When you have family or friends visiting during the holiday season, make sure to plan for a road trip to the Golden Isles (Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Brunswick and Darien). Â This is a beautiful area, known for its wide expanses of marshes, miles of beaches and the unique historic district of Jekyll Island. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is also well worth a visit. Â Head to St Simons Island for a walk on the pier or a tour of the lighthouse. Â This area is filled with quaint shops, and lots of restaurants.
Here is a list of some of the holiday events in the area:
Candle Light Tour & Reception – Jekyll Island Club Hotel
December 1, 2010 at 5:00pm
Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Hall of Mirrors, Dining Room, Veranda
Come and see the Jekyll Island Club Hotel in all its Christmas finery during a guided candlelight tour of the Grand Dining Room, lobby, and other public rooms. Hear the fascinating story of the hotel and its history. Refreshments afterwards. Reservations are required. Free. Call Jekyll Island Club Hotel at (800) 535-9547 to reserve your spot.
The Brunswick Christmas Parade
December 4, 2010
This annual community parade takes place on the first Saturday in December. Starting at 10:00 a.m. at Howard Coffin Park, over 100 floats, vehicles, walking groups and marching band units make their way one mile down the length of Gloucester Street to Mary Ross Waterfront Park in the heart of the Old Town National Register Historic District. Â Santa Claus also makes an appearance at the end of the parade and distributes free bags of candy afterwards at Mary Ross Park. Santa is joined at the park by arts and crafts vendors offering hand-made holiday gifts for sale and by the farmers offering fresh fruit and produce at the Brunswick Farmers Market. Â For information on entering a float, vehicle, walking or marching unit in the parade, please contact the Downtown Development Authority at 912-265-4032 912-265-4032
Annual Holiday Bazaar
Saturday December 4, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Downtown Brunswick
Follow the Brunswick Christmas Parade to Mary Ross Waterfront Park for the best deals from multiple vendors on gifts, holiday items, food products, toys, home decor, pet supplies, yard sale items, and much more. Or get a jump on other shoppers and be there first thing in the morning of the first Saturday every December. The bazaar also features holiday music and a special visit from Santa at noon, so it’s great fun for the whole family!
Christmas Tour of Homes om Brunswick
December 4
Historic Old Town Brunswick homes decorated for the holidays, bake sale. Portion of proceeds benefits restoration and maintenance of Oak Grove Cemetery. 1-6pm. $20 advance, $25 day of tour, $17 groups of 10+. Tickets, tour booklets available at United Methodist Church, Norwich St., Bwk. Magnolia Garden Club: mgcbrunswickga.blogspot.com
Silver Screen Saturday: Miracle on 34th Street
December 4
Come watch the Classic Christmas story for whole family from 1947. 3pm. $5. Historic Ritz Theatre, 1530 Newcastle St., Brunswick. GIAHA: 912-262-6934
Silver Screen Saturday: Edward Scissorhands
December 4
Come watch Tim Burton’s imaginative and warm-hearted fable featuring Johnny Depp at 7pm. $5. Historic Ritz Theatre, 1530 Newcastle St., Brunswick. GIAHA: 912-262-6934.
Christmas at Ashantilly – Darien
December 5
Live Celtic music, decorations, seasonal food and drink; fundraiser for preservation of Ashantilly. 4-6pm. Ashantilly Center, GA 99, Dairen. 912-289-114, ashantilly.org
19th Glynn Art in the Park Festival Christmas Craft Festival
December 5-6
with 60+ artists and craftsmen. Saturday December 4 and Sunday December 5 from 10am-5pm. Postell Park, Pier Village, St Simons Island. For more information contact Glynn Art Association 912-638-8770, or visit www.glynnart.org
Christmas Around the World
December 6, 2010
Holiday favorites from Britten, Corelli, Rimsky-Korsakov. 7:30pm. Glynn Academy Memorial Auditorium, 1001 Mansfield St., Bwk. Adults $25, Children/Students $5. Coastal Symphony of Georgia: 912-634-2006, coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org
26th Annual Christmas Tour of Home – Cassina Garden Club
December 11
Visit five island homes decorated for the holidays. Proceeds used to maintain Hamilton Plantation historic slave cabins. 10am-4pm. Bake sale 9am-2pm. Tour tickets $25 advance, $30 tour day. Cassina Garden Club: 912-638-2880. cassinagardenclub.org
A Christmas Carol
December 10-11, 17-19, 2010
Brunswick Mayor Bryan Thompson as Scrooge in the beloved Dickens holiday classic. Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 3pm. Advance tickets: GIAHA members $15 adults, $10 seniors (65+), $5 ages 13 & under; non-members $20, $15, $5. Day of show: members $20, $15, $5; non-members $25, $20, $5. Historic Ritz Theatre, 1530 Newcastle St., Brunswick. GIAHA: 912-262-6934
A Colonial Christmas at Fort King George – Darien, GA
December 11, 2010
Now you can join the garrison for a traditional Christmas dinner in the enlisted barracks and an evening of colonial-style Yule Tide jollification. The dinner takes place from 7 pm – 8.30 pm. RSVP by December 8. $30. (912) 437-4770.
Fort King George Historic Site, 302 McIntosh Rd SE, Darien, GA 31305
Santa at Crane Cottage – Jekyll Island
December 12
Visit from Santa in historic cottage; photographer available. 11:30am-2pm. Jekyll Island Club Hotel : 912-635-2600, 800-535-9547, or visit www.jekyllclub.com
Coastal Youth Symphony of Georgia Concert
December 12
3pm. Glynn Academy Memorial Auditorium, 1001 Mansfield St., Bwk. Adults $5, Children/Students $3. Coastal Symphony of Georgia: 912-634-2006, coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org
Sea-son’s Greetings Meet Santa – Georgia Sea Turtle Center
December 18
Make a recycled ornament, visit sea turtle patients. Noon. Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island. 912-635-4444 or visit www. jekyllisland.com
Christmas Bagpiper
December 20-24
Scottish bagpiper, Tim Akins, heralds the season at the Club. The first notes are heard at Cherokee Cottage, and then he winds his way to Crane Cottage and finally the lawn in front of the Riverfront Veranda of the Clubhouse. Guests are encouraged to wear the tartans of their clans, and many from neighboring MacIntosh County appear in their dress plaids for this traditional event. Free. Â Â Jekyll Island Club Hotel : 912-635-2600, 800-535-9547
or visit www. jekyllclub.com
