Savannah stays true to its roots as it celebrates the holidays. The historic homes and local theaters transform themselves for the season to share with Savannah residents and guests the old ways. There are also plenty of places to enjoy the here and now of the holidays.
Home Tours
The Davenport House Museum on 324 E. State Street will take you back to the early 19th Century to show you how they celebrated holidays in early Savannah. Lighting is all by candlelight. There will be music and light refreshments. Guides will explain the house and its functions as they take you through the home. Stay ‘til the end and watch the period dancing.
Satisfy your search for authenticity by visiting the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts. Her home in the National Historic District is decorated for a Victorian Christmas, including stockings hung in her mother’s bedroom, a historically accurate formal table set for Christmas dinner.
Go to Worlsloe to experience the holidays as they were in local colonial times. It’s your chance to see a real Yule log burning, dance and sing to period pieces and play games of the time.
Baking Fun
If you’re into cake and cookie decoration, why not give your hand a try at the Annual Gingerbread Competition sponsored by the Westin Savannah and the Savannah Harbor Foundation. Even if you don’t win, your creation will remain on display. This year’s competition is closed, but view the houses to find ideas for next year.
Take the Trolley
Bring the whole family to take the local trolley to see the decorations and sights of the Historic Landmark District. The trolley drivers narrate the tours. If you like, take a tour that includes tasty treats at the Westin Savannah Harbor.
The Music and Theater
“A Christmas Tradition” celebrates the music of the season at the Savannah Theatre. Frosty the Snowman is there, Santa and the Elves, along with singers and instrumentalists. The show runs from late November through Christmas Eve.
Written for children but loved by all, A Charlie Brown Christmas runs every weekend until Christmas at the Savannah Children’s Theatre. Get in the mood beforehand by decorating cookies and concocting your own hot cocoa to sip during the performance.
Night Life Fun
Call the babysitter, reserve a ride and pull out your ugliest Christmas sweater and head to the Twelve Bars of Christmas Charity Bar Crawl. It runs from 4 PM to 11 PM and you’ll visit 12 local downtown bars. Santa will be handing out presents at each bar and everyone participating in the bar crawl will get a drink on the house.
If you are spending time in Savannah this holiday season, there are plenty of opportunities to spread some of the holiday cheer. Alair Homes invites you to step outside your dream home to take in the local Savannah charm.