Are you in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Savannah? If so, it will probably help to see at a glance the most popular events in the city and the months in which they occur.
After all, really popular events — such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Savannah Film Festival — can affect everything from hotel rates to to parking availability to restaurant reservations.
Just so you know, the three most popular months for events and festivals in Savannah tend to be March, October, and December. If you check out Savannah’s weather by month, you’ll see why! Spring and fall are generally considered the best time to visit Savannah, GA.
If you’re new around here, first of all … allow me to extend a warm welcome!
My name is Erin, and I authored the Savannah First-Timer’s Guide. It combines my top Savannah travel tips from this website into one handy downloadable guide.
Annual Events in Savannah
Please note that this post is designed to provide a broad overview of the biggest annual events in Savannah. These are events you’ll want to keep in mind as you’re making travel plans, since they tend to draw large crowds.
Accommodations are likely to cost more during these events, and it may be difficult to get reservations at some of the most popular restaurants in Savannah when they’re taking place.
I’ll begin with the current month…
May 2024 Events
Savannah Comic Con
May 11 – 12, 2024 (dates confirmed)
Comic Con celebrates comic book fans, vintage toy collectors, and retro gaming fanatics. You’ll find plenty of cosplay and anime at this event, which celebrates geek culture. (Their word, not mine — don’t hate on me. I celebrate all things nerdy.) It’s held at the Savannah Convention Center.
June 2024 Events
Nothing yet, folks, but I’ll update if that changes.
July 2024 Events
4th of July Fireworks on the River
July 4th, 2024 (date confirmed)
Similar to 4th of July on the River, this popular event features fireworks along the waterfront. You can watch for free from street level or pay a cover charge to view the show with a drink in hand at one of the rooftop bars.
August 2024 Events
Savannah in August feels hotter and more humid than Satan’s armpit (or so I’d imagine), and no one in their right mind would host an event this month. Should any event planners decide to challenge my statement, I’ll update this section with more info.
September 2024 Events
Savannah Jazz Festival
Held September 18 – 24, 2023 (2024 dates TBD)
This festival takes place in various locations within the Historic District, including the Lucas Theater, Ships of the Sea Museum, and the bandshell at Forsyth Park. The final day’s events take place at the JW Marriott in the Plant Riverside District.
October 2023 Events
Savannah Greek Festival
2024 date TBD (typically early October)
Enjoy authentic Greek food and pastries at St. Paul’s Hellenic Center in the Historic District.
Savannah Philharmonic “Phil the Park”
2024 date TBD (typically early October)
This is Savannah’s largest free concert of the year. It takes place in beautiful Forsyth Park.
Blues, Brews, BBQ & Bourbon
2024 dates TBD (likely mid-October)
Enjoy unlimited craft beer tastings, listen to live music, and sample the South’s best BBQ at this event, which is held along the riverfront in the Eastern Wharf District.
Savannah Pride Festival
2024 dates TBD (typically late October)
Celebrate all things LGBTQ+ in Savannah at this fun event, which includes parades, costume contests, drag events, and live music. It takes place in and around City Market.
Savannah Film Festival
October 26 – November 2, 2024 (dates confirmed)
The Savannah Film Festival is the biggest annual event SCAD hosts. It features film debuts, a red-carpet event, and plenty of opportunities to spot celebrities.
Related Reading: 25+ Epic Events in Savannah, Georgia in October
November 2024 Events
The Shalom Y’all Jewish Food Festival
2024 date TBD (likely the second week in November)
This annual gathering is held at Congregation Mickve Israel in Savannah’s Historic District. It celebrates food (latkes, anyone?) and the Jewish community.
Savannah Boat Parade of Lights
2024 date TBD (likely the weekend after Thanksgiving)
Did you know Santa arrives by boat in Savannah? He and his friends decorate their boats with colorful lights and crazy balloons, then they blast music and dance while floating along the riverfront for all to see. It kicks off in the Eastern Wharf District and extends all the way down to Plant Riverside District.
December 2023 Events
The Savannah Christmas Market
November 15, 2024 – January 1, 2025
When you’re ready to do some holiday shopping, take photos with Santa, or grab some hot chocolate along the riverfront, you can head to the Savannah Christmas Market to do just that. It takes place in the Plant Riverside District.
Holiday Tour of Homes
2024 date TBD (likely the second Saturday of December)
This popular events invites guests inside some of the fanciest mansions, inns, and hotels in Savannah’s Historic District. Tickets go on sale September 1st each year and sell out within hours.
Christmas on the River Parade
2024 date TBD
If you’re looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate the holidays, this parade along River Street is a fun way to do just that.
NYE Fireworks on the River
December 31, 2024 (date confirmed)
It should be no surprise that River Street in Savannah is the place to celebrate NYE. You can watch the huge fireworks display for free by grabbing a spot along the riverfront, or pay a cover charge to see it from one of the rooftop bars.
Related Reading: 15+ Epic Events in Savannah, Georgia in December
January 2025 Events
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
January 20, 2025 (date not yet confirmed)
The parade celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and it features local marching bands, floats, and dance acts. It begins in the Historic District and ends along Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in Savannah’s Victorian District.
February 2025 Events
Savannah Irish Festival
February 08, 2025 (date not yet confirmed)
The Irish Festival officially kicks off the start of St. Patrick’s season in Savannah with this fun event, which includes storytelling, music, and Irish dance. It will be held at Victory North in the Starland District.
Super Museum Sunday
February 2025 (2025 date TBD)
Get free entry into some of the most popular museums in Savannah during this event, which is held annually the first or second weekend in February. Expect long lines at many of the top spots!
Savannah Book Festival
February 06 – 09, 2025 (dates confirmed)
This free event is draws nationally-acclaimed authors and thousands of bibliophiles to three historic squares in Savannah.
March 2025 Events
Savannah Stopover Music Festival
Likely the first week in March (2025 dates TBD)
If you’re a fan of SXSW in Austin, you won’t want to miss this event! Performances include popular local and national acts.
St. Patrick’s Celebrations
March 17, 2025 (confirmed date for the parade)
St. Paddy’s Day events occur all month long! They take place throughout the city, but the majority occur within the Historic District. Expect accommodations to be pricey during March, and you’ll need to book them at least six months in advance — a year would be even better. Find the best places to stay here.
Flannery O’Connor Local Author Day
Likely the 23rd of March (2025 date TBD)
This annual event takes place in Lafayette Square and celebrates local authors. It includes a Flannery O’Connor lookalike contest and a musical promenade around the square.
Related Reading: Savannah Weather in March (Expect Pollen!)
April 2024 Events
Savannah Music Festival
March 27 – April 12, 2025 (dates confirmed)
This is one of the largest musical festivals in the entire state of Georgia! It features hundreds of musical acts from a wide variety of genres.
SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival
Likely the last Saturday in April (2025 date TBD)
The sidewalk arts festival draws huge crowds to Forsyth Park for a competition to see who can create the most interesting piece of art using nothing but chalk. You can watch the artists and chat with them while they work. It’s a free event.
NOGS Tour of Homes and Gardens
April 24 – 25, 2025 (dates confirmed)
Mark Your Calendar: Tickets go on sale November 15, 2024
This is one of the few times during the year when we plebeians get the opportunity to venture behind fancy wrought-iron gates into some of the most beautiful secret gardens in Savannah’s Historic District. The vibe is like one giant tea party with ladies in hats and sundresses (only a slight exaggeration).
SCAD Savannah Events
In addition to the Savannah Film Festival and the Sidewalk Arts Festival mentioned above, SCAD hosts numerous other events throughout the year.
SCAD Days, the SCAD Fashion Show, and the Sand Arts Festival (held on nearby Tybee Island) are a few popular ones.
Make note that SCAD students usually move into their dorms the first week in September. That means parents are often in town to help out, and many of the top Savannah Historic District hotels fill up quickly.
Move-out weekend and the commencement ceremony fall towards the end of May or in early June, so those are also busy times.
Choosing Where to Stay
If you aren’t sure where to stay, the Savannah Historic District is the most popular area.
All of the above-listed events are walkable from within that district, except for Comic Con — and you can take the free ferry across the river to the Savannah Convention Center to get to that one.
If you have mobility issues and you’re staying within the Historic District, you can utilize the free DOT shuttles during the day or hail a free ride from a Downtowner vehicle at night. (There may be a wait for the Downtowners, since they are in high demand during events.)
Related Reading: Where to Stay in Savannah: An Insider’s Guide to the City
Savannah Travel Guide
If you’re planning to a trip to Savannah, here are a few additional resources I’ve created to help you out.
- Free Resources Library – When you sign up for my email list, you’ll get a checklist of “50 Things To Do On Foot in the Historic District (No Car Necessary)” and other helpful printables.
- Savannah First-Timer’s Guide – My ebook combines my most helpful Savannah travel tips from this website in one handy downloadable guide.
When you purchase my ebook, you’ll also gain access to a private Facebook group where you can ask questions about your trip and get advice from others who have recently visited.