Savannah Jazz Festival
Every September, Savannah does something few cities its size can manage. It puts three days of jazz on a stage in its best park, invites everyone, and charges nothing.
Savannah Events Through the Year
Savannah Black Heritage Festival
Throughout February
The Savannah Black Heritage Festival is a monthlong celebration of African American culture, arts and history with music, dance, lectures and exhibitions. Free events at venues across downtown and Savannah State University.
Savannah Book Festival
Early February
The Savannah Book Festival brings nationally known authors to town for a free Festival Saturday of 40+ talks in the museums, churches and theaters around Telfair, Wright and Chippewa Squares, with the book tent in Telfair Square.
Georgia Day Parade
Around 12th February
The Georgia Day Parade marks the founding of Georgia in 1733 with costumed schoolchildren parading through the downtown squares from Forsyth Park to City Hall on Bay Street. Part of the Georgia Historical Society’s Georgia History Festival.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
17th March
The Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the US, dating to 1824. The parade forms near the Cathedral Basilica on Abercorn Street and winds through the squares to Bay Street, with the greening of the Forsyth Park fountain and weekend festivities on River Street.
Savannah Music Festival
Late March to mid April
The Savannah Music Festival is Georgia’s largest musical arts event, 17 days of classical, jazz, blues and roots music. Venues across the Historic District including the Lucas Theatre, Trustees Theater and the Ships of the Sea garden.
NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens
Mid April
The NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens is the Garden Club of Savannah’s annual tour, opening private walled gardens north of Gaston Street in the Historic District. Ticket tent at the Harper-Fowlkes House on Orleans Square.
Ardsley Park Tour of Homes & Gardens
April
The Ardsley Park Tour of Homes & Gardens opens around six homes and gardens in the early 1900s Ardsley Park and Chatham Crescent neighborhoods, a short drive south of the Historic District.
SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival
Late April
The SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival sees SCAD students and alumni turn the walkways of Forsyth Park into an open-air chalk-art gallery of more than 800 squares, with food vendors and live music. Free.
Independence Day on the Waterfront
4th July
Savannah’s Waterfront Independence Day Celebration brings live music, food and fireworks launched from a barge on the Savannah River. Watch from River Street and Rousakis Riverfront Plaza.
Savannah Jazz Festival
Late September
The Savannah Jazz Festival is three days of free jazz from national and local artists, running since 1981. Main stage in Forsyth Park, with extra shows at Historic District venues including District Live at Plant Riverside.
Savannah Pride Festival
Late October
The Savannah Pride Festival takes over the Forsyth Park lawn with music, drag, a vendor market and food trucks. Free to attend, with after-parties downtown.
SCAD Savannah Film Festival
Late October
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival is eight days of premieres, star tributes and industry panels at one of the largest university-run film festivals in the US. Screenings at Trustees Theater and the Lucas Theatre on and around Broughton Street, plus the SCAD Museum of Art.
Wag-O-Ween
Late October
Wag-O-Ween is costumed-dog trick-or-treating with over 3,000 participants, benefiting local rescues. Centered on Pulaski Square in the Historic District and Starland Yard in the Starland District.
Trick or Treat on River Street
Late October
Trick or Treat on River Street is family trick-or-treating along the waterfront. October is also peak season for the ghost tours that run around the Historic District squares.
Hostess City Food & Wine Fest
Early November
The Hostess City Food & Wine Fest offers unlimited tastings from Savannah chefs and restaurants, guided wine tastings and live music. Held at The Park at Eastern Wharf on the Savannah River, east of the Historic District.
Savannah Christmas Market & Tree Lighting
Late November
The Savannah Christmas Market opens the Christmas on the River season with a tree lighting at Plant Riverside District on River Street. The market and Festival of Trees run there through early January.
Savannah Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday after Thanksgiving
The Savannah Lighted Boat Parade sends around 30 lit boats down the Savannah River to open the holiday season. Best viewed from River Street and the waterfront.
Holiday Nights in City Market
Early December
Holiday Nights in City Market features the City Market tree lighting and a candlelit caroling procession, a short walk from Ellis and Franklin Squares.
Lighted Christmas Street Parade
Early to mid December
The Savannah Lighted Christmas Street Parade starts at Plant Riverside District, runs the length of River Street, then winds up to Broughton Street and City Market.
Holiday Tour of Homes
Mid December
The Holiday Tour of Homes and Inns is a walking tour of private homes, inns and museums in the Historic District, presented by the Downtown Neighborhood Association.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
31st December
The New Year’s Eve Midnight Fireworks light up the Savannah River for around ten minutes. Free to watch from Rousakis Riverfront Plaza and along River Street.