The Ultimate Guide to Golden Isles Fall Events & Activities 2024
While it may not be sweater weather in the Golden Isles, it is officially peak event season - and we are here for it! From annual fall favorites to spooky spectaculars, the whole family is sure to have a gourd time attending the many Golden Isles fall events.
Don't forget to explore our full event calendar where you can filter by the 'Holiday' event category.
Favorite Annual Golden Isles Fall Events
Scarecrow Alley at Magnolia Manor St. Simons
Every evening through Halloween until 10pm
Magnolia Manor on St. Simons has been turned into “Scarecrow Alley” for the Halloween season thanks to the residents and staff at the retirement community. Free and open to the public, see new scarecrows, returning scarecrows, community provider scarecrows, etc. There are lots of photo opportunities and fun for all. Walk around the campus or drive-thru. Their residents love it when people come by to enjoy it. To read more about Scarecrow Alley, click here.
Saturday, September 21, 2024
The Cottage, SSI
Kick off fall at The Cottage with FREE Crafts at The Cottage! Join us Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 AM–12 PM for a football-themed craft session perfect for kids of all ages! Parents, grab a latte, relax on our lawn, and enjoy the vibes while the kiddos get creative. Touchdown for the whole fam!
Fall Fun at Incacheetoo Plantation & Petting Zoo
Saturdays (11am-6pm) & Sundays (1pm-6pm)
September 21 - October 27, 2024
Waverly
Enjoy the best of fall at the farm, where there is something for the whole family! From the petting exhibits, pumpkin patches, pumpkin painting, pig races, duck races, games, hay rides, pony rides, and more! The Calf-A and Sweet Shack will be open, so bring your appetite for some of the best barbecue and funnel cakes around!
September 21 - 22
October 12 - 13
November 29 - December 1
Postell Park, St. Simons Island
Shop up to 70 artists and crafters in beautiful Postell Park. Browse coastal art, decor, jewelry, pottery, furniture, photography, hanging chairs, specialty food, skincare, candles, soaps, crafts for the home, wearables, and more! Grab lunch with the family nearby at one of St. Simons Islands' kid-friendly restaurants.
Silver Bluff Brewing's Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Silver Bluff Brewing, Brunswick
Grab your lederhosen and come cheers to the 5th annual Oktoberfest at Silver Bluff Brewing Co. Enjoy a live German band, food vendors, indoor and outdoor bars featuring 15 beers on tap (plus beverages for non-beer drinkers), and more! Oktoberfest Games start at 5:00 pm and include a Costume Contest, Stein Holding, Grain Sack throwing, and a Yodeling Contest.
We recommend bringing kids during the daytime festivities!
St. Simons United Methodist Church's Pumpkin Patch
Throughout October until pumpkins sell out
St. Simons Island
Each year St. Simons United Methodist Church hosts the pumpkin patch to raise money for it's youth group. They partner with farmers from New Mexico who plant, grow, and harvest all of the pumpkins before sending them to the island in early October. Pumpkins and gourds are available in various sizes, and are on sale until Halloween, unless they run out first!
Firebox Initiative's Annual Chef's Dinner
Thursday, October 3rd
Southern Soul SSI
This year, we celebrate local with St. Simons Island journeymen Chefs Fransisco Jimenez and Ryan Wagner of The Chef's Table, Sarah from Wild Heaven Brewery, and David from Virgil Kaine Distillery.
Five all-inclusive courses + cash bar in the courtyard at SSBBQ on Thursday, October 3rd. Doors open at 5pm, dinner at 6pm.
Working alongside local farmers, seafood purveyors, and artisans, The Chef’s Table brings the true essence of farm-to-table dining to your plate
Fall Harvest Celebration at Poppell Farms
Fall fun starts October 5th
Open every Friday night, Saturday (day and night), and Sunday during the season!
Odum, GA
Poppell Farm is a real working farm in South Georgia — growing and selling fresh produce for their Farm Market. In the Fall, they open to the public with amazing fun, 20+ attractions, a petting farm … and pumpkins!
Daytime fun: Get lost in our tall sorghum maze, enjoy wagon rides and the Pumpkin Patch!
After-dark fun: Explore the maze with a flashlight after dark on Friday and Saturday nights. Areas of the farm are lit for visitors to enjoy some activities at night.
Activities not open at night: Wagon rides to the Pumpkin Patch, Barnyard Baseball, Pony Rides, Catch-n-Release Fishing.
Firebox Initiative's BBQ on the Bluff
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Mallery Street, SSI
“BBQ on the Block” takes place on and around North Mallery Street in the Village at 6pm on Saturday, October 5th, 2024. Our favorite food trucks and some familiar BBQ vendors will be slinging street-style food bites while our bluegrass buddies, Rolling in the Hay perform live at Mallery Street Cafe. From Del Sur down to Frosty’s, there will be the place-to-be to stroll and snack, with Queens Court our home base for the weekend.
All proceeds from vendors will go directly to helping our local food and beverage community during emergencies with crisis grants. Please donate to Firebox; donate here.
Running of the Bulls Kids Fishing Tournament
October 12 - 13, 2024
Coastguard Station, East Beach
St. Simons Island
The Running of the Bulls is back for a 4th year! With HUGE UPGRADES and HIGHER PAYOUTS! This year's tournament will occur on Saint Simons and Jekyll Island, GA. Choose where you want to fish. With over 10 miles of beach, this is the largest landmass surf tournament in the state!!!
The Golden Isles Children's Business Fair
Sunday, October 12, 2024
Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Brunswick
The annual Children's Business Fair is a great opportunity for young entrepreneurs in the Golden Isles to launch a business, promote their brand, and sell products or services to the community. Open to kids aged 7 - 18, each entrepreneur will have a booth, and all businesses will be automatically entered into the business competition judged by fellow entrepreneurs on the Most Original Business Idea, Highest Business Potential, and Best Presentation and Creativity.
GVA is thrilled to announce its first-ever St. Simons Island Wine Festival, a two-day gathering of art and wine enthusiasts to fundraise for the arts and education. This highly anticipated festival will take place from October 18-19, 2024, on picturesque St. Simons Island. All proceeds will benefit GVA and the College of Coastal Georgia’s Department of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts.
Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun at Golden Isles Olive Oil
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Golden Isles Olive Oil, SSI
The annual Children's Business Fair is a great opportunity for young entrepreneurs in the Golden Isles to launch a business, promote their brand, and sell products or services to the community. Open to kids aged 7 - 18, each entrepreneur will have a booth, and all businesses will be automatically entered into the business competition judged by fellow entrepreneurs on the Most Original Business Idea, Highest Business Potential, and Best Presentation and Creativity.
Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival
October 25 - 26, 2024
National Historic Landmark District, Jekyll Island
One of our favorite Golden Isles fall events, the Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, an artist’s market, live music, food, and more. The island comes alive during this fun-filled festival, so mark your calendars for this award-winning event in the Historic District of Jekyll Island, Georgia.
Some things to note:
- Admission to the festival is free. However, during this event the Jekyll Island Parking fee will increase to an additional $5; annual passes are not impacted (if you're local, we recommend just getting an annual pass if you don't already have one).
- Be prepared for it to take some time to get to the festival. In the past, you had to drive around the north end of the island to park at the airport and then take shuttles and buses over to the festival.
- If you have little ones, we recommend bringing a stroller as it is quite a bit of walking.
October 29 - November 2
Exchange Club Fairgrounds
New and exciting things are planned for you at this year's fair! Please help spread the word, and stay tuned for more important information, contests, and more as we get closer to FAIR TIME!
Georgia Florida Football Weekend
November 1-3, 2024
SSI
St. Simons Island becomes headquarters for Bulldog fans for the weekend of the annual Georgia-Florida football game in Jacksonville.
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Historic Old Town Brunswick
A relatively new but beloved annual event, the Brunswick Porchfest is a FREE neighborhood music festival in Historic Old Town Brunswick, Georgia. Wander the beautiful streets and catch your favorite local band on one of the many porches hosted by residents. Enjoy food trucks, a kids' zone, and more!
Things to know:
- Pack a wagon with lunch, snacks, and a cooler. There will be twice as many food & beverage vendors as last year, but lines have been long in the past. You can also bring camp chairs and picnic blankets.
- All of the bands are donating their time. If you enjoy the show, be sure to tip!
- This is a dog-friendly event.
- The information tent will be in Halifax Square. Grab an event map, performer lineup guide, and merchandise.
- The Kid Zone will be in Halifax Square. In past years, there has been a tie-dye station, face painting, carnival games, and more!
- Share the street - this is a bike and golf cart-friendly event.
- A free trolley service will run the entire length of the festival - providing a quick way to get from show to show.
- Need more details, read the FAQ's.
November 18 - 24, 2024
Sea Island Golf Club, St. Simons Island
The RSM Classic is a PGA Tour golf tournament played each autumn in the Golden Isles since 2010. Hosted by local pro golfer Davis Love III, the seven-day tournament is a family favorite for residents and visitors. You can purchase tickets here.
Some things to note:
- General Parking area located at St. Simons Island Airport. Round-trip shuttle transportation is available.
- All children 15 and younger are admitted free with a ticket holder!
- The Youth Zone is a hub of excitement, offering a range of fun activities such as a putting course and face painting. You can find it right next to the Autograph Zone.
- The Golden Isles Green tournament village features games, food, and plenty of space for kids to run and play.
- The annual Wives & Pros Wiffle Ball Classic is Tuesday, November 14th, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Frederica Academy Baseball Field. In addition to wives and their pros, students from local elementary schools and the Savannah Bananas will play. The event is free to the community.
- Community Day is Wednesday, November 20th. Admission is free, as is the parking and round trip shuttle transportation.
Golden Isles Halloween Events
Ghosts and Legends at Hofwyl Broadfield Plantation
Every Friday in October (and November 1st!)
Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation
Take an eerie journey back in time to Coastal Georgia’s last surviving rice plantation at Hofwyl Broadfield Plantation. Stroll through moss-laden trees while you listen to tales of recent ghostly encounters, plantation folklore, and the rich but tragic history of the Lowcountry rice fields. Wear shoes comfortable for walking and bring insect repellent. We recommend this event for older kids.
Swamptacular at Okefenokee Swamp Park
Multiple dates in October
Okefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross
Screams, hoots, and hollers await you during the 3rd annual Halloween event! The family-friendly Swamptacular will guide you through candy stations, spooky monster zones, and a haunted train ride for those brave enough! Enjoy the festivities with face painting, food trucks, and more! This event has sold out in years past.
Jacksonville Zoo - Spooktacular
Multiple dates in October
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
The 36th annual Jacksonville Zoo Spooktacular promises to be as “wicked as you wish” with new creepy characters, beloved traditions, captivating experiences, and more scares than ever before! Embrace the Halloween spirit in costume while exploring spooky pathways, themed decorations, and sweet treats while catching a glimpse of an animal or two as they creep off to bed.
Don’t forget to bring a bag for candy and treats, and keep a tight eye on the little ones, as it can get crowded and dark!
October 18, 2024
5:30 - 8 pm
Glynn County Police Department Headquarters
157 Carl Alexander Way, Brunswick
Have some spooky fun at the annual Public Safety Trunk or Treat! Wear your best costumes and see police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances! Enjoy games, face painting, and lots and lots of candy and toys to give to our trunk-or-treaters! This event is FREE.
October 24, 2024
12:30 - 3 pm
Golden Isles Olive Oil
1609 Frederica Rd, St. Simons Island
Gather your friends for a fun and festive "Ghouls Just Want To Have Fun" Witches Luncheon at Golden Isles Olive Oil on Thursday, October 24th, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. For $45 per person, enjoy a bewitching afternoon with delicious food, good company, and plenty of Halloween spirit. Come dressed in your witchiest outfit and prepare for a good time filled with laughs and seasonal treats!
Golden Isles Trunk or Treats & Events
Below is a list of local Golden Isles trick or treat and trunk or treat events for 2024.
Golden Isles Thanksgiving Events
Sea Island Thanksgiving Events
November 26-30, 2024
Kicking things off is the ever-popular bingo on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, we welcome all to our annual holiday reception in The Cloister Colonial Lounge. Bring the entire family for our Thanksgiving Day 5k Thursday morning followed by a special service in The Cloister Chapel. Then it’s turkey time! Feasts are offered across the resort, ranging from casual to formal and traditional to new and exciting.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday bring more fun, including a chance to start the day with our Sea Island Fitness Instructors for a high-intensity HIIT class, Sea Island Sidekicks for kids, and our annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
November 28, 2024
Norwich St between Gloucester and Monck St., Brunswick
Get out and work up an appetite before you gobble in your best Thanksgiving costume! The Wobble B4 Gobble is an annual 5k and Fun Run on Thanksgiving morning, benefiting Glynn County students with special needs. Awards are given for Overall Male and Female winners, Specific Age Groups, and Best Costume. Strollers are welcome!
We hope this helps you to plan what Golden Isles fall events you want to attend. Be sure to explore our full events calendar here.
