Christmas Lights in Savannah, GA 2026: Drive-Thru, Garden Walks & Tours

Christmas lights in Savannah, GA come in three flavors: a walk-through garden display, a drive-thru show you watch from your car, and free lights downtown on River Street and in the squares. The short answer: for a walk, go to December Nights & Holiday Lights at Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, open November 27 through December 24, 2026. For a drive, the Lights of Savannah drive-thru at the South Georgia State Fairgrounds ran from late November into early January last season. For free lights, walk downtown after dark.

TL;DR: Savannah Christmas Lights 2026

• Best walk-through: December Nights & Holiday Lights at Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, November 27 to December 24, 2026. Buy tickets in advance.
• Best drive-thru: Lights of Savannah at the South Georgia State Fairgrounds, 105 Fort Argyle Road. The 2025 season ran November 22 to January 4 at $30 per family vehicle. 2026 dates weren't posted yet in early October.
• Best guided option: the Holiday Sights and Festive Nights trolley tour, November 27 to December 30, 2026, from $37 for adults.
• Best free option: River Street, Plant Riverside District, and the Historic District squares after dark.
• Best one-night spectacle: the Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, November 28, 2026.

Where Are the Best Christmas Lights in Savannah?

It depends on how you want to see them. Families with small kids often prefer the drive-thru, since nobody has to walk or stay warm. Couples and photographers tend to like the garden walk. Visitors staying downtown can see plenty of lights for free without getting in a car.

Here's how each option works, with the dates and prices we could confirm as of early October 2026. Holiday events change details every year, so check each official site before you go.

What Is December Nights & Holiday Lights?

December Nights & Holiday Lights is the annual walk-through light display at Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, the University of Georgia garden at 2 Canebrake Road on Savannah's southside. For 2026, it runs from Friday, November 27 through Thursday, December 24, according to WTOC. The 50-acre gardens are lit along illuminated walking trails.

Event listings show general admission at $15 per person, with children 3 and under free. Tickets must be bought in advance. Proceeds support the gardens, and the Friends of the Coastal Gardens handles questions at (912) 921-5460. Confirm nightly hours and current prices before you go, since we couldn't find them on an official page yet.

Don't mix it up with the smaller Savannah Botanical Gardens on Eisenhower Drive. Our Savannah Botanical Gardens guide explains the difference.

Is There a Drive-Thru Christmas Light Show in Savannah?

Yes. Lights of Savannah is a drive-thru holiday light show at the South Georgia State Fairgrounds, 105 Fort Argyle Road. You stay in your car and drive past large lit scenes set to holiday music.

Last season's details, from the event's ticket page and local news coverage:

• Dates: November 22, 2025 through January 4, 2026.
• Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 5 to 11 p.m. on weekends, rain or shine.
• Price: $30 per family vehicle (cars, vans, trucks, SUVs) plus a ticketing fee. Large vans and buses were $75.
• Military discount: $25 per family vehicle with a valid military ID.

The 2026 dates and prices weren't announced when we checked in early October. The fairgrounds host the South Georgia State Fair through November 8, 2026, so expect the lights to open after that. Check the Lights of Savannah website or social pages before you drive out.

The fairgrounds sit on Savannah's southwest side, well outside the Historic District. You'll need a car.

Can You Take a Christmas Lights Tour in Savannah?

Yes. Old Town Trolley Tours runs a seasonal Holiday Sights and Festive Nights tour from November 27 through December 30, 2026. The tour lasts about two hours and departs from Old Savannah Distillery at 234 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

• Price: from $37 for adults and from $19.90 for kids ages 4 to 12, per the operator's site.
• Includes: caroling on board, a stop at the American Prohibition Museum with a mocktail and treat, a visit to Plant Riverside District, and a photo with Santa.
• Booking: reservations are required and space is limited.

This is a good pick if you don't have a car or want someone else to handle the route. Our Savannah trolley tours guide compares the regular daytime routes.

Local tip: Book the garden lights or the trolley tour for a weeknight. Weekends in December fill up fast, and Thanksgiving weekend plus the Saturday of the Christmas parade are the busiest nights of the season.

Where Can You See Christmas Lights for Free?

Downtown Savannah is the best free option. You can walk a loop in an hour or two:

• Plant Riverside District: the Christmas Market there runs November 19, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with holiday decorations along the west end of the riverfront. See our Plant Riverside District guide.
• River Street: stroll east from Plant Riverside along the river. Our River Street guide covers what's there.
• The squares: wreaths, garlands, and lit homes around the Historic District squares make a pretty evening walk. Start with our guide to Savannah's squares.

The free lights pair well with dinner downtown. Our list of things to do in Savannah at night has more evening ideas.

What Holiday Light Events Happen Only One Night?

Two parades are worth planning a trip around. The Lighted Boat Parade runs on the Savannah River on Saturday, November 28, 2026, with lit boats passing River Street. Our Lighted Boat Parade guide has viewing spots.

The Lighted Christmas Street Parade follows on Saturday, December 12, 2026, the same day as the Savannah Holiday Tour of Homes. For the full calendar, see our Savannah Christmas events guide.

How Should You Plan a Christmas Lights Night?

A simple plan for a weekend visit:

• Night one: walk Plant Riverside and River Street, then eat on the river. Vic's on the River overlooks the water. Reserve ahead in December.
• Night two: drive to Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens or the fairgrounds drive-thru. Eat an early dinner first, since both are outside downtown.
• Night three: take the trolley lights tour or catch a parade if your dates line up.

If you're driving into the Historic District, our Historic District parking guide explains garages and meters. Traveling with kids? Our family activities under $50 list has more ideas.

Where Should You Stay?

Staying near the river lets you walk to the free lights every night. JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District puts you right at the Christmas Market. Browse more Savannah hotels, and book early for Thanksgiving weekend and mid-December.

Bottom Line

For the best Christmas lights in Savannah, GA, walk the trails at December Nights & Holiday Lights (November 27 to December 24, 2026) or drive through Lights of Savannah at the fairgrounds once its 2026 dates are posted. Add the trolley lights tour if you'd rather not drive, and save one evening for the free lights at Plant Riverside, River Street, and the squares. Buy timed tickets in advance and pick a weeknight if you can.