The Isles are sparkling this week — and we mean sparkling. From twinkling art walks and tree-lit markets to Elvis sightings, belly-dance holiday fun, Santa pop-ups, big band nights, and more festive food and music than any reasonable person could track without a newsletter… well, that’s where we come in. Whether you’re hunting poinsettias, strolling First Friday with cocoa in hand, chasing birds on SSI, or catching a Polar Express screening in your pajamas, this week delivers wall-to-wall holiday cheer across Brunswick, SSI, Jekyll, Darien, and beyond. Let’s unwrap what’s happening around the Isles. 🎁

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What’s Happening This Weekend

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4

Brunswick Art Loop – First Thursday Holiday Edition
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍Various Brunswick Galleries
Kick off the holidays SoGlo-style with an evening art walk through Brunswick’s creative hotspots! Visit Rummage, Social Butterfly, The Gallery on Newcastle, the Ritz Theatre, Marshes of Glynn Library, Driftwood Wine & Cocktails, SoGlo Gallery, Makers Brunswick, Gallery B — plus Hootenanny’s BBQ because art pairs best with smoked meats. Artists to meet, gifts to discover, wine to sip. A perfect December evening.

Holiday Wine Fête
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍Uptown Tap & Cigar, SSI
Taste 20+ wines, enjoy holiday jazz, great food, and take home a Newcastle wine glass.

Annual Student Art Show – Opening Night
🕰️ 5:00 PM
📍Millie Wilcox Gallery, Ritz Theatre, Brunswick
Hundreds of K–12 artworks in every medium — a huge celebration of young creative talent.
More info: https://www.goldenislesarts.org/events

The Georgia Elvis™ Festival
🕰️ 5:00 PM (Opening Night)
📍Epworth by the Sea, SSI
The King returns for a multi-day festival packed with elite Elvis tribute artists, concerts, competitions, and the Elvis Christmas Show. A huge event with loyal fans.
Tickets: https://www.georgiaelvisfest.com/georgiaelvisfestickets

Story Time with Ali & The Grinch!
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍Marshes of Glynn Library, Brunswick
A cozy family night featuring a live reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, make-your-own Grinch crafts, refreshments, and a very special Grinch meet-and-greet. Bring the kiddos — and maybe some roast beast.

Songbird Open Mic Night in The Yard
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍Hootenanny’s BBQ, Brunswick
Family-friendly, originals encouraged, and everyone’s welcome to take the mic. A Brunswick creative classic.

Festival of Trees
🕰️ 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍Queen & Grant, Brunswick
A holiday favorite featuring Three Little Birds catering, wine & cocktails, silent auction, and a live auction of decorated trees — all to benefit foster families.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5

Poinsettia Sale
🕰️ 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
📍Jekyll Island Authority Greenhouses, Jekyll
It’s poinsettia season, baby! Snag your holiday blooms before they disappear. Small $6, large $12.

Loving Wisdom: Reflections on Cultivating Fearless Conversations
🕰️ 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍Wake Up Coffee Co., SSI
A gathering of deep thinkers, warm beverages, and a celebration of the new book Loving Wisdom.

December’s First Friday
🕰️ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍Downtown Brunswick

Downtown Brunswick turns merry, bright, and buzzing for the final First Friday of the year — and this one is loaded with festive happenings. Expect twinkle lights, live music drifting through the squares, local vendors, holiday shopping, classic cars, and plenty of seasonal cheer.

Here’s what’s happening throughout the evening, ordered by start time:

🎶 Live Music with 3 Day Weekend
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Bubba’s at Mary Ross

🎸 In the Tipsy Zone with Squirt Gun
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM at Tipsy McSway’s

🍸 Holiday Cheer in The Study
Evening pop-ups and seasonal cocktails at Reid’s Apothecary’s upstairs lounge

🍔🎤 Late Night Bites & Karaoke – Downtown Cooter Brown’s
Starts at 10:00 PM | Running until midnight
A First Friday after-party for the night owls

✨ Plus:
• Vendor booths throughout Newcastle & the squares
• Holiday shopping & extended store hours
• Classic Car Show lining the streets
• Family fun, festive lights & plenty of good vibes

Whether you're strolling the squares with cocoa in hand or rallying for a late-night sing-off, First Friday is the place to be.

Santa Cinema
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍The Casino, SSI
$3 admission gets you cookies, cocoa, coloring, and a visit with Santa — plus “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” rolling every 45 minutes. Cash only.

Hofwyl Broadfield Christmas (Night 1)
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, Brunswick
A candlelit historic Christmas with period-costumed interpreters, musket & cannon demos, wassail, and Santa by the fireplace.
More info: https://gastateparks.org/HofwylBroadfieldPlantation

Mommy & Mini’s Cake Decorating
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍Exit 29 Nutrition, Brunswick
Sip, swirl, sprinkle! A sweet Mommy & Me decorating night with loaded teas and holiday joy. $45 per pair.

Christmas Island Fusion Flow (Belly Dance Class #1)
🕰️ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍1510 Bay Street, Brunswick
A joyful four-week holiday belly dance series choreographed to “Mele Kalikimaka.”
Tickets: https://www.lenamikado.com/service-page/christmas-island-fusion-flow

Swing Into the Season: Big Band Night
🕰️ 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
📍Morgan Center, Jekyll Island
A sparkling night of classic big band music, dessert station, and a welcome glass of bubbly.
Tickets: https://www.jekyllclub.com/local-experiences

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6

Brunswick Harbor Market
🕰️ 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Brunswick
The riverfront wakes up with local makers, fresh produce, and golden morning sunshine.

Field Trip: Salty Sparrow Search (SSI)
🕰️ 9:00 AM
📍Morningstar Marina, SSI
A high-tide birding expedition in search of elusive saltmarsh sparrows.

Kingsland Cars & Coffee – Toys for Tots (Free Santa Photos!)
🕰️ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍Harbor Freight Tools, Kingsland
Coffee, chrome, charity, and Santa. A winning combo.

Lord of Life 15th Annual Holiday Market
🕰️ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍2801 Frederica Rd, SSI
Over 35 vendors indoors & outdoors — plus breakfast, raffles, Rockingham Pecans (they are fried & delish), and Santa.

Jekyll Island Bell Choir Performance
🕰️ 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍Goodyear Cottage, Jekyll Island
Let the season ring — literally. A beautiful holiday bell performance inside Jekyll’s historic arts cottage.

Meet Me in the Garden
🕰️ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍325 Old Jesup Rd, Brunswick
A free Master Gardener workshop with hands-on tips and seasonal projects.

Breakfast with Santa & The Grinch
🕰️ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍Golden Isles Olive Oil, SSI
A whimsical brunch with two of Christmas’s most iconic gentlemen.

Mistletoe Market – Glynn Visual Arts
🕰️ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍530 Beachview Dr, SSI
60+ juried artists under the oaks.

Bob Ross Paint (Live Video-Assisted Session)
🕰️ 11:00 AM
📍Mellow Mushroom, SSI
Paint happy little trees with your happy little beverage.

Plum Orchard Christmas Tour (Cumberland Island)
🕰️ 11:45 AM – 5:30 PM
📍Cumberland Island National Seashore
Take a ferry to a Gilded Age mansion filled with festive décor, lawn games, and history.
Tickets: https://www.cumberlandislandferry.com

Crafts Along Newcastle
🕰️ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍Downtown Brunswick
Thirty makers filling the squares with handmade holiday treasures.

Pictures with Santa (Bailey Boys Boutique)
🕰️ 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍155 Skylane Rd, SSI
Free Santa photos, cookies, cocoa, and coloring pages.

Risley Roots Market
🕰️ 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍1800 Albany Street, Brunswick
A vibrant community celebration of wellness, resilience, and local culture. Fresh produce, artisan goods, wellness activities, empowerment workshops, live music, food vendors, kids’ fun, and community resource booths. A joyful, soulful Saturday afternoon.
More info: https://www.coastalgacaa.org

Fly Casting Session (Women on the Fly)
🕰️ 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
📍Mary Ross Waterfront Park
Beginner-friendly, supportive, and a great way to get into fly fishing.

WHO’S HOLIDAY Opening (Adults Only Comedy)
🕰️ 3:00 PM
📍SoGlo Gallery, Brunswick
Cindy Lou Who is all grown up and has thoughts about the Grinch.

Christmas Cookie Workshop (Jekyll Club)
🕰️ 5:00 PM
📍371 Riverview Dr, Jekyll
Cookie decorating + holiday drinks = the perfect festive wind-down.
Tickets: https://www.jekyllclub.com/local-experiences

Hofwyl Broadfield Christmas (Night 2)
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation
Lantern-lit walking tour + cannon fire + wassail + Santa in the parlor.

Polar Express Family Adventure
🕰️ 9:00 PM
📍80 Ocean Way, Jekyll
Hot cocoa, s’mores, cozy pajamas, and an outdoor Polar Express screening.
Tickets: https://www.jekyllclub.com/local-experiences

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7

Jekyll Island Singers
🕰️ 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍Goodyear Cottage, Jekyll Island
A warm and charming choral performance inside the island’s most picturesque historic building.

Exotic Tea Tasting
🕰️ 4:00 PM
📍Biron Herbal Teas, Brunswick
Taste eight rare teas from around the globe — an aromatic adventure.

Holiday Lights Bike Ride with Bike Walk Golden Isles
🕰️ Check-In at 4:30 PM • Ride at 5:25 PM
📍Old City Hall, 1229 Newcastle St, Brunswick
A merry, glowing slow-roll through Historic Downtown Brunswick! Decorate yourself and your bike in as much holiday sparkle as you can muster and join Bike Walk Golden Isles along with the Brag Dream Team Gullah Geechee Club for a festive community ride. Helmets and bike lights are provided — just bring the cheer and pedal power.

Darien Coastal Christmas 2025
🕰️ Events begin 4:30 PM
📍Downtown Darien
🎄 4:30 PM — Tree Lighting at Grant Chapel Presbyterian
🌶️ 5:00 PM — Chili Cook-Off at Old City Hall
✨ 6:00 PM — Lighted Christmas Parade
🎅 After Parade — Santa at the Old Jail with cookies & cocoa
🌲 7:00 PM — DDA Tree Lighting at Hwy 17 & Broad St

🎶 THURSDAY 12/4

6:00 PM — Glynn Academy Auditorium (Bwk) – CELEBRATE Band Concert (Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band & Wind Symphony) – Free Admission
6:00 PM — Hootenanny’s (Bwk) – Songbird Open Mic Night (family-friendly; originals encouraged; 20% off for performers)
6:00 PM — The Jerk Shack (Bwk) – Acoustic Open Mic Jam w/ Gypsea Joe
6:00 PM — Ocean Lodge Resort (SSI) – Roy Gentry
6:00 PM — The Wharf (JI) – The Vibe
6:00 PM — The Tipsy Zone @ Tipsy McSway’s (Bwk) – Crawford Perkins & Jayson Lee Sabo
6:30 PM — Anchor Excursions / “Emmeline” Boat (SSI) – Full Moon Boat Party w/ RaStar (book at anchor-excursions.com)
6:30 PM — Captain Stan’s Smokehouse (Woodbine) – David Matthew
6:30 PM — Georgia Sea Grill (SSI) – Jerry Gowen (piano)
6:30 PM — Plant Café (Waycross) – Sean Clark
7:00 PM — Wee Pub Beach (JI) – WharfRatz
7:45 PM — Bennie’s Red Barn / Tree Bar (SSI) – Tony Adams & Tim Akins
8:00 PM — Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – Gabe Spell
8:00 PM — Mullet Bay (SSI) – Last Call
8:00 PM — Rafters (SSI) – Mike McDaniel
9:00 PM — Reid’s Apothecary / The Study (Bwk) – Hot Banana Coffee (password required)

🎶 FRIDAY 12/5

4:00 PM — TAO SSI (1626 Frederica Rd) – Leo Dean plays Marvine’s Birthday Celebration (everyone welcome)
5:00 PM — Founders Social (JI) – Brody Williams
5:00 PM — Halyards/Tramici (SSI) – Merry Mixer Fundraiser w/ Howl2GO Dueling Pianos (benefits Boys & Girls Club; tickets at bgcsega.com)
5:30 PM — Tribuzio’s Grille (JI) – Bluff 5 Band
6:00 PM — Bubba’s at Mary Ross Park (Bwk) – 3 Day Weekend
6:00 PM — Captain Stan’s Smokehouse (Woodbine) – Live Music
6:00 PM — Eighty Ocean (JI) – Live Music
6:00 PM — The Hangout Bar & Grill (Bwk) – Casey Robinson
6:00 PM — Jekyll Island Club / Morgan Center – Swing Into the Season Big Band Night (tickets at jekyllclub.com)
6:00 PM — The Jerk Shack (Bwk) – Gypsy Joe
6:00 PM — Mellow Mushroom (SSI) – Cliff Bragdon
6:00 PM — Ocean Lodge Resort (SSI) – Live Music
6:00 PM — Shore / Residence Inn (JI) – Live Music
6:00 PM — Tortuga Jack’s (JI) – Triple Shot
6:00 PM — The Wharf (JI) – Live Music
6:30 PM — Georgia Sea Grill (SSI) – Jerry Gowen (piano)
7:00 PM — The Fish Dock Bar & Grill (Townsend) – Levi Moore
7:00 PM — Fish Tales Pub & Grill (Bwk) – Live Music
7:00 PM — Gnat’s Landing (SSI) – SaltWater Gypseas
7:00 PM — Rafters (SSI) – Tim Akins
7:00 PM — The Tipsy Zone @ Tipsy McSway’s (Bwk) – Squirt Gun
7:00 PM — Wine Alley / Wine Body & Soul (SSI) – Fire Lounge w/ Rastar
7:00 PM — Woodbine Opry – Acoustic Bluegrass/Gospel Jam (free; dining room opens at 5 PM)
7:30 PM — Jekyll Island Club / Morgan Center – Big Band Night
8:00 PM — Bar at Mallery (SSI) – Blossomin’ Bone
8:00 PM — Mullet Bay (SSI) – Frost Bros Band
8:00 PM — Three Oaks Steak & Seafood (Bwk) – 3 Day Weekend
8:00 PM — Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – Phil King
9:00 PM — Bennie’s Red Barn / Tree Bar (SSI) – Backbeat Boulevard – $5 cover
9:00 PM — Reid’s Apothecary / The Study (Bwk) – Live Music
10:00 PM — Murphy’s Tavern (SSI) – Live Music
11:00 PM — Rafters (SSI) – Cody Marlowe (11 PM–2 AM)

🎶 SATURDAY 12/6

12:00 PM — The Hangout Bar & Grill (Bwk) – Dallas Rodgers
1:00 PM — Founders Social (JI) – Rider
3:00 PM — St. Simons Presbyterian Church – Handel’s Messiah (Part the First)
3:00 PM — Rafters (SSI) – Soulful Dave
5:00 PM — Tortuga Jack’s (JI) – Frost Bros Band
6:00 PM — 1509 Brunswick – Dexter Jones
6:00 PM — Bubba’s at Mary Ross Park (Bwk) – Live Music
6:00 PM — The Wharf (JI) – Backbeat Boulevard
6:30 PM — Captain Stan’s Smokehouse (Woodbine) – Live Music
6:30 PM — Georgia Sea Grill (SSI) – Jerry Gowen (piano)
7:00 PM — Ember / Mas Lounge (SSI) – Thunderbird Blues Band
7:00 PM — The Fish Dock Bar & Grill (Townsend) – Live Music
7:00 PM — Gnat’s Landing (SSI) – Randall Dowling Band
7:00 PM — Silver Bluff Brewing (Bwk) – Blossomin’ Bone
7:00 PM — Toucans Ale House (Bwk) – Live Music
7:00 PM — Wine Alley / Wine Body & Soul (SSI) – Motown Get Down w/ Rastar
7:00 PM — Woodbine Opry – Electric Dance Band Show (free; dining room opens at 5 PM)
8:00 PM — Bar at Mallery (SSI) – The Pine Box Dwellers
8:00 PM — Bennie’s Red Barn / Tree Bar (SSI) – SaltWater Gypseas – $5 cover
8:00 PM — Boondox Tavern (Bwk) – Roy Gentry & Hired Guns
8:00 PM — Mullet Bay (SSI) – 7 Street Band
8:00 PM — Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – Josh Kirkland
9:00 PM — Reid’s Apothecary / The Study (Bwk) – Levi Moore

🎶 SUNDAY 12/7

12:00 PM — Bubba Garcia’s (SSI) – Live Music
12:00 PM — Bubba’s at Mary Ross Park (Bwk) – Live Music
12:00 PM — Coastal Kitchen (SSI) – Live Music
12:00 PM — Hootenanny’s (Bwk) – Blossomin’ Bone
1:00 PM — Tortuga Jack’s (JI) – Pier Pressure
3:00 PM — St. Simons Presbyterian Church – Handel’s Messiah (Part the First)
3:00 PM — Uptown Tap & Cigar (SSI) – Hot Banana Coffee
3:00 PM — Captain Stan’s Smokehouse (Woodbine) – Sean Clark
4:00 PM — Mullet Bay (SSI) – Cody Marlowe
5:00 PM — Beachcomber BBQ (SSI) – Live Music
5:00 PM — The Hangout Bar & Grill (Bwk) – Landon Laroche
7:00 PM — Rafters (SSI) – Rider
7:00 PM — Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – Ryan Wilson

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