The holidays are here! Celebrate with holiday cookie decorating followed by a screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol in the Ben Tucker Theater located inside the Savannah Cultural Arts Center. (201 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA) This is an all ages event! $5 per family.
11:30am: cookie decorating begins
12:30pm: movie begins
2020 OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS: January 31 – Savannah Cultural Arts Center, 7 pm, $10 (cash) at the door. Cinema Savannah’s founder started the special screenings to give people a chance to see artistic works that would not normally make an appearance in Savannah theaters. Tonight’s event will showcase some of the nominees from the Animation, Live Action, and Documentary Short Film categories. Dr. Tomasz Warchol, the literary and film teacher who founded the cinema program, said he hopes people will walk away from tonight’s special screening with more than the experience of seeing the art-house titles on a big screen.
POTABLE GOLD: SAVANNAH’S MADEIRA TRADITION: Experience the historic atmosphere of the Davenport House while learning about and tasting a unique and flavorful wine. Patrons are oriented to the long and rich tradition of Madeira (wine) as it relates to the history of Savannah and then they will participate in a Madeira party. See the historic house at dusk including spaces usually off-limits to museum guests. $22
Friday and Saturday evenings in February 2020. PROGRAM DATES: February 1, 7, 8, 14 (only at 7:30 p.m.), 15, 21, 22, 28, 29
An extra presentation will be presented at 7:30 p.m. if the 5:30 p.m. session sell-out on February 15, 21 & 22
***SPECIAL NOTE: Savannah’s “Open Container Law” has received temporary approval from City Council. Starting in January, the boundary for open containers will extend to portions of the Victorian District for a 90-day trial period.
W.W. Law Photograph Collection: “Five Years That Changed Savannah Forever: Reflecting on the Civil Rights Movement through the W. W. Law Photograph Collection” draws on a treasure trove of photographs left behind by W. W. Law, President Savannah Branch NAACP from 1950-1976, now preserved in the Municipal Archives. The exhibit reflects on five pivotal years in Savannah’s Civil Rights Movement, 1960-1965. Guest curator Dr. Otis S. Johnson, the first African American to attend and graduate from Armstrong State College, and author of “From “N Word” to Mayor: Experiencing the American Dream,” offers a unique insider’s perspective of the Savannah Movement through the lens of the photographs. Savannah Cultural Arts Center. This is a free event.
Christmas on the River: Welcome back to Christmas on the River! We celebrate the holiday season with all Christmas cheer! River Street and surroundings will be all dressed up for the holidays and we will have lots of fun events going on this year! Santa will be visiting us, the Savannah Waterfront Kidz Zone will have fun events for the young ones, live bands, and dance groups. The Lighted Christmas Parade will be on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 5:30 PM. Our talented arts and crafts vendors will be lining the plazas with their wonderful art.
Savannah Philharmonic Holiday Spectacular: This year, we’re reimagining what it means to celebrate the holiday season. In the first half of the program, is a collaboration with the Savannah Children’s Choir to tell O. Henry’s heartfelt The Gift of the Magi as adapted by Adolphus Hailstork. Then, in the second half, the Philharmonic Chorus joins the Orchestra and gets funky with a Motown holiday tribute and other fun favorites! Johnny Mercer Theater, 7:30-9pm.
The Nutcracker Ballet: The one and only Savannah Ballet Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker takes center stage this holiday season at the beautiful Lucas Theatre! Featuring the Savannah Ballet Theatre Orchestra, the legendary Tchaikovsky score will fuel the performance of this classic holiday ballet, which tells the story of a young girl’s dream in which a Christmas gift comes to life and becomes her beloved prince.
Add some magic to your to holiday season! Join Savannah Ballet Theatre’s world renowned professional dancers, along with local talent, and surprise celebrity cameos, for a one of a kind performance that is perfect for all ages! Join us in the lobby for a character meet and greet after the performance. Schedule of performances.
City Market Open House: Savannah’s beautiful spirit becomes even more exquisite during the holiday season, and City Market is no exception. Stroll in the flickering light of 500+ luminaria lining our two-block courtyard, serenaded by Christmas carolers. Drop-in for treats in City Market shops and watch for a glimpse of Father Christmas.
*****2019 Bridge Run – starts at the Convention Center, 8am*****
The 5K kicks off at 8 a.m. on Hutchinson Island followed by the 10K which begins at 9 a.m. on Montgomery Street by the Civic Center. While the bridge is, of course, the focus of the race, area road closures will be put into place. Portions of East Broughton, Bay and Liberty streets will be closed before the race until it’s over.
Savannah Santa Train: One of the largest annual holiday events in the Lowcountry, will take place from 9 am to 5 pm at Georgia State Railroad Museum.
To celebrate the 2019 event, there will be more workshops and special programming than ever before! Guests can build a holiday wonderland with Snapology of Savannah, enjoy caroling by Savannah Stage Company, learn about holiday traditions around the Lowcountry including Gullah-Geechee cultural celebrations, see and purchase handmade holiday spinning tops created by the Lowcountry Turners, enjoy performances from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” by Savannah Children’s Theatre and design holiday cards for hospital patients with Savannah Children’s Museum’s “Carts with heART” program. Admission is $15 per person. 9am – 5pm
Charitable Event: Savannah’s Holiday Tour of Home:
Savannah’s Holiday Tour of Homes features exquisite architecture, beautiful furnishings, and gracious hospitality. This intimate tour experience allows guests to look “behind the doors” at some of Savannah’s most beautiful private residences, festively decorated Historic Inns and culturally significant Museum homes. Tour Headquarters will be at the Jepson Center, located at 207 W York Street on Telfair Square. This is where you will begin the tour by picking up your tour Guidebook. The Guidebook is your required ticket for entrance into the tour locations. Guidebook pickup will begin an hour before your Tour Session. Tour headquarters open at 9:00 am and closes at or before 3:00 pm.
*Funds from the tour support the Downtown Savannah Association community grant program.*
Jingle Bell Block Party: A holiday block party celebrating one of the favorite songs of all times, Jingle Bells which was penned here in Savannah, GA! It will be an afternoon full of live performances, singing, and dancing activities for the whole family. Ellis Square, 2 – 4pm.
11th Annual Tybee Lighted Boat Parade:
The event begins at 4:30pm at the Original Crab Shack with a Hot Dog and Chili Bar. The Hot Dog & Chili Bar is FREE for EVERYONE with a Second Harvest canned food donation. Boats depart Crab Shack docks at approximately 5:30PM (Tybee Time) and return around 6:30pm.
Craft Scout Holiday Market: American Legion Ballroom, 10am – 5pm. Shop and support your local handmade businesses all under one roof. Shop unique handcrafted gifts from paper goods, jewelry, woodworking, fiber art, organic body products, ceramics and more.
SPECIAL NOTE: The Brunch Festival was rescheduled for December 14.
Thursday, November 7 – Sunday, December 1 — ELF THE MUSICAL: This comical stage adaptation of the classic film of the same name tells the lovable tale of Buddy the Elf. It’s a heartwarming delight for the whole family. This modern day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Savannah Theater
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: Savannah Stage Company’s take on the classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. Various dates and times shown here. TICKETS $18
W.W. Law Photograph Collection: “Five Years That Changed Savannah Forever: Reflecting on the Civil Rights Movement through the W. W. Law Photograph Collection” draws on a treasure trove of photographs left behind by W. W. Law, President Savannah Branch NAACP from 1950-1976, now preserved in the Municipal Archives. The exhibit reflects on five pivotal years in Savannah’s Civil Rights Movement, 1960-1965. Guest curator Dr. Otis S. Johnson, the first African American to attend and graduate from Armstrong State College, and author of “From “N Word” to Mayor: Experiencing the American Dream,” offers a unique insider’s perspective of the Savannah Movement through the lens of the photographs. Savannah Cultural Arts Center. Opening reception and program Nov 21 5:30-7:30 pm. This is a free event.
Christmas Made in the South: Each year, the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center is transformed to showcase artwork from some of the best artists in the nation. Just in time for the holiday shopping season. The 31st annual Christmas Made in the South welcomes over three hundred artists and makers from throughout the country exhibiting spectacular work in a broad spectrum of mediums. For those three fun-filled days, artists will exhibit their work in photography, jewelry, sculpture, woodworking, personalized ornaments, pottery, stained glass, folk artist and many others.
Sunshine Artist Magazine, the art industry’s leading publication, recently rated Christmas Made in the South as one of the top 100 craft festivals in the nation. Savannah Convention Center, $8 Admission, Free Parking
Gingerbread Village – Westin Harbor Golf Resort and Spa daily
Beaujolais Nouveau Day 2019: Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day at 39 Rue De Jean in Savannah! The arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau symbolizes the official end of this year’s growing season. Harvest is complete and vintners—especially in France—are ready to celebrate the completion of the harvest. Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine that is annually released on the third Thursday in November. Nouveau wine undergoes a very short fermentation process, and yields an extremely fresh and fruity wine. Included in the ticket price, attendees will enjoy various hors d’oeuvres stations, an oyster roast outside on the patio, and 2 glasses of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. TICKETS $39
Glenn Miller Declassified: Glenn Miller Declassified is the critically acclaimed biography of bandleader Glenn Miller, who disappeared at the height of his fame on December 15, 1944. Weaving together social and military history, author Dennis M. Spragg presents a narrative that reads like both a mystery and investigative journalism. Consequently, this is the definitive story of what really happened to one of America’s most iconic musical legends. Event is free, cash bar available – Mighty Eighth Airforce, Pooler, GA. Starts at 7pm. Reservations are required: 912-988-1835.
Happening in Savannah 