If you’re wondering where to find the best Christmas lights in Savannah, I can help!
It’s no secret how much I love Christmas in this city. Savannah looks so pretty when it’s decorated in its holiday best.
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If you’re new around here, first of all… welcome!
My name is Erin, and I authored the Savannah First-Timer’s Guide.
It combines my best Savannah travel tips from this website into one handy downloadable guide.
Savannah Historic District Christmas Tours
There aren’t many tours dedicated to seeing the Christmas lights in Savannah. Old Town Trolley’s “Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour” is probably your best bet.
The trolley is a nighttime tour, so you’ll be riding around after dark while peppy holiday music plays in the background.
It stops in City Market and the Plant Riverside District so you can do some holiday shopping at the Savannah Christmas Market while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Make note, though, that most homes in the Historic District decorate with understated decor, so you won’t be able to appreciate the decor on many of the homes.
Savannah’s Christmas Lights
Even though the majority of homeowners decorate using classic decor, there are still multiple areas in the city that are known for their lighted Christmas displays. Most are in the more commercial areas, aka: the “entertainment zones.”
I’m going to attempt to list as many as possible, beginning with a few of the most popular…
The Historic District
The Historic District is the area you’re probably most familiar with in Savannah, so it makes a good starting point.
Broughton Street
Broughton Street is the city’s main shopping street, so it’s all done up during the holidays!
You’ll find the city’s official Christmas tree at the intersection of Broughton and Bull.
It’s adjacent to Levy’s Jewelers, and it’s smack-dab in the middle of the road, so you can’t miss it.
The twinkle lights draped from one side of the street to the other make Broughton Street look like a scene out of a Hallmark movie, and the greenery and ribbons on all of the old-timey lampposts only add to the effect.
The annual holiday tree lighting is held the day after Thanksgiving each year at the intersection of Bull and Broughton, and the tree stays up from Thanksgiving through the last week in December.
If you take a stroll down Broughton Street during the early evening hours as the lights begin turning on, you’ll get the full effect of the extravagant holiday window displays in stores like The Paris Market.
They change their display every year, and it’s always fun to see what they’ll come up with next.
Can’t-Miss Shops on Broughton Street
Here are a few places where you can shop for Christmas gifts while supporting local businesses at the same time.
The Paris Market and Nourish are two personal favorites of mine.
If you want to stay in a hotel on Broughton Street, The Marshall House and Municipal Grand are both only steps away from the shops!
⭐ NOTE: It’s highly likely that you’ll encounter panhandling along Broughton Street during the holiday season. It’s up to you whether or not you choose to donate cash directly to the folks you encounter. Here are a few local charitable organizations I recommend that provide food, services, and shelter to those in need: Emmaus House, Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia and Parker’s House for Women.
✅ Paris Market has their 2025 holiday window display up!
✅ The twinkle lights are strung across Broughton Street for 2025.
✅ The lampposts on Broughton are decorated with wreaths and ribbons for 2025.
✅ The city Christmas tree is lit for 2025.
Related Reading: These Festive Hotels in Savannah Decorate for Christmas
City Market
📍 219 W Bryan Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401
The area known as City Market is an open-air market covering two blocks in the Historic District.
It’s a bit of a hotspot for tourists thanks to its many restaurants, bars, and shops. There’s also a steady stream of live music.
During the holidays, it’s a festive place to see the Christmas lights. Each block has a Christmas tree in the center that’s decorated with white lights and bright red ribbons.
The shops and art studios also get in on the act by decorating with greenery, wreaths, and colorful trees in the windows.
City Market hosts annual holiday events to celebrate the season. This year they’re hosting a City Market “Lights & Delights” and a “Christmas Shop & Hop.”
They’ll have carolers available to serenade guests, and Santa makes an appearance, too!
Popular Businesses in City Market
Again, it’s great to support local businesses. With that in mind, these a few of the most popular spots in the area…
- American Prohibition Museum
- Belford’s Seafood and Steaks
- Byrd Cookie Company
- Savannah Candy Kitchen
- Vinnie Van Go-Go’s Pizza
- Wexford Irish Pub
Belford’s Seafood & Steaks is a fantastic spot to grab a bite to eat in City Market, and the Prohibition Museum tour is tons of fun. Be sure to check out all of the talented artists in City Market, too.
✅ The trees, lights, and greenery are up in City Market for 2025!
Related Reading: City Market Savannah: What to See and What to Skip
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
📍 222 E Harris Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist hosts numerous Christmas events, including their annual Christmas at the Cathedral musical program. The sanctuary is usually filled to capacity that night.
They have a beautiful nativity scene (Crechè scene) that volunteers usually start assembling the first week in December.
✅ I’m told the Cathedral’s nativity scene is on display. More good news: The scaffolding that was up for most of the year on the exterior was removed the third week of November, 2025.
Lighted Homes in the Historic District
The majority of the decorations on homes in the Historic District are traditional and understated. You’ll spot plenty of Magnolia-leaf wreaths and garlands, as well as candles in the windows.
In other words, the Historic District isn’t really the place to go for bright lighting displays and over-the-top decor.
However, you will find at least one house in the Historic District that goes all-out for the season…
The house is located on a quiet, residential block on E Huntingdon Street. We’ll see if they decorate with as many balloons and lights this year as they’ve done in the past!
Related Reading: Where to Stay in Savannah Georgia: Get the Scoop From a Local!
The Squares
If it’s traditional Christmas decor you’re after, try exploring the squares throughout the Historic District.
The Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) and residents who live in the homes surrounding each square decorate them with greenery and red ribbons to celebrate the season.
The squares on the eastern side of the Historic District are usually the prettiest. I make a note beside each square below once it’s been decorated.
*I start updating this list in late November or early December each year.
- Chatham Square – decorated for 2025
- Chippewa Square – decorated for 2025
- Columbia Square – decorated for 2025
- Crawford Square – decorated for 2025
- Ellis Square – decorated for 2025
- Franklin Square – decorated for 2025
- Greene Square – decorated for 2025
- Johnson Square – decorated for 2025
- Lafayette Square – decorated for 2025
- Orleans Square – decorated for 2025
- Oglethorpe Square – decorated for 2025
- Madison Square – decorated for 2025
- Monterey Square – decorated for 2025
- Pulaski Square – decorated for 2025
- Reynolds Square – decorated for 2025
- Taylor Square – decorated for 2025
- Telfair Square – decorated for 2025
- Troup Square – decorated for 2025
- Warren Square – decorated for 2025
- Washington Square – decorated for 2025
- Whitefield Square – decorated for 2025
- Wright Square – decorated for 2025
Troup Square is one of my personal favorites. Homeowners add beautiful red ribbons on all of the lamp posts and even decorate the trash cans and the turtles holding up the armillary sphere in the square!
The cemeteries in Savannah sometimes get in on the act, too. The decorations along the gate for Colonial Park Cemetery usually go up the first week in December.
✅ As of the last week in November, the vast majority of the squares are decorated!
Insider Tip: It’s ok to wander through the squares after dark as you’re admiring the Christmas lights in Savannah, but I don’t recommend exploring them late at night unless you’re with a local who knows the area.
Gaston, Taylor, and Jones Streets
I’ve written plenty about the historic homes on Jones Street, so it’s probably no surprise to learn that many of the homeowners go above and beyond for the holidays.
If you’re in the mood for a romantic evening stroll, try walking from the Tattnall intersection all the way to E. Broad and back on Gaston, Taylor, and Jones streets to see the pretty lights and decorations.
You can usually count on the 100 blocks of Jones Street (both east and west) to be decorated. Much of it is understated and doesn’t feature bright lights, so it looks prettiest if you go for a stroll during the daytime or at dusk when there is still some light in the sky.
✅ A handful of homes have decorated for 2025. Far too many of these homes have become Airbnbs, which means the owners no longer decorate. That’s just one of many reasons why I’m anti-Airbnb!
Related Reading: Is Jones Street Really the Prettiest Street in Savannah?
Forsyth Park
You won’t find a Christmas tree or many holiday lights in the park, but the famous Forsyth fountain gets an annual holiday makeover with greenery and red bows.
The lamp posts surrounding the fountain get the same treatment. It’s an iconic place to take photos in Savannah, so I had to mention it!
The holiday decor is typically placed on the fountain the first week in December and stays up all month.
In 2024 the City started using fake greenery to decorate Forsyth Park and the squares. It’s ok, but it lacks the appeal of the real stuff, in my opinion!
✅ The fake greenery is back for 2025, and the fountain and light posts are decorated.
Insider Tip: If you take photos by the fountain, it’s courteous to get your shot and then move on to a nearby bench. That way others can take their photos without having tons of people in the background.
While you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the Armstrong-Kessler House directly north of Forsyth Park at the intersection of Bull and Gaston. Mr. Kessler tends to go all out with his holiday decor.
Related Reading: 21 Incredible Photos of Forsyth Park Savannah
Beyond the Historic District
As beautiful as Savannah’s Historic District is, some of the outlying areas are even prettier. Make note that you’ll need a car to get to most of these.
Ardsley Park
This pretty neighborhood is located south of Victory Drive and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The neighborhood hosts a holiday decorating contest, which spans the two weeks surrounding Christmas. That’s the best time to see the lights on full display!
Insider Tip: Ardsley Park is bordered by Victory Drive on the north and 55th Street to the south. The east/west boundaries are Bull Street and Waters Avenue.
Isle of Hope
Bluff Drive on Isle of Hope is another location I always make a point to visit for the holidays.
Make note that the road is very narrow. As a result, there’s really only room for one car at a time driving in any particular direction.
You can also park near the marina and walk if it’s not too cold. (That’s what I usually do.)
The homes on Bluff Drive face the water and sit on beautiful oversized lots featuring massive Southern live oaks.
I enjoy this drive any time of year, but it’s extra magical during the holiday season. As a bonus, you’ll drive right past beautiful Wormsloe Historic Site on your way there.
Isle of Hope Marina | 50 W Bluff Drive, Savannah GA, 31406
More Christmas Lights in South Georgia and the SC Lowcountry
This list is getting pretty far outside Savannah, so I’ll end it with a few final suggestions for those who still need more ideas — including one “all-out” option.
- Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens – They host a very festive holiday lights event! Enjoy all the lighted displays as you wander around acres of land planted with native species of trees and greenery. There’s a pond with a small bridge that makes for scenic photos when the twinkle lights are reflecting off of the water. This one is a walking event.
- The Cadd Family Light Display – This is a walk-through holiday light display that takes place annually in Beaufort SC. It’s very festive! The lighting displays are synchronized to Christmas music.
- HHI Fire Station #3 – The firefighters at Hilton Head Island’s Fire Station #3 fully decorate the fire station yard each year, and you can drive or walk through to see all the lights. If the firefighters aren’t too busy, they’ll open up the fire trucks so kids can see the interior!
- While you’re on the island, be sure to check out the light displays on Dove Street (private residences), at Shelter Cove Marina, and the drive-thru display at Mitchelville Park.
- Richmond Hill, GA, hosts an annual Christmas home decorating contest. It includes an entry “The Griswold Award” honoring the most Griswold-like holiday decor, as well as the best use of inflatables and the best animated yard.
- Head to Southbridge Boulevard off Dean Forest Road and explore the Southbridge neighborhood, which usually has a good number of homes decorated for the season.
- Head over to Bluffton, SC, to check out the light displays in Bluffton Park.
NOTE: The family behind the popular and long-running TMT Farms Christmas Light Display announced that 2025 was their final year in operation.
Map of Savannah GA Christmas Lights
OK, that about wraps up my Savannah GA Christmas lights roundup for this year. Have fun out there!
Here’s a map to help you find them all. Use the + or – signs in the lower left-hand corner to zoom in and out, and click on each Christmas tree icon to pull up additional information about a destination.
If you’d rather go on a guided tour, the Holiday Trolley Tour goes past homes in the Historic District at night so you can see them all lit up.
Savannah Christmas Lights FAQs
A few businesses begin decorating before Thanksgiving, but the majority wait until the weekend following Thanksgiving. The Plant Riverside District is typically the first area to be decorated, and the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is usually one of the last places to be fully decorated.
The Forsyth Park fountain is usually decorated right after Thanksgiving. The greenery and ribbons are usually placed on the fountain the first weekend in December and remain up through the week of Christmas. The park is currently decorated for Christmas 2025, but the fountain is still undergoing restoration and the water may be off intermittently as they adjust the flow rate.
Many of the restaurants attached to hotels will be serving food on Christmas Day in 2025. A few safe bets include The Emporium at Perry Lane, Fleeting at Thompson Savannah, 1540 Room at The DeSoto, and Stone & Webster Chophouse at the JW Marriott Plant Riverside. Here is a full list of restaurants open Christmas day in Savannah this year. 
A good number of bars and restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve in Savannah. Try The Olde Pink House for a classic meal, but make sure to make your reservations months in advance. The Collins Quarter should be open as well, but it also requires reservations. Six Pence Pub makes a great spot for a nightcap!
Savannah Vacation Guide
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When you purchase my ebook, you also get access to a private Facebook group I created where you can ask questions about your trip and get advice/see photos from others who have recently visited.
Do you have any questions for me about where to find the best Savannah GA Christmas lights? Let me know in the comments below!
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Erin authored the Savannah First-Timer's Guide and loves helping first-time visitors plan their trips. She lives in the artsy Starland District and enjoys exploring Savannah's hidden gems, as well as the surrounding Lowcountry.
When do Christmas decorations come down?
Most businesses take their lights down the first week of the New Year.
Oh Erin.
Thank you so much…misty eyed as a Christmas freak and my bday in December:)
Drove out to 116 N Sheftall Circle on Wilmington Island yesterday. No lights. Long drive. May want to update that for others.
I’m so sorry you made the long drive and it wasn’t lit up! That was a good one that has been decorated for many years in a row, so it’s too bad they weren’t able to do it this year. Hopefully all is well with them. Thank you for the update.