Are you planning to visit Savannah in December? In my (slightly biased) opinion, it’s one of the best places to experience the type of picture-perfect Hallmark holiday so many people crave.

Read on for some of the best events and things to do during the month, or check out the top annual events in Savannah if you’re visiting during a different time of year.

Pinnable graphic showing a photo of the interior of Cathedral St. John, one of an open door leading into a home decorated for Christmas, and a photo of Santa checking his list. Text overlay reads "Savannah Georgia in December: Events and Things To Do"

Note: This guide contains affiliate links to my trusted travel partners.

You might also be interested in:
🎄 Christmas in Savannah: Get the Scoop From a Local!
➡️ A Local’s Guide to the Best Things To Do in Savannah

Weather During December in Savannah GA

Savannah’s mild winters are one of the big reasons why I love the city so much this time of year!

During December, expect daytime high averages around 65° F and evening lows around 45° F.

You can usually get away with light layers during the day, and then it’s cold enough at night to appreciate a yummy cup of hot cocoa.

However, because Savannah is a fickle beast, sometimes the weather in December is so warm that you can wear shorts and a t-shirt! Check your weather app a few days before your trip to get a solid idea of what to pack.

Make note that River Street sits at a lower elevation than the rest of the city and sometimes has a steady breeze blowing in off the water, so the area along the riverfront often feels a few degrees colder.

Related Reading: Savannah Weather by Month

Organizers may change an event’s location, date, or time on short notice, so please double-check the links before heading out to an event! I’m good about keeping this list updated, but sometimes last-minute changes happen.

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

November 28, 2026 | Saturday – confirmed
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Historic District | River Street
Address: 201 Port Street, Savannah 31401
Cost: Free
More Info

NOTE: Even though this falls a couple days before the start of December, I’m including it here because it’s one of my personal favorite holiday events in Savannah!

Here in Savannah, our annual Christmas parade is a bit on the unique side!

Residents decorate their boats with festive lights and jolly holiday characters and float down the river for all to enjoy.

Led by the Georgia Queen Riverboat, the parade begins at the Eastern Wharf Dock and then continues down the river towards the Savannah bridge before ending back at Eastern Wharf.

You can watch the parade from anywhere along River Street. It’s a popular event, but there’s plenty of room along the water for everyone to have a clear view.

You do, however, need to arrive early to get a good parking spot. If you’re walking, simply show up 20-30 minutes before the event begins.

Thompson Savannah has a waterfront park that makes an ideal viewing area for the fireworks.

Related Reading: 11 Photos That Will Make You Fall in Love with River Street

Monthlong Savannah Christmas Events

Many of Savannah’s Christmas events start in November and run throughout the entire holiday season, so I’ll start with those…

Savannah Christmas Market and Festival of Trees

November 19, 2026 – January 3, 2027 – confirmed
Time: Varies
Location: Plant Riverside District
Address: 400 W River Street, Savannah 31401
Cost: Most events are free

During December, the Plant Riverside District transforms into a European-style Christmas market featuring local vendors selling unique gifts, foods, and beverages.

The family friendly event is filled with fun activities like photos with Santa, cookie decorating days, and live performances.

If you head inside the lobby of the JW Marriott, you can also view the Festival of Trees. Each fully decorated Christmas tree represents a different Savannah business or charitable organization.

Related Reading: Savannah Christmas Market: Get the Scoop From a Local

Holiday Lights & Sights Trolley Tour

November 27 – December 24, 2026 – confirmed
Time: Multiple daily start times, beginning at 6 p.m.
Location: Historic District
Cost: Approximately $35 – $40
Learn More (tickets go on sale beginning in August)

If you have mobility issues or if you want to see Savannah’s Christmas lights at night but are nervous about wandering around in an unfamiliar city after dark, the holiday trolley makes a great option!

The trolley runs multiple nightly routes and takes place from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve.

It includes caroling, with riders encouraged to sing along. They string Christmas lights inside the trolley, too, to make things feel more festive.

Book tickets here. (Available beginning in August.)

Related Reading: Which Savannah Trolley Tour is Best?

December Nights & Holiday Lights at the Botanical Gardens

November 27 – December 24, 2026 (Select days) – confirmed
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Outskirts of Savannah
Venue: Coastal Botanical Gardens
Address: 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah 31419
Cost: $15 (Children under 3 free)
Details Coming Soon

The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens puts on a spectacular holiday lights display every December, and it’s fun for all ages. It’s a walking event, so you can fit in some exercise while enjoying the scenery!

Families can wander along nearly five acres of holiday scenery and woodland wonders, and then check out the life-sized Advent calendar. There will also be nightly visits from Santa, s’mores stations, and a hot beverage center that includes hot chocolate, cocoa, and coffee.

A Christmas Tradition at the Savannah Theatre

December 3 – 26, 2026 – confirmed
Time: 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.
Location: Historic District
Venue: Historic Savannah Theatre
Address: 222 Bull Street, Savannah 31401
Cost: Approximately $50 for adults and $25 for children
Learn More

What could be more festive during December than a glitzy 2-hour live performance set inside one of Savannah’s most beautiful theaters?

The Historic Savannah Theatre was built in 1818, and the building’s stunning architectural details are worth the price of admission alone.

Add in top-notch performers, lively music, and plenty of positive energy, and you know you’re in for a good time! The show includes an entertaining Rockettes-style performance by Santa and his reindeer.

This year marks 20+ consecutive “A Christmas Tradition” shows held at the Savannah Theatre, so that’s definitely something to celebrate.

(Visiting Savannah during November? Check out “Elf the Musical” instead. It’s just as entertaining! If you prefer to get spooked, they also offer a nightly paranormal investigation of the theatre.)

Related Reading: The Top Ghost Tours in Savannah, According to a Local

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Saturdays throughout December – confirmed
Time: Afternoon and early evenings
Location: Historic District
Address: Intersection of Bull and Broughton streets
Cost: Free
Details Coming Soon

If you want to take a break from your holiday shopping along Broughton Street to check out the city’s official Christmas tree, you can do so at the intersection of Broughton and Bull streets.

Expect to find free entertainment from local dance groups, choirs, and storytellers every Saturday in December.

NOTE: The city’s official tree lighting ceremony is November 27, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Murder Under the Mistletoe Comedy Show

Select weekends in December – confirmed
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Starland District
Venue: Front Porch Improv
Address: 210 W Victory Drive, Savannah 31401
Cost: Varies
Details Coming Soon

Seriously, y’all … what could be more fun than watching actors create a live holiday movie that is actually made up on the spot based on audience suggestions?!

It sounds unbelievable, but that’s exactly what Front Porch Improv does during every gig.

You’re guaranteed to see a unique live-action show at each performance, and nothing is off limits — which only adds to the humor.

The folks at Front Porch Improv are fantastic, so I highly recommend this one for anyone in need of a laugh this holiday season.

Make note that the show is recommended for ages 16 and up.

Related Reading: 11 Quirky and Fun Things To Do in Savannah Georgia

Week of December 1st to 6th 2026

Jepson Center Annual Tree Lighting

December 3, 2026 | Thursday – not yet confirmed
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Historic District
Establishment: Jepson Center
Address: 207 W York St, Savannah, Georgia
Cost: Free
Learn More

This is a sweet annual tradition. Gather in the lobby of the Jepson Center and watch as their beautiful tree is lit, and then enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, courtesy of Urban Café.

Santa typically makes an appearance!

Savannah Santa Train

December 5, 2026 | Saturday – not yet confirmed
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Historic District
Venue: Georgia State RR Museum
Address: 655 Louisville Rd, Savannah
Cost: $18 (members) $20 (non members)
Learn More

The Santa train is a popular one-day holiday event in Savannah that sells out every year. Kids love it, but it’s fun for the whole family.

Take a short ride on a real train, then enjoy crafts and activities in the museum’s “Winter Wonderland” afterwards.

Santa will be on hand for photos and there will be food trucks on site.

Colonial Christmas at Wormsloe

December 5, 2026 | Saturday – confirmed
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Outskirts of Savannah
Venue: Wormsloe Historic Site
Address: 7601 Skidaway Ave, Savannah, 31406
Cost: $3.25 – $12
Details Coming Soon

Step back in time with this historically accurate holiday event that shows how early settlers celebrated Christmas at Wormsloe Historic Site.

In previous years, I’ve watched re-enactors melt and shape iron tools, gather and cook a traditional holiday meal, and perform holiday songs while wearing traditional attire.

Little ones can help hunt for yule logs for the fire and venture inside both levels of a reproduction Colonial-era home.

Wreath Decorating Workshop at the Davenport House

December 5 & 6, 2026 | Sat & Sun – confirmed
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Historic District
Venue: Davenport House
Address: 323 E. Broughton Street, Savannah
Cost: $45
Learn More

This is a new addition to the list of December events in Savannah, but it seems like a fun one for those of you who love getting crafty!

Head to the Davenport House Museum to create a wreath for your front door using natural materials (everything is provided for you), and make it as sophisticated or a whimsical as you want.

Related Reading: An Insider’s Guide to Savannah’s Columbia Square

Week of December 7th to 13th 2026

Savannah DNA Holiday Tour of Homes

December 12, 2026 | Saturday – confirmed
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Historic District
Cost: $85 – $125 (non-refundable)
Learn More

The annual Holiday Tour of Homes is one of my favorite annual events in Savannah!

It offers a rare opportunity to go inside some of the most stately homes in the Historic District while they’re all decked out in their holiday best. You’ll also get to visit a few historic inns and B&Bs.

Expect to make a day of it. You’ll be on the move throughout the entire event, so you’ll get plenty of steps in. There’s quite a bit to see, so I suggest eating a hearty breakfast before you go.

Related Reading: A Local’s Guide to the Best Breakfast in the Historic District

Free Guided Tours of Bonaventure Cemetery

December 12 & 13, 2026 | Sat & Sun – confirmed
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Outskirts of Savannah
Venue: Bonaventure Cemetery
Address: 330 Bonaventure Rd, Thunderbolt 31404
Cost: Free | Reservations required
Learn More

Volunteers at Bonaventure Cemetery host free guided tours the second Saturday and Sunday each month, so this is a great opportunity to learn more about one of Savannah’s most beautiful cemeteries.

River Street Lighted Christmas Parade

December 12, 2026 | Saturday – confirmed
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Historic District
Address: Starts on River Street
Cost: Free
Learn More

Make plans to stroll along River Street shortly after sunset and you’ll see a parade of lighted vehicles and floats making their way down the street.

159th Annual Winter Muster at Fort McAllister

December 12, 2026 | Saturday – confirmed
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Outskirts of Savannah
Venue: Fort McAllister State Park
Address: 3494 Fort McAllister Road, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Cost: $15 – $20
Learn More

On December 13, 1864, General Sherman and his troops launched an attack on Fort McAllister in nearby Richmond Hill.

Today, you can experience what that was like for the soldiers stationed at the fort by watching a performance by re-enactors.

You’ll also be able to tour soldier encampments, watch blacksmithing demonstrations, and see how the Confederates prepared for the impending battle.

Week of December 14th to 20th 2026

Christmas at the Cathedral Concert

December 20, 2026 | Sunday – confirmed
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Historic District
Venue: Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
Address: 222 E Harris Street, Savannah 31401
Cost: $30.90 – $77.25
Learn More

This popular event features the Cathedral’s choir and handbell ensembles as they mix scripture readings with music. The audience is encouraged to sing along with the traditional Christmas tunes.

The Cathedral is stunning year round, but it’s at its best during the holiday season when the crèche scene is on display and thousands of red poinsettias fill the sanctuary.

Week of December 21st to 27th 2026

Disney’s “The Muppet Christmas Carol”

December 22, 2026 | Tuesday – not yet confirmed
Time: 10:15 a.m. crafts | 11:00 a.m. movie
Location: Historic District
Venue: Cultural Arts Center
Address: 201 Montgomery St, Savannah
Cost: Free
Details Coming Soon

Enjoy a FREE family movie day and crafts events at the Otis S. Johnson Cultural Arts Center!

Kids (and parents) can participate in a muppet-themed craft starting at 10:15 a.m. and then head to the Ben Tucker Theatre at 11 to watch the Muppets version of “A Christmas Carol.”

Christmas Eve Riverboat Cruise

December 24, 2026 | Thursday – confirmed
Time: Varies
Location: Historic District | River Street
Address: 9 E River Street, Savannah 31401
Cost: Varies
Learn More

If you have trouble finding an open restaurant on Christmas Eve, try scheduling a lunch or dinner cruise aboard the Georgia Queen steamboat.

Both options offer an elaborate buffet and live entertainment.

After filling up on Southern-style food, you can head to the top deck to take photos of Savannah’s historic skyline.

If you won’t be visiting on Christmas Eve, you can still book regular riverboat cruises anytime during December in Savannah at this link.

Related Reading: Restaurants Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Savannah

Additional Weekly Recurring Activities

If none of the above sound ideal, here are some additional activities that happen daily or weekly for you to consider…

Cultural Activities

Sunday Jazz Brunch at Fleeting – This gastronomical event takes place every Sunday
Wurlitzer Wednesdays at Lucas Theatre – Weekly FREE theatre tour and organ performance

Nightlife Options

Club One Drag Shows – Nightly, Thursdays through Sundays
Cocktail Class at a Speakeasy – Nightly throughout December (except Sundays)

Foodie Activities

Forsyth Farmers’ Market – Takes place every Saturday morning in Forsyth Park
Southern Traditions Dinner Tour – Sample regional cuisine from Savannah and the Lowcountry

Sightseeing Options

Historic District Walking Tour – Learn the history of Savannah via these daily guided tours
Explore the City by Bike – Take a guided tour of the city by bicycle to see more of the details

Workshops + Art Classes

Glass-Blowing Workshop – Create your own ornament at their weekend workshops
Drop-In Studio Time – Art for all ages every Saturday and Sunday at Jepson Center

If you’re planning your trip during a different time of year and are wondering what to expect, here are more monthly event schedules:

If you need a broad overview of what’s happening in Savannah so you can see which months are busiest, I’ve created a handy list of the most popular annual events.

You’ll need to book your hotel or home rental as early as possible if you plan to travel during those dates.

I also suggest making reservations at least six weeks in advance at Savannah’s most famous restaurants.

Visiting Savannah Georgia

My Savannah First-Timer’s Guide combines my most helpful Savannah travel tips from this website into one handy downloadable ebook.

When you purchase the guide, 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.

Are you headed to Savannah Georgia in December? If you have questions, drop them in the comments below!

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Pinnable graphic showing a photo of the interior of Cathedral St. John, one of an open door leading into a home decorated for Christmas, and a photo of Santa checking his list. Text overlay reads "Savannah Georgia in December: Events and Things To Do" and the Savannah First-Timer's Guide logo is visible in white on a green background
A cheery green door with a wreath on it is open to show the living room of a home filled with presents and a warmly-lit Christmas tree
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 nearby SC Lowcountry.