St. Simons Island events are not to be missed! You can always find something exciting happening around the island, whether it’s a celebration, arts festival, fun run, or even a golf tournament.
Spend your vacation going to St Simon’s Island festivals and get acquainted with the local culture. The Golden Isles have antique shows, seafood festivals, and fantastic charitable events. Let’s dig into some of the best annual St Simons Island festivals and events.
Annual St. Simons Island Festivals
There’s always something happening on Saint Simons Island. Events range from food and fun to running and biking for the turtles.
First Friday
The first Friday in Downtown Brunswick takes place on the first Friday of every month. It gives you a chance to experience live music, art strolls, and food from local restaurants. It’s a perfect opportunity to experience the shops, restaurants, and galleries in the Historic Downtown area of Brunswick.
January
January is the time for art and oysters! Island Treasures and the Oyster Roast welcome visitors with exciting food and the chance to find treasures.
St. Simons Land Trust Oyster Roast
The St. Simons Land Trust Oyster Roast has been the most popular local event around the Golden Isles. It’s a must on every event calendar. The annual charitable event has been a yearly tradition for over 20 years and has excellent local cuisine from restaurants throughout the area. Live music and tasty beverages add to the fun.
Island Treasures
In search of hidden treasure? The Island Treasures event is for you. Replica glass floats are hidden throughout Jekyll Island for intrepid treasure hunters to find. Each globe can be traded in for an actual, hand-blown glass float. This event runs from January through February.
February
February offers all the stew you can eat and some amazing storytelling.
Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee
The Brunswick Rockin Stewbilee brings out the best Brunswick stew in the nation. This annual event takes place at the end of January or the beginning of February. Come by and watch the pooch parade, classic car show, live music, and a motorcycle run.
St. Simons Island Storytelling Festival
February is also the St. Simon’s Island Storytelling Festival! Storytellers from around the area gather and share stories celebrating the joys of humanity.
March
Elvis fans are sure to love the events in March.
Annual Georgia Tribute Festival
The Annual Georgia Tribute Festival is fun for all ages. Bring the family to this fun musical event in the seaside village of Brunswick, Georgia. The annual event celebrates the King with Las Vegas-style shows and a featured performer.
April
April brings out the nature lover and artist in everyone. It’s also the perfect time for the Glynn Visual Arts annual Art in the Park Festival.
Art in the Park
The annual Art in the Park Festival highlights local art from regional artists and artisans by the organizers Glynn Visual Arts. You’ll find all types of artwork, gourmet foods, and local, homegrown goods.
Turtle Crawl Festival
The annual Turtle Crawl Festival on Jekyll Island hosts races that benefit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Several races take place to celebrate the beginning of the turtle nesting season. Go for the 1-mile fun run or try biking through the area.
May
Get ready for Mother’s Day with the annual Blessing of the Fleet!
Blessing of the Fleet
The Blessing of the Fleet takes place annually on the Saturday before Mother’s May. Enjoy fresh seafood, music, fun and games, and fun family entertainment.
St Simons Island Antique Show
This antique show features antiques and collectibles sellers from around the Georgia coast. The fun starts in May and runs through the fall at Postell Park, Pier Village.
June
Food, culture, and music collide at the Georgia Sea Islands Festival.
Georgia Sea Islands Festival
The Georgia Sea Islands Festival celebrates African American music, food, and crafts highlighting the Coastal Georgia culture. Highlights include performances by world-renowned Georgia Sea Island Singers.
The music festival raises funds for the Saint Simons Island African American Heritage Coalition with hopes of saving the remaining cultural history of the area.
July
Come to a St Simons Island event for the 4th of July celebrations!
St Simon’s Island Sunshine Festival
The St. Simon’s Island Sunshine Festival features a full day of fun for the entire family. Arts and crafts, 5K, and 1-mile fun run at Pier Village have something for everyone. Food, drinks, games for the kids and more will entertain from morning until evening events kick off.
Festivities pick up in the evening with live music and fireworks! Celebrate the 4th of July with one of the best fireworks shows around.
Brunswick hosts the Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration at Mary Ross Waterfront Park for those in the area. The historic district celebrates with tug-of-war games, sack races, horseshoes, and a fantastic fireworks show.
October
The spooky season starts with a boo! There’s plenty to scare and delight everyone this time of year. Football, golf, and haunted tours await!
St. Simons Island Food & Spirits Festival
This annual festival is perfect for the foodies out there. It features local restaurants with tasting tents and local farm stands and markets. The event raises charitable money for the Hospice of the Golden Isles.
Ghosts and Legends of Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation
You can take the Ghosts and Legends of Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation tour at the historic landmark throughout the season if you dare. Take a creepy trip back in time and explore the last surviving rice plantation in Coastal Georgia.
Be prepared to hear the tales of five generations of plantation owners and the African Americans who worked the land, both in slavery and after. Plantation folklore, recent ghostly encounters, and the vibrant yet tragic history of the rice fields.
Eerie occurrences, moss-laden trees that date back centuries, and a creepy plantation house tour will frighten and delight.
Georgia-Florida Weekend and Golf Classic
This annual celebration brings the Bulldawg fans from far and wide. The weekend of the big Georgia-Florida rivalry sees all sorts of activities and events created for the area’s favorite team, the Georgia Bulldogs.
Before the game, catch the Georgia-Florida Golf Classic golf tournament on Jekyll Island. Take the time and relax before the big football game and get in on the food, golf, and great drink specials.
November
Golf, grits, and delicious shrimp await!
Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival
The Shrimp & Grits Festival on Jekyll Island is a family-friendly cook-off contest with excellent craft brews, craft vendors, a kid’s fun zone, and more!
The RSM Classic
The RSM Classic debuted on the PGA Tour in 2010 and has become a Seaside mainstay. The event is played annually in the beautiful Golden Isles at the Sea Island Golf Club. The tournament is a favorite for players and fans alike. This event raises millions each year for charity.
December
The holiday season kicks off in a big way on St. Simon’s Island.
Brunswick Christmas Parade
The Annual Brunswick Christmas Parade takes place on the first Saturday of December, starting at Howard Coffin Park. The community comes together to create the perfect event to usher in the holidays. The parade is packed with lights and decorations adorning the floats. High school marching bands, festivities, and a visit from the big guy himself!
Holly Jolly Jekyll
Jekyll Island gets into the holiday spirit with the Holly Jolly Jekyll festival. It runs annually from November through January and draws crowds from throughout Glynn County. Storytelling, caroling, wassail, carriage rides, visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and possibly even that holiday humbug the Grinch, help this island festival put you in the Christmas spirit!
For more up-to-date information for these festivals and plenty more events in St. Simons, consult our events page to know exactly what will be happening on the island when you visit. Plan your trip to St Simon’s Island with an island vacation rental. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty of the Golden Isles and hit a fest or event!
