Holly Jolly Jekyll
Discover holiday lights and magical sights on Jekyll Island.
For a magical holiday season your family will remember forever, pack up your sled, ask a neighbor to watch the reindeer, and head to the Golden Isles of Georgia for Holly Jolly Jekyll. This annual celebration in the coastal community of Jekyll Island includes all manner of family-friendly holiday events and things to do with kids. From dazzling holiday light shows to awe-inspiring fireworks displays and visits from Santa, you’ll find plenty of fun for the whole family.
See creative holiday light displays surrounding the live oaks of the Historic District when you experience them on a trolley or self-guided tour.
Marvel at Holiday Light Displays
During the holiday season, the towering live oaks of Jekyll Island are illuminated with more than a million lights stretching as far as the eye can see. See the lights via trolley ride, horse-drawn carriage or self-guided tour — no matter which option you choose, these incredible Jekyll Island displays of holiday cheer are guaranteed to get you in the spirit of the season.
Guided Holiday Light Tours
Sit back, sip a warm drink and bask in the warm glow of Georgia’s finest holiday light displays on a guided tour of Jekyll Island. Dubbed “Jekyll’s jolliest trolley” for good reason, Holly Jolly Light Tours showcase festive displays from Beach Village to the Historic District as you sip seasonal beverages and sing along to iconic carols and tunes. For an even more old-fashioned tour of the island, Christmas Carriage Light Tours offer carriage rides through the Historic District all season long.
Self-Guided Holiday Light Tours
If you’d prefer to take in the lights from the comfort of your own vehicle, use Jekyll Island’s Self-Guided Light Tour map to view the island’s best light displays at your leisure. Just remember to follow traffic patterns and tour signs, and remain in your vehicle while snapping photos of your favorite twinkling lights.
Join Santa and his friends for the annual Holly Jolly Jekyll Light Parade.
Signature Holiday Events
Throughout December, Jekyll Island hosts a variety of free signature events to bring people together and celebrate the holidays in style.
Cold-Stunned Plunge
November 30 at 10:30 a.m.
Show your daring side as you run into the chilly Atlantic Ocean! This frigid fundraising event kicks off the holiday season with a plunge and benefits the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on behalf of the Jekyll Island Foundation. Take the plunge, raise some funds and receive a commemorative T-shirt for your good deed in helping to save sea turtles.
Winter Carnival & Holiday Big Truck Round Up
December 7 from 12-4 p.m.
Kick off your holiday season with this unique combination Winter Carnival and Big Truck Round Up. Kids will love the inflatable carnival rides and games or sitting in the driver’s seat of emergency vehicles from Jekyll Island Fire/EMS and Georgia State Patrol, and they’ll also have the chance to see Santa!
Holly Jolly Jekyll Light Parade
December 14 from 7-8 p.m.
Nothing brings out the holiday cheer like a parade! Stake out a spot along the Holly Jolly Jekyll Light Parade’s beachfront route and wave hello as Santa and his friends traverse the island in a variety of golf carts and vintage vehicles — all lit up in their holiday best.
Holiday Drive-In Movie
December 22 & 29 at 5 p.m.
Take in one of two special drive-in-style screenings of “Frosty the Snowman,” at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. If you visit on December 22, you might even witness Santa making an appearance on his big red fire truck!
Holly Jolly Jekyll Fireworks
December 23 & 30 at 7 p.m.
Who said holiday lights are only for trees? Ooh and ahh at fireworks launching above the island and filling the whole sky with holiday cheer. Park at one of several Beach Park locations and watch the free show from your car to stay warm and cozy while taking in the spectacular sights.
Sink a “hole in fun” at the holiday-themed Peppermint Land at Jekyll Island Mini Golf.
Season-Long Family Fun
Beyond the signature Holly Jolly Jekyll events, you’ll find plenty of holiday activities and attractions on Jekyll Island to enjoy all season long.
Sink a hole-in-one while celebrating the holiday season at Peppermint Land at Jekyll Island Mini Golf, where two 18-hole courses are decked out with life-size gumdrops, peppermint sticks, gingerbread friends, and more.
Check out the Holly Jolly Jekyll event calendar for a season of activities, including Holiday High Tea at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, The North Pole Bake Shop at The Westin Cafe, a visit to the Mailbox on Main to drop those letters to Santa, and so much more!
Discover all the fun and magic this holiday season on Jekyll Island.
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