Since December 1, hundreds of people have gathered in a spacious, but otherwise unused, median on Poplar Street in downtown Macon to witness 250,000 lights move in time with Christmas music. The show, dubbed the Main Street Christmas Light Show Extravaganza, is a project undertaken by one man named Bryan Nichols, who had a vision to give his community a unique holiday gift.
 
“People love Christmas lights! Year after year I hear of people driving for miles to see sometimes just one house that has been decorated,” said Nichols, the local business owner who conceptualized and created the light show. “I thought, what if we did city blocks and we synced it to local music? People could come to downtown Macon and see what has changed over the last few years and hear talented local musicians and singers while enjoying the light show. I believe this could become a holiday tradition for families to enjoy year after year.”
 
Nichols won a grant from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, a local philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the Middle Georgia region. Donations from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Peyton Anderson Foundation created the Downtown Challenge Fund in 2016 as a means of funding bright ideas to improve Macon’s urban core. Nichols had the idea to activate Poplar Street with a Christmas light show that would encourage people to get out of their cars and walk around the median and into shops and restaurants.
 
"This exciting Downtown Challenge project will bring countless people from around the region to dine, shop, and celebrate the holidays in downtown Macon with their family and friends,” said Kathryn Dennis, President of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. “I can’t thank Bryan enough for bringing this magical experience to us. Music in the streets by the Macon Pops, twinkling lights, and people enjoying downtown Macon achieves the goals of the Macon Action Plan: to showcase downtown Macon as a vibrant city center that is inclusive of the entire community.”  
 
Nichols received a $75,000 grant in the initial round of funding in the summer of 2016. He soon realized the project was so large, more funding would be required for unexpected infrastructure costs to support the power needed for lights and sound. Nichols partnered with NewTown Macon to win another $60,000 in 2017 and the Macon-Bibb Urban Development Authority provided additional funding.
 
“Thousands of people will list this light show as their favorite Christmas present this year, and I am one of them. Downtown Macon has never looked better than under the glittering lights of the Light Show Extravaganza,” said Josh Rogers, President and CEO of NewTown Macon.
 
The show also exhibits the musical talent of the Macon community. The Macon Pops collaborated with Nichols to compose and record original music featuring local artists Charles Davis, Louise Warren, Kim Epps, Maggie Renfroe, Daniel NeSmith, Abby Henry, Robert McDuffie, Amy Schwartz Moretti, and Matt Catingub.
 
“Along with some of Macon’s finest musicians and performers I am so honored to have been able to create the music for this wonderful display. All of the local talent and skill to put this together truly shows how blessed we are to have such wonderful artistry right here in Macon," said Matt Catingub, Co-Founder, Artistic Director & Conductor of the Macon Pops.
 
Steven Moretti and Matt Catingub of the Macon Pops narrate the light show that plays at the top of the hour at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm nightly.
 
“Seeing Bryan Nichol’s vision come to life over the past two years has been remarkable. I remember the first conversation we had and can’t believe it is a reality,” said Steven Morreti, Co-founder, President and CEO of Macon Pops. “I’m honored for Macon Pops to have such a prominent roll in this incredible light display. We look forward to making next year bigger and better!”
 
With little publicity, the Main Street Christmas Light Show Extravaganza has already been enjoyed by hundreds of families from around the region. Nichols continues to improve the show daily and add more songs programmed to the music.
 
“Bryan’s dedication to this project shows that it only takes one idea and one passionate person to make a difference,” said Emily Hopkins, Main Street Macon Manager. “Bryan took three months of his time to personally string thousands of lights and will hand the reigns over to Main Street Macon next year. That gift to our organization is incredible. He’s planted the seed for a new Christmas tradition in Middle Georgia and I’m absolutely thrilled that it’s in downtown Macon.”
 
The Main Street Christmas Light Show Extravaganza plays nightly through January 2. The lights are on from 6pm to 11pm and shows occur at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm. The show is free and open to the public. Visitors can find the show by using the address of Taste and See Coffee Shop and Gallery at 546 Poplar Street, Macon, GA 31201.