This Underrated Southern City Transforms Into a Christmas Wonderland Every December-With Over 1 Million Lights

"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."

"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."

Macon, Georgia stages a downtown holiday light show each December featuring over one million LED lights across more than six blocks, launched in 2017. The lights are choreographed to upbeat music performed by the Macon Pops orchestra and are best experienced on foot from multiple viewing perspectives. Shows run nightly at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 p.m., each lasting 45 minutes, with lights remaining lit later for evening wandering. A Marché de Noël Christmas market (December 5–14) offers wooden chalets, regional makers, Glühwein, festive food, a bier garden, and live music amid a walkable downtown with 80+ shops and restaurants.

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