Holiday Happenings

December is filled with holiday events and open houses. Here’s a list of what was scheduled at print date, but follow EIL on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for reminders and news about any other events that may pop up. The EIL elves will keep you informed of any Santa sightings and holiday fun!

DECEMBER 1

It’s Santa Cinema at the St. Simons Island Casino Theater. Come enjoy a movie with Santa! Each child will visit with Santa and receive a special treat (photo op for parents). Christmas classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be shown every half hour between 6:00-8:00 p.m. $3 per person (cash only) includes cocoa and cookies too.

DECEMBER 1-2

St. Simons Drug Co. hosts a Holiday Open House with free gift wrapping, letters to Santa, Toys for Tots toy drive, refreshments and door prizes from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2.

Celebrate the 38th Annual HofwylBroadfield Plantation Christmas on Friday, December 1, or Saturday, December 2, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. This magical experience at this state historic site will demonstrate how Christmas was celebrated on an antebellum rice plantation during the 1850s. Free with regular admission. 912.264.7333.

DECEMBER 2

Lord of Life Lutheran Church Holiday Market Craft Fair will take place at 2801 Frederica Road from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with more than 30 vendors of quality handmade wares and gift items, plus bake sale, refreshments, and more.

Cassina Garden Club’s “Best Bake Sale in the Southeast!” will be going on from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Tabby Cabins at Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons Island.

The Magnolia Garden Club hosts its Annual Christmas Tour of Homes from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year, the bake sale and market, which run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will be held at historic Old City Hall of Brunswick, 1229 Newcastle Street. This is also where the tour begins and tickets can be purchased.

Golden Isles Olive Oil at 306 Redfern Village hosts a Holiday Open House complete with refreshments, tastings, holiday gift shopping, and photo ops with Santa from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Santa at the Jekyll Island Skating Village. Take a spin around the bigger and better oceanfront “ice” rink on Beachview Drive with the jolly old soul himself. 30-minute skating sessions with skate rental are only $5 per person. Santa will be there between 1:00-4:00 p.m. Concessions also available.

Historic Brunswick’s annual Christmas Parade will be part of a festive day in Mary Ross Waterfront Park with food trucks, games and prizes between 1:00-7:00 p.m. The lighted Christmas Parade will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Continuing three decades of tradition, the Golden Isles Messiah Chorus will present Handel’s “Messiah, Part I” at Wesley United Methodist Church, Frederica on St. Simons Island at 3:00 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public, but seating is limited.

Merry Mixer - Shake it up for the Teen Center at Halyards and Tramici! This year doors will open early at 3:30 p.m. so guests won’t miss a minute of the excitement when UGA plays in the SEC Championship game! And Defunk is reuniting to provide the live music too! Tickets available at apositiveplace.net.

DECEMBER 2-3

Glynn Visual Arts’ Mistletoe Market Holiday Festival will be held in Postell Park in the Village on Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This fine art and gift market includes more than 60 accomplished artists and artisan vendors. There will be a Kid’s Creation Station with free holiday themed craft activities during the festival as well as live music from local musicians. Holiday Hound Hike Pooch Parade is Saturday morning at 11:00 am. glynnvisualarts.org.

Golden Isles Ballet presents The Nutcracker at Brunswick High School Auditorium at noon both Saturday and Sunday December 2 and 3. Get your tickets online at goldenislesballet.org.

DECEMBER 5

At the Holiday High Tea at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, enjoy a selection of teas, tea sandwiches, soup, warm scones with fruit compote and exquisite holiday sweets while listening to the sounds of the season! 3:00 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance more than 24 hours before the event. 877.860.1395

DECEMBER 7

Lights of Love, a program with music and luminary lighting follows a 5:00 p.m. Service of Remembrance at Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway. Free and open to the public. If you’d like to honor your loved one by purchasing a memorial/ honorary dove ornament, please call 912.265.4735 or visit Hospice.me.

Operation Bed Spread’s Holiday BEDlam will take place at Mullet Bay on St. Simons Island from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Join them for a fun evening with food, prizes and live music by Backbeat Boulevard. $25 donation at the door.

DECEMBER 8-10

The Ritz Radio Theatre will be presenting A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ immortal tale of mean old miser Scrooge and his magical night discovering the true meaning of Christmas. Shows take

place at The Historic Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets available at goldenislesarts.org and at the box office.

DECEMBER 9

Jingle All the Way CASA Jingle All the Way 5K and Fun Run takes place at Great Dunes Park on Jekyll Island. Start times are 9:00 a.m. for the 5K and 10:00 a.m. for the 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, and award presentation at 10:30 a.m. casaglynn.org/jingle-race

Santa at the Jekyll Island Skating Village. Take a spin around the bigger and better oceanfront “ice” rink on Beachview Drive with the jolly old soul himself. 30-minute skating sessions with skate rental are only $5 per person. Santa will be there between 1:00-4:00 p.m. Concessions also available.

Merry Movies at Island Cinemas. Wear your favorite PJs for photos with Santa and see Mickey’s Christmas Carol or The Polar Express. 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Tickets $10. 912.355.1278 or acsvictoryboard.org

DECEMBER 9-10

Jill Stanford Dance’s annual performance of The Grinch is at Glynn Academy Auditorium on Saturday, December 9 at 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 10 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door.

DECEMBER 12

At the Holiday High Tea at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, enjoy a selection of teas, tea sandwiches, soup, warm scones with fruit compote and exquisite holiday sweets while listening to the sounds of the season! 3:00 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance more than 24 hours before the event. 877.860.1395

DECEMBER 13-14

Glynn Academy Drama presents The Cookie Cabaret, a Christmas show and dessert auction in the Glynn Academy Auditorium on December 13 and 14 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.

DECEMBER 15-17

The Ritz Radio Theatre brings It’s a Wonderful Life, to the stage. Shows take place at The Historic Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets available at goldenislesarts. org and at the box office.

DECEMBER 16

Breakfast with Santa on Jekyll Island. Bring the kids to enjoy a holiday-themed breakfast buffet at the Morgan Center with a visit with Santa to follow. The kids can share their wish list with Santa, then the whole family can join in for a photo! (photos not included in ticket price). 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Call 877.860.1395 to purchase tickets.

Mingle & Jingle on Market Street from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Enjoy beverages and bites while you do some holiday shopping at the many stores on Market Street (behind CVS and Zaxby’s) on St. Simons Island.

The Holly Jolly Jekyll Parade will depart Oceanview Beach Park at 5:30 p.m. and head to Beach Village. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Jekyll Island Skating Village parking lot. Show your holiday spirit!

DECEMBER 17

The Kids Holiday Tea Party and Etiquette Class at Jekyll Island Club Resort with hostess, Christina Godwin allows kids to spend the afternoon sipping on tea and munching on delicious treats, all while learning the ins and outs of proper table etiquette. Santa’s special elves will even make an appearance at the tea party with gifts in hand! 2:00-4:00 p.m. Tickets are for children only but adults must accompany. Call 877.860.1395 to purchase tickets.

DECEMBER 19-20

It’s not Christmas without some cookie decorating! Spend the afternoon with Jekyll Island Club’s pastry chefs in the Morgan Center on December 19 or 20. You’ll receive a dozen cookies to turn into masterpieces with colored icings, sprinkles and more as you enjoy punch and mulled cider. Non-decorators can attend for $5. Call 877.860.1395 to purchase tickets.

DECEMBER 24

On Christmas Eve, Santa will make his usual rounds on the vintage fire truck on St. Simons

Island beginning at the St.

Simons Island Casino Building at 5:00 p.m., and making stops at the Coast Guard Station, Shops at Demere, Brogen’s North, and First African Baptist Church. Children are invited to visit with Santa and photo ops are plentiful.

512 Ocean Boulevard St. Simons Island, GA 31522 912.634.9977 www.mulletbayrestaurant.com Live Music on the Deck