Savannah in October: Weather, Events & What to Expect (2026)
By Best of Savannah
Savannah in October is peak season for a reason. The short answer: expect warm, less humid days in the upper 70s to around 80°F, cooler evenings in the 60s, and a festival calendar that barely pauses — Oktoberfest on the riverfront, the Greek Festival and Tybee Pirate Fest on the same mid-month weekend, the SCAD Savannah Film Festival in the final week, and Halloween on top of it all. It's one of the best months to visit, and also one of the busiest, so book hotels and ghost tours early.
TL;DR — Savannah in October
- Weather: average highs around 79°F sliding into the mid-70s by month's end, lows in the upper 50s to low 60s, and noticeably lower humidity than summer.
- Early October: Oktoberfest at Plant Riverside District runs October 3-11, 2026, with most activities on the October 3-4 and 10-11 weekends.
- Mid-month: the 75th Savannah Greek Festival (October 8-10) and the Tybee Island Pirate Fest (October 8-11) overlap on the same long weekend.
- Late October: the SCAD Savannah Film Festival runs October 24-31, and Halloween lands on a Saturday in 2026.
- Book early: ghost tours, Historic District hotels, and weekend dinner reservations are the first things to sell out.
What's the Weather Like in Savannah in October?
October is when Savannah's summer finally lets go. Climate averages put the typical high around 79°F, starting near 81°F in the first days of the month and easing to about 75°F by Halloween. Overnight lows usually fall between the mid-50s and mid-60s.
Humidity drops noticeably compared with September, which makes long walks through the squares genuinely pleasant. Rain is moderate — roughly a week's worth of wet days across the month — but it tends to arrive in heavier bursts rather than all-day drizzle.
One caveat: Atlantic hurricane season officially runs through November 30. Late-season storms are less common by October, but it's worth watching the forecast in the week before your trip and booking refundable rates if you can. For a season-wide comparison, see our Savannah in fall guide.
What Events Are Happening in Savannah in October 2026?
October stacks more big events into one month than almost any other time of year. Here's the calendar in order:
- Oktoberfest at Plant Riverside District — October 3-11, 2026, with most activities on the two weekends. Expect German-inspired food and beer, live oompah music on the riverfront, and contests like stein holding plus the popular wiener dog races. Our Savannah Oktoberfest guide has the full rundown.
- Savannah Greek Festival — October 8-10, 2026, the festival's 75th year, hosted by St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church at the Hellenic Center. Admission is free, and the festival lists daily hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Come hungry: homemade Greek food and pastries are the main draw, along with music, dancing, and church tours.
- Tybee Island Pirate Fest — October 8-11, 2026, on Tybee Island. It's a family-friendly, costume-heavy weekend with a parade, live entertainment, and costume contests. Check the festival's official schedule for parade times. See our Tybee Island Pirate Fest guide for parade and planning tips.
- Savannah Pride Festival — Saturday, October 24, 2026, in Forsyth Park, noon to 11 p.m., with free admission. Our Savannah Pride Festival 2026 guide covers the schedule, after-party, and parking.
- SCAD Savannah Film Festival — October 24-31, 2026, the festival's 29th year. Expect screenings, panels, and visiting filmmakers across SCAD's downtown venues. Passes are on sale now, and individual tickets go on sale October 2. Our SCAD Savannah Film Festival guide covers passes, venues, and planning.
- South Georgia State Fair — October 29 to November 8, 2026, at the fairgrounds on Fort Argyle Road, per the fair's official site. Our South Georgia State Fair guide covers tickets and tips.
- Halloween — falls on a Saturday in 2026, which means the whole final weekend will be busy. Our Savannah Halloween guide covers costumes, ghost tours, and where the crowds go.
Event details shift year to year, so confirm times and ticketing on each event's official site before you build a trip around it.
Which Weekends Are Busiest in October?
Three stretches fill up fastest. The October 8-11 weekend is the biggest crunch, with the Greek Festival, Pirate Fest, and the second Oktoberfest weekend all at once. The final week brings Film Festival crowds and Halloween weekend. Oktoberfest's opening weekend, October 3-4, also draws a crowd to the riverfront.
If you want October weather without October prices, aim for weekdays or the October 17-18 weekend. That gap sits between the mid-month festivals and the Film Festival, and it's usually the calmest weekend of the month.
Should You Book a Ghost Tour in October?
Yes — October is ghost tour season in America's most famously haunted city, and the popular evening slots sell out well ahead of Halloween week. Browse the full lineup in our Savannah ghost tours directory. For a classic walking tour, look at Genteel & Bard. If you'd rather ride, try Ghosts & Gravestones. For a 21+ night out, there's the Creepy Crawl Haunted Pub Tour.
Budgeting? Our ghost tour price guide breaks down what each tier costs.
Local tip: Book the earliest evening ghost tour slot rather than the late one. It's still dark enough to set the mood by late October, the groups tend to be smaller, and you'll finish in time for a sit-down dinner before kitchens close.
What Else Should You Do in Savannah in October?
The milder weather makes October ideal for anything on foot. Spend a morning walking the historic squares before the afternoon warms up. Visit Bonaventure Cemetery in daylight — it's especially atmospheric this time of year.
Early October is often still warm enough for a beach afternoon, and the dolphins don't leave just because summer did. If you're heading to Tybee, our Tybee Island dolphin tours guide can help you plan a boat trip. Evenings are made for patio dinners — browse our restaurants directory and reserve ahead on festival weekends.
Pro hockey is back, too: the Ghost Pirates open their season at Enmarket Arena in mid-October, with costume games on Halloween weekend. Our Ghost Pirates game guide covers tickets, parking, and the downtown shuttle.
What Should You Pack for Savannah in October?
Pack for two seasons in one day. Afternoons can feel like summer, so bring breathable short sleeves. Evenings cool off enough for a light jacket or sweater, especially on a ghost tour or along the river.
Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable on brick sidewalks and cobblestone ramps. A compact umbrella earns its space for those short, heavy showers. If you're coming for Halloween or Pirate Fest, a costume is very much welcome.
Where Should You Stay in Savannah in October?
Book as early as you can, particularly for the October 8-11 weekend and the Film Festival and Halloween stretch. Staying in the Historic District keeps festivals, ghost tours, and restaurants within walking distance and spares you from October's tight downtown parking. Compare areas in our where to stay in Savannah neighborhood guide. Or browse the full hotels directory. Confirm rates directly with each property, since October pricing jumps on event weekends.
Bottom Line: Savannah in October
October may be the best all-around month to visit Savannah: warm but not sticky, busy with festivals, and fully in Halloween mode. Pick your anchor event first — Oktoberfest, the Greek Festival and Pirate Fest weekend, or the Film Festival and Halloween finale — then book lodging and ghost tours around it. If crowds aren't your thing, weekdays and mid-month still deliver the weather without the rush. For how October compares with the rest of the year, see our best time to visit Savannah guide. If your dates slip later, our Savannah in November guide covers the quieter month that follows.
