10-16-2026 6:10am

Weekend Adventures in the Heart of Georgia (10/16-10/18)

Nate Weeks Editor

Some drivers in Middle Georgia have recently decorated their vehicles in spooky ways (Photographer Nate Weeks)

This weekend in Middle Georgia includes many events for fans of the paranormal and spooky, live music, comedy, tours, and much more. On Friday night, visitors to Downtown Macon can take a free tour from NewTown Macon to discover all the newest developments and businesses. The following are just a few of the fun, interesting, and often free things to do this weekend in the heart of Georgia.

FRIDAY, October 16th

>> Paranor-Macon at the Macon Marriott Center Hotel (10/16-10/17) (12 p.m.)

Paranor-Macon attendees will include discussions about mysterious cryptids and UFO/UAPs, psychics, ghost hunts at Fort Hawkins, lantern tours at Rose Hill Cemetery, and more this Friday and Saturday, along with panel discussions and special guests. Tickets to Paranor-Macon events start at $10.

> Macon Marriott Center Hotel: 240 Coliseum Drive, Macon

>> BOOKS: Author Talk: Nicholas Patler at the Washington Memorial Library in Macon (2 p.m)

Nicholas Patler, author of the book “Pinchback,” will give an author talk at historic Washington Memorial Park this Friday. This book is about America’s first black governor, P.B.S. Pinchback, who was born in Macon as the son of Eliza Stewart and white planter William Pinchback. This literary event is free to attend.

> Washington Memorial Library: 1180 Washington Avenue, Macon

>> NewTown Macon's Tour of Progress 2026 in Downtown Macon (5-8 p.m.)

Visitors to Downtown Macon will see recent developments in Downtown Macon during NewTown Macon’s free Tour of Progress 2026 on Friday. The Tour of Progress starts at the Gilmer Warehouse and ends at Neel's Lofts, where there will be a courtyard party, according to NewTown Macon. Tours leave every 10 minutes, with the last tour departing at 6:20 pm. Tickets for the family-friendly Tour of Progress Tour are free on eventbrite.com.

> 598 3rd Street, Macon

>> NewTown Macon's Tour of Progress 2026 in Macon (5-8 p.m.)

> 598 3rd Street, Macon

>> MUSIC: Richie & the High Street Rockers at the Georgia National Fairground in Perry (10/16-10/18) (6 p.m.)

Richie & the High Street Rockers will perform at the Georgia National Fairgrounds during its last weekend. This Philly-based band plays 50’s and 60’s rock and roll. Tickets to the Georgia National Fair include live music like this one and other special events.

> Georgia National Fairground: 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

>> Spirits of Milledgeville - Oconee River Haunting History Float at the Oconee River Greenway in Milledgeville (6:30 p.m.)

Oconee Outfitters and Seeking Asylum will present the Spirits of Milledgeville - Oconee River Haunting History Float on Friday night. Floaters will hear stories about the haunted history of Milledgeville during this unique event. Tickets to Spirits of Milledgeville - Oconee River Haunting History Float cost $70 per person, which includes watercraft rental, shuttle, and the tour, or $40 per person for those bringing their own watercraft.

> Oconee River Greenway: 420 E. Green Street, Milledgeville

>> Ocmulgee Artist Guild’s Dysphoria: In Liminal in Downtown Macon (7 p.m.-12 a.m.)

The Ocmulgee Artist Guild’s (OAG) “Dysphoria: In Liminal” is a fine art exhibit and art party “celebrating the unknown, the in-between and the transitional space.” Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and close at midnight. Visitors will enjoy live music, projected films, installations, and more, according to OAG. Dysphoria: In Liminal is free to attend, but donations will be accepted and help the OAG continue to present unique art events like this one.

> 452 1st Street, Macon

>> Macon Periods Easier Homecoming Gala at The Overlook on First in Macon (7-10 p.m.)

Macon Periods Easier’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Crowned for a Cause: Homecoming Gala 2026, will take place next Friday at The Overlook on First. This gala will include a DJ, dancing, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a silent auction. Macon Periods Easier raises awareness about period poverty in Middle Georgia and helps provide much-needed menstrual products to both schools and other agencies, according to the group. Tickets for the Macon Periods Easier Homecoming Gala start at $35 on zeffy.com.

> The Overlook on First: 484 1st Street, Macon

>> MUSIC: Jubilee Artists Series presents Happy Dog Duo at Mercer’s Townsend School of Music in Macon (7:30 p.m.)

Happy Dog Duo features pianists Eric Tran and Nathan Cheung and will perform four-hand classics, original works, and transcriptions while “bringing joy and humor to the classical music world.” The Happy Dog Duo have performed in Europe, Asia, and more than 2 dozen states. Tickets to this concert cost $7 on tixr.com.

> Townsend School of Music’s Fickling Hall: 1329 Adams Street, Macon

>> MUSIC: Silverada at The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre in Macon (8 p.m.)

The neotraditional country and Americana band Silverada (previously known as Mike and the Moonpies until 2024) will perform at The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre in Downtown Macon on Friday night. This band is proud of its Texas roots and was formed in 2007 by singer-songwriter Mike Harmeier, according to Wikipedia. Tickets to see Silverada perform live start at $29.80 on tixr.com.

> The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre: 382 2nd Street, Macon

>> COMEDY: Off the Rails Comedy Showcase at stARTup Studios in Macon (9 p.m.)

Comedians Duell F. Aldridge (Florence, AL), Deleta Hodges (Charleston, SC), and Kahleal White (Atlanta, GA) will perform comedy sets for Middle Georgians during the Off the Rails Comedy Showcase late Friday night. Brock Savage will be the entertaining host for this comedy event. Tickets to Off the Rails Comedy Showcase cost $15 in advance on eventeny.com and $20 at the door.

> stARTup Studios: 1055 Riverside Drive, Macon

>> MUSIC: Henry D. Jones at Grant’s Lounge in Macon (9 p.m.)

Henry D. Jones will perform Americana music, original songs, and old school Delta blues at Downtown Macon’s Grant’s Lounge on Friday. Tickets to this show cost $10 on eventim.us or at the door.

> Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

>> MUSIC: Dr. Bacon at the Hummingbird in Macon (9 p.m.)

The deliciously named band Dr. Bacon will perform at the Hummingbird this Friday evening. Dr. Bacon hails from Asheville, North Carolina, and will present “greasy grooves and wild weirdness,” according to the organizers. Tickets to see Dr. Bacon will cost $5 at the door.

> The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom: 430 Cherry Street, Macon

SATURDAY, October 17th

>> ART: Coffee & Canvas at Sweet Eleanor’s in Macon (10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

Patrons at Sweet Eleanor’s on Saturday will create 11x14 paintings during Coffee & Canvas. This artistic event is open to ages 10 through adult (children must be accompanied by a participating adult). Attendees will paint a lantern hanging in a tree during this event. Tickets to Sweet Eleanor’s Coffee & Canvas cost $30 online.

> Sweet Eleanor’s: 530 Poplar Street, Macon

>> ROAD TRIP: 2026 Little 5 Points Halloween Festival and Parade in Atlanta (10/17-10/18) 12 p.m.)

The Little 5 Points Halloween Festival will include performances in Euclid Yard from 9 bands, special events throughout Little 5 Points, and more this Saturday. A parade takes place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, followed by more live music behind the Star Bar and in Euclid Yard. Learn more about the 2026 Little 5 Points Halloween Festival and Parade online at this link.

> Various Locations: Little 5 Points, Atlanta

>> Oktoberfest Annual Fall Family Festival at The Society Garden in Macon (2 p.m.)

The Society Garden will present its annual Oktoberfest this Saturday. Attendees will hear traditional German music, dine on traditional German food, and enjoy traditional German beverages at this family-friendly event. This event will include a performance by DJ Pickles from 2 to 5 p.m. and a Beer Stein Holding Competition at 4 p.m.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

>> MUSIC/DANCE: Perry Belly Dance Studio presents The Healer’s Hafla at stARTup Studios in Macon (5-8 p.m.): Perry Belly Dance Studio presents an evening of music from Strings Of the Heart, Mediterranean food, dancing, and more at The Healer’s Hafla on Friday evening. Proceeds from this unique event will benefit the important work of Doctors Without Borders. Tickets to The Healer’s Hafla cost $25 on eventbrite.com.

> stARTup Studios: 1055 Riverside Drive, Macon

>> Macon Beyond: Spirits & Song at The Piedmont Grand Opera House in Macon (6:30-10:30 p.m)

Macon Beyond: Spirits & Song will include a paranormal investigation, storytelling, music, a dinner, and a performance focusing on the historic (and allegedly haunted) Grand Opera House on Saturday night. Actor/producer Carrie Genzel will host the paranormal investigation, which will feature spiritual medium Morrighan Lynne and lead investigator Jonathan Morgan, according to organizers. Tickets to Macon Beyond: Spirits & Song start at $35.02 on tixr.com.

> The Piedmont Grand Opera House: 651 Mulberry Street, Macon

>> MUSIC: MainStreet (A Bob Seger Tribute) at the Hawkinsville Opera House in Hawkinsville (7 p.m)

Steve Kelly and the MainStreet band will perform Bob Seger’s greatest hits during this concert on Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the music starts at 7 p.m. Tickets to MainStreet cost $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

> Hawkinsville Opera House: 42 Lumpkin Street, Hawkinsville

>> COMEDY: Late Night Comedy with Slink Johnson at The Society Garden in Macon (9 p.m.)

Comedian Slink Johnson will entertain patrons at The Society Garden on Saturday night. Johnson can be seen in Adult Swim’s series Black Jesus and heard in GTA V as the character Lamar Davis. Tickets to this comedy show cost $20 online or at the gate.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

>> MUSIC: Hustle Souls at Grant’s Lounge in Macon (9 p.m.)

Hustle Souls will perform at historic Grant’s Lounge this Saturday. This band blends retro-soul, brass band funk, and singer/songwriter Americana with a B3 organ, brass instruments, and three-part vocal harmonies, according to Visit Macon. Tickets to this show cost $15 on eventim.us or at the door.

> Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

SUNDAY, October 18th

>> Bike Walk Macon’s Ocmulgee Heritage Trail Riverwalk Cleanup in Macon (9-11 a.m.)

Bike Walk Macon, along with Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park (OMNHP) and Macon-Bibb County Parks & Beautification, invite volunteers to help clean up the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail this Sunday. OMNHP will provide trash grabbers and bags during this trash pickup and light landscaping event. Volunteers are allowed to park at James Bates Brannen and Groover and will meet at the MLK Jr. Boulevard Riverwalk Access for this free community event.

> James Bates Brannen and Groover: 231 Riverside Drive, Macon

>> MUSIC: The Dubshak Band performs during Reggae Sunday Funday at The Society Garden in Macon (4-7 p.m.)

The Dubshak Band will perform at The Society Garden during Reggae Sunday Funday this Sunday. Attendees can enjoy food from a Jamaican Pot food truck, cold beverages from The Society Garden, along with the performance from the Dubshak Band. Reggae Sunday Funday is free to attend.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

NOTABLE EVENTS NEXT WEEK:

>> MONDAY, October 19th: Game Night at Washington Memorial Library in Macon (5-7 p.m.): Families and friends will have some friendly competition during Washington Memorial Library’s Game Night next Monday. This community event is free to attend. (1180 Washington Avenue, Macon)

>> THURSDAY, October 22nd: Macon Arts Alliance’s 2026 Cultural Awards at the Mill Hill Community Arts Center in Macon (5:30 p.m.): Macon Arts Alliance will present its annual Cultural Awards at the historic Mill Hill Community Arts Center next Thursday. This event recognizes “individuals, organizations, and businesses who have made significant contributions to the cultural life of Central Georgia,” according to the Macon Arts Alliance. The 2026 Cultural Awards are free to attend. (213 Clinton Street, Macon)

>> SATURDAY, October 24th: Rose Hill Ramble at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon (10 a.m.): Kathleen O’Neal and Liz Riley of the Historic Macon Foundation will lead the Rose Hill Ramble tour through beautiful Rose Hill Cemetery this Saturday. Tickets for the 1.5-hour walking tour, which meets at the gate for Oak Ridge Cemetery, cost $20 on zeffy.com. (60 Madison Street, Macon)

>> SATURDAY, October 24th: The Living Gallery: Art Through Fashion - Mental States at stARTup Studios in Macon (7:30-10:30 p.m.): Fashion designer/curator/artist I.Miller will present The Living Gallery next Saturday at Downtown Macon's stARTup Studios. This unique fashion event will feature 8 artists, live storytelling, and curated runway installations, according to Miller. Tickets to The Living Gallery cost $28.52 on eventbrite.com. (1055 Riverside Drive, Macon)

Most Middle Georgia Times readers never make any donations, so your donation goes a long way toward keeping our publication independent and focused on what matters most: you and your community. You can help support Middle Georgia Times with your donations at this link or through our Venmo account (@MiddleGATimes). Any amount is greatly appreciated! - 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.