The holiday season is upon us! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Christmas will be here before we know it (whether you’re ready or not!). If you’re planning to spend Christmas away from home, Savannah could not be a better choice. The warm weather, holiday light displays, and several holiday-themed activities will keep you and your family feeling “merry” and “bright” this holiday season!
While there are plenty of holiday activites in Savannah to enjoy during this festive season, here is a roundup of our team at South Key Management’s five favorite ways to celebrate Christmas in Savannah.
Key Takeaways
- See Christmas Light Displays — Marvel at the sparkling light displays and holiday decorations around Savannah’s Historic District and at popular attractions, like “December Nights and Holiday Lights” at Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden and the Savannah Christmas Market.
- Attend Christmas Shows & Museum Tours — Grab tickets to famous holiday shows and events that immerse you in Savannah’s rich culture, history, and traditions, such as A Christmas Tradition at the Historic Savannah Theatre and the Davenport House Museum Tours by Candlelight.
- Stay in a Cozy Vacation Rental — Book a charming vacation rental in Savannah’s Historic District from South Key Management to be near all the best Christmas attractions this holiday season!
1.) See Christmas Lights in Savannah’s Historic District
Downtown Savannah is beautiful on any day, but it is especially beautiful during the holiday season. A great way to experience the charm of Historic Savannah is to walk around at night and see how all of the buildings have been decorated! Some buildings stay classic with lanterns, garlands, and red bows, while others use white or colored lights to create holiday displays.
Here are a few of our favorite places to see Christmas lights in Savannah:
- Broughton Street — During the holidays, many local businesses on Broughton Street decorate the inside and outside of their buildings with glittering lights and holiday decor. There are even lights strung between the buildings to create a picturesque backdrop for Christmas shopping!
- City Market — City Market goes “all out” for the holiday season by decorating the shopping areas with beautiful Christmas trees adorned with twinkling lights and bright red ribbons.
- Forsyth Park — Head to Forsyth Park during the Christmas season to see the park decked out for the holidays with festive wreaths, bright red bows, and stunning garlands.
- Historic Homes and Squares — Stroll through the charming cobblestone streets of Savannah to see how historic homes, private residences, and beautiful squares have been decorated with sparkling lights and traditional decorations, such as greenery, wreaths, and bows.
- Old Town Trolley Tours — Savannah’s Old Town Trolley Tours offers a “Holiday Sights and Festive Nights” tour on select nights during the holiday season, which takes guests to see the sparkling lights throughout the city, with stops at the Davenport House and the Plant Riverside District.
2.) Go to the Savannah Christmas Market
The Savannah Christmas Market is a can’t-miss, family-friendly holiday event in Savannah at the Plant Riverside District in Historic Downtown Savannah.
This European-style Christmas market opens right after Thanksgiving and remains open through the New Year. You’ll be able to enjoy live music and performances, shop at vendor booths for Christmas gifts, snack on delicious holiday treats, and, of course, take photos with Santa Claus at this popular holiday event in Savannah!
3.) Watch A Christmas Tradition at the Historic Savannah Theatre
A long-standing Christmas tradition for many families in Savannah, now spanning more than two decades, has been purchasing tickets to A Christmas Tradition at the Historic Savannah Theatre.
This two-hour performance celebrates the holidays with upbeat music, dancing, and entertainment, and it’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit! The show runs on select nights in December, with the final performance on Christmas Eve. As of 2025, tickets range in cost from $53 to $59.36 for adults, and children’s tickets cost $27.56 each.
4.) Walk Through “December Nights and Holiday Lights” at Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden
If you don’t mind driving outside the Historic District, the “December Nights and Holiday Lights” event at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden is a phenomenal, family-friendly holiday event in Savannah.
This dazzling festival features holiday decor and lights that span nearly five acres, including a life-sized Advent calendar and a sparkling winter wonderland. You’ll also be able to enjoy holiday treats, such as coffee, hot chocolate, and s’mores, while taking in the beautiful lights. Additionally, the kids can take photos with Santa Claus each evening. This event typically begins on select nights at the end of November and is available to enjoy each night through Christmas by mid-December.
5.) Experience Davenport House Museum Tours by Candlelight
Davenport House Tours by Candlelight is a special holiday event held in the evenings on the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Savannah (December 26–29). During this event, you’ll have the opportunity to see Davenport House by candlelight from 6 PM to 8:30 PM, gaining a sense of what this historic home looked like in the 19th century. This event often includes light refreshments, music, and interpreters who will guide you through the experience.
You can purchase tickets for this event online. Throughout the holidays, be sure to check the calendar for Davenport House to snag tickets to other fun holiday events, such as cocktail-crafting classes.
Bonus: Book a Cozy Holiday Stay in the Heart of Savannah’s Historic District with South Key Management
These are just five of our favorite events that make Savannah magical during the holiday season — but the fun doesn’t stop there! From fantastic dining experiences to art and history museums, Savannah offers plenty to do at all times of the year — during the holidays, and beyond!
If you’re looking for somewhere warm and cozy to stay in Savannah this holiday season, explore our collection of charming vacation rentals in the heart of the Historic District. Our beautiful rentals are the perfect place to experience our city’s southern hospitality this Christmas season. Contact us to learn more about our holiday specials to secure the best deal on your winter trip to Savannah!
