page_title: Macon, Georgia
section_title: Festivals
hierarchical_section_title: Macon, Georgia / Arts and culture / Festivals
context_page_description: Macon, officially Macon–Bibb County, is a consolidated city-county in the U.S. state of Georgia. Macon lies near the state's geographic center, about 85 miles southeast of Atlanta—hence the city's nickname, "The Heart of Georgia".
  Located near the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, Macon had a 2019 estimated population of 153,159. It is the principal city of the Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 228,914 in 2017. Macon is also the largest city in the Macon–Warner Robins Combined Statistical Area, a larger trading area with an estimated 420,693 residents in 2017; the CSA abuts the Atlanta metropolitan area just to the north.
  In a 2012 referendum, voters approved the consolidation of the governments of the City of Macon and Bibb County, and Macon became Georgia's fourth-largest city. The two governments officially merged on January 1, 2014.
  Macon is served by three interstate highways: I-16, I-75, and I-475.
  The city has several institutions of higher education, as well as numerous museums and tourism sites. The area is served by Middle Georgia Regional Airport and Herbert Smart Downtown Airport.
context_section_description: International Cherry Blossom Festival - a 10-day celebration held every mid-March in Macon
  The Mulberry Street Festival - an arts and crafts festival held downtown the last weekend of March
  The Juneteenth Freedom Festival - An annual June performing arts and educational celebration of the end of American slavery in 1865, celebrating black freedom and heritage both ancient and contemporary
  Pan African Festival - An annual celebration of the African diaspora and culture, held in April
  Ocmulgee Indian Celebration - A celebration of the original residents of the land where Macon now sits, this festival is held in September at Ocmulgee National Monument. Representatives from the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole, and other nations come to share stories, exhibit Native art, and perform traditional songs and dance.
  Skydog is a music festival celebrating the birthday, life, and music of Skydog--Duane Allman—held in November.
  The Georgia Music Hall of Fame hosts Georgia Music Week in September.
  Macon's annual Bragg Jam festival features an Art and Kids' Festival along the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail and a nighttime Pub Crawl.
  Macon Film Festival - An annual celebration of independent films, held the third weekend in July
caption: Cherry Blossom Festival
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