The holiday season is a magical time, especially in Coastal Georgia, where festive fun meets tradition and Southern hospitality! Along the Atlantic shores, the Golden Isles dot the Georgia coast with the sights and sounds of the season spreading a special brand of Christmas spirit, island-style. If you’re looking forward to a holiday getaway, there are an array of activities and events to put a little “jolly” in your celebration. Experience a different kind of winter wonderland! We hope to see you there – with jingle bells on!
St. Simons Island
Right here on St. Simons Island, enjoy an assortment of original celebrations and displays. Find movies, music, lights, and shopping, conveniently located near your SSI vacation rental! Throw some hot chocolate in a mug and holiday like the locals do!
Lights At St. Simons Pier Village
Mallery Street
St. Simons Island tradition meets holiday tradition as St. Simons Pier Village transforms into a breathtaking enchanted wonderland nightly. Sip seasonal drinks as you drive or stroll past thousands of twinkling Christmas lights draped across the stately oaks and storefronts of Mallery Street.
Magnolia Manor
2255 Frederica Road
Let your illuminating cruise continue at Magnolia Manor! Drive through the property of this senior living facility to catch dozens of uniquely decorated buildings, Spanish moss-draped oaks bursting with lights, and lanterns spanning the main lawn.
Coastal Symphony Winter Concert
Gascoigne Bluff
What can make a Sunday afternoon at Gascoigne Bluff even better? The sounds of happy holiday tunes from The Jacoby Brass Ensemble! On December 6th, usher in the festive sounds of seasonal favorites with the talented quintet as you relax near the shores of the Frederica River. $50/person.
Santa Cinema
St. Simons Casino Building – 550 Beachview Drive
On December 4th, bring the whole family for a holiday movie with a special Christmas twist! Settle in for a theater showing of the Disney holiday classic, “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”, followed by a special appearance from Santa Claus! Each child in attendance will visit with Santa and receive a gift. $3/person.
Breakfast With The Grinch
Golden Isles Olive Oil – 306 Redfern Village
A Seussian delight – who wouldn’t love to indulge in Green Eggs & Ham with the mean green one himself. Don’t miss Breakfast With The Grinch… and Santa, too, at Golden Isles Olive Oil in Redfern Village. Bring a toy for the drive for a free child’s breakfast! Reservations are required for this buffet breakfast and photo op. Please call 912-602-9736 to make your reservation for December 5th, between 10AM – 3PM. Adults $15.00 – $10.00 per child.
Mistletoe Market
Postell Park – 532 Beachview Drive
Hosted by Glynn Visual Arts, Mistletoe Market offers a bounty of original, handmade gifts to knock a few items off your Christmas list – and you’ll have a lot of fun as you do it! Head to Postell Park the weekend of December 5th-6th, from 10AM – 5PM daily to browse the wares of dozens of local artists and crafters displaying quality artwork for sale in an array of mediums. Enjoy great food, live music, and festive family fun as you shop!
Lighthouse Trolleys Christmas Tour Of Lights
Departs from the front of the St. Simons Pier
A popular annual tradition for both tourists and locals alike, the Fendig Family Christmas Tour of Lights adds a special holiday flair to an already great and informative local tour. Enjoy a 90-minute narrated trolley tour through the best holiday light displays on the island. You may even encounter a jolly ol’ elf, himself! Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling 912-399-5007. $20 per adult, $10 per child 12 and under.
Jekyll Island
Worthy of a little island-hop, Jekyll Island’s Holly Jolly Jekyll festivities embrace everything that makes the Christmas holiday merry and bright. From November 27th straight past the turn of the new year, Jekyll Island becomes the happiest place south of the North Pole!
Holly Jolly Jekyll Parade
The Holly Jolly Jekyll Parade puts a Golden Isles spin on a holiday tradition as decorated golf carts (rather than standard parade floats) trek around the island’s beachfront. The parade route begins at the Corsair Beach Park, and winds around the island before ending at the Jekyll Island Golf Club. The parade kicks off at 5:30PM on December 7th.
The Holiday Big Truck Roundup And A Drive-In Holiday Movie
Gather on the Main Lawn in front of The Great Tree on December 12th from 1PM – 4PM to enjoy a little holiday time with our hometown heroes. First responders will be on-hand with several emergency vehicles to share a little holiday cheer and some fun interaction with their “big trucks.” Even Santa plans to make an appearance because everyone loves checking out these exciting machines! Afterward, head over to the Jekyll Island Convention Center parking lot on Beachview Drive for a special drive-in movie presentation of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Holidays In History And The Holly Jolly Light Tour
Departs from Mosaic, the Jekyll Island Museum – 100 Stable Road
Guided tours are always a great way to get to know the area, but when you add a little holiday spirit to the mix, it becomes a genuinely magical experience. Starting November 27th and running multiple times daily through January 3rd, 2021, hop aboard the open-air trolley for the Holidays In History tour. Learn what the holidays were like for some of America’s wealthiest families as you tour the cottages of the historic district, decked out in holiday décor. On select nights, take the journey by dark as the Holly Jolly Light Tour unveils over half a million lights strewn around Jekyll Island. Tours last approximately 45 minutes to an hour, and prices vary.
Bonus Tip: Make a stop at the Mailbox on Main (on the corner Of Main Street and Ocean Avenue) to drop a letter in the North Pole Express mailbox for a direct and speedy path to Santa Claus. Afterward, play a round of holiday-themed mini golf at Jekyll Island Mini Golf’s Peppermint Land course.
Brunswick
If you’re spending a day exploring Brunswick back on the mainland, plan to include one or more of these popular events in your itinerary. What a perfect opportunity for a real taste of Southern coastal tradition and holiday spirit!
Window Wonderland
Starting at the end of November, businesses in Historic Downtown Brunswick deck out in their holiday finest, including lighted window displays. Take in the beautiful sights as you shop and stroll. An evening out for you, and a gift for them! If your visit falls on November 27th, be sure to find a spot on Newcastle Street for the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at 5:30PM. Enjoy festive caroling, carriage rides, a visit from Santa, and a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” as the holiday season comes to life in Brunswick!
40th Annual Hofwyl Plantation Christmas
Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation – 5556 U.S. Hwy 17 N
December 4th and 5th, experience a real antebellum rice plantation, in holiday fashion. Your adventure starts by walking along an illuminated path under the cover of centuries-old oaks that lead to the magnificent, decorated plantation. The Glynn County Garden Club Council has transformed this authentic plantation home with holiday décor and period-dressed characters that are more than happy to share stories of the plantation’s history. While visiting the plantation take the time to enjoy hot wassail and cookies as well as live musicians playing holiday music and singing Christmas carols. Santa Claus will be joining the festivities during both nights and is looking forward to visiting children of all ages.
Brunswick Christmas Parade
Howard Coffin Park – 1430 Lanier Boulevard
The first Sunday in December kicks off the Christmas season with the annual community Brunswick Christmas Parade. This is a night-time parade starting at 5:30PM. Beginning at Howard Coffin Park and consisting of over 100 floats, walking groups, and marching bands, the parade will work its way about a mile down Gloucester Street to Mary Ross Waterfront Park. Make sure the little ones get a chance to see Santa Claus’ grand appearance at the end of the parade!
