November might be Savannah’s best-kept secret. The heat is gone, the air is dry (drier), and the city has one foot in fall and the other stepping into the holidays. The first half of the month is all fairs, kites, seafood, and art festivals. After Thanksgiving, the lights go up and Christmas begins.
A few things to know before you book. The weekend of November 13 to 15 is a busy one, with Christmas Made in the South at the Savannah Convention Center and the Savannah Southern Half marathon on Saturday (10/14), so downtown and Hutchinson Island hotels will fill up. Thanksgiving weekend is the other crunch, thanks to the Boat Parade of Lights on Saturday, November 28. If either weekend is on your list, book early.
Staying over from days in October? Catch up on Savannah in October first. If your trip stretches into December, our Christmas in Savannah guide has you covered. New to Savannah, or it’s been a while? Start with our Overview of Savannah.
Fall’s Last Hurrah
The first week or two of November still feels like fall festival season. The South Georgia State Fair runs through November 8 with rides, games, and fair food. The same weekend, Tybee Island’s Kite Festival (November 7) fills North Beach with color, and the Fall Arts Festival at the Davenport House Museum (also November 7) is a free, family-friendly day of artisan vendors, live music, and hands-on art.
Food lovers get a great week too. Shalom Y’all, the Jewish food festival at Congregation Mickve Israel (don’t you LOVE that name?) in Monterey Square, is set for November 8. Then Tybee Island Seafood Fest kicks off the same day and runs through November 15, with specials at local restaurants and a fun festival day of seafood, live music, and vendors.
Thanksgiving in Savannah
If you’ll be in town for the actual holiday, the day itself is easy to plan around. Early risers can join the United Way Turkey Trot, a 4-mile run or walk through Daffin Park and the Ardsley Park neighborhood on Thanksgiving morning. Plant Riverside District hosts a Thanksgiving Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and plenty of restaurants offer holiday menus, so make sure to get your reservations made early.
On the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 27th), the Turkey Trot Scavenger Hunt at Wormsloe Historic Site is a fun, low-key way to work off the leftovers and walk beneath that famous live oak avenue.
The Holiday Season Begins
Savannah is not a city that rushes into the Christmas season, but it gets going quickly once Thanksgiving week arrives.
The Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District opens November 19 and runs through January 3. It’s a free, European-inspired market with vendor stalls, live entertainment, seasonal food and drink, and Santa, open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (some vendors close on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day).
On Saturday, November 28, the 25th annual Savannah Lighted Boat Parade lights up the river from 7 to 9 p.m. The parade is led by the Georgia Queen Riverboat and passes River Street and Plant Riverside before returning to Eastern Wharf, which also hosts a Holiday Kickoff with the lighting of its Christmas trees.
Arrive early and bring a chair or blanket to sit on. The same night, the South Carolina Ballet brings The Nutcracker to the Johnny Mercer Theatre, and the Holiday Lights Trolley Tours start rolling through the Historic District. Then on Sunday (Nov. 29th), the Isle of Hope Christmas Tree Lighting and Handel’s Messiah at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist round out the weekend.
The bigger December traditions, like the Lighted Christmas Street Parade and Christmas at the Cathedral, belong to next month, so head over to our Christmas in Savannah guide to plan those.
November Events
Between the fairs and festivals, the theater season, and the holiday kickoff, here’s a rundown of what’s happening:
- South Georgia State Fair, through November 8, South Georgia State Fairgrounds. Rides, games, and fair food.
- Celestial Seafarers, November 5 and 6, Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. An outdoor evening of light and sound installations by local artists.
- First Fridays in Starland, November 6, Starland District. Free evening of shops, art, and food.
- Fall Arts Festival, November 7, Davenport House Museum. Free artisan fair with live music and hands-on art activities.
- Savannah Porchfest, November 7, Baldwin Park. Free afternoon of live music.
- Shalom Y’all Jewish Food Festival, November 8, Monterey Square.
- Fort Pulaski free admission, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day.
- Christmas Made in the South, November 13 to 15, Savannah Convention Center. A big holiday arts and crafts market.
- Savannah Southern Half, November 14, Forsyth and Daffin Parks. Half marathon and 5K.
- Savannah Philharmonic: Brahms’ Requiem, November 14, Lucas Theatre for the Arts.
- Savannah Christmas Market, opens November 19, Plant Riverside District.
- Oyster Roast for a Reason, November 21, UGA Aquarium on Skidaway Island. A fundraiser with local oysters and live music.
- United Way Turkey Trot, November 26, Daffin Park.
- Turkey Trot Scavenger Hunt, November 27, Wormsloe Historic Site.
- Savannah Lighted Boat Parade, November 28, Eastern Wharf and the riverfront.
- The Nutcracker (South Carolina Ballet), November 28, Johnny Mercer Theatre.
- Handel’s Messiah, November 29, Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist.
- Forsyth Farmers Market, every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., south end of Forsyth Park.
- Food Truck Thursdays, every Thursday, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Eastern Wharf.
Theater fans have a full month too, with Fiddler on the Roof at the Savannah Theatre (November 13 to 29), Popcorn Falls at Savannah Repertory Theatre (November 12 to 22), and She Loves Me at New Oak Theatre in Starland (opens November 20).
Insider tip: dates for some of these shift slightly year to year, so double-check before you finalize plans, especially for anything you’re building a whole trip around.
Savannah on Foot
November is the month to put on comfortable shoes. Highs start in the low 80s, settle into the 70s by midmonth, and dip into the upper 60s by Thanksgiving, so it’s ideal for wandering the squares, lingering in Forsyth Park, or exploring Bonaventure Cemetery without breaking a sweat.
If you’d rather not walk everywhere, the free Savannah DOT buses cover the Historic District and beyond. Wander south into the Starland District for shops, murals, and a good dinner, and if you catch it on the first Friday of the month, you’ll find this funky neighborhood in full party mode.
Give Back While You Travel
Want to find a way to “give back” to the community you’re visiting? It’s a growing trend in travel and one we fully support. Here’s an article about why it’s so important and how to plan your trip to include Voluntourism in coastal Georgia.
Explore Beyond Savannah
If you have a day or two to spare, November is a great month to see more of the coast. Our guide to fabulous fall events in coastal Georgia has more ideas.
Tybee Island
Tybee Island is generally considered to be part of the greater Savannah area, so we’ve included a lot of their information already. Tybee certainly has its own personality and vibe though – so be sure to check it out. November is a great time to visit.
The Tybee Post Music Festival (November 6 and 7), the Kite Festival (November 7), Seafood Fest (November 8 to 15), Tour de Art (November 14), and the Tour of Homes (November 21). The month closes with the Tybee Tree Lighting and Pickle Run 5K on November 28. No car? Here are 3 perfect ways to get to Tybee.
Darien
Darien is about 45 minutes south, a quiet shrimping village with a picturesque waterfront and great seafood, and November’s mild weather is perfect for it. Stay overnight at Oaks on the River or, for something further off the beaten path, Emma’s Driftwood Farm.
Brunswick
Brunswick is home base for one of us (Sara), and the First Friday on November 6 fills Newcastle and Gloucester Streets with live music, shopping, and food from 5 to 9 p.m. Stay at the Kress Hotel right downtown, and if you love a good porchfest like we do – Brunswick’s is amazing and it’s on November 8th this year.
St. Simons Island
St. Simons Island is home for the other of us (Pam). The RSM Classic PGA Tour event runs November 16 to 22 at Sea Island Golf Club (tournament rounds are November 19 to 22), and the Saint Simons Market fills Postell Park with local makers on November 14 and 15. Browse our guides to things to do or drop a comment on Instagram for a few off-the-beaten-path picks.
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island kicks off Holly Jolly Jekyll on November 27, with the Historic District dressed in Christmas lights and the Great Tree aglow. It runs through January 3, and a carriage ride is the best way to see it. If you only have an hour, make it Driftwood Beach.
Currently planning a trip? Here are some helpful resources:
- Find the best hotel options here.
- Book the cheapest flight here.
- Find tons of tours and activities here.
- Book your rental car here.
