Every December, the small city of Macon, Georgia—about 90 minutes from Atlanta—transforms into a dazzling holiday destination. The Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza, launched in 2017, is a spectacle of over 1 million lights across more than six blocks. The LED show is choreographed to upbeat tunes from the Macon Pops, an local orchestra with a flair for energetic renditions. Here’s what you need to know about one of the great unsung holiday experiences in America.
Cue the Lights
The spectacle, winding throughout downtown Macon, is designed to be explored on foot. The colorful lights are mounted on different building facades, storefronts, medians, and public spaces, each responding in a carefully calibrated dance to the Pops’ soundtrack. So instead of settling in at a single stationary viewing area, you’ll want to view the whole show from several different perspectives.
The lights are first lit on November 28 for the annual Macon Pops Christmas Spectacular, and then continue playing each night of the week with shows at 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. Performances last 45 minutes, beginning at the top of the hour. The lights then remain lit from from 10:00 to 11:00 p.m. for later evening wandering.
Festivities Galore
And, new for this year, Macon is adding even more holiday cheer. The Marché de Noël: Macon Christmas Market takes place December 5–14. Inspired by European holiday markets—and by Macon’s sister-city connection to Mâcon, France—the event features wooden chalets offering goods from regional makers, along with Glühwein (German mulled wine), festive food, a bier garden, and live music,
Because the market sits in the heart of downtown, it’s easy to spend an afternoon exploring the rest of Macon’s walkable core before the evening light show begins. More than 80 restaurants and shops can be found within a few blocks, offering plenty of options for gifts, snacks, and seasonal drinks. One standout is Blitzen: A Holiday Bar at Switch Macon. This holiday pop-up is filled with floor-to-ceiling décor and a menu of themed cocktails. Special events—like holiday wine mixers and Christmas cookie competitions—add to the festive atmosphere.
Beyond the Christmas market, seasonal pop-ups, and the Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza, visitors to Macon shouldn’t miss the Festival of Trees. This annual exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Sciences showcases more than 50 Christmas trees decorated by local and regional designers. The display runs from November through January, and is included with regular museum admission.
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