Golden Isles Holiday Guide 2025: St. Simons, Jekyll, Brunswick & Camden County Events

Celebrate the Season with this complete Golden Isles Holiday Guide 2025: St. Simons, Jekyll, Brunswick & Camden County Events!

Winter in the Golden Isles is unique — sunshine, palm trees wrapped in twinkle lights, beach walks, and festive small-town charm. Whether you’re visiting or local, there are countless ways to enjoy the holidays and create traditions across Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Camden County.

Below you’ll find a curated roundup of annual holiday events followed by city-specific holiday bucket lists you can experience this season.

St. Simons Island Holiday Events

• Sea Palms Holiday Market — November 16
  Shop makers, enjoy kids’ activities, and grab sweet treats from local vendors.
• Glynn Visual Arts Holiday Market — November 28–December 23
  Discover a magical art market full of handmade pottery, jewelry, textiles, décor, and fine art.
• Letters to Santa at The King & Prince — November 21–December 25
  Kids can write their Christmas wishes and drop their notes in the King & Prince letter station — Santa’s helpers handle delivery.
• Pier Village Annual Christmas Tree Lighting — December 2 at 6 PM
  Kick off the season beneath the lighthouse with live music, community cheer, and the lighting of the village tree.
• Christmas Golf Cart Parade — December 6 at 11 AM
  A fun, coastal parade featuring décor-ready carts cruising Pier Village.
• Fireside Stories with Santa — December
  Enjoy cocoa and cozy storytelling at The Cottage as Santa reads seasonal tales.
• Mistletoe Market — December 6–7
  Shop from 60+ artists at Postell Park — pottery, woodworking, paintings, photography, ornaments, and more.
• Christmas Tour of Lights — December 13–24
  Hop on the Lighthouse Trolley to explore some of the best Christmas light displays on the island.
• Georgia Elvis Festival — December 13–15
  Celebrate The King with tribute concerts, entertainment, and a weekend full of nostalgic fun.
• Cassina Garden Club Bake Sale — December 13
  A beloved local tradition offering homemade cakes, cookies, pies, jams, pecans, and more at Gascoigne Bluff.
• Christmas Eve Church Service – December 24 – 2PM, 4PM and 6 PM at Community Church SSI.

St. Simons Island Holiday Bucket List

• Try a winter drink at Wake Up Coffee Co.
• Grab baked goods at Dulce Dough Bakery or St. Simons Sweets
• Catch seasonal programs at The Casino Theatre
• Wander Pier Village under holiday lights
• Enjoy nearby skating on Jekyll Island
• Shop the Sea Palms or Glynn Visual Arts Holiday Market
• Try seasonal brews at Barrier Island Brewing
• Shop at Redfern Village & Sea Island Shops
• Walk the Pier Village
• Watch the festive Golf Cart Parade
• Attend the Pier Village Tree Lighting
• Sit by the fire at The King & Prince
• Visit Market Street Wine Bar for tasting
• Volunteer at Saved by Grace or local missions
• Bake cookies with the family
• Bike around decorated neighborhoods

Want to know more about living on St. Simons Island? Read this post!

Sea Island Holiday Events

• Thanksgiving at Sea Island — November 26–30
  Music, bingo, a Turkey Trot, beach walks, and a tree lighting event fill the holiday week.
• Sea Island Christmas — December 20–26
  Guests and members enjoy gingerbread cottages, the Reindog Parade, special dining events, buffets, and festive programming all week long.
• Sea Island New Year’s — December 27–January 1
  Bring in the new year with stellar fireworks, elegant evenings, and holiday décor in true Sea Island style.

Jekyll Island Holiday Events

• Peppermint Land — November 28–January 4
  A candy-themed wonderland at the Jekyll Mini Golf Course — great for families and photos.
• Holly Jolly Light Tours — November 28–January 4
  A jolly trolley ride through the historic district under half a million lights.
• Mailbox on Main — November 24–December 24
  Drop Santa letters in the official North Pole dropbox in Beach Village.
• Christmas Tour of Lights — November 29–January 5
  Take a trolley ride on Jekyll to see spectacular light displays.
• SCAD Holiday Concert — December
  Enjoy festive music at the Morgan Center performed by the Bee Sharps vocal ensemble.
• Big Truck Roundup — December 6
  Kids enjoy emergency vehicles, film-ready photo ops, and a visit from Santa.
• Holly Jolly Jekyll Light Parade — December 20
  A decorated vehicle and golf cart parade from Beach Village to the golf club.
• Holiday High Tea — December 3–26
  An elegant holiday tea tradition at the Jekyll Island Club Resort.
• Drive-In Movie — December
  Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas from your car near the convention center.
• Lunch with Santa — December
  Enjoy a buffet meal and photos with Santa at the Jekyll Island Club.
• Jekyll Island Fireworks — December 22 & 29
  Enjoy free coastal fireworks at Great Dunes, Corsair Beach, or Oceanview Park.
• Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party — December 31
  Ring in the new year in 1920s style at the Morgan Ballroom.

Jekyll Island Holiday Bucket List

• Sip a peppermint latte at The Pantry
• Grab treats at Jekyll Market
• Catch seasonal programs at the Convention Center
• Take in the lights at Holly Jolly Jekyll
• Skate at Skating Village
• Shop holiday pop-ups in Beach Village
• Try a festive drink at The Wharf
• Shop the Beach Village boutiques
• Walk Driftwood Beach & the Historic District
• Watch the Holly Jolly Light Parade
• See the tree lighting at the Jekyll Island Club Resort
• Sit by the fire at The Westin
• Attend seasonal wine events
• Volunteer at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
• Bake cookies at home
• Go on a family light-display scavenger hunt

Brunswick Holiday Events

• Moxie Craft Fest — November 23
  A favorite downtown handmade market with food trucks, coffee, and 40+ curated makers.
• Annual Tree Lighting — November 28
  A Christmas tradition in Queen Square featuring music, Santa visits, and a reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas.
• Twinkle in the Squares — December
  Walk or drive Newcastle Street to watch synchronized holiday light displays on weekends.
• Festival of Trees — December 4
  A fundraising event featuring themed tree auctions benefiting children through Hope 1312 Collective.
• Jingle Jangle Gullah Geechee Christmas — December 6
  A joyful community celebration honoring Gullah Geechee culture.
• Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Christmas — December 5–6
  Experience historic Christmas decor, reenactments, cannon fire, cookies, wassail, and Santa.
• Magnolia Garden Club Tour of Homes — December
  Tour beautifully decorated historic homes and notable buildings downtown.
• A Christmas Carol at the Ritz — December 18–21
  Enjoy a live stage performance of Dickens’ timeless classic.
• Brunswick Christmas Parade — December 13
  A magical evening parade traveling Gloucester Street.
• Christmas Eve Church Service – December 24 – 2PM, 4PM and 6 PM at Community Church BWK. Let me know if you’d like to attend and need someone to sit with 🙂
• New Year’s Eve Shrimp Drop — December 31
  Ring in the new year downtown with live music, axe throwing, food, inflatables — and Bob the Shrimp descending at midnight.

Find more Golden Isles events here.

Want to know more about living in Brunswick? Read this post!

Camden County Holiday Events

• St. Marys White Lighting – December 2 – Watch downtown glow as the holiday lights are switched on, complete with music, food vendors, children’s activities, and a cozy hometown kickoff to Christmas.
• Christmas in the Bine – December 6 – Woodbine transforms into a holiday festival destination with local makers, food, live music, kids’ crafts, and festive fun for the whole family.
• Plum Orchard Christmas Tour – December 6 – Take a Cumberland Island ferry and tour this grand mansion dressed in holiday décor — a dreamy coastal Christmas experience.
• SMFD’s Annual Pancakes with Santa @ Station 2 – December 6- Kids and families enjoy pancakes with Santa at the fire station!
• Holiday Kitchen Workshops @ Spouse’s Bakery – December 6– Kids and parents enjoy hands-on cookie decorating and festive fun in a charming historic bakery setting.
• Santa Special Train Ride – Select Dates December 6–24 – All aboard! Ride the holiday train through town, meet Santa, enjoy storytelling, cookies, and a nostalgic trip kids will remember.
• Live Nativity at Orange Hall – December 9 – No tickets required. No vendors. Just a beautiful, family-friendly night celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. ?Experience the story of Jesus’ birth brought to life on the lawn at Orange Hall.
• Letters to Santa @ St. Marys Library – December 11– Children can meet Santa, grab treats, and drop off their Christmas wishes — holiday magic for the littles.
• Set Sail with Santa Lighted Boat Parade – December 13 – St. Marys’ waterfront sparkles as lit-up vessels glide by — a coastal Christmas tradition complete with Santa sightings and holiday music.
• St. Marys Christmas Tour of Homes – December 13 – Step into beautifully decorated historic homes, churches, and waterfront properties, each decked out in elegant seasonal style.
• Tinsel Trail – Opening December 13– Wander through downtown St. Marys lined with decorated trees sponsored by local organizations — a cheerful walk-through display perfect for families.
• Christmas on the Farm at Incacheetoo– Opening December 13, visit the largest non-exotic animal exhibit in the state with fun activities for the entire family!
• St. Marys Community Market – Every Saturday in December– Pick up local produce, baked goods, ornaments, handmade gifts, and seasonal treats with live music and community spirit.

Camden County Holiday Bucket List

• Sip a festive drink at Blue Bridge Coffee
• Pick up pastries from Spouse’s Bakery
• Catch seasonal performances along the Waterfront
• Walk through the St. Marys Tinsel Trail
• Ride the Santa Special Train Ride
• Shop the Community Market
• Grab a seasonal brew at Brackish Beer Co
• Shop downtown boutiques
• Stroll the lit waterfront trail
• Watch the St. Marys Christmas Parade
• Attend the Waterfront Tree Lighting
• Sit by the fire at Captain Seagle’s
• Enjoy wine or specialty cocktails at Firefly Taco
• Volunteer at local food pantries or animal rescue
• Bake cookies at home
• Take the Cumberland Island Christmas Mansion tour

Find more events here and here.

Click here to learn more about living in Kingsland or St. Mary’s!

Reminder- Slow Down + Savor the Season

As exciting as the Golden Isles holiday calendar is, it’s easy to forget that Christmas isn’t meant to be rushed — it’s meant to be rested in. Between parades, tree lightings, markets, and Santa visits, don’t miss the quiet magic happening in your own living room. The stories read beside the tree, cozy pajamas, Advent lessons and the candlelight on Christmas Eve — these often become the moments our children remember most.

Give yourself permission to say “no” sometimes so your family can experience a deeper “yes” to connection, presence, and peace.

Build Traditions in the Home That Point Back to Jesus

Events and lights are wonderful gifts — but they are not the meaning of Christmas. The heart of this season is Emmanuel — God with us.

Set aside time to gather at home, narrate the nativity story, read scripture, pray as a family, and create simple rhythms that help your kiddos understand why we celebrate:

• Lighting advent candles
• Reading Luke 2 together and/or another devotional
• Singing advent worship songs and hymns
• Practicing gratitude & generosity

These slow practices shape their hearts far more than a busy December schedule ever could. And with that in mind, I put together a simple and cozy at-home bucket list for you and your family to enjoy!

Cozy Christmas At-Home Bucket List

• Read the Christmas story from Luke 2 together as a family.
• Light Advent candles on Sundays and reflect on hope, peace, joy, and love.
• Bake cookies and deliver them to a neighbor.
• Set aside evenings for family reading time — choose classics like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Little Women, or A Christmas Carol.
• Listen to Christmas hymns while you watercolor.
• Make hot cocoa from scratch and enjoy it by candlelight.
• Create handmade ornaments for the tree.
• Watch a favorite Christmas movie under blankets.
• Declutter toys and donate gently used ones before new gifts arrive.
• Make a dried orange garland to hang in the kitchen or on the tree.
• Keep a gratitude list each day leading up to Christmas.
• Do an Advent devotional as a family.
• Host a board game night at home.
• Build a fort and read Christmas picture books inside it.
• Write letters or cards to extended family.
• Simmer a stovetop winter potpourri with oranges, cloves, and cinnamon.
• Bake homemade bread or sourdough and share it with a friend.
• Forage greenery to craft a simple wreath or table arrangement.
• Can or freeze something for winter such as cranberry sauce, applesauce, or bone broth.
• Make beeswax candles, wood slice ornaments, or crochet dishcloths.
• Dehydrate citrus or herbs to package as simple gifts.
• Collect eggs (if you have hens) and make an “Advent breakfast” while reading Scripture.
• Mend or sew something together, like a stocking or hand-stitched ornament.

Family Craft: Homemade Dried Orange Garland

A simple tradition you can begin this year — and repeat every December — is making your own dried orange garland. It brings warmth, fragrance, and symbolism (light, harvest, and abundance) into your home.

You’ll need:
• 4–6 oranges
• Twine or jute string
• Scissors
• A needle (or toothpick for threading)

How to make it:

1. Slice oranges ¼ inch thick.
2. Pat dry and bake at 200°F for 2–3 hours, flipping occasionally until they look dry/translucent. Or place in a dehydrator at 135 degrees for 4-6 hours.
3. Let cool completely.
4. Using a needle, thread twine through each slice, spacing as desired.
5. Hang across your mantle, tree, window, or doorway.