Thursday, November 19, 2009

Get Ready for Holiday Fun in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia

The weather outside may be frightful (or not), but things are definitely delightful in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia -- St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. The holiday season is rich with sights, sounds and activities that are designed to fill you with good cheer and create lasting memories. Here's a rundown:

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25 (Thanksgiving)

Holiday Party at Color Me Happy – After a day of feasting and football, gather up the family for an evening of old-fashioned fun. This is a great chance to create some unique Christmas gifts and save money at the same time! 6:00 to 9:00 pm. (912) 554-1900. www.colormehappypottery.com

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 26


Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Brunswick – Live music, Santa Claus, and a reading of Dickens' "The Night Before Christmas" add up for a magical evening that is sure to warm your heart and get you into the holiday spirit. 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Jekyll Square on Newcastle Street. (912) 265-4032. www.brunswickgeorgia.net



SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28


Christmas Tree Lighting Festival – Ring in the holiday season with holiday crafts, games, kids activities, Santa Claus and the lighting of the Jekyll Island Community Christmas Tree. 4:00 to 7:00 pm, National Historic Landmark District, Jekyll Island. (912) 635-3636.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 4


First FridayVisit the shops, galleries and restaurants of downtown Brunswick. "He Said Beer, She Said Wine" tastings at select shops, live music at various locations. 5:00 to 8:00 pm along Newcastle Street in downtown Brunswick. (912) 635-4032 or www.brunswickgeorgia.net.

First Friday Fun – Make an ornament or a bookmark for the holidays. 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Brunswick Library, 208 Gloucester Street, Brunswick. (912) 267-1212. www.trrl.org.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 5

Annual Christmas Parade – Gloucester Street, downtown Brunswick. 10:00 am. (912) 265-4032. www.brunswickgeorgia.net

Annual Holiday Bazaar – Dozens of vendors offer holiday gifts, arts and crafts, antiques, yard sale items, food and more. 8:00 am to 5:00. Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Bay Street, Brunswick. (912) 262-6934.

Gingerbread House-Making Workshop
– Pastry chefs lead this 2-hour, family-friendly workshop. 10:00 am, Jekyll Island Club. Reservations: (912) 625-2600. www.jekyllclub.com.

Christmas Tour of Homes – Visit nine homes and a church in Old Town Brunswick. 1:00 to 6:00 pm. For information and tickets: (912) 280-0650 or (912) 275-7054.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 6

Handel's
Messiah – 25th performance by 100-member community chorus representing more than two dozen area churches. 4:00 pm. Strickland Auditorium, Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons Island. (912) 638-5956 or (912) 554-1873.

DECEMBER 6 - 31

The Holidays in History – Tour cottages decorated for the season in the Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District. 11:00 am, 1:00 and 3:00 pm daily except Dec. 24 and 25. Admission. (912) 625-3636. www.jekyllisland.com.

MONDAY DECEMBER 7

Holiday Intermezzo – The Coastal Symphony of Georgia performs orchestral works by Tchaikovsky, Szewczyk and Brahms. 8:00 pm, Glynn Academy Auditorium, Brunswick. (912) 634-2006. www.coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org

SATURDAY DECEMBER 12


The Grand Victorian Tradition – Learn how to make traditional Victorian Christmas cards during this two-hour workshop. 10:00 am, Jekyll Island Club, Jekyll Island. Reservations: (912) 625-2600. www.jekyllclub.com.



Open House at the Lighthouse
– Enjoy the lighthouse and keeper's dwelling, decked out in holiday splendor. Be sure to stop by Santa's Shop for unique holiday gifts. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse and A.W. Jones Heritage Center, 12th and Beachview, St. Simons Island. (912) 638-4666. www.saintsimonslighthouse.org.


Holiday Family Fun Day
– Healthy eating storytime by The Links at 10:45 am, ornament decorating by Color Me Happy at 11:00 am, and a holiday puppet show by Evy Wright of Curious Moon at 11:45 am. Brunswick Library, 208 Gloucester Street, Brunswick. (912) 267-1212 or www.trrl.org.

18th Annual Christmas Craft Festival – featuring works by craftspeople and artists from throughout the southeast. Sponsored by Glynn Art Association. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Postell Park, Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island. (912) 638-8770 or www.glynnart.org.

25th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes
– Visit seven homes with unique holiday decorating ideas. 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Tours begin at the historic tabby cabins at Gascoigne Bluff, St. Simons Island. Holiday bake sale at the cabins from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For tickets and information: (912) 638-1527. www.cassinagardenclub.org

Especially for Children – An old-fashioned holiday get-together and festival. 1:00 to 5:00 pm, Mildred Huie Museum at Mediterranean House, 1819 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island. (912) 638-3017 or www.leftbankgallery.com

Winter Farm Fest
– Come play in the snow, ride the sleigh and run our holiday obstacle course. Three Oaks Stables, 332 Oyster Road, Brunswick. (912) 269-0623.

A Dickens Feast
– Toast in the Boar's Head Lobby, holiday feast and musical dinner based on Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Jekyll Island. Reservations: (912) 635-2600 or www.jekyllclub.com.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 13


18th Annual Christmas Craft Festival – featuring works by craftspeople and artists from throughout the southeast. Sponsored by Glynn Art Association. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Postell Park, Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island. (912) 638-8770 or www.glynnart.org.

Santa at Crane Cottage
– St. Nick welcomes children to Crane Cottage in the Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District. Photographer available for fee. 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. (912) 635-2600 or www.jekyllclub.com

Winter Concert – Coastal Youth Symphony of Georgia. 3:00 pm, Glynn Academy Auditorium, Brunswick. www.coastalgeorgiayouthsymphony.org


DECEMBER 18 - 20


A Christmas Carol – Annual community production of Dickens' holiday classic, starring Brunswick Mayor Bryan Thompson as Scrooge. Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm; Sunday at 3:00 pm. Ritz Theatre, 1530 Newcastle Street, Brunswick. (912) 262-6934. www.goldenislesarts.org


DECEMBER 19-24


Christmas Bagpiper – Scottish bagpiper Tim Akins heralds the season by the Jekyll Island Club, in the Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District. 4:00 pm. (912) 635-2600 or www.jekyllclub.com.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 23


Family Carol Sing – Join on the riverfront veranda of the Jekyll Island Club, to sing carols in Jekyll Island's National Historic Landmark District. Cookies and punch served afterward. 5:00 pm. Reservations: (912) 635-2600 or www.jekyllclub.com.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 25 – CHRISTMAS

TUESDAY DECEMBER 29


Tuesday Tea at Two
– Meet and engage in casual conversation with Gallery 209's featured artists, while enjoying tea and delicacies prepared by Suzanne Scaglione. 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Art Downtown / Gallery 209, 209 Gloucester Street, Brunswick. Reservations: (912) 265-0628. www.artdowntowngallery209.com.

HOLIDAY ART EXHIBITS

A Holiday Feast for the Eyes – Selected paintings by gallery artists. Anderson Fine Art Gallery, 3309 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island. (912) 634-8414 www.andersonfineartgallery.com

Holiday Festival of the Arts
– Exhibits of plantation personalities by sculptor Mary Whitty, paintings of the 13 original plantations of St. Simons Island, and holiday cards and paintings by Glenda Cason. Left Bank Art Gallery, 3600 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island. (912) 638-3017. www.leftbankartgallery.com

Letters to Santa
– Southeast Georgia Health System Outpatient Care Art Gallery, Starling Road in Brunswick. Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Event details are subject to change. Please call ahead to confirm time, place and admission.
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No matter the season, there are endless reasons to visit Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia. Discover fascinating museums and historic sites, take a cruise aboard a working shrimp boat, dolphin watch boat or our casino-cruise ship. Play a round of golf, stroll our beautiful beaches or enjoy a leisurely bike ride. You'll also find a wonderful array of shops, boutiques and galleries filled with unique gifts perfect that special someone on your holiday list. Plus, great restaurants wherever you go, and accommodations to fit every taste and budget.

Start your holiday tradition this year, in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia. For information, visit our website. While you're there, be sure to check out our Special Offers page, with discounts and other special offers from local hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions. Come Coast Awhile!
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