Dunham Farms' Holiday Festival of Lights and Music

This is the time we set aside each year for those who want to get away from city pressures and relax with nature.  Each day and all day there are delightful activities, kayak trips, photographic safaris, picnics, hay rides, history tours, moon watches, hot chocolate on the bluff by the fire, and sunsets to enjoy free from stress in this splendid place. Nightly movies are keyed to the season with plenty of popcorn and refreshments. Or try a moonlit hike or wagon hay ride. Meals are divine. We invite you to have fun!

2- and 3-day overnight packages include lodging, all tours and events, hors d’oeuvres or afternoon tea (depending on the schedule), and full breakfast each day. Dinners and kayaking are extra. An asterisk (*) indicates events for overnight guests only; these events are included in the overnight package price unless otherwise indicated.

Monday, December 26:
9:00-11:00 a.m., Kayak paddle to distant marsh hammocks ($24/person for overnight guests; $30/person for non-guests; 48-hour advance reservation required)
12 p.m., Lunch at Palmyra Barn ($17.50 per person plus tax and gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
*1:30 p.m., Hay ride about the grounds
*3:30 p.m., Plantation walk about
*5 p.m., Reception with hors d’oeuvres at Live Oak Hall
6:30 p.m., Dinner by reservation ($40/person plus tax & gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
*Movie night at the Retreat

Tuesday, December 27:
*9:30 a.m., Dunham Farms’ archaeology project
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Big tide discovery paddle through fascinating marshes filled with wildlife ($24/person for overnight guests; $30/person for non-guests; 48-hour advance reservation required)
1 p.m., Lunch ($17.50 per person plus tax and gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
2:00-4:00 p.m., Walk the fascinating historic Live Oaking Trail at Melon Bluff Plantation (included for overnight guests; $5/person for non-guests; advance reservation required)
4:15 p.m., High tea at the Barn (Included for overnight guests; $17.50 per person plus tax and gratuity for non-guests)
*5:00 p.m., Sunset on the dock
6:30 p.m., Lantern lit dinner at the Barn by reservation ($40/person plus tax & gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
*7:30 p.m., Coffee, hot chocolate and a marshmallow roast at the fire pit on the bluff
*Movie night at the Retreat

Wednesday, December 28:
*9:30-11 a.m., Wagon ride to Smuggler’s Cove for coffee, then return with a walk along the beautiful Bluff Trail
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Plantation kayak tour ($24/person for overnight guests; $30/person for non-guests; 48-hour advance reservation required)
1:45 p.m., Lunch at the Barn ($17.50 per person plus tax and gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
*3:30-5:00 p.m., We'll explore Springfield Plantation, Georgia's oldest plantation still intact and held by the original land grant family. The historic camellia gardens are included in this guided tour. included for overnight guests; $5/person for non-guests; advance reservation required)
*5:00 p.m., Wine reception in Live Oak Hall
6:00 p.m.. Dinner fireside at Live Oak Hall ($40/person plus tax & gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
Movie night at the Retreat

Thursday, December 29:
*9:30-11 a.m., Visit award-winning, historic Seabrook Village
12:00 p.m., Lunch at Palmyra Barn ($17.50 per person plus tax and gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
12:30-2:30 p.m., Kayak expedition
*3:00 p.m., Visit historic Fort Morris on your own
*5:00 p.m., Wine reception on the bluff
6:30 p.m., Dinner ($40/person plus tax & gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
*Movie night at the Retreat

Friday, December 30:
*9:00 a.m., Maritime Forest walk about
10:30 a.m., Wagon ride around Smuggler's Cove, followed by a lovely walk along the Bluff Trail back to the Barn (included for overnight guests; $10/person for non-guests; advance reservation required)
12:00 p.m., Lunch at Palmyra Barn ($17.50 per person plus tax and gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
1:00-3:00 p.m., Kayak tour of the marshes and river ($24/person for overnight guests; $30/person for non-guests; 48-hour advance reservation required)
*5:00 p.m., Mulled wine reception at Live Oak Hall
6:30 p.m., Dinner fireside at Live Oak Hall ($40/person plus tax & gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
*Movie night at the Retreat

Saturday, December 31:
9:30-11:30 p.m., Explore the interesting and beautiful Live Oaking Trail that tells the story of when the Southern Live Oak was, internationally, as valuable as oil is today. (included for overnight guests; $5/person for non-guests; advance reservation required)
12:00 p.m., Lunch ($17.50 per person plus tax and gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
2:00-4:00 p.m., Afternoon kayaking with Meredith as your guide ($24/person for overnight guests; $30/person for non-guests; 48-hour advance reservation required)
*4:30 p.m., Hot cider and hors d’oeuvres at the Barn
6:00 p.m., Dinner ($40/person plus tax & gratuity; 48-hour advance reservation required)
*Watch festivities worldwide at the Retreat and toast in the New Year with a complimentary glass of bubbly.

Sunday, January 1:
*8:00-9:00 a.m., Continental Breakfast in the dining room
*10:00 a.m., Check Out

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FROM JACKSONVILLE and POINTS SOUTH

Take I-95 North to Georgia exit 76 (Midway/Sunbury). Turn right at the stop sign and go 6 miles. At the Springfield Plantation/Dunham Farms sign (5836 Islands Hwy.), turn left onto the unpaved road and continue to the parking area.

FROM SAVANNAH and POINTS NORTH

Take I-95 South. Get off I-95 at exit 76 (Midway/Sunbury). Turn left at the stop sign and go 6 miles. At the Springfield Plantation/Dunham Farms sign (5836 Islands Hwy.), turn left onto the unpaved road and continue to the parking area.

FROM HINESVILLE and POINTS WEST

Take US84 west through Midway. When you cross I-95, continue 6 miles east (84 become Islands Highway at the interstate). At the Springfield Plantation/Dunham Farms sign (5836 Islands Hwy.), turn left onto the unpaved road and continue to the parking area.