Christmas in Savannah begins in mid-November, when the market lights go up along the river, and runs until fireworks break over the water at midnight on New Year’s Eve. In between, the squares fill with wreaths and garland, the theaters stage their holiday programs, the historic house museums dress their rooms for the season, and on one Saturday in December private homes open their doors to visitors.
The Historic District is laid out in a grid of squares, so most of the season can be reached on foot. This guide follows it from the river to Forsyth Park, with the 2026 dates and the things to do in Savannah in December that are worth planning a trip around.
Photo credits: Visit Savannah
The 2026 festive season at a glance
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 19 to Jan 3 | Savannah Christmas Market and Festival of Trees | Plant Riverside District |
| Nov 27 | Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony | Plant Riverside District |
| Late Nov to Dec 30 | Old Town Trolley holiday lights tour | Departs MLK Jr. Blvd |
| Nov 28 | 25th Savannah Lighted Boat Parade | Savannah River, from Eastern Wharf |
| Dec 3 to 26 | A Christmas Tradition | Savannah Theatre |
| Dec 4 to 12 | Hanukkah | Across the city |
| Dec 5 and 6 | Holiday Pops, Savannah Philharmonic | Lucas Theatre |
| Dec 12 | Holiday Tour of Homes | Historic District |
| Dec 12 | 34th Lighted Christmas Street Parade | Savannah’s Waterfront and downtown |
| Dec 20 | Brunch with Santa | Plant Riverside District |
| Dec 20 | Christmas at the Cathedral | Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist |
| Dec 31 | New Year’s Eve Midnight Fireworks | Savannah’s Waterfront |
Dates are published by each organizer and occasionally shift, so check the event’s own page before you travel.
Christmas events on the river
The riverfront is where the season starts. The Savannah Christmas Market opens at Plant Riverside District on November 19 and runs into the new year, with more than 50 booths from local and regional vendors, seasonal food and drink, live entertainment and holiday performances. The Festival of Trees, photos with Santa and the Gingerbread House Unveiling make it an easy evening for families, and Plant Riverside lights its Christmas tree on November 27.
On November 28, the Savannah Lighted Boat Parade marks its 25th year, with more than thirty decorated vessels passing along River Street after dark. It is free to watch, and the evening opens with the lighting of the Christmas trees at Eastern Wharf.
The 34th Lighted Christmas Street Parade follows on Saturday, December 12; Christmas on the River carries the details closer to the date. The year closes on the same stretch of water with the New Year’s Eve Midnight Fireworks on December 31.
Christmas lights in Savannah
Savannah’s Christmas lights are spread across the city rather than gathered in one display, which makes them a good reason to walk.
Plant Riverside District: the Christmas Market and Festival of Trees light up the west end of River Street each evening.
Eastern Wharf: the Christmas trees at the east end of the river go up with the boat parade on November 28.
The squares and historic homes: wreaths, garland and lit windows run through the Historic District. An evening walk from Johnson Square south along Bull Street takes in several squares in under an hour.
The Old Town Trolley holiday lights tour: the Holiday Sights and Festive Nights tour loops past the decorated squares and homes after dark, for those who would rather ride.
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens: December Nights and Holiday Lights runs on select evenings through December 24, a short drive south of downtown.
In the squares and on Broughton Street
Away from the river, the season moves into the squares. The theaters keep their own traditions. A Christmas Tradition plays at the Savannah Theatre on Chippewa Square through December 26, and the Savannah Philharmonic’s Holiday Pops fills the Lucas Theatre on December 5 and 6. On December 20, Christmas at the Cathedral brings choral music to the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist on Lafayette Square.
Historic homes dressed for the season
Savannah’s historic house museums decorate for the holidays in the style of their own era, which makes December a good time to visit them.
The Davenport House stands on Columbia Square. Built in 1820, it was the house whose rescue in 1955 started the city’s preservation movement.
The Owens-Thomas House is a block away on Oglethorpe Square, part of Telfair Museums.
The Green-Meldrim House on Madison Square served as General Sherman’s headquarters in December 1864. It was from Savannah that he sent President Lincoln the city as a Christmas gift.
Check each museum’s own page for holiday hours and tours.
December 12: the fullest day on the calendar
More of the season’s events fall on Saturday, December 12 than on any other day, so it helps to plan it in order.
Morning to afternoon: the Downtown Neighborhood Association’s Holiday Tour of Homes, now in its 51st year, opens private residences across the Historic District. It is a walking tour, so wear comfortable shoes, and check the tour site for tickets.
Late afternoon: the Twelve Bars of Christmas crawl starts around City Market, for those 21 and over.
Evening: the Lighted Christmas Street Parade. Arrive early for a good spot.
Hanukkah in Savannah
Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, December 4 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12. Savannah’s Jewish community dates to 1733, and Congregation Mickve Israel on Monterey Square is among the oldest congregations in the country. Check its calendar for public candle lightings during the holiday.
Beyond downtown
A short drive opens up a different side of the season.
Wormsloe State Historic Site: Colonial Christmas on December 5 recreates the holiday as Georgia’s early settlers kept it, at the end of the live-oak avenue.
Fort McAllister: Winter Muster on December 12 brings living history to the earthwork fort in Richmond Hill.
Savannah in December: practical notes
Weather: December days in Savannah are mild, with highs in the low to mid 60s °F and cooler evenings near the river. Pack a layer for parade nights.
Booking: if you are coming for the parades, the Tour of Homes or New Year’s Eve, book your stay early.
Christmas Day: many restaurants close or serve set menus, so reserve dinner well ahead.
Where to stay for Christmas in Savannah
Our four inns sit in different corners of the Historic District, each decorated for the season, and each one puts a different part of it within walking distance.
East Bay Inn occupies a former cotton warehouse on Bay Street, one block from the river. The Christmas Market, both lighted parades and the New Year’s Eve fireworks are a short walk away, and dogs are welcome.
Kehoe House stands on Columbia Square, the same square as the Davenport House, with the Owens-Thomas House a block away and the Lucas Theatre and the Cathedral a few squares further. It suits couples looking for a quieter, romantic Christmas.
Eliza Thompson House was the first house built on Jones Street, a short walk from Monterey and Lafayette Squares and from the Green-Meldrim House. It is adults-only.
The Gastonian is two blocks from Forsyth Park, where Saturdays bring the farmers’ market.