Every year Savannah gets dressed up to receive visitors for the holiday season. The city of Savannah is a perfect weekend getaway destination with lots of events starting during Thanksgiving and lasting through the New Year – the Savannah Holly Days.
Annual Boat Parade of Lights
November 26, 2011 at 5 pm
A Christmas Parade – Savannah style!  General James Edward Oglethorpe addresses the crowd and officiates the tree lighting. A parade of holiday decorated yachts cruise the Savannah River following the tree lighting. This event officially kicks off the Holly Days. You can  watch from Westin’s waterfront river walk or from across the river –  fireworks display follows the parade!  More information at  912.201.2000Â
Savannah Harbor Foundation 11th Annual Gingerbread Village
November 26, 2011 – January 1, 2012
Here you get to enjoy a whole village of gingerbread house! This Gingerbread village claims to be the largest Gingerbread Village in the South, so you don’t want to miss out!  The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa comes alive with holiday cheer as local chefs – from professionals to hobbyists – compete for bragging rights of the Best Gingerbread Creation! Stop by to view the creations and cast your vote. Please call 912.201.2048 for more information
Trees for Life
November 26, 2011 – January 1, 2012
Experience a winter wonderland at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. Creatively-decorated holiday trees are on display in the lobby of the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. These festive holiday trees are decorated by area businesses, groups, and individuals and are auctioned to benefit the Greenbriar Children’s Center.
Lights on for Tybee
December 2, 2011 at 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Enjoy this annual kickoff celebration for the Holidays with the lighting of the Tybee Tree, caroling, dancing and complementary refreshments throughout Downtown Tybee. Please call 912.786.4573, ext. 123 for more information.Â
First Friday Fireworks on the River
December 2, 2011 at 9:30 pm
Celebrate the end of the week at the riverfront in Savannah with fireworks. Please call 912.234.0295 for more information.
Santa Train at the Georgia Railroad Museum
December 2 – 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm – 8:30 pmÂ
An entire weekend of holiday fun, the Savannah Santa Train is our version of the Polar Express come to life in coastal Georgia! Little Tots (ages 4 and under) will enjoy hands on seasonal art activities, cookie decorating, visiting with Santa Claus, and storytime aboard our Holiday Train! Big Kids (ages 5 and up) will dine with us, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and will see Santa magic for themselves on our railroad site before settling in for an evening showing of The Polar Express. All ages are welcome and invited to join us for our Friday evening kick-off event, including decoration-making and a tree lighting ceremony. For more information, contact us at 912.651.6823 x3.
Tybee Island Christmas Parade
December 3, 2011 at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pmÂ
Island holiday celebrations continue with the annual parade. The parade will begin in the lot at 14th Street, travel up Tybrisa,and up Butler to end at the YMCA for kids to have time with Santa and enjoy fun activities in the gym. This is a free event.  14th Street lot to Tybee Island Gym. 912.786.4573, ext. 123Â
Christmas on the River and the Lighted Holiday Parade
December 3, 2011 at 9:00 am – 8:00 pm Â
Regional arts and crafts and live holiday entertainment on historic Riverstreet with  children’s play area complete with bouncies and other interactive games. The arrival of Ole St. Nick and the magic of the Lighted Holiday Parade begins Saturday at 5:30 p.m. For more information call 912.234.0295.
Enmark Savannah River Bridge Run
 December 3, 2011Â
The ENMARK Savannah River Bridge Run race schedule includes the 5k, 10k, Double Pump, Kids 1/4 mile and the Team Challenge. Awards will be given to top runners. The 1/4 Mile Kids Run is at 8 a.m. at the Savannah Civic Center. The 5k and Double Pump start is at 8:15 a.m. on Hutchinson Ilsand. The 10k start is at 9 a.m. at the Chatham County Court House. Call  912.644.6414Â
Holiday Gospel Brunch featuring the Savannah Children’s Choir
 December 3, 2011 Â
Holiday event at the Jepson Center of the Arts. www.Telfair.org for more information.
City Market Holiday Open House
December 9, 2011 at 6:00 pm – 9:00 pmÂ
Visit the City Market to see beautiful holiday decorations, hundreds of lights and over 500 luminaria in the courtyard to get into the Christmas spirit. Â There will also be Christmas carolers, and Father Christmas is scheduled to visit. You can also sample holiday treats in the shops.Â
Winter Muster & Battle at Fort McAllister
December 10, 2011 at 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Â
Spend the day at the Fort McAllister watching the Confederate troops prepare for its final battle. The fort will be open to the public from 8 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. with the battle taking place at 5 p.m. Visitors will leave the fort and occupy a safe area to view the short but bloody 15 minute battle. More information http://www.gastateparks.org/FortMcAllister or call 912.727.2339. Admission $3.50 – $5.00.
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Christmas Light Parade & Chili Cookoff
December 10, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Bring your best chili recipe to Coffee Bluff Marina and compete for top honors as the chili guru, then watch the boats come by after dark with their Christmas Lights shining! Call  912.925.7474Â
Tybee Floating Christmas Parade
December 10, 2011 at 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm  Â
High tide is anticipated to be at 7:46 p.m. this special day and boats will light up to begin floating from Chimney Creek. Awards will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m. at the Crab Shack on Tybee Island, 912.786.9857
37th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes
December 10, 2011
Visit historic residences decorated according to the owner’s personal holiday traditions. http://www.dnaholidaytour.com/
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An Isle of Hope Christmas
December 11, 2011 at 4:00 pm – 6:00 pmÂ
We invite you to the tenth “Isle of Hope Christmas” Tour of Homes. Tucked away on the beautiful and historic Isle of Hope, there are six homes that we will be opening for tours. This year, to commemorate the tenth Tour of Homes, we will be featuring local and nationally recognized artists. During and after tours, we invite you to the church parish hall at St. Thomas Episcopal Church for a holiday reception with refreshments, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and musical entertainment. $30. Call 912.355.3110
Savannah Philharmonic Holiday Pops Concert
December 16 & 17 , 2011
A season favorite every year, the Savannah Philharmonic’s annual holiday concert, Christmas with the Philharmonic, will be performed on Friday and Saturday, December 17 and 18 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Following last year’s hit, this year’s concert has expanded to encompass two nights with holiday cheer. From classic carols to the season’s biggest hits, the whole family will be singing along all night to your holiday favorites. http://www.savannahphilharmonic.org/
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5th Annual Luminary Fun Night with Santa
December 17, 2011 at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Bring your kids and pets to Skidaway Island State ParkÂ
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