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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 )
3 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
2 hands-on experiences
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.

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. Walking/standing up to 1 hour through historic cottages and turtle center.
Breakfast:
In the Grand Dining Room.
Morning:
An area expert will lead us through the public spaces of the Jekyll Island Club hotel, sharing stories about the various rooms, the woodwork, leaded glass, the people, and their pastimes. We will then visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to learn from a staffer about the species and the center’s rehabilitation and research efforts.
Lunch:
At the Jekyll Island Club.
Afternoon:
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 with family, friends, and each other.
Dinner:
At the Jekyll Island Club.
Evening:
We will end our evening enjoying the music of a talented local singer/songwriter.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. 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 St. 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:
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 and a precursor of other forms of music from spirituals and gospel to jazz. Its African origins are apparent in ritualized, dance-like movements in a circle, call-and-response singing, and hand clapping. “Shout” refers to movement rather than vocalizing, a counterclockwise shuffle considered part of the spiritual character of the experience. Ring shouting was widely thought to have died out but had continued all along in McIntosh County, just north of Jekyll Island. It was reintroduced to the wider world in 1980. The McIntosh County Ring Shouters have since performed at state and national folk festivals, at Lincoln Center in New York, on television, and recordings. They continue to practice the ring shout in McIntosh County on Watch Night, New Year’s Eve.
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:
Breakfast provided in the Grand Dining Room.
Morning:
A local pastry chef will join us to lead a fun class of a traditional Christmas pastime, decorating cookies. After cookie decorating we will be joined by a local expert who will teach us about the fascinating ecology of the barrier island.
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 hop aboard the Trolley to view the beautiful lights as we travel through the Jekyll Island Historic District.
Activity Note
Minimal standing and walking today. Getting on/off a boat.
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 hotel, 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:
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 rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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