MACON, Ga. — Christmas is right around the corner!
Several places in central Georgia are hosting events to help you get into the Christmas spirit.
*This list is not comprehensive and more events are added as we are notified*
Macon-Bibb
- Drive-Thru Nativity
Where: Mount De Sales Academy, 851 Orange Street in Macon
When: Friday December 1, from 6-8 p.m.
You can sip on some hot chocolate as you drive through and see the nativity story from your car at this event. There will be live scenes, luminaries, and Christmas lights while the St. Joseph's little choir angels sing.
The event is free to attend, and the drive thru starts at 851 Orange St., next to Sheridan Hall.
For more information, you can visit the event listing here.
- Pan African Christmas and Holiday Traditions Exhibit
Where: Tubman Museum
When: Friday, December 1
The Tubman Museum will launch a new exhibit with their Pan African Festival of Trees and Holiday Traditions on Dec. 1. They say there will be a vendor market, children's stories, a table reading and their 31st Annual Nigerian Christmas Tree lighting. Plus, there'll be a South Pole Santa to take pictures with children of all ages.
The exhibit will run until Jan. 3
- Santa Paws event in Downtown Macon
Where: Poplar Street in Downtown Macon
When: Tuesday, December 12, from 6-8 p.m.
Santa Paws is coming to town! During the Macon Christmas Lights Extravaganza, Santa Claus will come to Poplar street! You can bring your dogs out for free photos with him from 6-8, and the light show will last from 6-10 p.m.
For more information and a list of dog-friendly restaurants you can dine at, you can visit the event list here.
- Christmas with John Berry - The 27th Annual Christmas tour
Where: The Grand Opera House, 657 Mulberry Street in Macon
When: Saturday December 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Join singer John Berry as he serenades you with some classic Christmas hits.
You can also buy tickets for Berry's VIP experience one hour before the show. You can find tickets on the Grand Opera House's website.
For more on the event, you can visit the link here.
- Holiday Market
Where: Fall Line Brewing Co., 567 Plum Street in Macon
When: Sunday, Dec. 17 from 1-5 p.m.
You can stroll through lines of local vendors and grab some homemade gifts to finish out the rest of your holiday shopping at this event. From clothing and jewelry, to jams and coffee, to paintings and ornaments, you'll find something special for everyone on your list!
There will also be refreshments to grab while you ship, and a bar with Christmas cocktails and beer.
Additionally, if you stop by every booth, you can enter for a chance to win a stocking stuffer giveaway. For more information on the market, you can visit the event listing here.
- The Holiday Show by Macon Arts Alliance
Where: Macon Arts Alliance, 484 1st Street Macon
When: Friday November 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This show will feature small gifts, ornaments, holiday décor, stationary and more. You are sure to find the perfect gift for your loved ones this holiday season!
They will also be offering free gift wrapping upon request. For more information on the show, you can visit their Facebook page here.
- Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza
Where: Downtown Macon
When: November 24 - January 3 2024
If you stroll around downtown Macon this time of year, you'll notice Christmas lights strung up everywhere along the walkways and park areas.
Each night there are light shows from from 6-10pm (6pm, 7pm, 8pm, & 9pm). The lights stay on (without motion or music) from 10-11 p.m. each night.
- Macon Pops Christmas Spectacular
Where: Downtown Macon
When: Friday, November 24 from 6-7:30 p.m.
The Macon Pops will perform live at the Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza, and their music will be synchronized with the light display.
The show will take place on First and Poplar Street in downtown Macon. You can bring your lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy the show.
After the show, walk around all of downtown and see the light show. The event is free to attend.
For more information, click the link here.
-Lizella Christmas Parade
Cancelled.
A statement post on their Facebook page:
"With the heaviest of heart, I am letting you all know that the 5th Annual Lizella Christmas Parade will be cancelled this year.
This decision was made with several sources looking at 3-5" of rain between Friday and Sunday, the most of that between 7 am and 5 pm on Saturday.
I know a lot of time and resources go into your entries, so may I suggest that you could join in on the Roberta/Crawford County Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec 9th at 4:30.
Please let me know if you would like to be a part of that Parade! 478-256-4456
I will be doing refunds for this years parade. If you gave me cash, please come by our office to pick that up.
SPECIAL thanks to Bibb County Sheriffs office, Bibb County REACT, Bibb County Fire Department for always helping in any way possible.
Many have asked can it be rescheduled and that is just not possible as it requires state and local permitting, insurance policy, Emergency services coordination that just cannot be "redone" in a timely manner.
Please share with your church, neighbors, etc."
Houston
- Perry Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 2 at 10 a.m.
Attendees can expect more than 80 floats featuring representatives from the community as we kick off the holiday season in Perry. The parade will go on rain or shine.
13WMAZ reached out about plans for weather and they said "The only way we would cancel would be if there are thunderstorms or if we had too many participants back out."
The parade will begin on Kellwood Drive and then turn right onto General Courtney Hodges Boulevard. The route will continue to Macon Road via Carroll Street. A parade route map is below.
Road closures on December 2 begin at 8:30 a.m. Roads are expected to be reopened at approximately 11:00 a.m.
A map of free downtown parking is located on Historic Downtown Perry’s website. Click on the parking map icon to view the available parking (excluding the locations within the event footprint).
- Vintage ceramic Christmas Tree Workshop
Where: Hammer & Stain Middle GA, 721 Carroll Street in Perry
When: Sunday, December 3 at 2 p.m.
You can learn how to assemble your own lit ceramic Christmas tree decoration in this fun and artsy workshop. Tickets are $40, and include all materials.
For more information on the workshop and to buy tickets, you can visit the link here.
- Warner Robins Christmas Parade
Where: The parade will start at the parking lot of McConnell-Talbert Stadium on South Davis Drive, right across from Warner Robins High School and end on Watson Blvd and Houston Rd by Houston Healthcare Pavilion.
When: Saturday, December 9 at 10 a.m.
Get ready to see lots of floats and holiday cheer at the Warner Robins Christmas parade! You can bring the whole family out to celebrate the holidays.
For more information on the parade, you can visit the link here.
- Centerville Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
The city says they have 80 entries signed up.
The parade will begin at 7:00 PM at the intersection of Thomson Rd and Houston Lake Blvd. The route will travel down Houston Lake and end at the entrance to the mall (across from the Galleria Point shopping center).
To make the route safer, all parade entries will turn back to the right and proceed around the back of the mall. Road closures should limit pedestrian traffic, as well as eliminate attendee traffic getting mixed in with the parade.
Please pay attention to the posted road closures and plan accordingly in advance. We also ask that you respect private property, as well as businesses that are open during this time, leaving parking for customers.
- Christmas Cookie Decorating Class
Where: Z Beans Coffee, 102 S 1st Street in Warner Robins
When: Saturday, December 16 from 12-2 p.m.
During this class, you will learn to decorate sugar cookies for Christmas with royal icing and other toppings. You can also learn about the different icing consistencies and some decorating tips and tricks to make your cookies look holiday party ready!
Each student will take home 5 cookies they decorated. All supplies are included, and participants must be 14 and up. You have to be registered in advance for the class, and you can buy tickets here.
- Festival of Trees at the Museum of Aviation
Where: Museum of Aviation Robins AFB, 1994 Heritage Blvd in Warner Robins
When: Saturday, Dec 2- December 22
You can stop by the Museum of Aviation to see beautifully decorated Christmas trees from all over. You can dress up in your holiday best or wear a Christmas sweater and take photos by your favorite tree.
You an also cast a $5 vote on your favorite tree, which will put you in a drawing for a gift.
For more information on the festival, you can visit the event listing here.
Baldwin
- Annual Tree Lighting
Where: The Plaza on West Hancock Street
When: Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
- Merry Milly Market
Where: The Annex- 127 East Hancock S
When: Dec. 1 from 5-8 p.m. and Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. -3 p.m.
- Exchange Bank Cookies with Santa
Where: Exchange Bank
When: Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m.
- Pictures and Cookie Decorating with the Grinch
Where: Visit Milledgeville - 200 West Hancock St.
When: Dec. 1 from 6- 8 p.m.
- Milledgeville Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 3 at 3 p.m.
Peach
- Byron Christmas Parade
Due to the anticipated rain for Saturday, the City of Byron decided to cancel the Christmas Parade!
"Hope to see all of you next year!!" they said in the post.
- City of Byron Christmas Tree Lighting & Movie Night
Where: Byron Welcome Center
When: Dec. 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Due to high rain chances the event has been postponed to Friday, December 8th.
They will be playing the classic movies "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"
We will also have food trucks and other activities!
**We still have spots open for Food Vendors. If you would like to participate, please give us a call at 478-956-2409 or email at byronwelcomecenter@gmail.com. Or you can stop by the Welcome Center Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 to fill out an application and pay the vendor fee ($40). The vendor fee can be paid by cash check or money order.
Laurens
- Downtown Dublin Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m.
Jones
- Gray Christmas Extravaganza
Where: Bradley Baptist Church, 819 Monticello Hwy 11 N. in Gray
When: Saturday, December 2 at 9:30 a.m.
You can drop in and have your picture with Santa! They will also have hot chocolate, coffee and doughnuts to enjoy.
You can register to join here.
-2023 Gray Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.
Crawford
- All Day Festivities in Roberta
When: Dec. 9 at Roberta's Historic David Bailey Park and Crawford Chamber of Commerce
- Merry Market from 9 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
- CCMHA Drama Team Performance 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Parade at 4:30 p.m.
- Visit with Santa and The Grinch at 5 p.m.
- Lighting of the Great Tree at 6 p.m.
- Live Nativity at 6:30 p.m.
- The Allen's in concert at 7 p.m.
- Christmas Movie Night
Where: Roberta's Historic David Bailey Park
When: Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.
Bleckley
- Cohrans Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
Bolingbroke
- Bolingbroke Christmas Parade
Where: Rivoli Road in Downtown Bolingbroke
When: Saturday, December 9 at 11 a.m.
In addition to the parade, you can enjoy pictures with Santa, Pinky’s Shaved Ice/Hot Chocolate, and boiled peanuts after! Food Trucks (Ricky’s Tacos and the Chuck Wagon) will be located at Bolingbroke Antiques and Mercantile.
Dodge
-Christmas in the Pines at Lakeview Walk Through
Where: Eastman - 5 Amanda Drive
When: Saturday, December 9 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and continuing each night until New Years.
Organizer invite the community out this year to enjoy a bigger and better holiday lights display. This year's event uniquely combines modern and antique displays.
While the walk through is nightly, on December 16 and 17 there will be is a special weekend with fun, food, hot chocolate and of course the return of Santa and Mrs. Clause. These events happens between 7 p.m. 11 p.m.
It's all free to the public.
For more information on the parade, visit the link here.