Thanksgiving may still be a few days away, but the Golden Isles are already preheating. From turkey shoots and craft markets to downtown block parties, bluegrass nights, rum tastings, and the kickoff of the Kingsland Catfish Festival, this weekend is basically one long celebration of Southern fall energy. Whether you're stocking up on handmade gifts, dancing under the lights, cheering on the Pirates, or just sneaking in one more funnel cake before the holiday, there’s a feast of fun waiting for you across Brunswick, SSI, Jekyll, Darien, and beyond. Let’s dig in.

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Quick side note before today’s events — I finally tackled one of Brunswick’s great mysteries: why every “I’m moving here, what should I know?” post turns into a battle between doom and sunshine.

“The Two Brunswicks”: https://goldenisleslantern.beehiiv.com/p/the-two-brunswicks

What’s Happening This Weekend

Thursday, November 20

90’s Disney Trivia – Silver Bluff Brewing
🕰️ 6:30 PM
🎯 Silver Bluff Brewing, Brunswick
Think you know your ’90s Disney deep cuts? Prove it over a pint and snag some prizes. Bring your team or fly solo — hakuna matata, either way.

Dream So Real – Christmas Belly Dance Performance
🕰️ 7 PM
🎯 Ritz Theatre, Brunswick
A dazzling family-friendly Christmas belly dance show filled with holiday sparkle, global rhythms, and jaw-dropping choreography from Golden Isles Belly Dance & Dream So Real.
Tickets: https://29169.danceticketing.com/r/events/

Friday, November 21

Friday Fish Fry – Lunch
🕰️ 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 Elks Lodge 691, Brunswick
Fish, grits, slaw, hushpuppies, dessert & tea — the Friday lunch tradition that never misses.

Pictures with Santa on the Patio
🕰️ 3 PM – 6 PM
📍 Two Friends Boutique, SSI
Cookies for the kids, bubbly for the grown-ups, and Santa holding court on the patio.
🎟️ https://www.twofriends2.com/collections/new-arrivals-1/products/ticket-to-meet-santa

PINK FRIDAY (Downtown Jesup)
🕰️ 4 PM
📍 Downtown Jesup
Holiday shopping kickoff with giveaways, extended hours, door prizes, pop-ups, and a $400 grand prize drawing.

2025 Kingsland Catfish Festival – Friday Night Street Party
🕰️ 5:30 PM – 8 PM
📍 Downtown Kingsland
The Catfish Festival weekend kicks off with a full-on block party — food vendors sizzling, funnel cakes flying, lights glowing, and a DJ spinning under the open air. It’s Kingsland’s pre-festival warmup and the vibes are big, lively, and very much “you don’t wanna miss this.”

Brunswick High Pirates Playoff Game
🕰️ Pirate Walk: 5:45 PM
🕰️ Kickoff: 7:30 PM
📍 Glynn County Stadium
Round 2 of the GHSA playoffs — pack the stands and shake the stadium. Let’s go, Pirates.

Turkey Shoot
🕰️ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Townsend Church of God, Townsend
Bring your 12-gauge and test your aim in this friendly community tradition. Turkeys, gift cards, and a 50/50 pot are on the line — plus free soups to keep you warm.

Friday Night Pinball Tournament
🕰️ 7 PM
📍 The Pinball Palace, Brunswick
A flipper-flinging battle for glory. Beginners welcome — fun guaranteed.

Waddington Brothers – Live Bluegrass
🕰️ 7:30 PM
📍 The Ritz Theatre, Brunswick
Award-winning bluegrass from four North Dakota brothers with warm harmonies and frontier soul.
🎟️ https://www.goldenisleslive.org/index.php?action=tickets

Saturday, November 22

YMCA Breakfast with Santa
🕰️ 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
📍 Home2 Suites by Hilton Brunswick
A warm and festive family breakfast with Santa.
🎟️ https://ymcaofcoastalga.networkforgood.com/events/93882-breakfast-with-santa-2025

Jolly Makers Market
🕰️ 9 AM – 3 PM
📍 325 Old Jesup Rd., Brunswick
Huge artisan market hosted by Glynn County Extension — handmade goods, food vendors, and local makers galore.

Moxie Craft Fest – Handmade Holiday Market
🕰️ 9 AM – 4 PM
📍 Downtown Brunswick
40+ modern makers, food trucks, coffee, art, gifts, community — celebrating 10 years of Moxie.

Art of the Harvest: Autumn Turkey Workshop
🕰️ 9:30 AM
📍 The Bubble Bar at Two Friends, SSI
Create elegant turkey-themed fall centerpieces using natural materials — bubbly included.
🎟️ https://www.twofriends2.com/collections/new-arrivals-1/products/art-of-the-harvest-autumn-turkey-workshop-with-debby-melnyk

Letters to Santa: Colonial Calligraphy
🕰️ 10 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Fort King George Historic Site, Darien
Write your letter to Santa using quills, ink, and colonial paper — with help from an elf stationed in the Doctor’s House.

Introduction to Handguns: “Ladies Only”
🕰️ 10 AM – 2 PM
📍 American Patriot Range, Boots Harrison Rd, Hortense
A four-hour safety and skills program for women, including two hours on the range with a certified instructor.

Open Studio at the Ashantilly Press
🕰️ 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 Ashantilly Center, Darien
Learn to print your own holiday or Christmas card using the historic Ashantilly Press. Free event; accepting nonperishable food donations.

Toast to Tradition: A Richland Rum Thanksgiving
🕰️ 12 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Richland Rum, Downtown Brunswick
Tours every hour, rum tastings, a distilling seminar at 2 PM & 4 PM, and early holiday shopping.

Christmas Ornament Pop-Up Event
🕰️ 1 PM – 3 PM
📍 368 Mall Blvd., Brunswick
A hands-on ornament-making pop-up — make keepsakes, gifts, or something sparkly for your tree.

2025 Kingsland Catfish Festival
🕰️ 5:30 PM – 6 PM
📍 Downtown Kingsland
Seafood, vendors, live music, kids’ activities, wine & beer tents — a beloved 42-year tradition.
🌐 https://kingslandcatfishfestival.org

Earnest Hemingway Look-Alike & Best Beard Contest
🕰️ 6 PM
📍 92 Screven Street, Darien
Bring your beard, your bravado, and your best Papa Hemingway energy.

Movies on the Lawn – Remember the Titans
🕰️ 7 PM
📍 Jekyll Island Club Resort
Outdoor movie under the stars. Popcorn & water provided; blankets and chairs welcome.

Dream So Real – Christmas Belly Dance Performance (Encore)
🕰️ 7 PM
📍 Historic Ritz Theatre, Brunswick
Another night of holiday sparkle, dance, and magic.

Killer Beaz Live – “Best Buzz in Town” Tour
🕰️ 7 PM – 9 PM
📍 Historic Ritz Theatre, Brunswick
National touring comedian & Moonshiners personality brings big laughs to Brunswick.

Sunday, November 23

Drinking History: Sipping with the Guale
🕰️ 10 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Fort King George Historic Site, Darien
Learn how the Guale tribe brewed teas and medicinal drinks using native plants — and sample yaupon & spruce tea.

Nunsense LIVE! (Final Performance)
🕰️ 2:30 PM
📍 The Encore Performing Arts Center, Brunswick
Final curtain for this wildly fun musical comedy.
🎟️ https://www.theencoreco.com

Community Choir Concert
🕰️ 4 PM
📍 Zion Baptist Church, Brunswick
A soul-stirring community choir performance led by Dr. Ronald Lowe.

Thursday, November 20

🎤 Dexter Jones @ 100 Tabbystone (Bwk) – 4–7 PM
🎸 Rob Willis @ Tortuga Jack’s (JI) – 5–8 PM
🎷 Rider Trio @ Echo / King & Prince (SSI) – 6–9 PM
🎸 Casey Robinson @ Fish Tales Pub & Grill (Bwk) – 6–9 PM
🎹 Jerry Gowen (piano) @ Georgia Sea Grill (SSI) – 6:30–9:30 PM
🎤 Annie Akins @ Little Zooks (Bwk) – 6–8 PM
🎸 Acoustic Open Mic Jam w/ Gypsy Joe @ The Jerk Shack (Bwk) – 6–9 PM
🎤 Songbird Open Mic Night @ Hootenanny’s BBQ (Bwk) – 6–8 PM
🎸 Roy Gentry @ Ocean Lodge Resort (SSI) – 6–9 PM
🎤 Sean Clark @ Plant Café (Waycross) – 6:30 PM
🎷 The Vibe @ The Wharf (JI) – 6–9 PM
🎤 Crawford & Co. Songwriters’ Round @ The Tipsy Zone at Tipsy McSway’s (Bwk) – 7 PM
🎤 Joey Thigpen & Keith Dean @ Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – 8 PM
🎸 Little Gracie @ Mullet Bay (SSI) – 8–11 PM
🎸 Metallica Tribute @ LL Creek (Waycross) – 8:30 PM
🎤 Blaine Laurent @ Reid’s Apothecary / The Study (Bwk) – 9 PM

Friday, November 21

🎸 Josh Nunn @ Founders Social (JI) – 5–8 PM
🎷 Hot Banana Coffee @ Echo / King & Prince (SSI) – 6–9 PM
🎹 Jerry Gowen (piano) @ Georgia Sea Grill (SSI) – 6:30–9:30 PM
🎸 Once Again @ Captain Stan’s Smokehouse (Woodbine) – 6:30 PM
🎤 Gypsy Joe @ The Jerk Shack (Bwk) – 6–9 PM
🎸 The Vibe @ Sago at Sea Palms (SSI) – 6–9 PM
🎤 Gabe Spell @ The Wharf (JI) – 6–9 PM
🎸 Levi Moore @ Toucan’s Ale House (Bwk) – 6–9 PM
🎤 Squirt Gun @ Tortuga Jack’s (JI) – 6–9 PM
🎤 Dakota Duo @ Tribuzio’s Grille (JI) – 5:30–8:30 PM
🎸 Michaele Hannemann @ The Rooftop at Ocean Lodge (SSI) – 6–9 PM
🎤 Live Music @ Shore / Residence Inn (JI) – 6–9 PM
🎸 Thunderbird Blues Band @ Gnat’s Landing (SSI) – 7–10 PM
🎤 Annie Akins @ Ember / Mas Lounge (SSI) – 7–10 PM
🎸 Mike McDaniel @ Rafters (SSI) – 7–10 PM
🎸 Lanie Mae @ The Fish Dock Bar & Grill (Townsend) – 7–10 PM
🎻 The Waddington Brothers @ Ritz Theatre (Bwk) – 7:30 PM
🎸 Roy Gentry & Hired Guns @ Strand Bistro / Chophouse (Jesup) – 7:30–10:30 PM
🎸 SaltWater Gypseas @ Smokes 82 Bar & Grill (Golden Isles Speedway) – 8–11 PM
🎸 The Pine Box Dwellers @ The Hangout Bar & Grill (Bwk) – 8–11 PM
🎸 Brent Browning @ Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – 8 PM
🎤 Josh Nunn @ Reid’s Apothecary / The Study (Bwk) – 9 PM
🎸 Phil King @ Bennie’s Red Barn / Tree Bar (SSI) – $5 – 9 PM
🎸 The Page Brothers Band @ LL Creek (Waycross) – 9 PM
🎸 Trainwreck @ Sidetrax Bar (Jesup) – 9 PM
🎸 Backbeat Boulevard @ Sliders Seaside Grill (Fernandina) – 6–10 PM
🎻 Acoustic Bluegrass/Gospel Jam @ Woodbine Opry – 7 PM

Saturday, November 22

🎸 Uncle Dave Griffin @ Boondox Tavern (Bwk) – 4–7 PM
🎷 Roy Gentry @ Heritage Oaks Golf Club (Bwk) – 5–8 PM
🎸 Last Call @ Tortuga Jack’s (JI) – 5–8 PM
🎤 Will Gore & Greg Kearney @ Bubba’s at Mary Ross Park (Bwk) – 6–9 PM
🎸 Amelia Blues Band @ Captain Stan’s Smokehouse (Woodbine) – 6:30 PM
🎹 Jerry Gowen (piano) @ Georgia Sea Grill (SSI) – 6:30–9:30 PM
🎤 3 Day Weekend @ River’s Edge Bar & Grill (Darien) – 7 PM
🎤 Josh Nunn @ Gnat’s Landing (SSI) – 7–10 PM
🎸 Your Mom’s Favorite Band @ Fish Tales Pub & Grill (Bwk) – 7–10 PM
🎤 Heather & James @ Rafters (SSI) – 7–10 PM
🎤 Mike McDaniel @ Toucan’s Ale House (Bwk) – 7–10 PM
🎸 Common Ground @ Tribuzio’s Grille (JI) – 6–9 PM
🎸 The Pine Box Dwellers @ The Tipsy Zone at Tipsy McSway’s (Bwk) – 7–10 PM
🎸 Hung Jury @ Mullet Bay (SSI) – 8–11 PM
🎸 Hot Banana Coffee @ Bar at Mallery (SSI) – 8–11 PM
🎤 Brent Browning @ Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – 8 PM
🎸 The Relics Trio @ LL Creek (Waycross) – 8 PM
🎸 Frost Bros Band @ Reid’s Apothecary / The Study (Bwk) – 9 PM
🎤 Backbeat Boulevard @ The Wharf (JI) – 6–9 PM
🎸 Electric Dance Band Show @ Woodbine Opry – 7 PM
🎸 SaltWater Gypseas @ Kingsland Catfish Festival – 11 AM
🎤 Craig Campbell @ Kingsland Catfish Festival – 1 PM
🎸 STR8UP @ Kingsland Catfish Festival – 3:30 PM

Sunday, November 23

🎸 Ashton Rowland @ Bubba’s at Mary Ross Park (Bwk) – 11 AM–3 PM
🎤 Live Music @ Bubba Garcia’s (SSI) – 12–3 PM
🎸 Rider @ Tortuga Jack’s (JI) – 1–4 PM
🎸 Nate Johnson @ Captain Stan’s Smokehouse (Woodbine) – 3 PM
🎤 John Belt @ Uptown Tap & Cigar (SSI) – 3–6 PM
🎤 Live Music @ Beachcomber BBQ (SSI) – 5–8 PM
🎤 Roy Gentry @ The Hangout Bar & Grill (Bwk) – 5–8 PM
🎤 Jaukeem Fortson (Free Community Concert) @ First Baptist Church (SSI) – Doors 5:30 PM, Show 6 PM
🎸 Ashton Rowland @ Village Inn & Pub (SSI) – 7–10 PM

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