For 2020, the Jekyll Island holiday season officially kicks off November 27, 2020 and runs through January 3, 2021.

The health and safety of our visitors is always our top priority. Due to the pandemic, many of our traditional holiday activities have been reimagined to ensure families can feel safe while enjoying the spirit of the season. This year, our Holly Jolly Jekyll Parade will take place island-wide, with special spectator viewing locations for visitors to watch from many of our public parking areas, to safely watch from or near their vehicles. The parade will not stop near the Main Lawn in the Historic District, to eliminate any parade gatherings. Additionally, the season brings two new Drive-In Movie experiences for visitors to enjoy, two Fireworks shows, and of course more than half a millions lights that can be experienced on a self-guided tour. All of our events have been evaluated to ensure ample social distancing and minimal gathering of crowds, so guests can enjoy activities amongst their family unit. For more details on our island-wide health and safety protocols, visit jekyllisland.com/covid-19.

Jekyll Island is home to more than half a million lights during the Holly Jolly Jekyll season. The Great Tree alone has more than 35,000, which is more per square foot than the NYC Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Visitors can also enjoy the Twelve Days of Christmas light displays that run from Great Dunes Beach Park to the Historic District, along Shell Rd. Count the days until Christmas in this coastal wonderland! Those looking to sit back and relax with the whole family, can experience all of the island’s lights from our Holly Jolly Light Tours.

As soon as you drive onto Jekyll Island, you’ll set your sights on thousands of glimmering lights. Most displays are located in the National Historic Landmark District, along Shell Road, and in Great Dunes Beach Park to Beach Village. View a map of lights and attractions to view them on your own.

To ensure the safety of our visitors, the Great Tree will not be lit during its own singular event, but instead, will join the hundreds of thousands of other lights on the island that will turn on Friday, November 27 at sunset!

Yes! Not one, but two nights during the season, family can enjoy a free fireworks show to watch the night sky light up in celebration of the season! Fireworks will take place at Great Dunes Beach Park near the Beach Village on Sunday, December 6 and Sunday, December 19. Grab yourself some takeout and enjoy them from your vehicle or one of our many picnic areas. (pending weather conditions).

On a Holly Jolly Light Tour! These guided tram tours are available at Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum, and tickets can be purchased online. Tours take place on select nights throughout the season to enjoy the lights around the island. Reservations are required and fill up quickly. Guests will enjoy free festive beverages, holiday music, access to the museum gallery and receive a special keepsake to take home. For those looking to view them from the safety of their vehicle, you can follow our self-guided map of lights and attractions to view them on your own.

In addition to our signature events like the Holly Jolly Jekyll Parade, there will be dozens of events taking place during the season. Families can enjoy Holiday High Tea at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, Breakfast with Santa at the Jekyll Island Convention Center, Cookies and Cocoa in the evenings at the Days Inn & Suites, The North Pole Bake Shop at The Westin, Twilight Shopping on Pier Road, the Merry Artists Holiday Market at Goodyear Cottage, as well as many more. For a complete list, visit our calendar of events.

• Holly Jolly Jekyll Parade – December 5 (free of charge)
• Breakfast with Santa at the Jekyll Island Convention Center – select mornings through the season
• Holiday Big Truck Roundup – December 12 (free of charge)
• Drive-in Movie: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – December 12 and December 19 (free of charge)
• Santa Sighting & Breakfast at the Days Inn & Suites (open to the public) – select mornings through the season
• Cooking Decorating with Santa – select mornings through the season

To ensure the health and safety of our visitors, the Jekyll Island Skating Village will not return this year. However visitors can enjoy many other activities throughout the season, including mini golf under the lights at Peppermint Land!

Of course! Experience our new Drive-In Movies on not one, but two nights throughout the season! Start the evening with takeout dinner specials by our Beach Village restaurants, and grab a free holiday mask souvenir with purchase at one of the retail shops. Then, park your vehicle and tune in to our private radio channel to watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on a big screen. Prior to movie start, Santa will join his fire department friends for a ride around in his big red fire truck! Families can also enjoy Fireworks on two nights of the season this year, as well as many new events, including Breakfast with Santa at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. For a complete list, visit our calendar of events.

Yes, Peppermint Land at Jekyll Island Mini Golf has extended holiday hours through the evening, or you can join one of the many Holly Jolly Light Tours (select nights) to see the lights island-wide. Families can also enjoy many other activities in the evenings, including our new Drive-In Movies, Christmas Carriage Rides by Three Oaks Farms, and the 5th Annual Christmas Concert on December 11. For a complete list, visit our events calendar.

Yes! If you are looking for that special holiday card moment, we recommend these photographers: Bobbi Brinkman Photography, Chris Moncus Photography, The Darkroom, John Krivec, Studio Pixel Pop, Tamera Gibson Photography.