Thanksgiving Festivities at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel

November 26, 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. — Celebrate Thanksgiving at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Thanksgiving Brunch is served in the Grand Dining Room 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and at the Courtyard at Crane Cottage, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.  Thanksgiving Dinner in the Grand dining Room is served 6:00 -10:00 p.m. Reservations: 912-635-2600. www.jekyllclub.com

Jingle Bell Bike Ride

November 28, 9:30 - Noon — Sponsored by the Coastal Georgia Greenway and the Jekyll Island Authority, the Jingle Bell Ride is an 18-mile casual, family ride around Jekyll Island. Riders meet at the Jekyll Island Beach Deck, just south of the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Helmets are required. Holiday attire is optional. Register in advance for discounted rates and a chance to win Brunch for two at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Registration also available onsite from 8:00 – 9:00. For more information visit www.coastalgeorgiagreenway.org.

Jekyll Island Christmas Tree Lighting Festival

November 28, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM — Celebrate the start of the Christmas Season. Music, holiday arts and crafts vendors, games, and activities all lead up to the lighting of the Jekyll Island Christmas Tree and fireworks finale. Activities take place in the Jekyll Island Historic District. Entry to the festival is free. Some activities do require a small fee. www.jekyllisland.com

Candlelight Tour of the Hotel

December 2, 4:00 pm — Enjoy the Jekyll Island Club Hotel in its Christmas finery as the guide takes you on a candlelight tour of the Grand Dining Room, lobby, and other public rooms. See live evergreen trees, wreaths on every door, and garlands with red velvet bows as you hear the story of the hotel. Refreshments afterwards. Free. Reservations: 912-635-2600. www.jekyllcub.com

Gingerbread House Making Workshop

December 5, 10:00 am — The Jekyll Island Club Hotel’s famous pastry chefs have all the parts ready ahead of time for this 2-hour, family friendly workshop. Put them together, ice, decorate, and make gingerbread trees and flowers …ready for photos and taking home to enjoy. Reservations:  912-635-2600. www.jekyllclub.com

Holidays In History Tours

December 6 - 31 — Venture back in time as the Jekyll Island Museum takes you on a guided holiday tour of the Jekyll Island Historic District. Experience the beauty of the Historic District richly decorated in holiday splendor as you learn about Christmas customs, songs, and traditions spanning from the Victorian Era to the Jazz Age. Tours depart daily December 6-31, excluding Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, at 11 am, 1 pm, & 3 pm. $16 Adults, $7 Children 6-12, Free under 6.

To make reservations contact the Jekyll Island Museum at 912-635-4036.

A Dickens Feast,

December 12, 7:30 pm — Gather in the Boar’s Head Lobby of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel for a toast to Christmas Present. Follow the merrymakers into the Grand Dining Room for a holiday feast and musical dinner theatre. Based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the Atlanta acting company revisits Christmas with Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, Scrooge, and a host of other colorful characters. Reservations: 912-635-2600. www.jekyllclub.com

The Grand Victorian Tradition

December 12, 10:00 am — Christmas cards came into their own during the Victorian era; handmade and beautiful, they were kept as mementoes by family and friends through the years. Come join this 2-hour workshop at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and be part of the tradition. Learn from the instructor how to create a greeting card heirloom! Reservations: 912-635-2600. www.jekyllclub.com

Santa at Crane

December 13, 11:30 – 2:00 pm — Jolly Old St. Nick welcomes children to Crane Cottage, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, with a great big “Ho-ho-ho” and an invitation to share their Christmas wishes. A photographer is available to capture the moment (fee). www.jekyllclub.com

The Christmas Bagpiper

December 19-24, 4:00 pm — Scottish bagpiper Tim Akins heralds the season at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and then down by the Jekyll River.  He pipes each afternoon of Christmas week. Free. www.jekyllclub.com

Las Posadas

December 20, 4:00 PM — A Mexican Christmas Tradition celebrated at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Ceremony begins with Catholic Mass followed by traditional Mexican Christmas songs, food, and activities. Dance to follow. Free.

Family Carol Sing

December 23, 5:00 pm — This musical family event is outdoors, so don your hats and mufflers! Meet on the Riverfront Veranda of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel ready to sing favorite carols at Crane and Cherokee Cottages, the Club and Sans Souci. Tom will be ready to lead us merrily through “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” and more. Cookies and punch afterwards. Free. Reservations: 912-635-2600. www.jekyllclub.com

Christmas Feasts

December 25 — The Grand Dining Room and the Courtyard at Crane, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, celebrate the day with bountiful feasts!  Christmas Brunch in the Grand Dining Room is 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 pm; Christmas Brunch at Courtyard at Crane Cottage is 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and Christmas Dinner in the Grand Dining Room is 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. Reservations are required. The Hall of Mirrors rooms are also available for private parties during brunch and dinner hours Christmas Day. Reservations: 912-635-2600. www.jekyllclub.com

New Year’s Eve Celebrations

December 31 — There’s a party for everyone!  Two seatings are available for dinner in the Grand Dining Room, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, with dancing to follow in the Club Ballroom. First seating: 6:00-8:30 p.m. and 9:00 -11:30 p.m. Courtyard at Crane offers the full dinner menu from 5:30-10:00 p.m. with dancing to follow in the Club Ballroom.  Ring in the New Year in the Club Ballroom. Features include DJ, dancing, cash bar, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight, coffee and petit fours, 8:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. For the ballroom festivities admission is free with dinner purchase. Otherwise, admission is $20.00 per person. Reservations: 912-635-2600.www.jekyllclub.com.

Jekyll Island Big Band New Year’s Eve Party

December 31 — Jump and jive at the 30th New Year’s Eve Party of the Jekyll Island Big Band and the last New Year’s Eve Party in Atlantic Hall. Jekyll Island Convention Center, Atlantic Hall. Jekyllislandbigband.org