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The historic Douglass Theatre is one of the venues where movies will be screened during the 2026 Macon Film Festival (Photographer Nate Weeks)
The Macon Film Festival returns to multiple venues in Macon this weekend, with immersive films at venues that include the Museum of Arts and Sciences' planetarium ceiling. Live music fans have plenty of reasons to celebrate this weekend, with Macon's Shy Company opening up for indie rock band The Brook & The Bluff, and two other Middle Georgia favorites, The Restless Natives and DireWoof, performing at the same show. The following are just a few of the fun, interesting, and often free things to do this weekend in the heart of Georgia.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21st
>> Macon Area Connections: Mingle with Singles at House Cocktails in Macon (6-8 p.m.)
The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce brings a unique singles mixer to Downtown Macon’s newest drinking establishment, House Cocktails. Attendees will don color-coded wristbands: blue for singles attracted to men, pink for singles attracted to women, red for wingmen, and yellow for “ask me about it.” There will be icebreakers throughout the night, according to the Chamber. Admission to this 21-and-older event costs $20 online and includes 2 drink tickets and a chance to win giveaways.
> House Cocktails: 368 2nd Street, Macon
>> MACON FILM FESTIVAL: Special Screening: Fulldome Immersive Showcase at the Museum of Arts and Sciences (7:30-10 p.m.)
The Macon Film Festival presents a special screening of the Fulldome Film Festival Showcase on the enormous ceiling of the Museum of Arts and Sciences’ planetarium. This 21-and-up evening features screenings of wildly inventive films and a chance to explore the museum’s art galleries, take gyroscope rides, and enjoy drinks and food. Entry to this special screening requires a Macon Film Festival All-Access Pass, or a Museum of Arts & Sciences membership.
> Museum of Arts and Sciences: 4182 Forsyth Road, Macon
The Museum of Arts & Sciences has been explored by thousands and thousands of young Middle Georgians (Photographer Nate Weeks)>> MUSIC: The Brook and the Bluff: The Werewolf Tour with Shy Company at the Capitol Theatre in Macon (8 p.m.)
Nashville-based indie rock band The Brook & The Bluff will perform at Downtown Macon’s Capitol Theatre on Saturday night as part of their Werewolf Tour. Macon’s own Shy Company will open for the band. The Brook & The Bluff have been constantly touring for almost a decade. Their sound reminds listeners of Creedence Clearwater, Tom Petty, and The Eagles, according to the venue. The doors open at 7 p.m., and the music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets to this show start at $25 on tixr.com.
> The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre: 382 2nd Street, Macon
>> COMEDY: Off the Rails Comedy Showcase at stARTup Studios (9 p.m.)
Host Brock Savage will lead a four-comic stand-up lineup at stARTup Studios this Saturday evening. August’s comedians include Macon’s own Vic alongside Nicole Ortiz of Tallahassee and Atlanta’s Eddie Coleman. General admission tickets start at $10 online at this link.
> stARTup Studios: 1055 Riverside Drive, Macon
>> MUSIC: Manic Wave, Sons of Midnite, Headlocked at The Hummingbird in Macon (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)
Three rock bands perform at The Hummingbird this Saturday night: Manic Wave, Sons of Midnite, and Headlocked. The cover is just $5 at the door for this show.
> The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom: 430 Cherry Street, Macon
Manic Wave released their official music video for the band's "Morphinomania" last December
SATURDAY, August 22nd
>> COLLECTING: Case Hit Promotions presents Pokémon & Sports Card Show at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry (10 a.m.)
Case Hit Promotions brings 100 tables of card vendors from across Georgia and surrounding states to the Georgia National Fairgrounds this Saturday. The vendors will be offering everything from Pokémon to sports cards, according to Case Hit Promotions. Serious collectors can pay $10 for early access from 9 to 10 a.m. before general admission opens. General admission tickets cost $5 for ages 16 and up, and are free for attendees 15 and under.
> Georgia National Fairgrounds: 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry
>> SHOPPING: The Griffin Hometown Market Vendor Day at the Griffin City Park (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
The Griffin Hometown Market sets up more than 100 vendor spots at Griffin City Park this Saturday for a family-friendly day of shopping, trying out food trucks, and making community connections. Admission is free to this shopping event.
> Griffin City Park: 601 Camp Northern Road, Griffin
>> FOOD: Picnic in the Park Food Truck Festival at Carolyn Crayton Park in Macon (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Food trucks roll into Carolyn Crayton Park (formerly known as Central City Park) for an afternoon of food and family fun, with music, a kids zone, and more. DJ T-Luve of 3D Entertainment will provide the music. Tents, blankets, and lawn chairs are welcome, according to the organizers. Picnic in the Park Food Truck Festival is free to attend.
> Carolyn Crayton Park: 150 Willie Smokie Glove Drive, Macon
>> MUSIC: Blue with Futon, Strict#9, and Headlocked at stARTup Studios in Macon (7 p.m.)
Blue. headlines a four-band bill at stARTup Studios on Saturday, with support from Futon, Strict#9, and Headlocked. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets for this show cost $10 in advance online or $15 at the door.
> stARTup Studios: 1055 Riverside Drive, Macon
>> MUSIC: The Restless Natives and DireWoof at the Capitol Theatre in Macon (7 p.m.)
The Restless Natives, Macon’s homegrown tribute to The Allman Brothers Band, will perform along with DireWoof on the stage of Downtown Macon’s Capitol Theatre. DireWoof is a Central Georgia collective that formed in 2020 and pays tribute to the Grateful Dead and Southern rock greats. Tickets to see The Restless Native & DireWoof cost $20.22 on tixr.com.
> Capitol Theatre: 328 2nd Street, Macon
>> MACON FILM FESTIVAL: Special Screening of Donnie Darko at The Douglass Theatre in Macon (7-9:30 p.m.)
The Macon Film Festival presents a screening of director Richard Kelly’s 2001 cult classic “Donnie Darko” at the historic Douglas Theatre this Saturday evening. “Donnie Darko” tells the story of a teenager experiencing visions of a man in a rabbit suit after almost dying in a near-miss accident. Mary McDonnell, the actress who played the mother of Darko in the film, will take questions after the screening. All-Access pass holders 21 and up can join the official after-party at The Rose Room from 9:45 to 11:30 p.m. (arrive before 10:45 p.m for your best chance to get in). Buy passes, view the festival’s schedule, and more online at this link.
> The Douglass Theatre: 428 Mulberry Street Lane, Macon
>> MUSIC: Rock the ‘90s at The Society Garden in Macon (8 p.m.)
Middle Georgia’s own Rock the 90s will entertain patrons at Macon’s The Society Garden this Saturday night. Expect covers of hit songs from artists like Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Coolio, Stone Temple Pilots, Matchbox Twenty, and Collective Soul. Tickets for this show cost $20 online.
> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon
>> MUSIC: Cody Matlock at Grant’s Lounge in Macon (9 p.m.)
Atlanta singer, songwriter, and guitarist Cody Matlock performs at Grant's Lounge this Saturday. Matlock started his music career playing blues clubs when he was still a teenager and was then mentored by Stax Records soul icon William Bell, according to the Atlanta Jazz Festival website. Tickets to see Cody Matlock live cost $15 online or at the door.
> Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon
SUNDAY, August 23rd
>> STORYTELLING: Stories Save the World & Fire Circle Membership at stARTup Studios (4-7 p.m.)
Storytellers Macon hosts its second annual Stories Save the World Fundraiser at stARTup Studios on Sunday evening. This event will include riveting stories, local art, food, and drinks. Funds raised will help Storytellers Macon’s monthly storytelling events, workshops, and more. Each ticket includes a one-year Fire Circle Membership and can be purchased online at this link.
> stARTup Studios: 1055 Riverside Drive, Macon
Graphic courtesy of Storytellers MaconNOTABLE EVENTS NEXT WEEK:
>> SATURDAY, August 29th: Vanara, FateJacket, The Quit and tinyWOLF at stARTup Studios in Macon (7 p.m.): The bands performing at stARTup Studios next Saturday were all winners of stARTup Studios’ 2026 Battle of the Bands. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door. (1055 Riverside Drive, Macon)
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