Savannah Holiday Tour of Homes 2026: Date, Tickets & What to Know

The Savannah Holiday Tour of Homes is your one chance each year to walk inside private Historic District homes and inns decorated for Christmas. The short answer: the 51st tour is on Saturday, December 12, 2026. It's a self-paced walking tour run by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, with docents in each home. Tickets start at $85, and the organizers say the tour usually sells out by the end of October. If you want to go, buy now.

TL;DR: Savannah Holiday Tour of Homes 2026

• When: Saturday, December 12, 2026, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., in staggered sessions.
• Tickets: Morning or Afternoon Tour $85, All Day Tour $110, VIP Experience $125, per the official ticket page.
• Sells out: typically by the end of October. Sales are final, with no refunds.
• Format: a walking tour of private homes, historic inns, and cultural landmarks, with docents inside.
• Rules: no high heels, no photos or video inside the homes, and no strollers inside.
• Accessibility: not wheelchair accessible. Many homes have 8 to 12 front steps.
• Same day: the Lighted Christmas Street Parade runs that evening, so you can tour homes by day and watch the parade at night.

When Is the Holiday Tour of Homes in 2026?

The tour is on Saturday, December 12, 2026, according to the official site, dnaholidaytour.com. This is its 51st anniversary year. Homes are open in two sessions with staggered start and end times between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

December 12 is the biggest day of Savannah's holiday season. The Lighted Christmas Street Parade rolls along River Street that evening, and the Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District is open too. Our Savannah Christmas events guide has the full December calendar.

How Much Are Tickets, and Which One Should You Buy?

As of early October 2026, the official ticket page lists four options:

• Morning Tour, $85: homes open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Afternoon Tour, $85: homes open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• All Day Tour, $110: homes open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• VIP Experience, $125: all-day access, a guided tour of the Mercer Williams House Museum, and a private VIP check-in location.

Which to pick: Morning is the best fit if you plan to stay downtown for the parade, because you can rest at your hotel in the afternoon. Afternoon suits late risers and anyone driving in that morning. All Day gives you time to see every house without rushing. VIP makes the most sense for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fans, since Mercer House is the home at the center of the book.

Limited trolley tickets are also sold. They take you to central points along the route, not to each door, so you'll still walk. Prices and availability can change, so confirm on dnaholidaytour.com before you buy.

Is the Holiday Tour of Homes Sold Out?

It might be soon. The organizers' FAQ says the tour typically sells out by the end of October. They cap the number of tickets to protect historic interiors and keep homes from getting crowded. Ticket sales are final, because the tour is a fundraiser. Proceeds support the Downtown Neighborhood Association's charitable giving program.

If tickets are gone, you can still see Savannah's grand interiors. The city's house museums, covered in our guide to Savannah's historic homes, are open year-round. Check each museum's December schedule for holiday programs.

What Will You See on the Tour?

The tour includes private homes, historic inns, and cultural landmarks in the Historic District, all decorated for the season. Docents in each stop point out architectural features, history, and the owners' holiday traditions. The list of homes changes every year, so even repeat visitors see new houses.

The real draw is access. Most of these homes are private residences that you would otherwise only see from the sidewalk. The route runs through the squares, so it helps to know the layout before you go. Our guide to Savannah's squares is a good primer.

What Are the Rules?

The official "What to Expect" page sets a few firm rules. Plan around them:

• Pick up your wristband first. Every guest must go to Tour Headquarters to collect a color-coded wristband, which is your ticket. The location is posted on the official site.
• No high heels. They can damage historic wood floors. Wear flat walking shoes for the uneven sidewalks.
• No photos or video inside. This is out of respect for homeowners.
• Kids pay full price. Well-supervised children are welcome. Parents can carry little ones, but strollers aren't allowed inside.
• Not wheelchair accessible. Most homes are high-stooped, with 8 to 12 steps to climb.

Local tip: Pick up your wristband as early in your session as you can, then start at the houses farthest from headquarters and work your way back. Bring a light jacket you can carry, since you'll go in and out of heated homes all day.

Where Should You Park?

The organizers note street parking along the route and paid spaces in city garages. On December 12, downtown will be busy with tour guests, Christmas Market shoppers, and parade crowds, so arrive early. Our Historic District parking guide explains garages, meters, and how to pay. If you're staying downtown, leave the car at your hotel and walk.

Where Should You Eat Between Houses?

There are many restaurants near the route. Book ahead for December 12, since it's one of the busiest days of the year downtown.

• Breakfast before the morning session: Clary's Cafe on Abercorn Street or B. Matthew's Eatery on East Bay Street.
• Lunch between sessions: The Collins Quarter on Bull Street sits right in the Historic District.
• A festive dinner: The Olde Pink House on Reynolds Square is a natural fit for a day spent in old mansions. Reserve well ahead.

For more options, browse our Historic District restaurant guide.

Where Should You Stay?

Staying in a historic inn keeps the mood going after the tour, and you can walk to every stop. Two options in our directory are Kehoe House on Columbia Square and Eliza Thompson House on West Jones Street. Rooms near the Historic District fill up for this weekend, so book soon. Our best Historic District hotels list has more choices.

How Should You Plan the Rest of the Weekend?

A simple plan for December 12: tour homes in the morning, eat a late lunch, rest, then head to River Street for the parade. On Sunday, take one of the best walking tours in Savannah to learn the history behind the houses you saw. If you're coming on Thanksgiving weekend instead, the Lighted Boat Parade is on November 28. For weather and packing, see our Savannah in winter guide.

Bottom Line

The Savannah Holiday Tour of Homes on Saturday, December 12, 2026, is the best way to see inside the Historic District's private homes, and it's a fundraiser for the neighborhood too. Pick your session, buy on dnaholidaytour.com before tickets run out, wear flat shoes, and leave your camera in your bag inside the homes. Then stay downtown for the Christmas parade that evening.