Guide
A Local’s Guide to the Magical Fall Season in Savannah
Overview
As the summer heat and humidity begin to lift and the crisp autumn temperatures arrive in Savannah, so do all the festive fall activities — from pumpkin patches and ghost tours to celebrate Halloween to special brunches and dinners on Thanksgiving. Fall is a spectacular time to see all that Savannah has to offer, with fantastic weather for exploring the Historic District and much smaller crowds to compete with.
Key Takeaways
- Annual Fall Events — Fall is a fantastic time to visit Savannah for festivals and events, including the SCAD Film Festival, Savannah Jazz Festival, and Wag-O-Ween.
- Halloween Celebrations — During October, Savannah comes alive for spooky season with pumpkin patches, fall festivals, ghost tours, and fun events on Halloween weekend, from kid-friendly trick-or-treating events to adults-only bar crawls and parties.
- Thanksgiving Celebrations — Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to visit Savannah for those who want to enjoy delicious Thanksgiving brunches and dinners and get a festive start to the holiday season, with Black Friday shopping and Christmas events popping up throughout the city.
Fall Events in Savannah
Fall is one of the best seasons to take part in Savannah’s most anticipated annual traditions. If you’re a music enthusiast, film fanatic, or dog lover — plan your trip to Savannah during one of these events or festivals to make unforgettable memories.
The Savannah Jazz Festival is a weekend event generally held mid-September at Forsyth Park. This festival features free concerts by renowned local, national, and international jazz artists and celebrates the past, present, and future of jazz music.
Hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design each October, the SCAD Savannah Film Festival gathers award-winning actors and aspiring filmmakers for film competitions, screenings, panels, and workshops. This festival welcomes 60,000+ guests to Savannah, including notable directors, actors, producers, animators, composers, and costume designers.
Visiting Savannah with your furry friend this fall? If so, don’t miss Wag-O-Ween, a fundraising event to support local animal rescues. During the event, you can go trick-or-treating with your pup at 100+ local businesses, watch and participate in weiner races, dress up for a photo contest, and win raffle prizes.
Halloween Festivities & Celebrations in Downtown Savannah
If you’ll be in town during Halloween weekend, you can participate in tons of fun events that will help you tap into Savannah’s spooky side. From family-friendly events like Wag-O-Ween and Trick-or-Treat on River Street to adults-only parties, like A Nightmare on Congress Street Bar Crawl and Ghost in the Post, this local guide includes all the can’t-miss Halloween events in Savannah’s Historic District.
There isn’t anything more quintessentially fall than a pumpkin patch, right? During the entire month leading up to Halloween, head to one of Savannah’s favorite pumpkin patches listed in this guide — including Ottawa Farms, Madrac Farms, or Holiday Farms — for all the fall fun, from corn mazes and hayrides to petting zoos and kid-friendly games and activities.
Thanksgiving Weekend Festivities & Celebrations in Downtown Savannah
Ready to make some new Thanksgiving memories with Southern flair and hospitality? On Thanksgiving weekend, Savannah offers the perfect mix of classic celebrations and uniquely local events to help you and your family create an unforgettable (and maybe a new favorite!) holiday tradition.
Thanksgiving in Savannah offers its fair share of mouthwatering dishes and holiday cheer. Explore this guide for inspiration on how to spend Thanksgiving in Savannah — including traditional Thanksgiving meals at popular Savannah restaurants, themed dinner cruises and turkey trots for the whole family, and festivities to kick off the Christmas season, from Black Friday shopping to the Savannah Holly Days.
Spectacular Vacation Rentals for Spending Fall in Savannah
If you’re searching for somewhere to stay in Savannah with a cozy atmosphere and plenty of space to gather with friends and family during the fall season, consider one of our charming vacation rentals in Savannah’s Historic District.
Traveling to Savannah with the whole family for Thanksgiving? Consider booking The Olive Trio — two side-by-side townhomes and a stylish cottage that can sleep up to 16 guests across six bedrooms (plus pets!). Plus, there are two full kitchens for cooking up a Thanksgiving feast!
Regardless of how many people you’ll be traveling to Savannah with this fall, our team at South Key Management has a property that will perfectly accommodate your needs. Our concierge specialists would be happy to help you find and book a charming studio, condo, or home in Savannah’s Historic District that provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere for your autumn vacation.
Other Fall Seasonal Highlights in Savannah
Even if you aren’t visiting Savannah for a holiday, like Halloween or Thanksgiving, or a popular event, like the SCAD Film Festival, you’ll still find plenty to do around Savannah to fill an entire trip! Get the scoop on some of our favorite ways to spend fall in Savannah in the following guides.
During fall in Savannah, get out and explore some of Savannah’s most beautiful destinations detailed in this guide, including Skidaway Island State Park, Wormsloe State Historic Park, and Fort McAllister State Park, for sublime fall weather and stunning scenery.
In this guide, read more about Savannah’s anticipated fall events and discover fun activities you can enjoy all season long, like getting spooked on a ghost tour, admiring the city’s beautiful architecture on a historic house tour, and soaking up the gorgeous fall weather in the beautiful parks and squares.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fall a good time to visit Savannah?
Yes, fall is a spectacular time to visit Savannah. Not only will you be able to enjoy crisp autumn weather and fewer tourists, but you can attend some of the city’s most anticipated festivals and events. You can also experience the “spooky season” in Savannah (one of America’s most haunted cities!) with ghost tours, pumpkin patches, and other fall fun.
Can you see fall foliage in Savannah?
Savannah’s landscape is dominated by evergreen foliage, including the city’s iconic towering oaks and Spanish moss, that stay green all year round. This means that fall foliage is limited in Savannah, though small pops of red, yellow, and orange leaves can be seen throughout the Historic District at the tail end of fall, and colors may even change well into December.
How cold is Savannah in the fall?
Fall temperatures in Savannah are still balmy in September, but drop drastically by the end of November. Expect average highs around 85°F in September with lingering humidity, but by November, the weather usually turns crisp and cool, with highs in the low 70s.