Wishing you happy holidays and a happy New Year with these upcoming holiday events
This list will be updated online through December. Send your event information to quality of life reporter Laura Nwogu at Lnwogu@gannett.com. Events listed are for free admission, nonprofits and/or municipalities.
It's that time of the year where the run of holidays means religious gatherings, music recitals, family dinners, fireworks and shopping and gifts galore. Between those moments, we've compiled a list of a holiday events happening in and around Savannah sure to make those moments sweeter and merrier.
November
Christmas in Yamacraw with First Bryan Baptist Church: 5-8 p.m. Nov. 24. Christmas in Yamacraw will feature the Yamacraw State Park dedication ceremony, the lighting of the Christmas tree, keynote speakers, choir performances, giveaways and refreshments. This will be the unveiling of First Bryan Baptist Church's holiday decor and the official opening of their holiday season.
The City of Savannah Tree Lighting: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 26. Live performances and entertainment start at 5:30 p.m. with the tree lighting following after.
Georgia Southern Armstrong Campus Holiday Helper Tree Kickoff: through Nov. 26; Staff, students, public can pull tags from the Holiday Helper Tree throughout November. Each tag contains a gift wish from someone in the community, and gifts are delivered directly to the partner agencies who then wrap and distribute the gifts. The public can donate gift-wrapping supplies to the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement (Russell Union Suite 1056) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Plant Riverside District's Savannah Christmas Market: Traditional European-style Christmas market along Savannah's riverfront, with special events ranging from a Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 26 to live holiday-themed performances daily. Plant Riverside District is donating $1 from every beverage served during the opening weekend of the Savannah Christmas Market Nov. 26-27 to benefit New Ebenezer Retreat Center and the Treutlen Home for Boys in Rincon.
Tom Holland and Friends Musical Toy Drive and Benefit Concert: 6-10 p.m. Nov. 26; The 6th annual musical toy drive and benefit concert promises to help Savannah-area children discover the joy of music through donations of musical instruments and gift cards. Donations can be mailed to Tommy Holland Toy Drive, P.O Box 22652, Savannah, GA 31403. The event will take place at Coach's Corner on 3016 E. Victory Dr.
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens' 2021 December Nights and Holiday Lights: 6-9 p.m. Nov. 26-Dec. 24; The holiday lights will be hosted as a drive-thru. Tickets are $25 per family or car and can be purchased at the entrance and Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens gift shop. All proceeds support the staff and garden.
Tybee Island Tree Lighting: 6-8 p.m. Nov. 27; The Tybee Island Tree Lighting will take place on Strand Avenue and Tybrisa Street where attendees can enjoy caroling, dancing, holiday treats, awards for best decorated businesses and the Christmas tree lighting.
Chabad of Savannah Hanukhah Celebration: 4:30 p.m. Nov. 28; The Chadad of Savannah will celebrate the start of Hanukkah in-person with the lighting of the menorah at Ellis Square. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson will be in attendance to light the menorah. This year's ceremony will honor the Savannah Fire Department and will feature lots of games, gifts and photo opportunities.
December
Telfair Museums Tree Lighting: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 2; Telfair Museums is celebrating the holidays with a lighting of their new 18-foot tree at the Jepson Center, 207 York St. The tree will be on view until Dec. 31. telfair.org/visit/jepson-center
Tybee Island Parade of Lights: 6:30-9 p.m. Dec. 3; The parade starts at Memorial Park and moves down Butler Avenue to Tybrisa Street. The parade ends at the roundabout near Tybee Pier with awards for best decorated float. To enter the parade, email michelle.owens@cityoftybee.org or call 912-472-5071.
Breakfast with Santa: 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 4; The Rincon Red Department is hosting their annual Breakfast with Santa with a Santa meet and greet, an opportunity for photos, breakfast and arts and craft. Tickets are limited and can be purchased online at Rinconrec.com starting Nov. 22. Tickets are $5 for kids and $10 for adults.
Richmond Hill's 25th annual Christmas Parade: 10 a.m. Dec. 4; The parade theme for this year's Christmas parade is "Silver Bells: It's Christmas Time in the City." For those wishing the participate, the deadline to complete the entry form, float script and hold harmless agreement is 5 p.m. Nov. 19. The parade will start on Linwood Avenue, pass through Ford Avenue and end on Cedar Street.
Kobo Gallery Holiday Trunk Show: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4; The Kobo Gallery Holiday Trunk show, 33 Barnard St., features Kobo Gallery jewelers Nancy Boyd, Susana Guerrero and Gillian Trask. The show is an all day event with free admission. kobogallery.com
50th Candlelight Concert performed by the St. Vincent’s Chorus: 7 p.m. Dec. 5. The performance will take place at The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. It will also be livestreamed via WTOC-TV and again on Christmas morning.
Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church's "Ring and Sing": 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 18. Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church is hosting a holiday-themed fundraising event, “Ring and Sing,” to raise funds for The Salvation Army of Savannah’s (TSA) annual Red Kettle Campaign. The church choir and volunteers will sing Christmas carols, ring the bell for the iconic red kettle and provide free hot chocolate for donors and shoppers.
Davenport House Museum Holiday Evening Tours by Candlelight: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 26-30; 324 E. State St. The open-house style tour highlights the end-of-year celebrations of early 19th century Savannahians, including the Davenport household. Light refreshments will be served and music and interpreters are some of the highlights. Admission varies. A combination pass for the daily tour and the holiday evening tour can be purchased for $16. davenporthousemuseum.org.
Laura Nwogu is the quality of life reporter for Savannah Morning News. Contact her at lnwogu@gannett.com. Twitter: @lauranwogu_
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Many holiday events in Savannah GA, even before Christmas
