Savannah Christmas Events 2026: Holiday Markets, Parades, Lights & Festive Traditions
By Best of Savannah
What are the best Christmas events in Savannah? The Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District runs November 19, 2026 through January 3, 2027. The Savannah Lighted Boat Parade lights up the river on Saturday, November 28. A Christmas Tradition plays the Savannah Theatre December 3-26. And Saturday, December 12 is the season's biggest day: the Holiday Tour of Homes and Inns during the day and the Lighted Christmas Street Parade on River Street that evening. Add lit squares, holiday menus at restaurants, and decorated historic inns, and December is one of Savannah's most charming months.
Savannah Christmas Events 2026: Dates at a Glance
- Savannah Christmas Market: November 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027, daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Plant Riverside District
- Savannah Lighted Boat Parade: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 7-9 p.m., Savannah River
- A Christmas Tradition: December 3-26, 2026, Savannah Theatre
- Holiday Tour of Homes and Inns: Saturday, December 12, 2026, daytime sessions, Historic District
- Lighted Christmas Street Parade: Saturday, December 12, 2026, 5:30 p.m., starting at Plant Riverside District
- Twelve Bars of Christmas bar crawl: Saturday, December 12, 2026, 4-10 p.m., downtown (21+); see our Twelve Bars of Christmas guide
- New Year's Eve fireworks: midnight on December 31 over the Savannah River
Dates are from each event's official site or organizer as of late September 2026. Confirm before you book, since schedules can change.
Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District
When: November 19, 2026 - January 3, 2027, open daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Where: Plant Riverside District, 400 W. River Street
Cost: Free admission
The Savannah Christmas Market transforms Plant Riverside District into a European-style holiday marketplace along the Savannah River. Inspired by traditional German Christkindlmarkt festivals, this festive gathering features artisan vendors selling handcrafted gifts, ornaments, home décor, and gourmet treats perfect for holiday shopping.
What to expect: Vendor booths selling gifts and holiday treats, live music and performances, and photos with Santa. The Festival of Trees displays Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, organizations, and community members, and part of the proceeds supports local charities.
Why we love it: It's free to wander, perfectly located on the river, and offers unique gifts you won't find at big-box stores. The European market vibe brings Continental holiday charm to the South. Grab a food tour during your visit to experience Savannah's culinary scene alongside holiday festivities.
Insider tip: Visit on a weeknight for smaller crowds. Weekends get busy, especially November 28 (Boat Parade night) and December 12 (Christmas parade night).
Lighted Christmas Street Parade (Christmas on the River)
When: Saturday, December 12, 2026, 5:30-7 p.m.
Where: Starts at Plant Riverside District on the west end of River Street
Cost: Free
The Lighted Christmas Street Parade is the signature event of Savannah's Christmas on the River celebration, and 2026 is its 34th year. Lit floats and parade units roll along the cobblestones of River Street after dark, with the Savannah River and the old cotton warehouses as a backdrop.
The route: The parade starts at Plant Riverside District, travels east along River Street to the East Broad ramp, then winds through downtown on Bay, Lincoln, Broughton, and Jefferson streets.
Viewing tips: Arrive early to claim a spot along River Street, since the riverfront fills up quickly. If you'd rather avoid the thickest crowds, pick a spot on the downtown part of the route instead. Bring a jacket, because it cools off quickly after sunset.
After the parade: River Street restaurants and bars offer holiday cocktails and dinner specials. The Chart House and Vic's on the River both offer waterfront dining perfect for warming up post-parade. Or join a ghost tour — Savannah's haunted history pairs surprisingly well with holiday cheer.
Holiday Tour of Homes
When: Saturday, December 12, 2026, in two daytime sessions
Where: Various homes, inns, and museums in the Historic District
Cost: Ticketed. Check dnaholidaytour.com for current prices and availability.
The Holiday Tour of Homes and Inns, run by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, is a rare chance to step inside Historic District homes, inns, and museums decorated for the holidays. It falls on the same day as the Christmas parade, so you can tour homes in the daytime and watch the parade that evening.
What you'll see: Historic townhouses and inns dressed for the season, with the kind of period interiors you rarely get to see from the sidewalk. The list of homes changes every year.
How tickets work: Tickets are sold through the tour's official site, dnaholidaytour.com, and limited VIP tickets are also offered. This tour is popular, so buy as soon as sales open. Check the official site for 2026 ticket status.
Related Historic District Experiences
For sessions, ticket prices, and rules, see our full Savannah Holiday Tour of Homes guide.
If you miss Tour of Homes tickets, Savannah's historic house museums, such as the Davenport House, the Owens-Thomas House, and the Andrew Low House, are open year-round. Check each museum's December schedule for holiday programming.
A Christmas Tradition at Savannah Theatre
When: December 3-26, 2026
Where: Savannah Theatre, 222 Bull St
Cost: Ticketed. Check savannahtheatre.com for current prices.
Now in its 24th consecutive year, "A Christmas Tradition" at the historic Savannah Theatre is a 2-hour holiday production of Christmas favorites, with comedy and an appearance from Santa and his dancing reindeer.
Ticket tips: Holiday-week and weekend performances are the most popular, so book early if your dates are fixed. Matinees work well for families with young children.
Savannah Lighted Boat Parade
When: Saturday, November 28, 2026 (the Saturday after Thanksgiving), 7-9 p.m.
Where: Savannah River, from Eastern Wharf to the Talmadge Bridge and back
Cost: Free to watch from shore
The Savannah Lighted Boat Parade, now in its 25th year, sends more than 30 boats decorated in holiday lights up and down the Savannah River. The boats run the route twice, between Eastern Wharf and the Talmadge Bridge, passing River Street and Plant Riverside District.
Best viewing spots:
- Eastern Wharf: The parade's home base, where the boats start and finish
- Rousakis Riverfront Plaza and River Street: The most popular viewing area. Arrive early for a spot along the railing.
- Plant Riverside District: Watch from the waterfront, then walk over to the Christmas Market
- Boat tours: Some Savannah boat tour companies offer special lighted parade cruises where you watch from the water
Why it's magical: Watching illuminated boats glide past historic River Street as reflections shimmer on the dark water creates a scene straight from a holiday postcard. The combination of maritime tradition and festive lights is pure coastal Southern charm.
Christmas at the Cathedral
When: December (check the cathedral's schedule)
Where: Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 222 E Harris St
Cost: Varies by event
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, with its twin spires and stained glass, is one of Savannah's most striking buildings and a beautiful setting for holiday music and Christmas services. Programs and service times change from year to year, so check the cathedral's official schedule in late November. Arrive early for Christmas Eve services, which are the busiest of the year.
Visiting tip: The cathedral is free to visit during daytime hours (donations welcome). Even if you don't attend a Christmas service, stop by to admire the architecture and holiday decorations.
Holiday Lights in the Squares
Savannah's 22 historic squares take on a holiday glow in December, with wreaths, garlands, and lights on many surrounding homes and businesses. An evening walk through the squares is one of the simplest, and free, ways to enjoy the season.
For drive-thru and walk-through displays outside downtown, see our guide to Christmas lights in Savannah, GA.
Best lit squares to visit:
- Chippewa Square: Made famous by "Forrest Gump," with the General Oglethorpe statue at its center
- Madison Square: Surrounded by historic homes and the Green-Meldrim House
- Wright Square: Its central location makes it an easy stop on an evening stroll
- Monterey Square: One of the most beautiful squares, home to the Pulaski Monument
Evening stroll route: Start at Leopold's Ice Cream on Broughton Street (yes, ice cream even in December), then walk south through the squares toward Forsyth Park and its fountain. Return via Bull Street, stopping at any of Savannah's excellent restaurants for dinner.
Photography: The squares photograph beautifully after dark during the holidays. Bring a tripod or rest your camera on a bench for long exposures that capture the light trails and glowing trees. Blue hour (just after sunset) offers the best light for blending natural sky color with artificial lights.
When to Visit Savannah for Christmas
Best dates: For the most events in one trip, target the weekend of December 12, 2026, when the Tour of Homes, the Christmas parade, the Christmas Market, and A Christmas Tradition all overlap. Thanksgiving weekend (Boat Parade on November 28) is the other strong choice; see our list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving if you're coming for the holiday, and our Thanksgiving weekend guide for a day-by-day plan. Holiday shoppers can also catch Christmas Made in the South at the Convention Center, November 13-15. Weather is mild (highs in the 60s, lows in the 40s) — comfortable for walking, though you'll want layers for evening.
Christmas week itself (December 23-26): Many events conclude before Christmas, but the city remains beautifully decorated. Restaurants may have limited hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day — call ahead. The Historic District is quieter, which some visitors prefer. Hotels often offer special holiday rates.
New Year's in Savannah: The city rings in the year with a midnight fireworks show over the Savannah River, visible along River Street from Plant Riverside to Eastern Wharf, plus parties at restaurants and bars downtown.
Where to Stay During the Holidays
Book accommodations early — Savannah's best hotels and inns fill months in advance for December weekends. Consider these holiday-perfect options:
- The Marshall House: Savannah's oldest hotel (since 1851) goes all-out with holiday decorations
- Kehoe House: Elegant Victorian B&B on Columbia Square
- Mansion on Forsyth Park: Luxury hotel overlooking the park, which is beautifully lit for the holidays
- Perry Lane Hotel: Modern luxury hotel in the Historic District
Planning Your Savannah Christmas Visit
Book early: Tour of Homes tickets are limited, and hotels near River Street fill up around December 12 and Thanksgiving weekend. If your dates are fixed, book lodging and show tickets as soon as you can.
Confirm before you go: The 2026 dates in this guide come from each event's official site or organizer. Schedules can still change, so double-check a week before your trip. For the rest of the season, see our Savannah in November guide and Savannah in winter guide.
Combine activities: A ghost tour during the holidays is surprisingly popular — Savannah's haunted history doesn't take a break for Christmas. Food tours often include holiday-themed tastings in December. Boat tours may offer special holiday cruises with hot cocoa and lights.
Weather preparation: December in Savannah typically brings highs in the low 60s and lows in the low 40s. It's mild by Northern standards, but you'll want layers. Pack a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestones, and a scarf that can double as holiday photo prop.
Planning a Christmas visit to Savannah? Browse our curated guide to the best restaurants in Savannah for holiday dinners, book a charming historic inn for your stay, and discover the best ghost tours to experience the city's spooky side alongside its festive holiday spirit.