Good morning, Savannah.

The City of Savannah held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration with Santa, live music, and dance performances—marking the start of the holiday season for locals.

The festive event brought community members together for a joyful kickoff to Christmas celebrations.

Black Friday shopping drew big crowds in Savannah as Bass Pro Shops at the mall saw over 1,000 shoppers in the first 15 minutes and gave mystery promo cards to the first 250 customers—while families also enjoyed free photos with Santa and holiday activities that have become a local tradition.

Shoppers lined up early at Tanger Outlets in Pooler on Black Friday to snag deals on limited edition sneakers and free gift cards while braving the cold.

Many waited since early morning and used rolling carts to carry their finds — showing their dedication to holiday shopping.

The movie musicals Wicked: For Good opened in Georgia theaters last week and will stream on Peacock in February or March.

On-demand options will be available before streaming and are expected to cost about 30 dollars to buy and 20 dollars to rent.

Plant Riverside District unveiled a walk-through gingerbread house display that lets visitors see its detailed design up close—providing a festive experience for the community.

John Maclean, son of former Savannah mayor Malcolm Maclean, released his debut novel '23 and Love Me' in early October, blending romance, science, intrigue and humor based on real DNA testing stories.

He plans local signing events and is considering his next project — his work mixes personal history with creative fiction.

Horizons Savannah filed to become an official 501c3 nonprofit organization to build an endowment and secure larger legacy gifts for long-term growth + the tuition-free program serves about 300 underserved students in a six-week summer session that prevents learning loss in reading and math.

Georgia’s foster care system is facing funding cuts from a recent federal shutdown — state officials said rising costs and frozen federal dollars led to an $85 million deficit projected for fiscal year 2026 and forced changes in service delivery.

Local groups reported that reduced transportation has already limited visits and counseling for foster children, and officials are working with lawmakers to secure more funding.

Today a Lowcountry Christmas tree farm opened its doors and local families rushed in to choose the perfect tree for the holidays.

The farm (located near Savannah) offers a variety of evergreens and festive events to kick off the season.

At the GHSA Football State Playoffs quarterfinals in Southeast Georgia, Benedictine defeated Central Carrollton 80 to 32, Calvary Day beat Whitefield Academy 52 to 7, Fellowship Christian overcame Savannah Christian 45 to 14, Toombs County triumphed over Northeast 24 to 6, West Laurens edged Jenkins 21 to 16 and Early County topped Screven County 27 to 20 — all winners now advance to the semifinals.

12 Days of Christmas Celebration

10:34 a.m. - 5:34 p.m. — Tybee Art Gallery — Free entry — Celebrate the holiday season with food and festive activities in a Candy Land theme.

Joe Bonamassa Live Concert

8-9:30 p.m. — Johnny Mercer Theater — Tickets available — Experience the electrifying performance of one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time.

Enmarket Bridge Run Health and Wellness Expo

3:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. — 660 E Broughton St, Savannah, GA — Free entry — Engage with thousands in a vibrant health-focused environment at this community wellness event.

Noche de las Velitas Celebration

9 PM - 3 AM — 201 Lounge Savannah — Ticketed event — Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Noche de las Velitas with music and good energy.

Harlem Globetrotters Show

7:00 – 8:30 PM — Enmarket Arena — Tickets starting at $14 — Enjoy a thrilling performance of basketball trick shots and comedy by the legendary Harlem Globetrotters.

Yoga at Telfair Academy

5:30-6:30 p.m. — Telfair Academy — $20 Drop-In, $15 for Members — Flow through yoga in a stunning Savannah setting guided by an experienced teacher.

Jacksonville Icemen vs Savannah Ghost Pirates

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Enmarket Arena — Streaming available — Watch the exciting ECHL matchup live or catch the replay on FloHockey.

Savannah's Waterfront Dance & Musical Performances

5-9 p.m. — Savannah's Waterfront — Free entry — Celebrate the holidays with festive dance and musical acts during Savannah's Christmas Market.

Do The Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

4:30-9 p.m. — Mint to Be Mojito Bar and Bites — Ticket required — Celebrate the holiday spirit in your ugliest sweater with festive activities and contests.

Candlelight: Christmas Special Featuring 'The Nutcracker' & More

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Victory North Savannah — Ticketed event — Experience the magic of winter melodies by candlelight at this festive concert.