Savannah is a festival city! With more than 200 city-wide festivals and events a year, Savannah has an exciting array of activities to entertain travelers of any age. Here’s a sampling of the events and festivals held throughout the year. Visit www.SavannahVisit.com for a complete listing.


JANUARY

First Saturday on the River
This event, held on the first Saturday of every month features local art, crafts, entertainment and food on historic River Street. www.riverstreetsavannah.com

Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Celebration,
Savannah celebrates the life and times of this Civil Rights pioneer. www.savannahga.gov


FEBRUARY

Georgia Heritage Celebration’s Colonial Faire and Muster
The celebration of the founding of the Colony of Georgia in Savannah on February 12, 1733, by James Edward Oglethorpe has been a tradition among Georgians since 1734. The celebration encourages a better understanding of, and appreciation for, Georgia history. Various events seek to promote the study and preservation of our state’s rich history and the historical sites, documents and other materials that offer a window to that past. www.georgiahistory.com

Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival
Cultural and intellectual activities including dance performances, musical concerts, lectures, art exhibits and more.
www.savstate.edu

Savannah Irish Festival
The Savannah Irish Festival Committee invites you to attend the 16th annual festival February 17-18 at the Savannah Civic Center arena in the Historic District. Performers include Harry O'Donoghue, and Frank Emerson along with exciting performers and new groups. www.savannahirish.org


MARCH

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations.
It ain’t easy being green - unless you’re Savannah. How do you manage more than 250,000 weekend guests? You throw the South’s most famous and the Southeast’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. The Historic District marks its St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with festivities along the waterfront and a parade on March 17 where the streets are lined with revelers in green, and cocktails and grits are dyed to match.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in City Market
www.savannahcitymarket.com

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on the River
www.riverstreetsavannah.com

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
www.savannahsaintpatricksday.com

Savannah Music Festival
This captivating celebration of the performing arts is held in Savannah’s Historic District and features world-class music in downtown venues. The festival lasts for 15 days with numerous international talents including blues, classical, jazz and the world. www.savannahmusicfestival.org

Annual Tour of Homes & Gardens
This annual spring event offers self-guided walking tours through private homes and gardens in Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District. www.savannahtourofhomes.org


APRIL

SCAD International Festival
The annual festival celebrates the college’s international art community and shares it with the entire Savannah community. Highlights of the event include international cuisine, dance demonstrations, music, a global fashion show and art and cultural displays. www.scad.edu

N.O.G.S. Tour of Hidden Gardens
This walking tour includes eight walled gardens plus the award-winning Massie School garden. Different private gardens are selected each year for their excellence of design, historical interest and beauty. www.gcofsavnogstour.org

Sidewalk Art Festival
This annual event draws thousands of people to watch SCAD students create chalk masterpieces on the sidewalks of historic Forsyth Park along with a student and faculty art exhibition, a fair, food and children’s and youth areas for young artists. www.scad.edu

Savannah Garden Expo
The enchanting garden show features an open-air market, exhibition gardens, workshops, demonstrations, seminars and lectures. www.savannahgardenexpo.com

Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, PGA Champions Tour
Enjoy some of golf’s all-time greatest players as they tee up at the home of the PGA TOUR of Champions, Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf; experience Troon Golf and The Club at Savannah Harbor. www.pgatour.com

Blues & BBQ Festival
The Roundhouse Railroad Museum will be filled with the sounds of great blues and the smell of slow-cooked barbeque as the annual Night in Old Savannah Blues & BBQ Festival gets underway. Great music, food, drinks, trains and more! www.chsgeorgia.org

Spring Fling Art and Music Festival
Art and music festival featuring more than 50 artists from the Southeast along with local musicians held on Tybee Island. www.tybeevisit.com


MAY

Savannah Shakespeare Festival
City Lights Theatre performs live Shakespeare classics, dance performances, Kids for Kids Theatre and more. www.savannahga.gov

Scottish Games Festival
Traditional style Scottish Games Festival featuring competitions, clan displays and booths, food and drink, music of the bagpipes and other Scottish music.

Tybee Island Beach Bum Parade
Celebrate the arrival of summer with a huge water fight. Parade of fellow water warriors enhances this family-friendly experience. www.tybeevisit.com

SCAD Sand Arts Festival
This annual event invites sand-loving SCAD students to create forms in the sand on the beaches of Tybee Island. www.scad.edu


JUNE

Savannah Asian Festival
Volunteers from many Asian organizations including Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Indian, Korean, Thai and Pakistani plan this public festival to showcase the talents of the Asian community in Savannah. www.savannahga.gov


JULY

Fourth of July on the Waterfront
Fantastic Fourth celebration featuring artists from around the region, food, fun and fabulous fireworks over the Savannah River. www.savriverstreet.com

Fourth of July Fireworks on the Beach
Tybee Island’s Independence Day celebration with fireworks on the beach. www.tybeevisit.com


AUGUST

Seafood & Music Festival
This two-day event features local and national music acts and Tybee Island cuisine. www.tybeevisit.com


SEPTEMBER

Savannah Jazz Festival
A wonderful week-long celebration of blues and jazz that promotes, preserves and perpetuates this exquisite art form through performances by great musicians throughout the Coastal Empire. www.coastal-jazz.com


OCTOBER

Oktoberfest
It’s an oompah stomping, dachshund dashing, bratwurst tasting and beverage toasting weekend with your friends on the river. Featuring arts and crafts, live entertainment, oompah bands, wiener dog races, fabulous food and much more! www.savriverstreet.com

Picnic in the Park
Free admission, symphonic music performed by all ages, and a community picnic contest in Forsyth Park. Picnic in the Park provides Savannah with the symphonic sounds of local and regional musicians and a creative culinary and picnic design competition. www.savannahga.gov/arts

Savannah Greek Festival
The three-day Greek Festival includes authentic Greek foods and pastries, merchandise, grocery products and live music with Nick Demos and the Greek Islanders. www.stpaul.ga.goarch.org

Savannah Film Festival
The festival features the best in independent, innovative and influential films and videos from around the world, as well as panel discussions and presentations by visiting artists. www.scad.edu

Jewish Food Festival - Hard Lox Café
Experience a taste of our Jewish soul food. Experience the tastes of our Hard Lox Cafe sweets with all the flavors of our heritage. Experience our rituals. Experience our Joy. Experience our best. Experience our smiles and “Shalom Y’all.” www.mickveisrael.org

St. Vincent’s Tour of Homes and Tea
Tour some of Savannah’s premier Historic District homes and have afternoon tea in the convent of St. Vincent’s Academy. www.svatourofhomes.com


NOVEMBER

Savannah Seafood Festival on the River
Sensational seafood, live entertainment, local art, crafts, daily beach party bash and much more. www.savriverstreet.com

Savannah Harbor Boat Parade of Lights
Bring the family to enjoy the kick-off of the Savannah Harbor Holiday Series on the waterfront. More than 60 festively decorated yachts and sailboats parade along the Savannah River. Followed by a fireworks extravaganza. Part of Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration.

Southern Lights Tree of Lights
This event is Savannah’s longest standing tradition of lighting the community Christmas Tree. Sing-a-longs and entertainment highlight the evening. Part of Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration. www.Savannahvisit.com

Blues & BBQ Festival
The Roundhouse Railroad Museum will be filled with the sounds of great blues and the smell of slow-cooked barbeque as the annual Night in Old Savannah Blues & BBQ Festival gets underway. Great music, food, drinks, trains and more! www.chsgeorgia.org

Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration
Join us for parades, concerts, the lighting of the community Christmas tree, cultural festivals and dazzling lights that fill the streets and shores with the spirit of the season. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s. www.Savannahvisit.com


DECEMBER

Christmas on the River
Dash your way to River Street for a merry holiday. Arts and crafts to finish your list, the Christmas parade can’t be missed! Carolers, bells, Santa too, a festive party that’s meant for you! Part of Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration. www.Savannahvisit.com

Holiday Tour of Homes
Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of homes in Savannah’s lovely Historic District. Private residences representing the full range of the downtown neighborhood will be open to the public. Part of Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration. www.dnaholidaytour.net

City Market New Year’s Eve Celebration
Ring in the New Year at City Market! It’s an outdoor street party, and you are invited to join in the fun with live music and entertainment for the whole family. Part of Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration. www.savannahcitymarket.com