The Golden Isles don’t just celebrate New Year’s — we do it our way. From Gatsby-glam dinners and champagne-fueled dance floors to shrimp drops, masquerade parties, mocktail tastings, polar plunges, and a Noon Year countdown for the early-to-bed crowd, this week is stacked with ways to say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026. Whether you’re dressing to the nines, bringing the kids, or braving the cold water for bragging rights, there’s a little New Year’s magic waiting for you somewhere around the Isles.

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What’s Happening This Week

Monday, December 29

MONDAY NIGHT RUNS
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🎯 Game Changers Running Co., SSI
Mondays aren’t for the couch. Runners, walkers, and run-walkers of all levels hit the streets together for movement, community, and zero pressure. Show up as you are.

Bubbles & Blasts
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎯 Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll
Kick off the week in VIP style with front-row fireworks views, bottomless bubbles, and serious sparkle. Hosted at the Sand Bar with champagne flowing and some of the best sightlines on the island.
Tickets: https://www.jekyllclub.com/local-experiences

Tuesday, December 30

Food Truck Tuesday
🕰️ 10:00 AM
🎯 Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Brunswick
Lunch just got mobile. A rotating lineup of food trucks rolls into Mary Ross serving everything from shrimp and bowls to burgers and comfort food classics. New trucks pop in weekly, so there’s always something different to try.

Music Bingo
🕰️ 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 Silver Bluff Brewing Company, Brunswick
Bingo, but make it musical. Join Silver Bluff and Island Sound DJs for a high-energy spin on bingo with prizes, beer tickets, gift cards, and plenty of local brews flowing.

Holly Jolly Jekyll Ride
🕰️ 5:30 PM
🎯 Jekyll Island
A festive caravan cruise through Jekyll’s legendary holiday lights — over 2 million twinkling reasons to get out and roll. Expect meet-ups, group photos, radios buzzing, and full holiday magic.
Note: Island entry fee applies.

Trivia Tuesdays at Mack’s Bar-Be-Que (with Scott Ryfun)
🕰️ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 Mack’s Bar-Be-Que, Brunswick
We’re putting the fun in Ryfun. Local radio personality Scott Ryfun hosts a fast-paced trivia night with prizes, gift cards, cold drinks, and plenty of BBQ-fueled brainpower. Bring a team or fly solo — either way, it’s a good time.

Bingo with Big C
🕰️ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 The Hangout Bar & Grill, Brunswick
Last bingo of the year with Big C calling the shots. Great prizes, family-friendly vibes, and just enough suspense to keep you leaning forward.
$20 to play.

Wednesday, December 31 — New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve Features | Eighty Ocean
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 Eighty Ocean Kitchen & Bar, Jekyll
Ease into the night with a specially curated New Year’s Eve menu showcasing festive coastal flavors. Perfect for an early celebration or pre-party dinner before the countdown chaos begins.
Tickets: https://www.jekyllclub.com/local-experiences

New Year’s Eve Culinary Journey
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 Sago at Sea Palms, SSI
Ring in the New Year with an elevated four-chapter dining experience featuring refined starters, seasonal soups and salads, signature entrées, and decadent desserts. Ends with a complimentary champagne toast. Reservations required.
More info: https://www.dineatsago.com

2025 New Year’s Eve Dinner & Party
🕰️ 5:30 PM – 2:00 AM
🎯 Reid’s Apothecary / The Study, Brunswick
Ring in the New Year Gatsby-style with an elegant four-course dinner followed by a full-on late-night celebration. Doors open at 5:30 PM for cocktails, with dinner served from 6:30–9:00 PM. At 9:00 PM, guests transition to The Study for cocktails and live music before the NYE party officially kicks off at 9:30 PM. Expect live music from Hot Banana Coffee, flowing cocktails, and a champagne toast at midnight.
Gatsby-themed attire strongly encouraged.

Tickets required • $115
Dinner tickets include dinner + gratuity and entry to the NYE party. Party-only tickets include live music and champagne toast.
(When purchasing dinner tickets separately, list all guest names to be seated together.)

NYE Shrimp Drop
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎯 Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Brunswick
New York has the Ball Drop — Brunswick drops a shrimp. Live music from Last Call, food trucks, a family-friendly crowd, and the big shrimp drop at 8:00 PM to welcome 2026. Bring a chair and settle in.

NYE Mocktail Tasting Party
🕰️ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 Brown Butter Shoppe, Brunswick
Zero alcohol, all vibes. Sip, taste, and rate creative mocktails while easing into the New Year with snacks, a killer playlist, and clear-headed celebration energy.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/manage/events/1977152140275/details

New Year’s Eve Dinner (Grand Dining Room)
🕰️ 8:00 PM
🎯 Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll
Ring in the New Year with an elegant buffet in the historic Grand Dining Room. Expect chef-inspired dishes, decadent desserts, and timeless Jekyll charm — a classic, refined way to toast to what’s next.
Tickets: https://www.jekyllclub.com/local-experiences

Marsh Pirate’s “Drop the Hop” New Year’s Eve Party
🕰️ 8:00 PM
🎯 Marsh Pirate, Darien
A DJ-fueled New Year’s Eve bash featuring the legendary Hop Drop with the taproom’s mascot, the Hoptapus. Wassail toast included — good health guaranteed (probably).

Masks on the Marsh: New Year’s Eve at Tabby
🕰️ 9:00 PM – Midnight
🎯 Tabby House Brewing Company, Darien
Elegant, mysterious, and just a little dramatic — this masquerade-style NYE party brings music, craft beer, cocktails, a midnight champagne toast, and costume contests judged by the DJ. Masks encouraged. Sparkle expected.

New Year’s Eve Party (21+)
🕰️ 9:00 PM – 12:30 AM
🎯 Morgan Center, Jekyll
Dance into 2026 in the Morgan Ballroom with live music, great company, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
21+ only • Tickets required ($75++)

Tickets: https://www.jekyllclub.com/local-experiences

New Year’s Eve Celebration at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation
🕰️ 10:30 PM – 12:30 AM
🎯 Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, Brunswick
A uniquely historic way to ring in the New Year. Enjoy a guided nighttime hike through moss-draped live oaks, refreshments at 11:30 PM, and the ringing of the plantation bell at midnight, followed by a brief late-night house tour.
Reservations required • Call 912-264-7333

New Year’s Eve Party (Midnight Celebration)
🕰️ 12:00 AM
🎯 Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll
Dance into 2026 in the elegant Morgan Ballroom with live music and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. A classic, dress-up-nice New Year’s experience.
Tickets: https://www.jekyllclub.com/local-experiences

Thursday, January 1 — New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day Beach Sweep & Polar Plunge
🕰️ 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
🎯 Massengale Park Beach Access, SSI
Start 2026 doing something good — then something freezing. Join the beach sweep first, followed by the Polar Plunge at 9:00 AM. Cleanup supplies provided, hot cocoa waiting afterward.
Info: https://kgib.org

Under the Helmet 5K Run & 1K Fun Run
🕰️ 9:00 AM
🎯 Downtown Brunswick
Kick off the year with movement, community, and purpose. This New Year’s Day run raises awareness for brain safety and welcomes runners of all ages and abilities.
Registration: https://www.raceplace.com

Countdown to the Noon Year
🕰️ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🎯 Holiday Inn Resort Pool Area, Jekyll
Who says you have to wait until midnight? Live noon countdown, splash-worthy plunge, hot cocoa for kids, festive drinks for adults, and zero bedtime complaints.

Good Luck Brunch
🕰️ 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🎯 Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll
Toast to the New Year with a brunch built around dishes symbolizing good fortune, happiness, and prosperity. A relaxed, celebratory way to start 2026 on the right foot.
Tickets: https://www.jekyllclub.com/local-experiences

Brunswick Art Loop
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🎯 Historic Ritz Theatre, Brunswick
Official exhibit openings kick off the latest Brunswick Art Loop. Explore downtown galleries, specialty shops, and the Millie Wilcox Gallery at the Ritz while soaking up the local art scene. Free and open to the public.

MONDAY 12/29

🎹 Tim Akins @ Georgia Sea Grill, SSI
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🎸 Austin Lane @ Fish Tales Pub & Grill, Brunswick
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🎤 Ashton Rowland @ Mullet Bay, SSI
🕰️ 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

🎸 Joe King @ Wee Pub Beach, Jekyll
🕰️ 7:00 PM

🎤 Open Mic Night (hosted by Anthony Stubelek) @ Palm Coast Coffee, SSI
🕰️ Doors 8:00 PM · Music 8:30 PM
All ages · Inside tonight · $5 for non-performers

TUESDAY 12/30

🎸 Joey Thigpen @ Tortuga Jack’s, Jekyll
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

🎸 Crawford Perkins @ Downtown Cooter Brown’s, Brunswick
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🎸 Eddie Pickett @ Wee Pub Beach, Jekyll
🕰️ 7:00 PM

🎹 Michaele Hannemann @ Georgia Sea Grill, SSI
🕰️ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🎸 Brent Browning @ Village Inn & Pub, SSI
🕰️ 8:00 PM

WEDNESDAY 12/31 — NEW YEAR’S EVE 🎉

🎸 Ted Stuckey @ 24 Coastal Grill, Jekyll
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

🎸 Lee O’Neal @ Tribuzio’s Grille, Jekyll
🕰️ 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

🎸 Last Call @ Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Brunswick
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
NYE Shrimp Drop at 8:00 PM

🎸 Levi Moore @ Catch 228, SSI
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🎤 Elvis Tribute Night (Braxton Sykes) @ Beachcomber BBQ, SSI
🕰️ 6:00 PM
NYE toast at 9:00 PM

🎸 Joey Thigpen @ Hilton Garden Inn, Brunswick
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🎸 The Johnny O Project @ Tortuga Jack’s, Jekyll
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🎶 Backbeat Boulevard @ The King & Prince Resort, SSI
🕰️ 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
21+ Gala · Tickets required

🎤 Annie Akins @ Ember / MAS Lounge, SSI
🕰️ 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM

🎸 South of Athens @ Woodbine Opry
🕰️ 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Doors 6:00 PM
Pre-NYE Party · Tickets required

🎸 Brent Browning @ Village Inn & Pub, SSI
🕰️ 8:00 PM
Party favors & champagne toast at midnight

🎸 WharfRatz @ Wee Pub Beach, Jekyll
🕰️ 8:30 PM

🎸 The Pine Box Dwellers & The Page Brothers @ Boondox Tavern, Brunswick
🕰️ 8:30 PM – 12:30 AM

🎸 3 Day Weekend @ Mullet Bay, SSI
🕰️ 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Champagne toast at midnight

🎸 Rider @ Jekyll Island Club Resort / Morgan Center, Jekyll
🕰️ 9:00 PM – 12:30 AM
21+ · Tickets required

🎷 Hot Banana Coffee @ Reid’s Apothecary / The Study, Brunswick
🕰️ 9:30 PM
Ticketed NYE party

🎤 Michael Hulett @ Ocean Lodge Resort, SSI
🕰️ 9:00 PM – Midnight
Rooftop NYE Party

🎸 Last Call @ Rafters, SSI
🕰️ 11:00 PM – 2:00 AM

🎶 Unique Sound Band @ The King & Prince Resort, SSI
🕰️ 10:00 PM – 12:30 AM
21+ Gala · Tickets required

🎸 Will Gore (solo) @ The Fish Dock, Townsend
🕰️ 9:00 PM

🎸 The Willis Gore Band @ The Fish Dock, Townsend
🕰️ 10:30 PM – 1:30 AM
$30 cover · Reservations recommended · Champagne toast

THURSDAY 1/1 — NEW YEAR’S DAY

🎸 Last Call @ Mullet Bay, SSI
🕰️ 4:30 PM

🎷 Phil Morrison, Bill Smith & Jason Wampler @ The Studio, Darien
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Jazz Night · $10 · BYOB

🎸 WharfRatz @ Wee Pub Beach, Jekyll
🕰️ 5:00 PM

🎸 Rider @ The Wharf, Jekyll
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Did we miss something? Have an event to share? Drop us a line at [email protected]!