Coastal Georgia Holiday Getaways: Discover Small-Town Holiday Magic
Your Basecamp for Small-Town Holiday Experiences Across Coastal Georgia & Northeast Florida
The holiday season brings its own kind of magic to coastal Georgia and Northeast Florida. From sparkling island light displays and festive train rides to hometown Christmas celebrations and waterfront traditions, there’s no shortage of ways to make the season memorable.
Why limit your getaway—or your travel budget—to just one experience? Settle into Kingsland, Georgia, and make it your home base for exploring the holiday festivities happening throughout the region. Enjoy a little coastal charm, discover a few small-town traditions, and return to a comfortable Kingsland stay at the end of the day.
One stay. More holiday experiences. Plenty of memories to make.
Holiday Experiences Throughout the Season
Some holiday traditions give you a reason to visit on a particular date. Others offer more flexibility, making it easier to plan a getaway around the experiences that interest you most.
All Aboard the Georgia Coastal Railway Santa Special Christmas Train
There’s something timeless about a holiday train ride. The Georgia Coastal Railway brings a little extra seasonal magic to Kingsland with its Christmas Train excursions. Enjoy a festive ride along with Santa and his friends, and make a holiday memory that’s a little different from the usual seasonal outing. With Kingsland’s railroad history woven into the community, the experience feels right at home here.
Take a Stroll Along the Tinsel Trail
From December 12 through January 3, the St. Marys Waterfront Park gets a festive makeover with the Tinsel Trail. Local organizations decorate and illuminate a variety of Christmas trees, creating a charming waterfront display that visitors can enjoy both day and night, throughout the holiday season. Beyond the seasonal sparkle, the community tradition gives back, with participating organizations supporting Camden House. It’s a lovely way to experience the holiday spirit in St. Marys, whether you’re making an evening of exploring the waterfront or just adding another festive stop to your getaway.
A Little Farm Fun at Incacheetoo
For a change of pace, head to Incacheetoo Plantation & Petting Zoo in nearby Waverly for a day of family fun on the farm. Get up close with a variety of friendly animals, meet the mini Highland cows, and enjoy activities like scenic hayrides, an animal train, playgrounds, games, and plenty of outdoor fun. With seasonal activities and special event dates throughout the year, it’s a memorable outing for visitors of all ages.
Find Holiday Lights on Jekyll Island
For a holiday experience with a coastal twist, head north to Jekyll Island for Holly Jolly Jekyll. Running throughout the holiday season, this annual celebration brings holiday lights and festive activities to the island. Enjoy an evening exploring the illuminated displays or make a day of discovering the island’s beaches, historic district, and natural surroundings. Then leave the traffic behind and head back to a slower pace at your Kingsland basecamp.
One Festive Weekend, Celebrate Your Way
The second weekend of December, December 11–13, brings a little extra holiday magic to the communities surrounding Kingsland. From historic downtown celebrations to waterfront festivities and Christmas parades, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the season.
In Kingsland, the annual Christmas in Kingsland event brings hometown holiday cheer to historic downtown. This year’s event has moved to Saturday, December 12, expanding the usual Thursday evening celebration into even more family festivities. The day will kick off with a Jingle Jog, followed by a parade and other holiday activities.
As the afternoon winds down, the holiday celebrations continue in neighboring communities. Just down the road, St. Marys offers a festive waterfront atmosphere with its lighted boat parade, while Folkston celebrates with Christmas on Main Street and its Light It Up Christmas Parade. Both offer a different way to enjoy a small-town Christmas, with evening festivities to choose from.
Just across the Florida line, Dickens on Centre takes over historic downtown Fernandina Beach all weekend long, with Victorian-inspired decorations, entertainment, and holiday shopping.
With several celebrations taking place around the same weekend, you can choose the experience that best fits your holiday getaway—or plan a longer stay to enjoy more than one. Each community offers its own take on the season, and Kingsland gives you a convenient place to return to when the festivities wind down, to gear up for your next day of fun.
Make Kingsland Your Holiday Base Camp
With so many holiday celebrations happening throughout the region, why limit your getaway to just one destination? Kingsland makes a convenient home base for exploring coastal Georgia and Northeast Florida, giving you the freedom to enjoy different communities and experiences while returning to the same comfortable accommodations each evening.
Finding the right place to stay is part of the getaway, too. Kingsland offers lodging options for a range of travel styles and budgets, from familiar hotel comforts to more rustic cabin stays.
Unwind after a day of exploring with hotel amenities like indoor pools, complimentary breakfast, firepits, and outdoor courtyards with games and gathering spaces. Prefer a little more outdoor adventure? Local campgrounds offer cabin accommodations and a relaxed setting to enjoy the season. Vacation rentals provide another option for travelers looking for a different kind of home away from home.
Whether you’re planning a couples’ getaway, a family holiday trip, or a few days of exploring with friends, you’ll find options that make it easy to settle in and enjoy more of the season.
The holidays are a wonderful time to explore somewhere new, revisit favorite traditions, and discover a few unexpected surprises along the way. However you choose to celebrate, there’s plenty of seasonal charm waiting to be discovered across this stretch of the Georgia coast and Northeast Florida.
