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The grand building in Georgia's National Historic District on Jekyll Island is festively decorated with glowing Christmas lights at twilight.
Georgia

Spend Christmas on Historic Jekyll Island

Program No. 13410RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
Included
13 meals ( 4B, 1BR, 3L, 5D )
2 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
3 performances
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Jekyll Island, GA
Spend Christmas on Historic Jekyll Island
Dec 21 - Dec 26, 2026
Program Number 13410
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name tag.
Afternoon:
4:00 p.m.: After you have your room assignment, please visit the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff.

A bagpiper will herald in the season at the Jekyll Island Club Resort and then down by the Jekyll River. We will enjoy this special holiday treat each afternoon of Christmas week.
Dinner:
At the Jekyll Island Club.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions.

We will learn from the Group Leader as well as local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach and via passenger vans unless noted otherwise. A variety of special meals will be served throughout this program, from local cuisine to seasonal favorites and high tea, in a variety of settings.

Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle tram. Walking/standing up to 1 hour through historic cottages and turtle center.
Breakfast:
Breakfast will be provided in the Jekyll Island Club Victorian-era Grand Dining Room.
Morning:
We will visit the Jekyll Island Mosaic museum and then board the tram to see and learn about the island’s National Historic Landmark District, where gilded-era millionaires spent winter vacations and holidays with family, friends, and each other.
Lunch:
At the Jekyll Island Club.
Afternoon:
We’ll be joined by a local expert who will tell us about the fascinating ecology of this barrier island. We will then visit the nearby Georgia Sea Turtle Center, an education and rehabilitation facility, to learn from a staffer about the sea turtles that come back year after year to use the beaches of Jekyll Island as a nesting ground.
Dinner:
At the Jekyll Island Club.
Evening:
In a private banquet room, we will meet several members of a local group dedicated to preserving Gullah language, song, and dance. They will share their heritage with us along with performing the ring shout, which is an expression of religious culture. Its African origins are apparent in ritualized, dance-like movements in a circle, call-and-response singing, and hand clapping. Ring shouting was widely thought to have died out but had actually continued all along in McIntosh County, just north of Jekyll Island. To end the evening, we will enjoy watching the Jekyll Island holiday fireworks light up the night sky.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Up to 1 hour of standing, and walking through museums and sites. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during independent time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the Grand Dining Room.
Morning:
We will depart for a field trip by bus to Saint Simons Island to explore the neighboring barrier island's historical and cultural museums and sites.
Lunch:
We will enjoy lunch at a restaurant on Saint Simons, ordered from a select menu.
Afternoon:
After lunch, enjoy some time on your own to explore Saint Simons Island Pier Park where you'll find local artists, shopping, the SSI lighthouse, and more. We will continue by bus to additional Saint Simons historical and cultural sites.
Dinner:
We will enjoy our meal together at the oceanfront Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar located at the Jekyll Island Ocean Club.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue to enjoy the many amenities at the Ocean Club. Walk on the beach, soak in the hot tub or pool, or warm by the firepit.
Activity Note
Minimal standing and walking today. Stepping on/off a tram. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the Grand Dining Room.
Morning:
At the hotel, we'll continue to get into the holiday spirit as we enjoy a heartwarming Christmas concert featuring some of our favorite holiday songs and traditions.
Lunch:
At the hotel, we will have a special holiday high tea in grand holiday décor.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
We will have a special Christmas Eve Dinner together at the Jekyll Island Club.
Evening:
Following dinner, we will board the Holly Jolly Light Tour to view over one million holiday lights displayed throughout the Jekyll Island Historic District.
Activity Note
Minimal standing and walking today. Getting on/off a boat; riding approximately 1.5 hours.
Breakfast:
In lieu of breakfast, we will enjoy a wonderful Christmas brunch later in the morning.
Morning:
We hope you enjoy waking up on Christmas morning in this beautiful location. An elective Christmas morning service is often held at the historic Faith Chapel if you would like to attend.
Brunch:
At the Jekyll Island Club, we will enjoy Christmas brunch together.
Afternoon:
We will enjoy an afternoon boating trip in search of dolphins as well as other wildlife while admiring the scenic views of Jekyll Island.
Dinner:
We will enjoy our last evening together with dinner at the Jekyll Island Club. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
Following dinner, we will enjoy an elective Christmas gift swap. If you choose to participate, gifts will need to range between $10-20.

Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
In the Grand Dining Room. This concludes our program.
Morning:
This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program.

We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future.
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