Events & What’s Happening
A summertime riverfront celebration featuring live music, food vendors, children's activities, and a fireworks display over the Savannah River.
💡Grab a spot on River Street at least an hour before the fireworks and watch the massive cargo ships pass by while you wait — kids find it thrilling.
Hosted annually by the Savannah Greek Orthodox Church, this beloved community festival features authentic Greek food, pastries, folk dancing, and cultural exhibits.
💡Kids adore the baklava and loukoumades — the dancing demonstrations often invite children to participate which makes for a memorable experience.
Presented by SCAD, this acclaimed week-long film festival screens independent and international films throughout historic Savannah theaters with appearances by filmmakers and actors.
💡Check the program for family-rated screenings held at the beautiful Lucas Theatre — tickets sell out quickly so book in advance.
A week-long celebration of the culinary arts featuring tastings, chef demonstrations, and special dinners throughout historic Savannah restaurants and venues.
💡The Savannah Taste Experience walking tours are a fun way for older kids to explore downtown while sampling local bites.
An annual outdoor fine arts festival held in Forsyth Park showcasing visual art, sculpture, and handcrafted works from regional and national artists.
💡Kids love exploring the sculpture installations throughout the park — many artists are happy to talk about their work with curious children.
One of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the United States, drawing hundreds of thousands to the streets of downtown Savannah with floats, bands, and green-dyed fountains.
💡Stake out a spot on Bull Street early in the morning and bring ear protection for little ones — the crowds and noise can be overwhelming by midday.
A internationally acclaimed multi-week music festival spanning jazz, classical, bluegrass, and world music performed in historic venues across the city.
💡Look for free outdoor performances in Ellis Square and Forsyth Park — these are the most family-friendly options with room for kids to move around.
A beloved multicultural food and heritage festival celebrating Savannah's diverse communities with live music, traditional dancing, and authentic cuisine from dozens of cultural groups.
💡The entertainment stage runs continuously and kids are welcome to join in folk dancing demonstrations — arrive hungry as the food variety is exceptional.
A popular year-round Saturday morning market in Forsyth Park offering locally grown produce, artisan foods, flowers, and handmade goods from vendors across the Lowcountry.
💡Arrive before 10am for the best selection and grab a fresh-squeezed juice or breakfast burrito — the park's famous fountain makes a great backdrop for photos after shopping.
The Telfair Museums' Jepson Center hosts free drop-in art-making activities for children and families every Sunday afternoon in its dedicated ArtZeum gallery space.
💡This is a wonderful rainy day option — kids can create their own artwork inspired by the galleries while parents explore the contemporary exhibitions.
Live Oak Public Libraries hosts weekly story time sessions for young children at multiple branch locations throughout Savannah, featuring picture books, songs, and simple crafts.
💡The Bull Street Branch location fills up fast — call ahead or check the library calendar online as themes rotate weekly and special guests occasionally appear.
A seasonal outdoor market along the historic cobblestone River Street featuring local artisans, handmade crafts, jewelry, and Savannah-themed gifts alongside street performers.
💡Kids love watching the huge container ships navigate the river while you browse — the cobblestones can be tricky for strollers so wear comfortable shoes.
Seasonal free outdoor movie screenings held in Savannah's historic squares on Friday evenings, featuring a mix of family favorites and classic films projected against a large inflatable screen.
💡Bring a blanket, bug spray, and snacks — seating fills up quickly so plan to arrive 30 minutes early to claim a good spot on the grass.
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room on Jones Street serves family-style Southern lunch (fried chicken, collard greens, biscuits) with communal seating — arrive by 10:30am to join the line before the 11am opening, because by 11:15am the wait can stretch 45 minutes and the food sells out by early afternoon.
- 💡The Savannah Belles Ferry is completely free and runs between River Street and Hutchinson Island across the Savannah River — kids love the short boat ride and it costs nothing, making it one of the best free activities in the city.
- 💡The Forsyth Park Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 9am to 1pm on the south end of Forsyth Park and sells locally made pralines, fresh produce, and prepared foods — it is a much more local and less touristy alternative to River Street's candy shops.
- 💡The Oatland Island Wildlife Center on the east side of Savannah is consistently overlooked by tourists but is one of the best spots in Georgia for kids to see native wildlife — wolves, bison, bobcats, and raptors — in naturalistic habitats, all for under $10 per person.
- 💡Skip renting bikes on River Street and instead rent from Savannah Bike Tours on MLK Jr. Boulevard — their staff provide a mapped route through the squares specifically designed to hit all 22, and the rental includes a route card that keeps kids engaged in checking them off.
- 💡Chippewa Square — not the larger Forsyth Park — is where the famous Forrest Gump bench scenes were filmed, and the bench is now at the Savannah History Museum nearby on MLK Jr. Boulevard. Kids who know the movie will get a kick out of the museum stop for that reason alone.
- 💡If your family is doing a ghost tour, book with Cobblestone Tours rather than one of the larger chain operators — their routes stay in the Historic District squares and are calibrated to be family-appropriate for ages 8 and up without being too graphic.
- 💡Parking in the Historic District is metered and enforced aggressively on weekdays — the Bryan Street Garage and State Street Garage are the most family-friendly options close to River Street and the squares, and weekend rates drop significantly compared to weekday pricing.