9 Ways to Spend the Holidays on Georgia's Coast

Shop for fine art and gifts on St. Simons Island in December at the Mistletoe Market at Postell Park. Choose from pottery, jewelry, photography and more in a festive outdoor island holiday atmosphere.

Shop small, heading to Historic Downtown Brunswick for the first Friday in December. Enjoy the galleries, shops and businesses that will be open late serving wine and snacks, with live music in the squares.

Join residents in the annual tradition of tree lighting celebrations typically held Thanksgiving weekend or in early December:

• Jekyll Island Tree Lighting Festival
• St. Marys White Lighting Ceremony

Many Georgia towns frequently hold outdoor movie nights in the spring, summer and autumn. Thanks to mild temperatures, coastal towns get to extend that practice well into the fall. In November, take your family to Movie on the Green at Jekyll Island Beach Village where they’ll be showing a holiday movie.

The Annual Hofwyl Plantation Christmas welcomes guests to a celebration of the holiday season in the style of plantation life in the 1850s.

Enjoy colonial refreshments, a yule log, bonfire, caroling and dancing at Fort Morris in Midway, Georgia, during Colonial Christmas. 

Gather for local parades that showcase the true hometown flavor of the holiday season:

• Savannah Boat Parade of Lights
• Illuminated Christmas Parade in Hinesville
• Brunswick Christmas Parade

Tour the cottages in Jekyll Island's Historic District in December, to admire the historic homes adorned for the holidays. Combine that with Christmas Twilight Tours Saturdays in December and enjoy special evening trolley rides, a stop at Faith Chapel, and music and refreshments at Indian Mound Cottage.

Enjoy Holiday Evening Tours by Candlelight of the Davenport House in Savannah with light refreshments and music.

Nothing says classic winter fun more than a turn on the ice. The Jekyll Island Skating Village sets up shop November into January. Children are welcome to skate, however rental skates start at a size 9.

The spirit of each Georgia town comes alive during their annual holiday festivals:

• Christmas in the Park in Hinesville
• Christmas in the Park in St. Marys

When you're visiting Georgia's coast, stay at one of the historic hotels decorated for the holiday season like the King and Prince Resort on St. Simons Island, which adds a large, decorated tree to its recently renovated lobby.

The Jekyll Island Club Resort offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a variety of holiday-centric activities, including teas, workshops and a bagpiper throughout the season.