yard sales in one trip on Saturday morning when the Carrington Woods neighborhood in Milledgeville holds a community-wide yard sale. Participating homes will be marked with signs and balloons, and sellers have been encouraged to be set up by 8 a.m. sharp. Early birds will find the best selection, as any veteran yard-saler can tell you. The Carrington Woods Neighborhood Yard Sale is free to browse.
> Carrington Woods Neighborhood: Robin Circle, Milledgeville
>> SHOPPING: Grown-Up Book Fair in Milledgeville (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Remember the thrill of the school book fair when you were a kid? Milledgeville Baldwin County Allied Arts seeks to recreate it for adults this Saturday at Allen's Market, promising "better stories and no homework," as the organizers put it. Readers can browse tables from local authors and booksellers, chat with the writers behind the books, and hunt for their next great read. All proceeds go back to Milledgeville Baldwin County Allied Arts to fund community programs, and prospective vendors or book donors can call (478) 452-3950. The Grown-Up Book Fair is free to attend.
> Allen’s Market: 101 Floyd L. Griffin Jr. Street, Milledgeville
>> MUSIC: Bragg Fam at the Otis Redding Center for the Arts in Macon (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Families can ease into Bragg Jam Saturday with Bragg Fam, a free afternoon of crafts, games, music, and face painting at the Otis Redding Center for the Arts this Saturday. Sponsored by Blue Bird and Irving Tissue, the event celebrates creativity and community in the heart of downtown before the Bragg Jam Concert Crawl kicks into gear. Note that Bragg Fam is a separate community event, and attending does not include admission to the Concert Crawl performances. Bragg Fam is free and open to the whole family.
> Otis Redding Center for the Arts: 436 Cotton Avenue, Macon
>> MUSIC: Bragg Jam Concert Crawl 2026 in Macon (12 p.m.)
The Bragg Jam Concert Crawl returns this Saturday and will take place across 8 Downtown Macon venues, including JBA, Grant’s Lounge, The Rookery, and Vice Bar, from noon until late. This year's lineup is headlined by Kashus Culpepper and Langhorne Slim, joined by dozens of artists spanning indie rock, soul, funk, and Americana. There will also be unique signature moments, such as the Bragg Jam Guitar Pull. Bragg Jam Concert Crawl General Admission tickets cost $55.93 each or $49.99 for a Party Pack of 4, while VIP tickets cost $116.51; all are on sale now online at this link.
> Various Venues in Downtown Macon
>> BASEBALL: Amici Macon Braves Watch Party in Macon (6 p.m.)
Braves fans who can't make the trip to Atlanta can get the next best thing at Amici Macon this Saturday. Amici’s Braves Watch Party starts at 6 p.m. ahead of the 7:05 p.m. first pitch and features Braves trivia, games and prizes, a "Pose at the Plate" photo op, appearances from the Tomahawk Team and mascot BLOOPER, and a mobile retail truck stocked with Braves gear. The Braves Watch Party is free to attend.
> Amici Macon: 1510 Mercer University Drive, Macon
The Braves were founded in Boston, Massachusetts and is the oldest continuously operating professional sports franchise in the country, according to Wikipedia (Photographer Nate Weeks)>> MUSIC: Soul Flow Sound Bath with Tammy Stephens at Sacred Journeys Center in Warner Robins (7 p.m.)
For those whose ideal Saturday night involves less loud music and more inner peace, Tammy Stephens leads Soul Flow, a sound and energy healing session at Warner Robins’ Sacred Journeys Wellness Center. The evening invites participants to release stress and quiet the mind through soothing vibrations, whether it's their first sound healing experience or a regular part of their wellness routine. Seating is limited, and reservations are encouraged. Tickets to Soul Flow cost $25.
> Sacred Journeys Center: 109 Westcliff Boulevard, Warner Robins
>> MUSIC/COMEDY: Bringing it Home at The Douglass Theatre (7 p.m.)
Macon's own The Stixxx return to the city that raised them on Saturday for a hometown show at the historic Douglass Theatre. The country rap duo has racked up millions of streams with what organizers call "that raw Southern sound," and they're sharing the stage with comedian Elmer Brown, whose Southern storytelling stand-up anchors a comedy lineup that also includes skits from E and J Comedy. Music, comedy, and hometown pride, all on one stage. General admission tickets to Bringing it Home can be purchased for $20, and VIP tickets for $50, on rebelity.com.
> The Douglass Theatre: 428 Mulberry Street Lane, Macon
>> Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions’ July’s Full Moon Float in Juliette (7:30 p.m.)
Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions offers a different way to see the river on Saturday night: by the light of the full moon. The guided float runs from the Highway 83 bridge to Juliette in boats decked out with glow sticks, with transportation to the put-in and all necessary gear provided, according to organizer Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions. Paddlers with their own boats can reserve shuttle service, and those looking to make a weekend of it can rent a cabin at the Ocmulgee River Retreat, just a stone's throw from the Whistle Stop Cafe. The Full Moon Float runs monthly from April through October. Spots for the Full Moon Float can be booked online at fareharbor.com.
> Juliette Park: 5543 Juliette Road, Juliette
>> MUSIC: Grits & Greens at The Hummingbird in Macon (9:30 p.m.)
The Hummingbird presents Grits & Greens, a self-described "psychedelic y'alternative" band from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, this Saturday night. This band’s songs tackle mental health, social injustice, and the pursuit of happiness. The Hummingbird will charge a $5 cover for this show.
> The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom: 430 Cherry Street, Macon
>> COMEDY: Comedy Macon at The Society Garden in Macon (10 p.m.)
Night owls can end Saturday with laughs at The Society Garden's late-night stand-up showcase. The lineup is led by nationally touring comedian Dan Frigolette, whose credits include Boardwalk Empire and OBX, performing in the open-air atmosphere that has made the Ingleside Village venue a local favorite. Seating is limited, so advance purchase is recommended (and an encore show is already planned for August 29th if you can’t make this one). Tickets to Comedy Macon cost $20 and can be purchased online at this link.
> The Society Garden: 2385 Ingleside Avenue, Macon
SUNDAY, July 26th
>> MUSIC/FOOD: Shy Company at the Bragg Brunch at the Overlook on First (12 p.m.)
The Concert Crawl is over on Sunday, but Bragg Jam gets one last hurrah with Bragg Brunch at The Overlook on First. Tickets include a catered breakfast buffet, bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys, and a live set from Macon's East Coast dream rock band Shy Company, all served with magnificent views of Downtown Macon. The menu features soft-scrambled farm eggs, buttermilk pancakes, rosemary skillet potatoes, and biscuits with sausage cream gravy. Space is limited. Tickets to Bragg Brunch can be purchased for $42.33 on eventbrite.com.
> The Overlook on First: 484 1st Street, Macon
>> Monumental Meander at Indian Springs State Park in Flovilla (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
A park naturalist leads an hour-long hike through the front of Indian Springs State Park on Sunday afternoon, stopping at historic spots along the way. Participants will learn about one of the oldest state parks in the country while enjoying the beautiful views to be found throughout the park. The hike departs from the park museum. The Monumental Meander is free, but there is a small parking fee at Indian Springs State Park.
> Indian Springs State Park: 678 Lake Clark Road, Flovilla
>> MUSIC: Jazz Vocalist Tony Hightower at Jazz in the Courtyard at The Douglass Theatre in Macon (7 p.m.)
The Douglass Theatre closes out its Jazz in the Courtyard season on Sunday evening with jazz vocalist Tony Hightower. Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs and friends for a final round of live music and summer vibes in the historic theatre's courtyard. Jazz in the Courtyard is free to attend.
> The Douglass Theatre: 428 Mulberry Street Lane, Macon
Downtown Macon's Douglass Theatre offers mix of live music, theatre, film, arts education, and community programming throughout the year (Photographer Nate Weeks)NOTABLE EVENTS NEXT WEEK:
>> WEDNESDAY, July 29th: Cam’s Plants at Ingleside Village presents Plant Bingo at The Society Garden in Macon (5:30 p.m.): Ingleside Village’s Cam’s Plants presents its third Plant Bingo event at The Society Garden next Wednesday. These unique events combine “bingo, plants, prizes, and good company,” and tickets usually sell out. Tickets cost $35 online at this link. (2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon)
>> FRIDAY, July 31st: Lizella Reign ($10 Beer + A Local Show) at The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre in Macon (8 p.m.): The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre and Macon Magazine once again present another concert in the $10 beer + a local show concert series next Friday, with a performance from Macon’s Lizella Reign. This band has a combined 50+ years of performing in Middle Georgia. The $10 ticket price also includes 1 beer (for concertgoers 21 and older). (382 2nd Street, Macon)
>> SATURDAY, August 1st: Back to School Foam & Dance Party at The Society Garden in Macon: Celebrate the kids going back to school with a kids’ dance and foam party next Saturday. A DJ will be spinning records starting at 4:30 p.m., and a giant foam cannon from Poppin’ Parties will be spraying 6 feet of cooling foam. Tickets to the Back to School Foam & Dance Party cost $5. (2389 Ingleside Avenue, 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.
But here's the truth: keeping a local publication alive costs money and time - and right now, Middle Georgia Times runs almost entirely on passion.
A small donation goes a long way toward keeping Middle Georgia Times free, independent, and focused on what matters most: you and your community. You can help support Middle Georgia Times here or through our Venmo account (@MiddleGATimes). Any amount is greatly appreciated!
Above all, thank you for reading Middle Georgia Times!
- Nate Weeks, Editor of the Middle Georgia Times