Name: May First Friday
Start: 2026-05-01T12:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-05-01T23:45:00-04:00
Location: Downtown Macon

First Friday, presented by Robins Financial Credit Union, is your ticket to downtown Macon! Be sure to use #downtownmacon in your posts.
SPECIAL EVENTS!
- Stormy Sips: NewTown Macon and Macon-Bibb EMA are teaming up for Stormy Sips at May's First Friday! Pick up a BINGO card at the Robins Financial Credit Union blue tent, visit participating bars and restaurants to complete a row, then email a photo to [email protected] to win an Emergency Preparedness Kit.
Don't miss EMA's First Friday Open House — step inside their operations center (once a Cold War fallout shelter!) and see how they keep our community safe by going to 700 Poplar Street from 5-7 PM. Check out the specials by going to our website www.newtownmacon.com/first-friday or look at the Stormy Sips Facebook event!
- First Look at Neel's Lofts(462 Cherry Street) 5-8 PM: Downtown Macon's most anticipated new address is almost here. Neel's Lofts officially opens May 15, 2026, bringing luxury loft-style living to the heart of downtown. Be the first through the doors. To celebrate their upcoming opening, Neel's Lofts is throwing an evening in the courtyard with live music, drinks, and a full building tour on May First Friday. Three units will be open, including one fully furnished, so you can walk through and picture yourself living there. Thinking about making the move? Sign your lease that night and you'll be entered to win a VIP move-in package loaded with gift cards to your favorite downtown Macon spots. Learn more at www.neelslofts.com

ART WALK:
- Macon Arts Alliance (486 1st Street), 4-7 pm
Macon Arts Alliance is happy to present their May exhibit, “Happy Places”, featuring a collection of diverse works from various artists. This exhibit explores the spaces—real or imagined—that bring us comfort, calm, and joy. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, “Happy Places” is a space for artists to reflect on the places we return to when the world feels heavy.
- The 567 Center for Renewal (456 1st St), 5-8 pm
Join us for the opening reception of an exhibit of pottery by Margaret Peth and paintings by Brandon Narsing. See the new exhibit, meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments.
Wesleyan College Leadership Lab (522 Cherry St), 5-8 pm
Wesleyan Leadership Lab presents the closing reception for Layers of Becoming, an exhibit of work by Cedric Smith. Artist talk at 6 pm.
- The Bohemian Den (502 Cherry St), 5-9 pm
The Bohemian Den presents artwork by Sydnee Robertson.
- Gallery West (447 3rd St), 5-8 pm
Gallery West will be celebrating their final First Friday in May as they close at the end of the month. Drop by for a retirement party with music by EG Knight and Caroline Aiken, photos by Kirk West, and paintings by featured artists: John Mollica, Kevin Lewis, Doug Miles, Deneise Ricketson, Maura Lucchese, and David Knoll.
- Lore Gallery (505 2nd St.) 4–7 PM: Lore Gallery brings the handcrafted artistry of indigenous communities from Central and South America right to downtown Macon. From the masks of the Embera people of Panama to the colorful works of the Tigua, every piece tells a story passed down through generations. This First Friday, participate in their Stormy Sips special by scaring away the storms with 20% off any tribal mask!

ENTERTAINMENT
- South of Atlanta Fest (Click here for tickets): GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Brent Cobb is bringing the South of Atlanta Festival back to his home turf for its second year, returning to Macon, Georgia on May 1-2 for a two-day run of of live music, intimate songwriter sessions and Southern soul across some of the city’s most storied venues.
- Soul Spots, presented by Bragg Jam and NewTown Macon, features live music from artists who play outside businesses every First Friday. Performances and locations will be announced soon!
- Grant's Lounge is hosting an Afterparty for South of Atlanta Fest Night 1. See Spencer Thomas starting at 10:30 PM!
Hummingbird Stage & Taproom: Trick or Treat?! Celebrate Halfway to Halloween at The Hummingbird on Friday May 1st. We'll be celebrating the spookiest holiday 6 months early with Scaryoke on the stage and a costume contest!
- Monster Jam returns to the Macon Coliseum on May 1 at 7 PM! With awesome trucks, amazing stunts and action-packed excitement, it's the definition of fun for everyone!
- Spring Stroll hosted by the Hay House -
The 31st Annual Spring Stroll is here! Enjoy over 10 home and garden sites, all with a focus and connection to architect Neel Reid. See some of his most detailed homes and experience some of the most well-maintained and preserved gardens.
In addition to home and garden tours, you can join us May 1 for a panel discussion, May 2 for an evening stroll, and or May 3, for tea and mahjong at Hay House!

RETAIL & RESTAURANTS
- Switch Macon's First Friday Spring Patio Market: We’re celebrating the final weekend of Cherry Blossom & Chick Flicks at Switch Macon, closing out this dreamy spring theme on Sunday, 5/3. Join us for First Friday Spring Patio Market as we kick off the farewell celebration—featuring local vendors, pink-forward fashion, custom pieces, and all the cinematic cherry blossom energy you’ve loved all season long.
Shuster's Candy and Creamery is perfect for a date night! They are open through 10 PM on Fridays and are offering a Stormy Sip special!
- The Social Duck: Try duck pin bowling, and we guarantee you will be obsessed after one time! They also have drink and food specials! It's perfect for a group night out or even a date!
- Flight Time at Bearfoot: Located above Bearfoot on Second Street, Flight Time is downtown Macon's newest elevated experience. Fusing Tiger Woods-caliber golf technology with F1 racing and flight simulators, all paired with craft cocktails and stunning views of Second Street — this is entertainment like nothing else in Macon. Come see what all the buzz is about!
- Reboot Retrocade and Bar: Macon's only arcade that doubles as a bar! Themed drink specials, plenty of arcade games, and good times guaranteed!
- The Bohemian Den: Stays open late through 9 PM on First Fridays and will have a art show! Check out their art gallery show!
Sweet Eleanor's will be open until 9 PM! Check out their Spring Special!
- Longleaf Distillery has "Appy Hour!" From 4 PM to 7 PM, get the snack of the month for 50% off.
- First Fridays at Loom, located in Hotel Forty Five: Kick off the month the right way—under the stars, with good vibes and even better deals! See local artists set the mood starting at 7 PM on the patio
More First Friday Fun: https://newtownmacon.com/enjoyingplaces/first-friday/

RETAIL SHOPS
The 567 Center for Renewal | Bear's Books | Bert Maxwell Furniture | BowFRESH Bowties | Chic Culture | Daphne's 525 | Elizabeth's Vintage Boutique | Fig & Ivy | Fresh Produce Records | Gallery West | Golden Bough Bookstore | Kaybee of Macon | Lawrence Mayer Florist | Lore Gallery | Macon Arts Alliance | MD Exchange | Mossy Creek Natural | Ocmulgee Outfitters | The Otis Redding Foundation | Petals | Rabbit Hole | Sheridan Studio | Sixth Ave | StARTup Studios | The Bohemian Den | The Vintage Thread | Wear. Your dollar makes change.

RESTAURANTS
Braddock's Cask & Table | Cashman's Pub | Churchill's on Cherry | Dovetail | Downtown Grill | Fall Line Brewing Co. | Famous Mike's of Macon | Fatty's Pizza | Flying Biscuit | Gangnam Grill | J. Reid's Tavern | Just Tap'd - Macon | Kudzu Seafood Company | Loom Comfort Kitchen + Cocktails | La Bella Morelia | Little India, Indian Cuisine | Macon Water Ice | Macon Bagel | Macon Made Nutrition | Ocmulgee Brewpub | Oliver's Corner Bistro | Parish on Cherry | Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen | Rookery | Satterfield's Barbecue | Sweet Eleanor's | Taste and See Coffee Shop | Thaismile Macon | Third and Cherry | Tokyo Alley | Your Pie | Z Beans Coffee

ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE VENUES
| Apt.77 | BJ's Billiards | Cashman's Pub | Churchill's on Cherry | Daisy Tequila Bar | Flight Time at Bearfoot
| Grant's Lounge | The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom | Hightales Rooftop Bar | JBA | Just Tap'd - Macon | Late Nite | Longleaf Distilling Co. | Macon Rocks Climbing Gym | Mercer Music at Capricorn | Monkey's Paw Tiki Lounge | Niche 385 | Quill | Reboot Retrocade & Bar | | Rose Room | Social Duck | Serenity Entertainment Complex | Switch Macon | The Man Upstairs
SPONSORS
First Friday is presented by Robins Financial Credit Union!
With support from:
100.9 The Creek
Cumulus
Visit Macon
The Grand Opera House
McEachern Art Center
Mercer Music at Capricorn
Fall Line Brewing Co.

ABOUT NEWTOWN MACON
We are an independent nonprofit that focuses on economic
development and revitalizing Downtown Macon. We make it safe
and beautiful and fun and affordable. And we keep it local. Visit www.newtownmacon.com for more information.