Savannah is a wonderful city to visit at any time of the year. But, during the winter, there’s a particular romance to the city. The smaller crowds, the holiday lights, the mild weather. Whatever the attraction, there’s certainly something inviting about winter on the Georgia coast.
Celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Mass at the historic Saint John the Baptist Catholic Cathedral on Lafayette Square. On Christmas Eve, Mass will be celebrated at 6 and 10 p.m.; on Christmas Day it’s at 8 and 10 a.m. Latin Mass is set at 11:30 a.m. Check with the church for times for its New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Mass. Saint John the Baptist was started in 1799 by a group of nobles fleeing the French Revolution in Haiti. The outside walls and two spires of the French Gothic-style building dates to the 1870s. They were all that remained after a fire in 1898. The church was re-built in 1900 with new stained-glass windows installed and mural painted. The renovated church re-opened in 1912. It’s open for self-guided tours Monday through Saturday from 9-11:30 a.m. and 12:45-5 p.m. A donation of $3 per adult is appreciated.
Warm up with a winter run. Several races are held in Savannah and Tybee Island during winter, including the Critz Tybee Run Fest on Jan. 31-Feb. 2. Or celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Urgent Care of Berwick Love Chocolate Half and 10K on Feb. 8 through Savannah’s beautiful Southbridge neighborhood. If you’re holding out for the Best Damn Race in Savannah, it’s set on Feb. 15 with a 5K and Half-Marathon. Then there’s the Race for Preservation on Feb. 29, a family-friendly 5K and 10K race through five historic neighborhoods. Grab your running shoes.
Film buffs will love MountainFilm on Tour on Jan. 23-25 at Lucas Theater and Trustees Theater. The festival offers several films, including documentaries and shorts, as well as Q&As, a bike ride and walk, and a family matinee.
If you prefer to lose yourself in a good book, you’re in luck. The Savannah Book Festival is set Feb. 15 celebrating national and local authors. Presentations are made at the Telfair, Chippewa and Wright squares in the Historic District. While the biggest names may be ticketed events at a nominal fee, most activities are free and open to the public.
Make yourself at home during your stay with well-appointed vacation rentals in Historic Savannah. We provide everything you need to have a great time during your Savannah getaway. All you need to do is pack a bag.