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Visit Savannah’s Favorite Things

By Brittany Howard

Very soon, city sidewalks will be dressed in holiday style as Holly Days in Savannah arrives to stay awhile.

It's that time of year when all is merry and bright and peace on earth is well within sight. Garlands and ribbons will be hung with care, spreading Southern joy through Savannah's squares. It's a favored season for our marketing team and the perfect time to share a few of our favorite things.

Trolley rides, Santa, and lighted boats will be here as we make our way toward waterfront cheer. So, what do you say? Will YOU be here? There's no better gift we could ask for this year.

Angela Westerfield, CMO

Chris Andre, CRM & MarTech Coordinator

Lauren Cleland, VP, Strategic Marketing

Ansley Roberts, Content & Social Media Manager

mayra smith personality — Mayra Smith, Director, Meetings Marketing

Angela Westerfield

Some of my favorite holiday traditions are the tree lighting, visiting the Christmas Market, and shopping along Broughton Street when all the storefronts are lit up. I also love The Lost Square's Alpine Village experience.

Chris Andre

I always enjoy the Christmas Market and the huge tree in City Market.

Lauren Cleland

The Coastal Botanical Garden light display, the Plant Riverside District Christmas market, and the red ribbons and garland in Forsyth Park.

Ansley Roberts

I love how our local bars transform into festive holiday experiences with decorations and themed cocktails. Every year, we make a list of the pop-ups and do a little bar crawl around the city. I also love Savannah's holiday events because they bring the community together.

Mayra Smith

The JW outdoor Christmas Market was my favorite last year. It was the closest I felt to St. Augustine's light-the-night atmosphere.

Smiling woman with long, wavy black hair and crossed arms, wearing a sleeveless white top against a blue background. — Faith Rouche, Public Relations Coordinator

pamela knowles personality — Pamela Knowles, Director, Brand & Content Strategy

Erica Backus, Vice President, Communications

brittany wilson personality — Brittany Wilson, Social Media Coordinator

Tanvi Chauhan, Communications Manager

Faith Rouche

Bar Julian is one of my favorite rooftops to visit during the holidays. They truly go ALL OUT with festive decor and seasonal cocktails! As a "C-Pote" girl from down by the water, one of my favorite family traditions is our Christmas Eve oyster roast.

Pamela Knowles

One of my favorite Savannah holiday traditions is taking the kids to see Mr. and Mrs. Claus. One year, we went to the Plant Riverside Holiday Brunch and the next we saw them in Ellis Square. It always makes my inner kid giddy to see them in person, and the children's faces light up.

Erica Backus

I really appreciate the thoughtful lineup of inclusive holiday events. There's something for everyone, no matter what makes the season special to you. From holiday shopping and festive music to visits with Santa and a warm cup of cocoa, you can experience it all in Savannah.

Brittany Wilson

Savannah at Christmas is pure magic! Not just because the squares and shopfronts dress up in their holiday best, but because I get to watch the city sparkle through my children's eyes. We love holiday events: tree lightings, gingerbread house displays, Christmas markets, holiday pop-ups (for the grownups, of course), ALL of it! We love the sparkle and glow of the season in Savannah and on Tybee Island.

Tanvi Chauhan

My favorite thing about Holly Days is the weekly December events. The historic district becomes one big holiday show—from tree lighting ceremonies to festive trolley tours and boat parades, rooftop and bar pop-ups, and, of course, our award-winning Christmas market. It’s rare to get all of this within two square miles in many cities.