Signature Holiday Events

Golden sunshine, sandy beaches, and mild coastal temperatures make up the glorious backdrop of the Golden Isles in the wintertime. And our signature holiday events take center stage. Attend an annual event, find great live music weekly or discover your new favorite festival in the Golden Isles this season!

Here's a lineup of Christmas and holiday events on St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island and Brunswick.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND HOLIDAY EVENTS

Redfern's 1st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting: November 26

Join us for Redfern's  Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, featuring Santa photos and a beautiful Christmas Tree lighting! There will also be live music and its Small Business Saturday, so the shops and restaurants will have fun discounts and other local vendors will be on-site to kick off the holiday season! 

Pier Village Annual Christmas Tree Lighting: November 30

Join us to celebrate the season and light the tree in the St. Simons Pier Village!

Handle's Messiah Part The First: December 2

The 2023 Community Messiah Chorus Presents Handle's Messiah Part The First at the St. Simons Presbyterian Church. 

Mistletoe Market: December 2-3

Find the perfect gift of locally made artwork, pottery, sculpture, photography, woodworking, and more as you browse more than 60 accomplished artist booths at Glynn Visual Arts' annual Mistletoe Market held at Postell Park.

Photos with Santa at Planters Exchange: December 7-24

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than visiting with the man himself! You also have the opportunity to help a local charity. Stop by Planters Exchange to get your photo with Santa!

Christmas Tour of Lights: December 13-27

Join Lighthouse Trolleys for their Annual Fendig Family Christmas Tour of Lights! The 90-minute tour will be offered daily from December 13-27. Hop aboard the trolley to see some of the most magnificent light displays found on St. Simons Island. 

Pop-Up Christmas Bar: December 14 

Head out to Golden Isles Olive Oil for a Pop-Up Christmas Bar Party! There will be a live musician playing all of your favorite Christmas music, sing-a-longs, sip & shop, fun & festive food and drink specials, photo ops with Santa, and a Christmas craft corner!

Live Nativity Scene: December 15

One of the most treasured and talked about events of the Christmas season is upon us! The Live Nativity will take place on the front lawn at St. Simons Presbyterian on Friday, December 15th, enjoy a beautiful reminder of what the season of Christmas is truly about.

Teddy Bear Tea: December 17

Visit the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort for a holiday-themed tea party! At this holiday-themed tea party, children will be greeted with a plush toy upon arrival, and Santa Claus will host a storytime. This ticketed event features a variety of treats and refreshments, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Pet Photos with Santa: December 17

Stop by Golden Isles Olive Oil with your furry friends for a fun afternoon pooch party on the patio, where you can get photos with Santa!

Greet the Mean-One: December 20

The mean-one is coming back to Smallcakes SSI, so head out for their version of WHO-bilation! Enjoy a meet-and-greet and a free craft.

Meet Santa at Southern Soul BBQ: December 21

Don't miss festive fun for the whole family at Southern Soul BBQ! Enjoy hot cocoa, $2 knuckle sammiches, $5 soul sandwiches, paint a pig ornaments, and sip & shop with 10% off selected items in the SSBBQ Smoke Shop!

SEA ISLAND HOLIDAY EVENTS

Sea Island Thanksgiving: November 21-26

Live music, bingo, traditional Thanksgiving fare, beach walks and more await guests and members of Sea Island this Thanksgiving. Participate in the resort's annual Turkey Trot Family Fun Run or 5K, delight in a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast, and begin the holiday season with a spectacular tree lighting ceremony, all to be held during the week of Thanksgiving on Sea Island.

Sea Island Christmas: December 22-26

Guests and members of Sea Island will delight in the resort's incredible calendar of holiday-themed events held throughout the week leading up to Christmas. From a life-size Gingerbread Cottage to the annual Reindog Parade and special buffets, brunches, and dinners, this will certainly be a season to remember on Sea Island.

Sea Island New Year's: December 27-January 2

Ring in 2022 at Sea Island with awe-inspiring fireworks displays, sparkling evenings filled with beautiful decorations and impeccable service, all while creating lasting memories along the way. 

JEKYLL ISLAND HOLIDAY EVENTS

Peppermint Land: November 24-December 27

Immerse yourself in Peppermint Land at the Jekyll Island Miniature Golf Course! Featuring decorations such as gingerbread men, gumdrops, peppermint sticks, and other sweet holiday favorites. This experience will make you feel like you are in a life-size Candyland! 

Holly Jolly Light Tours: November 24-January 7

The Jekyll Island Mosaic Museum will be offering the jolliest of holiday trolley rides. Tour the Historic District and gaze at over half a million-holiday lights! The centuries-old live oak trees will be decorated spectacularly for the season. So grab a holiday beverage and enjoy this coastal take on a winter wonderland.

Mailbox on Main: November 24-December 24

It's time to get that Christmas list to the North Pole! Drop off your letter to Santa in the mailbox located on Main Street in the Jekyll Island Beach Village. Make sure you get it in on time! 

Christmas Tour of Lights: December 1-January 6

Join Lighthouse Trolleys for their Family Christmas Tour of Lights! The 90-minute tour will also be offered this year on Jekyll Island! Hop aboard the trolley to see some of the most magnificent light displays found on the island.

Cookie Decorating with Santa at Tribuzio's: December 10 

Join us for our 3rd Annual Cookie Decorating with Santa! Enjoy cookie decorating, a free present for every child, and complimentary hot chocolate.

Big Truck Roundup: Cancelled due to weather

Kids can explore, touch and learn more about exciting emergency vehicles from Jekyll Island Fire/EMS and Georgia State Patrol. With the opportunity to sit in the driver's seat and chat with emergency personnel, this holiday-themed event, complete with a visit from Santa, will be fun for all. 

Holiday High Tea: December 7-28

A holiday tradition at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, this is the perfect opportunity to gather your closest friends and family for a festive afternoon filled with delicious treats and beautiful decorations. Enjoy the sounds of the season while you sip on the expansive selection of teas and dine on tea sandwiches, soup, warm scones, and exquisite sweets. Reservations required. 

Holly Jolly Jekyll Light Parade: December 9

Ring in the holidays with Santa, his sleigh, and golf carts decked out in their best holiday gear! This parade will be jingling all the way from the Historic District to the Main Lawn. Find a full parade route with ideal parking areas here: 

Breakfast with the Grinch: December 9

Head out to the Jekyll Island Club Resort for a "Green Eggs & Ham" themed breakfast with the Grinch in the Grand Dining Room!

Gingerbread House Decorating on Jekyll Island: December 9

It's not officially the holidays without Gingerbread House decorating! Stop by the Jekyll Island Club Resort for a fun afternoon of decorating! 

Lunch with Santa: December 16

Bring your family for a special and memorable meal with Santa Claus at Jekyll Island Club Resort's Grand Dining Room. Photo opportunities will be available.

Drive-In Movie: December 20 & 27

Park your car at the Jekyll Island Convention Center to enjoy a screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas featuring a visit from Santa. Enjoy dinner at one of the Beach Village restaurants, do a little Christmas shopping, and treat your family or friends to a fun evening together. 

Holiday Fireworks Displays: December 21 & 28

End your night with a bang with two incredible, free fireworks displays on Jekyll Island! After touring the island to take in the spectacular Christmas decorations, head to Great Dunes Beach Park, Corsair Beach Park or Oceanview Beach Park for three of the best places to view the fireworks show. Learn more.

New Year's Eve Party: December 31

Enjoy live music and great company while you celebrate the beginning of 2024. All party goers can enjoy late night bites and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. We will be dancing the night away at the Jekyll Island Club Resort with live music by BackBeat Boulevard!

BRUNSWICK HOLIDAY EVENTS

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting: November 24

Join Historic Downtown Brunswick for their annual Christmas tree lighting the Friday after Thanksgiving! The tree lighting will take place at Queen Square with a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas," live music, and the opportunity to visit with Santa! 

Festival of Trees: November 30

All are invited to join the merriment of the season while decorating a tree or wreath to be auctioned as part of a fundraiser for Hope 1312 Collective. This event has both tree decorating and an auction. 

Twinkle in the Squares: December 

In Historic Downtown Brunswick, walk or drive along Newcastle Street any evening after dark to experience the annual Festival of Lights, which is a fantastic static light display. The whole street will be lit up from G Street to Hanover Park. The fifteen-minute shows will run for an hour twice a night on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout December. 

2023 CASA Jingle All the Way 5K: December 2

Run for a good cause! This cause will start and finish in Historic Brunswick, Georgia. Runners will follow a route through historic sections of downtown and run past the CASA offices. All the proceeds will go to support CASA Glynn and CASA Camden, and the hundreds of volunteers that support the children of Southeast Georgia.

Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation's Annual Christmas: December 1-2

Step back in time at Brunswick's historic rice plantation and enjoy the special holiday-themed decorations for the Christmas season. Visitors will walk along the illuminated path under centuries-old oaks, take in the beautifully decorated historic home, witness pre-Civil War re-enactments and cannon firings, enjoy hot wassail and cookies, and even visit with Santa Claus himself! 

Brunswick Actors Studio Presents Christmas with the King: December 1-3

Join the Brunswick Actors Theatre this December for Christmas with the King, a concert featuring Georgia's favorites including Michael Chambliss, Travis Powell, Austin Irby, and Samantha Chambliss! 

Brunswick Christmas Parade: December 2

This annual community parade takes place on the first Saturday in December. Starting at 5:30 p.m. at Howard Coffin Park, more than 100 floats, vehicles, walking groups, and marching bands will make their way down Newcastle Street as they light up the night and fill the air with holiday cheer. 

Pictures With Santa: December 3,9

Bring your camera and take a picture with Santa at Beaus and Babes Boutique, located in Downtown Brunswick. 

Elf Playing at GTC Glynn Place Cinemas: December 6

Head to GTC Glynn Place Cinemas in Brunswick to see Elf the movie! Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.

A Christmas Carol: December 8-10

Watch a live performance at the Historic Ritz Theatre of Charles Dickens' immortal tale of the mean old miser Scrooge and his magical night discovering the true meaning of Christmas. Live on stage and starring Bryan Thompson as Ebenezer Scrooge. 

Who-liday Celebration to Support the GA Players: December 9 

Enjoy a Christmas festival for the whole community, including arts and crafts, gifts, delicious food, and more. Activities include photos with Santa and The Grinch, a dessert cook off, a gingerbread house auction, Christmas karaoke, and a GA Players original performance.

Santa Breakfast at Fish Tales and Pub: December 10

Head out to Fish Tales and Pub for a delicious breakfast featuring a visit from Santa! 

Christmas Pajama Jam: December 15

Join us for a festive and fun-filled Christmas Pajama Jam Candle Making Experience! Come in your coziest Christmas-themed pajamas to add holiday cheer! Snacks, refreshments, and festive music will be enjoyed!

The New Year's Eve Shrimp Drop: December 31

Join in on the countdown at Mary Ross Waterfront Park! Say goodbye to 2021 and welcome 2022 with Bob the Shrimp. In addition to the Shrimp Drop, this annual event features live music, food, axe throwing, and fun inflatables. 

Explore more art festivals, live music, First Friday events, and more on our full events calendar to see what fits into your vacation! And if you're in search of places to eat during the holidays, make plans to dine at one of these beloved local restaurants featuring special menus this season.