10 Things to Do in Savannah at Christmas

Savannah is one of the most charming cities in the United States. When December arrives, the streets of Savannah are dressed to the nines and there is something wonderful waiting for you in almost every corner of the city. Seeing the lights from the river or on board an old trolley bus, looking for the ghosts of Christmas or enjoying the typical parades are just some of the plans that await you.

In addition, the mild winter temperatures of this city will allow you to make the most of everything you can see and do in Savannah during the holidays and also in the days leading up to it. If you're planning a Christmas getaway, these plans are a must. Take note!

At Christmas time, Savannah gets all dressed up, the whole city is lit up in a special way. But there are some not-to-be-missed events. One of the most special events is December Nights and Holiday Lights. More than a million lights bring to life a spectacular display at the Georgia Botanical Gardens.

If you don't feel like leaving the city centre, you can hop on one of the trolley buses or tourist trams and take a ride around the city. The sight of the historic centre illuminated by thousands of coloured bulbs and decorations of all kinds is enchanting. Also check out the huge tree between Bull and Broughton Streets, which is adorned with 20,000 lights.

Riding on these vehicles is not only a nostalgic experience, but also one of the best things to do in Savannah with kids. Drivers dress up as Christmas characters and Christmas carols are played inside to liven up the atmosphere. The little ones will enjoy every second of the journey.

Put on your finery and get ready for a special, specialevening. Throughout the year you can embark on one of the many cruise ships that ply the Savannah River. These boats are reminiscent of those 19th century steamboats. Doing so at Christmas time is an unforgettable experience.

Imagine what it's like to dine on a movie boat decked out with garlands, mistletoe and lights of a thousand colours. Afterwards, there's nothing like taking a stroll along the decks to look out over the city and see the lights reflected in the calm waters of the river.

If your visit doesn't coincide with Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve, you won't be able to enjoy that wonderful dinner. But a cruise will still be special on any other day. Why? Because on board is that character who can make all your dreams come true: Father Christmas. If you're looking for family fun for at least two days in Savannah as a family, don't miss out.

I'm sure you've read Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Mr Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas return every year to remind us of the magic of the season and the importance of being better people. What does it have to do with Savannah if the story is set in London? Much more than you might think, because you're in a haunted city.

That's what they say about Savannah. There are dozens of haunted mansions here and ghosts are said to roam the streets and inhabit many of the buildings. So a fun way to get to know the city and unravel its mysteries this holiday season is to sign up for a tour of haunted Savannah.

You may not encounter the ghosts of Dickens' novel, but you'll enjoy the experience. Savannah's historic downtown is reminiscent of the Victorian charm of the era in which the story takes place. So you'll just have to let yourself go. If ghosts are elusive, at the very least, you'll soak up the Christmas spirit and beauty of this southern city.

Shopping is always a good idea at Christmas - after all, gifts are always in demand. Where do you find them? At one of the city's Christmas markets. The most famous is the Savannah Christmas Market in the Plant Riverside District.

This market is one of the great meeting points for Christmas celebrations in the city. And there's one thing that makes it special: the location, on the banks of the Savannah River.

There's much more than just stalls selling all kinds of goods, drinks and food. You can also enjoy performances by street artists and listen to live music. There are fun workshops for the little ones and, of course, Father Christmas visits too.

Also not to be missed is the city's market, the City Market. When Christmas comes, it becomes a place for entertainment. A place to shop, have a drink and share good times. There are also fun workshops for children.

And if you're up for it, you can even take a culinary tour of Savannah to sample some of the typical delicacies of the festive season, such as gingerbread biscuits and eggnog.

At Christmas time, Savannah's atmosphere is filled with Christmas carols and gospel music. You'll hear it in the bars, at the flea markets and on the trams. The Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra's concerts are a classic at this time of year.

Concerts are also held in the Cathedral of St John the Baptist and on various stages around the city. Before visiting the city, I advise you to consult the Savannah cultural calendar. There are concerts for all tastes and ages.

6. Attend the show A Christmas Tradition

The name of this show says it all. A Christmas Tradition is another of Savannah's great Christmas classics. It's an entertaining show that combines music, dance, comedy and all the usual Christmas clichés.

The two-hour show flies by, as it's also a show that encourages audience participation. In fact, the play has been performed for 20 years now, delighting young and old alike.

But it's not just the play that is special. So is the stage on which it is performed, the Historic Savannah Theatre. Opened in 1818, it is one of the oldest working theatres in the United States. It is also located in one of Savannah's movie locations, Chippewa Square, the square where the bench where the unforgettable Forrest Gump sat used to sit.

I speak in the past tense because the famous bench is no longer there. To protect it, it was moved to the Savannah Museum. If you want to see it and visit one of the best museums in the city, you already have another fantastic plan for Christmas.

Here's a real trip back in time. In Savannah it is possible, after all, you are in a haunted city. But it's not the Christmas ghosts that will guide you on this journey. You'll have to go to a very specific place: Davenport House. Here you will take a candlelight tour of one of the city's historic mansions.

On this tour you will discover all the nooks and crannies of this house, which has now been converted into a museum. But you'll also see how the way Christmas is celebrated has changed in two centuries, and you're sure to be surprised! The guides are perfectly characterised and the scenery is carefully designed down to the smallest detail, so you'll be transported back to 1820. Are you ready?

I'll tell you some curious details about this mansion. It was built in the early 19th century by a master carpenter for his family. It is in the Federal style and was on the verge of being demolished in the mid-20th century. It was spared thanks to the intervention of the Historic Savannah Foundation. Today they have already saved more than 400 buildings.

Christmas is a special time in people's homes. And in Savannah you can be a guest at the celebrations - how is that possible, if you don't know anyone in town? Every year at this time, private homes and historic inns open their doors so that anyone can get to know them. You too.

The Holiday Tour of Homes began almost half a century ago. It was Christmas 1974 when the president of the Downtown Savannah Neighborhood Association first opened his home. Every year since then, the district's homeowners invite anyone who wants to discover their history, architecture and décor.

If you're curious about the Savannah lifestyle or want to see unique buildings and enjoy the homey atmosphere of the holidays, don't miss this event. As you can imagine, visits are limited and tickets must be purchased in advance. So if you plan to visit any of these homes, I advise you to plan ahead.

Located just outside Savannah, Tybee Island is a paradisiacal place thanks to its fine sandy beaches and calm waters. But now I'm not inviting you to go for a swim, but to watch a fabulous fire works display to welcome in the new year.

The fireworks display is incredible and the best place to watch it is on the Tybee Island boardwalk. Afterwards you can continue the party there or head back to downtown Savannah. There are plenty of places to keep the fun going well into the early hours of the morning.

And a little tip: beyond the Christmas celebrations, it's worth spending a few hours during the day to discover the beauty of this place. It is a real natural sanctuary that you can admire on a boat trip to Tybee Island. If you're travelling with children, it's a great plan as they'll be able to see dolphins and birds of all kinds from the deck.

In Savannah, Christmas begins to be celebrated long before 24 December. So you can soak up the festive atmosphere even if your stay in the city doesn't coincide with those days marked in red on the calendar. The parades are what open the Christmas season and it's easy to catch one of them during your stay.

The most traditional is the Christmas Parade. It features a myriad of stunningly decorated floats, vintage cars dressed for the occasion and, of course, Father Christmas. This parade usually coincides with the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree.

But if there is one spectacular parade, it is the one that takes place on the Savannah River. The Harbour Boat Parade of Lights brings together dozens of boats carefully decorated with thousands of coloured bulbs. Watching them glide down the river after dark is quite a spectacle.

The big downside is that this parade is the earliest of them all - in fact, it's the kick-off to Savannah's Christmas celebrations at the end of November. But don't worry, there are always alternatives in the city. As I've already told you, the tourist boats are also decked out, so you can always go on one of the Savannah river cruises. They operate during the day and also at dusk.

The plans to see Savannah in one day will force you to choose between all these Christmas activities. But if you're staying for several days, the list of interesting proposals is almost endless. Here are just a few of them, many others you'll come across as you wander around the city:

• Check out Savannah's cultural calendar. During Christmas there are events of all kinds: music, theatre, magic, street performances, etc. You're sure to find more than one interesting event.
• Museums and historic sites such as also organise special activities and exhibitions during the Christmas season. These are usually aimed at children.
• In the Plant Riverside District, Savannah's entertainment district par excellence, you'll be able to enjoy some great Christmas activities, from baking workshops for children to exhibitions and live music.
• As well as Christmas markets, visit the Forsyth Park Farmers' Market. And don't miss Savannah Holyday Magic on River Street, where artisans and artists gather the weekend before Christmas Eve.
• Fancy seeing something different? Head to The Paris Market. It's a curiosity shop where you're sure to find some original gifts. But at Christmas, moreover, the decoration of its shop windows is so unusual that it has become a real tourist attraction.
• If you have time, visit the cathedral of San Juan Bautista, where the Christmas decorations, made with poinsettias, are exquisite. You can also see a beautiful nativity scene.

Savannah is a welcoming city where you' ll feel almost at home. But it's important to keep a few things in mind to make the most of every second you spend there:

• Winters in Savannah are not excessively cold. December highs average 16°C, while lows average 6°C. But don't be overconfident.
• However, don't be overconfident. My advice is to pack some warm clothes and something light. Why? Because the weather in Savannah is very particular. Occasionally there are days with freezing temperatures or, on the contrary, more spring-like temperatures.
• Shops have special opening hours at these times and are closed on Christmas and New Year's Day. As far as leisure and catering establishments are concerned, opening hours can vary quite a lot from one to another, so bear this in mind.
• If you plan to enjoy special activities such as a Christmas dinner on a sightseeing boat, a visit to Davenport House or a concert, it's best to book tickets in advance. Demand is often high.
• Savannah has a lively nightlife at any time of the year, but even more so at Christmas. If you're travelling with friends, save your energy for the nightlife. You can go on your own or, if you prefer, take a guided tour of Savannah's best bars.