We might not be ready for it yet, but Christmas is quickly approaching. Beginning this month, the Golden Isles community calendar fills with festive galas, Santa sightings, parades, holiday markets, and more! Since we don’t want you to miss a thing, we’re giving you a preview of some of the highlights. Don’t forget to follow the EIL social media accounts and bookmark our website (elegantislandliving.net) to stay up to date with additions to our digital calendar as we lead up to that magical night. In the meantime, we wish you a Merry Thanksgiving and Happy Season’s Eating!
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Grab your Christmas shopping list and start checking things off with local artisans and retailers!
First up, there's a 2-day Holiday Open House with Kollier & Co. + Fancy Finds (3600 Frederica Road, Unit #3, St. Simons Island) on Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8. There will be refreshments, music, drinks, and complimentary gift wrapping with purchase. Another one for the early birds is the Holiday Open House at St. Simons Drug Company on Saturday, November 8. They'll be kicking off the holiday season in style with this annual event from 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Drop by to enjoy light refreshments, have a chance to win some great door prizes, and have fun doing some festive shopping. Bring a friend, sip, shop, and get into the Christmas spirit!
On Saturday, November 22, visit the Jolly Makers Market hosted by Glynn County UGA Extension and Brunswick Artisans from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Ballard Building, 325 Old Jesup Road, where there will be a variety of local vendors with handcrafted items and food vendors as well. The Moxie Craft Fest Handmade Holiday Market will be happening at Old City Hall in Historic Downtown Brunswick from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Modern artisans from throughout the Southeast will be selling their wares, and there will be food truck and local coffee on site to keep you fueled up for the day.
You’ll have two opportunities to visit the vendors at Crafts in the Village during the holiday season. More than 70 artists, crafters, and artisan makers will be under the oaks in Postell Park on St. Simons Island, selling jewelry, pottery, paintings, photography, woodworking, gourmet goodies, candles, soap, and so much more during the three-day holiday weekend of November 28-30 and again on December 13-14. Vendors are on site 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday (and the bonus Friday, November 28) and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Santa is sure to stop by for photos too, so follow Crafts in the Village on Facebook for details.
On Saturday, December 6, there will be more than 30 vendors indoors and out during the 15th Annual Holiday Market Craft Fair at Lord of Life Lutheran Church on St. Simons Island. From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., you’ll find quality handmade items including art, pottery, jewelry, ornaments, and holiday décor, specialty soaps, accessories, and many other gift ideas at the Market. The church will host its bake sale, book sale, and offer coffee and breakfast snacks as well as lunch. Raffle prizes include restaurant gift cards and specialty gift baskets. Santa Claus will be there to greet guests and pose for photos with young and old.
The Glynn Visual Arts 17th Annual Mistletoe Market Fine Arts & Crafts Market in Postell Park on St. Simons Island will be held Saturday, December 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. More than 60 juried talented artists and skilled artisans will showcase an impressive and eclectic collection of handmade artwork for your holiday shopping in a festive outdoor island holiday atmosphere. Find that one-of-a-kind purchase or gift for the holiday season—or a little something for yourself. Gift-wrapping station, hospitality tent, and photos with Santa too!
On Saturday, December 13, head to the Historic Tabby Cabins at Gascoigne Bluff between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for “The Best Bake Sale in the South!” The Cassina Garden Club Christmas Bake Sale is free and open to the public and features tasty homemade cakes, pies, breads, candies and cookies plus holiday treats and gifts such as toasted pecans, jelly and jams. You’ll want to get there early for the best selection! The Interpretive Cabin will be also open to the public for tours during the sale.
If it’s poinsettias you need, you have until Friday, November 15 to place your order for red, white, pink, and “jingle bells” plants in 8-inch foil pots ($20each) from the Live Oaks Garden Club Poinsettia Sale. Pickup will be on Friday, December 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Community Church, St. Simons Island Campus. Order online at liveoaksgardenclubinc.com.
ONGOING: The Glynn Visual Arts Holiday Art Market opens Friday, November 28 at 10am in the Portman Gallery at the Visual Arts Center (106 Island Drive, St. Simons Island). From decor to gifts with Christmas Gnomes, pottery, jewelry, paintings, and more, you’ll find charming pieces in a variety of sizes and price ranges, all hand-made by local GVA artist members. Find unique, original gifts for everyone on your list. The Holiday Art Market will remain open through Tuesday, December 23. Also beginning Friday, November 28 and continuing through Monday, December 29, is the Jekyll Island Arts Association Merry Artists Market at Goodyear Cottage in the Jekyll Island Historic District. Discover one-of-a-kind gifts made by the artists of the Jekyll Island Arts Association. In addition to the selection of unique gifts and stocking stuffers, artists will be on-site demonstrating their crafts on weekends during this month-long holiday market event.
Light Up the Night
On the evening of Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 27, the switch is flipped to turn the lights on at Spencer’s Christmas House at 144 Shore Rush Drive on St. Simons Island. The Christmas tradition of over-the-top light displays and animated inflatables started by beloved SSI resident and WWII veteran Wally Spencer has been continued by family to keep his memory and spirit alive. A must-see stop during the holiday season, the display is lit nightly through Christmas, and a food drive is held in December, so keep an eye out for info about that.
Christmas Tree Lightings taking place the weekend after Thanksgiving include Friday’s Christmas Tree Lighting in Historic Downtown Brunswick in Queen Square. Festivities include a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas," live music, and an opportunity to visit with Santa. Watch the Historic Downtown Brunswick social media accounts for more details and time. At 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening, the community is invited to gather in the lobby of Oaks on the River Resort in Darien for complimentary cookies, hot cocoa, apple cider and the lighting of the Christmas tree to start the holiday season. We’ll be sharing details about the Pier Village Christmas Tree Lighting on our calendar when we get those too!
The weekend after Thanksgiving is also when the Jekyll Island Historic District transforms into a magical Holly Jolly Jekyll wonderland. More than 2,000,000 light bulbs from over 500 light displays will illuminate the night throughout the season in addition to the Historic District’s great tree that boasts 45,000+ lights. The miniature golf course becomes Peppermint Land, decorated with life-sized gingerbread characters, peppermint sticks, and gumdrops. Trolley tours and self-guided light tour options are offered through Christmas. There will also be holiday fireworks at dusk on December 22. For more details about light tours and a full calendar of holiday events, visit jekyllisland.com.
Join Hospice of the Golden Isles on their Brunswick campus for the annual Lights of Love celebration of life, love and giving on Thursday, December 11. A Service of Remembrance will be held at 5:00 p.m. and then the wooded Hospice campus will be transformed with the glow of thousands of holiday lights, shining in honor and memory of those who have touched our lives during the Lights of Love program. To purchase a memorial/honorary dove ornament to display or as a keepsake, visit hospice.me.
Seasonal Soirées
Parties and Holiday Open Houses include the 5th Annual Festival of the Trees benefiting Hope 1312 on Thursday, December 4, a sparkling cocktail party with a purpose at the Queen and Grant with beautiful trees creatively decorated by teams from local businesses and organizations that will be bid on at auction. Details and tickets at hope1312co.org. The Merry Mixer at Halyards and Tramici on St. Simons Island, Friday, December 5, is sure to be a howling good time. Eat, drink and be merry while enjoying entertainment from Howl2Go Dueling Pianos. This annual holiday party raises needed funds for the 11 Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia which serve over 5,000 youth annually. $150 general admission includes all food, entertainment, and two drink tickets. Tickets and sponsorship packages available at bgcsega.com/events.
For a holiday party that takes you back in time, experience Christmas at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation between 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday & Saturday, December 5-6. An illuminated path under centuries old oaks beckons guests to the rice plantation home for a tour. Inside the antebellum house, rooms are beautifully decorated for the holidays and interpreters appear in period dress. Experience camp life as a soldier with musket and cannon demonstrations with a marsh-front view as the backdrop. Kids can join Santa for a chat by the cozy fireplace as you sip wassail and nibble cookies.
Holiday Shows
For songs of the season, you don’t want to miss time-honored tradition of the Golden Isles Community Chorus’ performance of Handel's Messiah. Due to great demand, this year there are two free concerts at St. Simons Presbyterian Church. Performances will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7. On Tuesday, December 9, the Coastal Symphony of Georgia invites you to Celebrate the Season - 2025 Christmas Concert featuring the Jacksonville Brass Consortium. This special holiday SoundBites concert will be held at Vitality Living Frederica on St. Simons Island at 6:30pm. Nothing says Christmas quite like the merry tunes of a brass quintet of distinguished musicians from across the Southeast performing a range of holiday favorites from the traditional "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" to a jazzy version of "Let It Snow." Seating is limited, purchase tickets at coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org. The Golden Isles Live Christmas Concert at Wesley Church at Frederica on Friday, December 12 will feature world renowned soprano of opera and musical theatre Lauren Jelencovich. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit goldenisleslive.org.
Brunswick Actors Theater will be presenting Who’s Holiday, by Matthew Lombardo, featuring Amy Lovin, on December 6-7, 13-14. This wildly funny and heartfelt adults-only comedy tells the story of Cindy Lou Who as she recalls that Christmas Eve she first met the Grinch and the twisted turn of events her life has now taken. On December 21, award-winning playwright, producer, director, and performer Jason Woods returns to BAT with his haunting yet heartwarming one-man rendition of A Christmas Carol. Tickets for both shows are available at soglogallery.com. Golden Isles Arts & Humanities continues its holiday tradition of presenting Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol at The Ritz Theatre with a full cast that includes Bryan Thompson reprising his role as miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on December 18-21. Tickets available at goldenislesarts.org. The Island Players, “Twice Upon a Christmas” holiday production is a whimsical take on two classic Christmas stories: “The Gift of the Magi” and “Scrooge Has Left the Building.” Performances December 11-14, 18-21. Tickets at theislandplayersssi.com.
Parades & Santa Sessions
It's time for Pet Photos with Santa at Gnat’s Landing on Saturday, November 8. Drop in between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. $30/pet (additional pets $10), includes one 4x6 photo printed on site. Walk-ups welcome and cash accepted day of event. Proceeds benefit Grateful Cats/Canines Allies & Supporters and Castaways Pet Rescue. To sign up in advance, visit bit.ly/gcasphotoswithsanta.
On Saturday, December 6, bring the family out in their holiday PJs to enjoy morning holiday movie screenings and photos with Santa at ACS Victory Board’s annual Merry Movies at Island Cinemas on St. Simons Island. This year's movie selections are The Polar Express and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. for pictures with Santa, and movies will start at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance at acsvictoryboard.org. At Bailey Boys (155 Skylane Road), kids can enjoy fresh cookies, cold milk, and decorate Christmas themed coloring sheets at the free Cookies with Santa event from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Parents are welcome to take photos with their phones or personal devices. Head over to the Winter Carnival & Big Truck Roundup on Jekyll Island for free carnival rides, games, and music on the Village Green and let kids sit behind the wheel of emergency vehicles from Jekyll Island Fire/EMS and GSP at Great Dunes Beach Park. For more info, visit jekyllisland.com.
The Annual St. Simons Island Pier Village Christmas Golf Cart Parade will rolling along Mallery Street on Saturday, December 6 at 11:00 a.m. Line-up begins at 10:30pm in front of the Mallery Street ball fields — don’t be late! Santa will be in attendance! Decorate your carts, bring your holiday spirit to make this year’s parade the best one yet! (Entry fee is $20 with proceeds supporting the 3rd Annual “Youth Fishing Extravaganza 2026”, funding college scholarships and other great prizes for our local youth anglers. Please have cash, check, or Venmo ready at lineup for easy entry.)
On Saturday, December 13, start the day with a delicious buffet of morning treats and gets some photos of the kids with Ol’ St. Nick during Breakfast with Santa from 8:00-11:00 a.m. at Oaks on the River in Darien. For more information and to make reservations, visit oaksontheriverresort.com. That night, you can catch the jolly old soul at your choice of parades! “A Cowboy Christmas” is the theme of this year’s Brunswick Christmas Parade. Grab your seat along Gloucester Street to enjoy a magical evening filled with twinkling lights, joyful music, and festive floats from local businesses and community groups in a procession that begins at Howard Coffin Park at 5:30 p.m. On Jekyll Island, the Holly Jolly Jekyll Light Parade with Santa and his friends in creatively decorated and colorfully lit carts and vehicles will make their way around the island beginning at 7:00 p.m.
On Christmas Eve, Santa will continue the wonderful 70+ year tradition of riding around St. Simons Island on the festively lit, bright red antique fire truck known as Engine 32, accompanied by an escort of island elves (members of the St. Simons Civinettes and the Glynn County Volunteer Fire Department). We’ll give you more details and share the route on our website as we get closer to the big day!
