11 Best Christmas Lights Savannah GA [2026 Holiday Guide]

Savannah in December is one of those places that stays with you long after you leave.

I walked those streets a few years back and couldn't stop taking photos.

Every square, every historic home, every lit-up street had something worth stopping for. The whole city just comes alive in December.

If you're looking for the best Christmas lights Savannah GA has this season, I've put this guide together just for you.

I'll cover 11 must-see spots, a full holiday events calendar, a walking itinerary, neighborhood hidden gems, a quick-reference comparison table, and real planning tips.

No guesswork, no wasted trips. Everything you need is right here, all in one place.

Let's get into it.

Why Savannah Is One of the Best Christmas Destinations

Savannah in December feels like a completely different city.

The Spanish moss on the oak trees catches the light in a way that makes every single block look like a postcard.

The squares glow. The historic homes go all out with wreaths, garlands, and string lights that run from top to bottom.

The weather stays cool but comfortable enough to walk for hours. Locals and visitors mix easily here.

There's live music, holiday markets, and warm food around every corner. If you want a Christmas trip that feels both cozy and lively, Savannah delivers every single time.

Savannah Holly Days: Full Holiday Events Calendar

Savannah doesn't just put up lights and call it a season, it runs a full month of organized events that most visitors don't even know about.

The city runs a full month of organized events under the Savannah Holly Days umbrella, from late November through January 1.

Here is everything worth knowing so you can plan around the events that matter most to you:

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony:The official tree lighting takes place at the corner of Bull and Broughton Street. The ceremony typically kicks off around 5:00–5:30 PM on the Friday after Thanksgiving, drawing a big downtown crowd. It's a genuine community moment , locals, kids, and visitors all packed in together for the countdown. Even after the ceremony, the tree stays lit through the season and is worth stopping by on any evening walk.

Plant Riverside District Tree Lighting:The same evening as the downtown ceremony, Plant Riverside District holds its own tree lighting on River Street at 6:30 PM. This one has more of a party feel , music, food, drinks, and the river as your backdrop.

Savannah Lighted Boat Parade:This is the event most visitors don't know to plan for, and it's one of the best things Savannah does all year. Over 40 decorated boats parade the waterfront on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, starting at 7:00 PM and running through 9:00 PM. The parade kicks off near the Eastern Wharf, and the whole thing ends with a fireworks show over the Savannah River. Watch from River Street for free, or book VIP viewing at Plant Riverside.

Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District:Runs November 20 through December 31. This is Savannah's flagship holiday market, modeled after a European-style Christmas market with local vendors, food and drink, live entertainment, Santa photos, and children's activities. It is consistently rated the top holiday market in the Southeast.

33rd Annual Lighted Christmas Street Parade:Takes place on the second Saturday of December, starting at 5:30 PM on Savannah's Waterfront. The parade begins at Plant Riverside on the west end of River Street and continues east before winding up through Broughton Street and City Market.

Christmas on the River: A weekend waterfront festival in mid-December featuring live dance performances, musical acts, unique vendors, and Santa appearances along River Street.

December Nights and Holiday Lights at Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens:One of the most popular ticketed events of the season. The gardens host this event on select evenings from late November through December 24, with over a million twinkling lights spread across five acres and a full mile of lit trails.

A Christmas Tradition at the Savannah Theatre:Running December 2 through December 24 at the Historic Savannah Theatre on 222 Bull Street. This is a beloved local holiday show combining music, dance, and holiday performances. Book tickets early as shows sell out quickly, especially on weekends.

Holiday Tour of Homes:Held the second Saturday of December, this annual event offers a rare look inside some of Savannah's most beautifully decorated private homes and historic inns. In 2025 it celebrated its 50th anniversary.

New Year's Eve Midnight Fireworks:December 31 at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza. Savannah ends the holiday season with fireworks over the Savannah River at midnight.

Best Christmas Lights in Savannah GA

Here are the top spots you don't want to miss this December.

1. Broughton Street Christmas Lights

Broughton Street is Savannah's main shopping corridor, and it goes all out during the holidays.

Thousands of lights hang overhead across the full stretch of the road. Shops stay open late, and the sidewalks stay lively well into the evening.

I always start here before heading anywhere else.

There's something about the overhead canopy of warm white lights combined with the shop windows decked out for the season that sets the whole evening up right.

Crowds peaked noticeably after 7:00 PM on the weekends I visited, so if you want the street to yourself for photos, go closer to 6:00 PM.

My favorite angle was standing at the western end of Broughton and shooting back toward the lights. The perspective compression makes the whole street look like it goes on forever.

2. Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District

Plant Riverside District is Savannah's premier holiday destination.

The market runs November 20 through December 31 and features local vendors, holiday gifts, food stalls, and live entertainment.

The lights along the riverfront add another layer to the experience, and the Savannah River sitting just behind everything makes for a setting that is hard to match.

Go in the evening. I made the mistake of walking through here mid-afternoon on my first visit and while it was pleasant, it doesn't fully come alive until the sun drops and the lights take over.

The lights came on fully around 5:30 PM and the whole atmosphere shifted within about fifteen minutes.

Also worth noting:River Street tends to feel a few degrees cooler than the rest of the city because of the breeze off the water, so bring a layer you can pull on.

3. River Street Christmas Lights and Holiday Decorations

River Street is one of the most searched Savannah Christmas destinations for good reason , no other stretch in the city pulls together so many holiday elements in one place.

The cobblestone street runs along the Savannah River and transforms completely in December. Holiday banners hang from the lamp posts.

Storefronts get full seasonal makeovers with garlands, wreaths, and warm lighting in the windows. The restaurants and bars spill festive music out onto the street.

And at night, the lights reflect off the Savannah River in a way that photographs better than almost anywhere else in the city.

During the Lighted Boat Parade in late November, River Street is the prime viewing spot. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to get a position along the railing.

The boats come through starting at 7:00 PM, and the fireworks finale lights up the whole waterfront.

4. City Market Holiday Lights and Decorations

City Market has been a Savannah landmark for years. During Christmas, it gets dressed up with lights, garlands, and seasonal decorations throughout the open-air courtyard.

Live music pops up here on weekends, and the surrounding streets carry the holiday spirit in both directions.

This was the quietest square I found during my visit on a Wednesday night , most foot traffic had pushed toward Broughton Street by 7:30 PM, so I had the oak trees wrapped in lights almost entirely to myself.

On the second Sunday of December, City Market also hosts a candle-lit procession with caroling that leads into the City Market Tree Lighting Ceremony.

All events here are free and open to the public.

5. The Official Savannah Christmas Tree

Every year, Savannah puts up its official Christmas tree at the corner of Bull and Broughton Street.

The tree lighting ceremony kicks off Savannah Holly Days on the Friday after Thanksgiving at 5:00 PM. Locals gather, kids get excited, and everyone takes photos.

Even after the ceremony, the tree stays lit through the season and is worth stopping by on any evening walk.

6. Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist

This cathedral is already one of Savannah's most striking buildings any time of year. At Christmas, it becomes something else entirely.

The exterior is lit up at night, and the interior holds seasonal displays and nativity scenes.

The annual "Christmas at the Cathedral" concert is a beloved local tradition, and Advent and Christmas Mass services draw large crowds.

I arrived here at around 7:15 PM and had the front steps to myself for a few minutes before a small group came through.

The twin towers glow against the dark sky and the lit facade picks up a warm tone that looks incredible in photos.

My favorite angle was stepping back to the opposite side of the street and shooting slightly upward with the towers framed against the dark blue sky.

Even if you're not attending a service, this stop is non-negotiable.

7. Forsyth Park Christmas Fountain and Decorations

Forsyth Park is one of Savannah's most loved green spaces, and Christmas makes it even better.

The famous fountain gets decked with garlands and red bows, and the park fills with seasonal decorations. Evening walks here feel peaceful and festive at the same time.

I like arriving right around 5:00 PM when there's still golden light in the sky. The fountain catches the last light in a way that no other spot in Savannah quite matches.

My favorite photo spot was directly in front of the fountain with the moss-draped oaks framing the shot from either side.

By 6:30 PM the light is fully gone and the mood shifts , quieter, cooler, and more atmospheric. Both versions are worth experiencing if you have the time.

Families spread out on the grass early, couples tend to take over the paths after dark.

8. Whitefield Square Holiday Decorations

Whitefield Square is one of Savannah's smaller squares, but it gets a big holiday makeover each December.

The white gazebo at the center is wrapped in lights and looks charming against the winter sky.

The surrounding historic homes also dress up for the season, making the whole block worth a slow walk.

This was the quietest stop on my entire evening route. Most visitors had already moved toward Broughton Street by the time I arrived around 6:15 PM, and I had the square almost completely to myself for about 20 minutes.

The gazebo lights against the dark blue sky are photographed beautifully , the best shot is from the south end of the square, looking straight through toward the gazebo with the lit homes in the background.

9. Old Town Trolley Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour

If you'd rather sit back and take it all in, the Old Town Trolley's holiday tour is worth booking.

The tour covers the city's best decorated spots and includes commentary about Savannah's history and holiday traditions.

It runs through December and is popular with families and first-time visitors.

Book tickets in advance, especially on weekends. The guides are knowledgeable and keep things genuinely interesting.

It's a good way to cover a lot of ground without doing a lot of walking, especially if you have younger kids or anyone in the group with limited mobility.

10. Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens Holiday Lights

The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens host their December Nights and Holiday Lights event on select evenings from late November through December 24.

The garden paths get lined with light displays across more than five acres, and a full mile of lit trails winds through themed sections and interactive installations.

This is the best family outing on the entire list. The natural setting makes it feel completely different from a city street walk, and the scale of the display is impressive every single year.

Arrive early , parking fills up fast on weekends and in the week leading up to Christmas.

Location:2 Canebrake Rd, Savannah, GA 31419

11. Mitchelville Freedom Park Drive-Through Holiday Lights

Mitchelville Freedom Park on Hilton Head Island, close to Savannah, hosts a drive-through holiday lights event each December.

The displays run along a route you navigate at your own pace. You stay in the car, put on some holiday music, and take in the lights without needing to get out in the cold.

Tickets are required and can be purchased online. It's a short drive from Savannah and works well as an add-on when you're heading toward Hilton Head anyway.

A relaxed, low-effort night out.

Best Christmas Lights Savannah GA by Category

Not every visitor is looking for the same thing. Here's how the spots stack up depending on what you're after.

Best Free Christmas Lights:Forsyth Park. No tickets, no lines, no parking fees nearby if you know where to look. Just the fountain, the lights, and the park.

Best Christmas Market:Plant Riverside District. Over a month of vendors, live music, Santa photos, food, and river views. Nothing else in Savannah comes close.

Best Romantic Location:Isle of Hope, Bluff Drive. Quiet waterfront street, Spanish moss, historic homes. Go at dusk.

Best Family Attraction:Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens. Over a million lights, a mile of trails, interactive displays, and themed sections. Kids love it.

Best Photography Spot:Forsyth Park fountain at golden hour, or the Cathedral Basilica after dark. Both deliver images that look like holiday postcards.

Best Neighborhood Decorations:Ardsley Park. Residents go all out, and the combination of historic architecture with creative displays is hard to beat.

Best Drive-Through Lights: Mitchelville Freedom Park, Hilton Head Island. Stay warm, set the music, take your time.

Best Riverfront Lights:River Street. Holiday banners, lit storefronts, boat parade viewing, and the Savannah River reflecting it all back at you.

Best Hidden Gem:Whitefield Square. Most visitors skip it entirely, but the gazebo at dusk surrounded by decorated historic homes is one of the prettiest quiet moments in the city.

Best Holiday Event:Savannah Lighted Boat Parade. Over 40 decorated boats, a fireworks finale, and a waterfront crowd all sharing the same moment. Plan your whole trip around it if you can.

Local Neighborhood Christmas Lights Worth Exploring

Downtown gets all the attention, but Savannah's neighborhoods are where the city's personality really shows up during the holidays.

Jones Street Jones

Street is widely considered the prettiest street in all of Savannah, and December only confirms it.

Homeowners along the 100 blocks of Jones Street (both east and west) consistently decorate for the season.

The decorations here are understated , classic wreaths, white lights, and garlands rather than over-the-top displays.

Walk from Tattnall all the way to E. Broad and back along Gaston, Taylor, and Jones to take it all in. It looks best at dusk, when there's still just enough light in the sky.

Ardsley Park Ardsley

Park is the neighborhood locals point to when visitors ask where to find residential Christmas lights. Residents here genuinely go all out.

Victory Drive is the main artery worth driving or walking , the sprawling homes along it put up impressive displays, and Abercorn Street carries the spirit too.

It's the kind of neighborhood where you slow down without meaning to.

Historic District Residential Streets

The areas around the squares, particularly the streets between Forsyth Park and the Cathedral, tend to have some of the most tastefully decorated homes in the city.

The combination of Federal and Victorian architecture with traditional holiday décor creates something genuinely pleasing rather than flashy.

Parkside

A quieter neighborhood that comes alive with glowing porches and twinkling trees in late December.

Less visited than Ardsley Park but worth the detour if you want to explore somewhere less obvious.

One Evening Walking Itinerary for Savannah Christmas Lights

This route covers the best of downtown Savannah's holiday lights in a single evening.

Start at Forsyth Park and end at River Street. The whole walk takes roughly four hours at a relaxed pace with stops.

5:00 PM:Forsyth Park

Start at the decorated fountain while there's still golden light in the sky. This is your best photography window of the evening. Walk the park paths and take your time before the city fully darkens.

5:45 PM:Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist

Head north on Drayton Street. The cathedral is a five-minute walk from the park, and by this time the exterior lights are on and the sky is just turning dark blue behind the towers. One of the most striking visuals of the entire night.

6:15 PM:Whitefield Square

Continue north to Whitefield Square. The gazebo is lit and the surrounding homes are decorated. Spend fifteen minutes here. It's quiet and most other visitors have already moved on.

6:45 PM:Broughton Street

Make your way to Broughton Street, the heart of Savannah's holiday shopping district. Walk the full stretch. Stop for a warm drink if you need one. The overhead lights are at their best right now with full darkness above them.

7:30 PM:City Market

Head west to City Market. The courtyard has live music on weekends. Browse the area, grab dinner if you haven't eaten, and enjoy the decorated oak trees wrapped in lights.

8:15 PM:Plant Riverside District

Walk toward the waterfront and spend your final stretch at Plant Riverside. The market vendors, the river lights, and the general energy here make it the right way to end the night. If the Lighted Boat Parade is running, this is where you want to be.

9:00 PM:River Street

Wrap up with a slow walk along River Street. The holiday banners, the lit storefronts, and the Savannah River at night are a fitting end to the evening. Stop at the railing overlooking the river and take a minute , the reflections on the water are worth it.

Comparison Table: Savannah Christmas Lights at a Glance

This table is going to help you in catching the quick glance to the places:

Holiday Planning Guide: When and How to Visit

Getting the timing right makes a significant difference in how much you enjoy Savannah's Christmas lights.

The first two weeks of December offer the sweet spot:all displays are up, the major events are running, but the crowds haven't yet peaked.

The week before Christmas is the busiest. If you can visit between December 5 and December 15, you'll have more space to enjoy everything.

Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are consistently the quietest nights downtown.

Fridays and Saturdays draw the largest crowds, particularly around the market at Plant Riverside and along Broughton Street.

Sunset in Savannah falls around 5:19 PM at the start of December and 5:30 PM by New Year's Eve.

Plan to be at your first location no later than 4:45 PM to catch the golden hour transition. The sky darkens fully by about 6:00 PM, which is when the lights look their best.

Daytime highs average around 62–65°F, dropping to 45–50°F by evening. You can get away with light layers during the day.

By 7:00 PM it's cold enough to appreciate a hot drink, and River Street will feel several degrees cooler because of the breeze off the water.

Layer up. A long-sleeve base, a fleece or cardigan, and a light jacket covers most December evenings comfortably.

Wear comfortable walking shoes since the historic district has cobblestones on many streets and around the squares. Bring gloves for late evening if you run cold.

December averages around nine rainy days in Savannah. If it rains, the covered section of City Market and the Plant Riverside District indoor areas still operate.

The trolley tour runs in most weather. The botanical gardens typically cancel on heavy rain nights, so check their website on the day.

Tips for Seeing Savannah Christmas Lights

A few things I've learned from walking these streets over the years.

• Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening to avoid the weekend crowds.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes since most streets and squares have cobblestones.
• Bring a light jacket because Savannah evenings in December can get chilly, especially near the river.
• Use night mode on your phone camera for better holiday light shots.
• Book trolley tour tickets and botanical garden tickets well in advance, especially if you're visiting on a weekend.
• For the Lighted Boat Parade, arrive at River Street at least 30 minutes before the 7:00 PM start to get a good viewing position along the railing.
• If you're driving to Isle of Hope, go on a weeknight and park near the marina rather than trying to inch through in a car.

Conclusion

If you've been looking for the best Christmas lights Savannah GA has to offer, I hope this guide gives you everything you need to plan a great visit.

I've walked these streets myself and every single one of them is worth the time.

Start at Forsyth Park, loop through the squares and neighborhoods, catch the Cathedral Basilica after dark, and make your way down to River Street and Plant Riverside for the market.

If you time it right, add the Lighted Boat Parade to your itinerary , it's one of the best things Savannah does all year.

The city does Christmas in a way that feels warm and real. If you go, leave a comment and tell me which spot was your favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it free to see the Christmas lights in Savannah?

Yes, most outdoor displays are free. The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, the Old Town Trolley tour, and the Mitchelville Drive-Through event require tickets.

What is the best street for Christmas lights in Savannah?

Jones Street and Broughton Street are the most popular, but River Street is best for riverfront holiday atmosphere, and Ardsley Park is the local favorite for residential displays.

Can I walk to most of the Christmas light spots in Savannah?

Yes, most downtown spots are within easy walking distance of each other. The botanical gardens and Isle of Hope require a car.

Is Savannah worth visiting in December?

Absolutely. The weather is mild, the holiday events are well organized, the crowds are manageable compared to summer, and the city genuinely looks its best during the holiday season.

What is Savannah Holly Days?

Savannah Holly Days is the city's month-long holiday celebration running from late November through January 1. It includes the tree lighting, the boat parade, the Christmas market, the lighted street parade, and dozens of smaller events throughout the season.