Christmas in Savannah, Georgia is magical! It is a beautiful city full of rich experiences, culture, and history. And fabulous to visit year round but is especially magical for Christmas. Whether you’re visiting Savannah or live here already, you will want to check out some of these must-sees with the kids! They would be great for date nights, family events, or even solo trips.
Christmas in Savannah: A must for the Families
Snowman in a Hot Tub
If you ask our kids, it isn’t Christmas in Savannah without a Snowman in a Hot Tub from Leopold’s. A Snowman in a Hot Tub is a scoop of ice cream in hot chocolate! Offering ice cream since 1919, Leopold’s is located on Broughton Street and is a Savannah tradition for those of us who live here and visitors alike. If you have never been, expect a line. (Yes, even in the winter there can be a line for ice cream!)
Historic District Christmas Lights
One of our favorite things to do for Christmas in Savannah is to visit Savannah’s Historic District. Dress up with the kids and head down to check out the lights. The closer to Christmas, the better! Make sure to check out the lights on Victory Drive. It is the famous street in Savannah lined with old oak trees and beautiful mansions. They go all out with the Christmas decorations. You can get tours or take a pedicab. But do yourself a favor and just grab your jacket and some hot coffee or cocoa and walk. The old homes are never more mesmerizing than when they are lit up for the holiday.
Tybee Island Christmas Parade
While it’s not exactly in Savannah, it’s only about a thirty-minute drive to get to Tybee Island – and one that those of us who are local make pretty often. Tybee is a very cool little beach town with lots to do. So head down one day while you are here and walk the beach during the day. While it still gets cold here, it is much milder than our northern friends. So we like to visit the beaches in the winter to collect shells, fly kites, and play ball. And don’t miss the Tybee Island Christmas Parade!  It gets better and better every year! Don’t miss out on pictures with Santa. 🙂
Holiday Sights Tour
Old Town Trolley offers a Holiday Sights Tour from the end of November through Christmas Eve. Stops include the area’s largest Gingerbread Village and the Davenport House Museum. Their “conductor” elves are excited to take your family on this old-time journey. Savannah is one of the oldest cities in the south. And it is just stunning. If you are ever going to do the tourist thing, Savannah is a place to do it.
Others offer Christmas tours as well.
Celebration on the River
Looking for the perfect Christmas in Savannah event for the whole family? Well, you’ve found it with the Holiday Celebration on the River! It’s an epic holiday celebration on the gorgeous, historic River Street. Rousakis Plaza is full of local vendors with holiday gifts and more. Savannah’s Lighted Christmas Parade starts on West River Street and ends at downtown Ellis Square.
On the first Friday of the month in November and December, fireworks light up the Savannah sky along the riverfront. You don’t want to miss it!
Skatefest
Skatefest takes place in December (through January 1), transforming the Martin Luther King Junior Arena into an ice skating rink for folks of all ages! For anyone who does not live in the south, you might not understand why this is such a big deal. WE RARELY HAVE ICE. So we manufacture some for the holiday. My husband is from Ohio so is teaching our kids to ice skate. I apparently have southern blood and spend most of my lessons on the bleachers after falling one too many times.
Gingerbread House Competition
Get your gingerbread build on! Gingerbread Village hosts a yearly Gingerbread House Competition, with a 1st place prize of $1,000! In the adult division, 2nd place wins $750, and 3rd place wins $500. Other prizes include a weekend resort getaway and more. In the youth division, 1st place wins $250, 2nd place wins $150, and 3rd place wins $50. Win some Christmas shopping money if nothing else!
Christmas Fun Runs
Feeling especially motivated? Join Fleet Feets’s holiday-themed Fun Runs in December. These family-friendly events are sure to create many holiday memories for years to come! These events are FREE to attend. My oldest daughter is a runner and loves the winter runs in Savannah.
Keep in mind that most of the year, our runners face extreme heat and have to work to stay acclimated to running long distances in that sort of weather. So to run in cool weather is a real treat. And because we know how to throw a party in Savannah, the winter runs are usually themed…. Check out the Christmas PJ run and the Ugly Sweater Fun Run.
Visiting Savannah?
We love living in Savannah! But Christmas in Savannah is the BEST! If you’re looking for more to do, check out my other local posts:
10 Most Haunted Spots in Savannah
10 Places to Visit with Kids in Savannah
10 Places to Eat Healthy in Savannah
my family and I are visiting Savannah for the first time and we are so excited. I am looking for all the things that kids would love to do. I have a 16, 10 and 7 year old boys and want this trip to be very memorable for them.
Thank you for this information! My sisters (3) and I plan on visiting Savannah Dec 6-11, 2018. We are all in our 60’s so we are looking for some old fashioned Christmas things to do. This has helped me a lot since I am in charge of planning the trip (my 60th birthday trip!).