The Humane Society for Greater Savannah will host its 17th annual Doggie Carnival on Sunday, May 7 2017, noon to 4PM at Forsyth Park.
Admission to the carnival is free but there are fees for some activities. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society for Greater Savannah.
For more information, click here.
Save the date: Savannah Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 15 2017
11AM – 4PM
Forsyth Park, Savannah
www.earthdaysavannah.org
Earth Day Festival is a celebration of being environmentally responsible. It is one of the largest educational Earth Day Festival in Georgia. It promotes environmental stewardship, sustainable local economy, conservation and health wellness.
FREE & open to the public.
The Forsyth Farmer’s Market will have it’s regular set up and many of the farmers will stay throughout the festival. Food – Beer – Live Entertainment – Kids Activities and More!
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FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH-AREA FAMILY EVENTS, CLICK HERE.
The fourth annual Savannah Tweed Ride will leave from Forsyth Park (near the basketball courts) at 2PM this Sunday, Feb. 12 for a leisurely ride around Savannah. The bike ride is free and open to the public.
$5 Lawn Games Tourney
Following the ride, there will be a Lords and Ladies English Lawn Games Tourney (cost $5 per participant) featuring traditional English lawn sports.
The cost is only $5 per participant. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Savannah Bicycle Campaign, and a portion will go toward a tournament prize pot! Trophy cups and medals will also be awarded to the top two teams!
Register here.
When school’s out for Spring Break 2017, send your kids to the YMCA’s Holiday Camp where they’ll be engaged in fun, healthy activities.
Space at each location is limited. You are encouraged to register your student early.
Learn more & download a copy of the registration form here.
Eligibility
Ages 5-13
Program Costs
Registration Fee: $10 (One time, Non-Refundable)
Members: $18/Day
Non-Members: $28/Day
Hours
7AM-6PM
YMCA of Coastal Georgia is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
Here are the FREE 2017 Geekend Events & Exhibits that are open to the public on Sat. Jan. 28, 11:45AM-2PM @ Guild Hall Campus in Savannah. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
GULFSTREAM IMMERSIVE REALITIES TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
@ THE JOLLY GOBLIN 11:45 – 2 PM (518 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD, SAVANNAH)
Come see several uses of Gulfstream’s Immersive Realities Technologies (AR/VR)
KODESTARS ARCADE
@ THE GUILD HALL ARENA 11:45 – 2 PM (615 MONTGOMERY STREET, SAVANNAH GA)
This is THE showcase of kids creating not just consuming technology. Drop in to check out student coded video games, cast a vote for your favorite, and learn about the possibilities of coding.
This event, and the 3D modeling workshop before it, and the session with Chris Kelsey following it, are free and open to the public. If you are bringing children, please plan on staying with them for the duration of the event.
3D MODELING WITH THE GEEKBOT.
@ THE JOLLY GOBLIN 1 – 2 PM (518 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD, SAVANNAH GA)
This free and open-to-the public session will teach students the basics of 3D modeling, starting with Geekend’s favorite 3D model, the Geekbot. After the session students will have a file they can take to a 3D printer to make their model come to life. If you are bringing children, please plan on staying with them for the duration of the event. Thanks to Shipt for the snacks.
INDIE GAME ARCADE.
@ THE GUILD HALL ARENA 11:30 – 2 PM (615 MONTGOMERY STREET, SAVANNAH GA)
Do you like to discover cool new video games? Stop by the Indie game arcade and sample some video games that have been created by Savannah area video companies and developers. Vote for your favourite game and the winners will receive a special prize from Indie Game Sponsor – Project MQ.
You will also have a chance to sign up for Project MQ – an indie video game discovery platform that will launch shortly.
Cute gift alert from Scribble Art Studio in Savannah.
“Mini Me” Peg Doll Necklaces.
Each year Scribble offers a unique custom gift for the Holidays!
This year they’re keeping it simple & sweet with “mini me” peg people necklaces. Each necklace is hand painted, inspired by our favorite little people! Necklaces are $25 ea. or $40 for two, the perfect accessory for Holiday clothes. Scribble is currently taking orders for Christmas, call 912-713-7376 or email www.thescribbleartstudio.com to order yours today.
Scribble Art Studio, 212 E 37th St, Savannah, Ga. Scribble Art Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
Savannah Holiday Family Fun 2016
Visit our Savannah Holiday Family Fun Guide here to find out details about the Savannah SkateFest 2016 indoor ice-skating schedule; Free Saturday Holiday Family Movies@ Trustees Theater; Annual Reindeer Run; December Nights, Holiday Lights @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah & lots more including Savannah’s Best Home Holiday Lights Displays.
Details here.
You and your kids can send notes of encouragement to America’s Gold Star families for the holidays.
Click here to send a Gold Star family a Christmas note.
These will be a warm reminder of that there are many grateful Americans who appreciate their sacrifice.
School children who want to mail letters to the Gold Star families can mail them to the following address:
11420 US Hwy 1 PMB 122
North Palm Beach FL 33408
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The House That Love Built
Even a donation of $5 can help make this Christmas miracle happen.
Help a Gold Star family who lost their son, then lost their home due to financial problems.
Here’s how you can help get a new home for this Gold Star family by Christmas.
BelieveWithMe.com is hosting a donation drive. Donate any amount — $5, $10, or even more — to help give a home to one of America’s Gold Star families this Christmas. Learn more here.
SkateFest is the annual family-oriented ice skating event @ inside Savannah Civic Center.
Multiple skate sessions from December 16, 2016-January 1, 2017.
Ice skating sessions last 1.5 hours and all ticket purchases include skate rental.
Single session tickets and punch passes are available for sale at the Savannah Civic Center box office, and in the arena’s Skateshop during the event.
Single session tickets: $7 each.
Punch Passes: $35 for 6 sessions
Savannah Civic Center, 301 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Savannah, 31401, http://savannahcivic.com/
Gingerbread House workshops for parents & children of any ages during December 2016 in Savannah.
Come to Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table during the month of December for one of several Gingerbread house workshops. They’ve already assembled the homes for you, it’s your job to do the fun stuff….decorate!
Enjoy sipping cider, coffee or hot cocoa while chef Darin shows you how to easily assemble the house with caramelized sugar to avoid the extended drying time of royal icing and the mountain of stacked food it takes for support. You supply the creative juices to transform the gingerbread house into a colorful addition to your Christmas decor.
Gingerbread Workshop Information and Dates:
$40 per adult, $10 per child, 1 assembled gingerbread house per adult admission.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday December 10th, 4-6pm
Thursday December 22nd, 6-8pm
Register here.
Visit our Savannah Holiday Family Fun Guide 2016 for details family holiday events during December 2016 in Savannah & the Lowcountry.
We’ll also include the Skatefest 2016 schedule for indoor ice-skating during school break @ Savannah Civic Center once the schedule is available. Link to the holiday guide here.
Driving around Savannah, Pooler & Richmond Hill looking at home holiday light displays and decorations is a favorite family tradition.
From colossal Santa snow globes to computerized Christmas lights animated with music, we have your guide to local home holiday light displays.
Kids especially love those computerized “dancing” lights display animated with music. Lights choreographed to blink, twink and fade in red, blue, green and white, in sync with a custom-mixed soundtrack of holiday tunes.
Want to add a home lights display to this list? Please email us the info at anne@southernmamas.com
Confirmed 2016 displays not to be missed
Unfortunately, a favorite @ 182 Mills Run Drive near Chatham Parkway is taking 2016 holiday season off.
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Not sure yet (If you know the status of any of these yet, please let us know)
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Public Holiday Lights Displays in Savannah
December Nights & Holiday Lights 2016 @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, Savannah. Details here.
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Holiday Lights worth the drive
Harbour Town Lights, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Is. FREE. ($6 per vehicle Sea Pines gate fee) Through January 1. Details here
Dove Street Festival of Lights at Shelter Cove Towne Center, Hilton Head Is. 6-10PM nightly through Dec. 31. Details here.
Lights Before (& After) Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia, S.C. Details here.
Holiday Festival of Lights Charleston S.C. Details here
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights @ Atlanta Botanical Garden. Details here.
Want to add a home lights display to this list? Please email us the info at anne@southernmamas.com
FREE Christmas For Kids Celebration in Savannah’s City Market
Dec. 3, 2016, 11AM-2PM
Make ornaments! Decorate cookies! Get Grinched (with hair and makeup)! Meet Father Christmas and take a Cinderella carriage tour.
All of this, plus face painting, choir music and more add up to a day of fun the whole family can truly enjoy.
City Market is in downtown Savannah
Start at the corner of Jefferson and West St. Julian Streets.
Savannah City Market stretches a full block in each direction, with Ellis Square to the east and Franklin Square to the west, from Bryan (North) to Congress (South).
Bring Fido to the first annual Jingle Bark Stroll in downtown Savannah, 11AM-4PM Sat. Dec. 3.
Bring your pet dressed for the holidays and enjoy an afternoon downtown picking up treats and shopping.
For a $5 donation, get a wristband and map of participating businesses, some of which will have exclusive shopping offers and discounts for participants.
Purchase online in advance (wristbands will be available at the willcall table)
Coastal Pet Rescue will also be having a silent auction and selling raffle tickets with a grand prize of an Apple Watch. Tickets:$10 for 1, $25 for 3.
Learn more here.
Forget standing in long lines to have a fast chance to sit on Santa’s lap for a few quick, commercial-looking photos.
Step outside the lines and come see Santa in a private session with customized photos that will make your memories stand out.
Bring your family for The Santa Experience with Family Tides Photography in Savannah and make memories that will last a lifetime.
The REAL Santa is visiting Savannah again this Sat. Nov. 26 for an experience that your family will remember forever. Go and grab your spot before they are all filled for this year.
Book your pre-scheduled spot for an individualized one-on-one experience where Santa and your family will interact and be photographed in a beautiful setting.
Let your Santa Experience be just that. . .uniquely yours!
Book your Santa experience here.
Family Tides Photography, 912-650-0242, email nancy@familytidesphotography.com, familytidesphotography.com, Family Tides Photography is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
Visit our Savannah Holidays 2016 Family Fun Guide here for details on the Broughton Holiday Tree Lighting, Sailing with Santa, Black Friday Drop & Shop, Free Savannah Gingerbread Village dates, Tybee Tree Lighting & Christmas Parade, Savannah Holiday Boat Parade 2016, Savannah’s Lighted Christmas Parade 2016 & more.
We’ll be adding holiday events to the list daily. See the Savannah Holidays 2016 Family Fun Guide here and please check back regularly for updates.
You can watch the installation of the 50-foot Broughton Street Holiday Tree this Wednesday in downtown Savannah before the Friday Nov. 25 holiday tree lighting & festivities.
The tree will be installed on Wed. Nov. 23, 6AM-6PM @ the corner of Broughton and Bull Streets
Savannah, GA 31401. The tree lights will be tested at 6PM.
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Holiday Tree Lighting & Festivities
Experience the inaugural “Holidays on Broughton” kicking off with a grand celebration on Fri. Nov. 25, and festivities continuing each Saturday through Dec. 17.
The Broughton Street merriment begins Nov. 25 at 5 p.m., with the lighting of the 50-foot Broughton Street holiday tree, seasonal music performances and Santa’s arrival. The tree lighting will be at the corner of Broughton and Bull Streets.
“Holidays on Broughton” also will include:
* Santa family visits and photos Fri. Nov. 25, 5-9PM and every Saturday, 10AM-2PM, beginning Sat. Nov. 26, underneath the holiday tree.
* Each Friday and Saturday night, 6-9:30PM, digital projections will illuminate holiday scenes and celebrate the restoration of the street.
* Each Saturday, 3-6PM, the stage will have scheduled performances to boast music, dance and demonstrations.
* There will also be a Punch & Judy’s pop-up children’s store at 25 E. Broughton St. Nov. 19-Dec. 24.
Throughout the whimsical holiday event, many shops along Broughton Street will offer extended hours of operation and holiday shopping incentives.
Holiday shopping is made easy with three hours of free parking Thursdays and Fridays in any city-owned parking garage, sponsored by the City of Savannah. Daily rates apply after the first three hours of free parking.
For more information on “Holidays on Broughton,” visit www.holidaysonbroughton.com.
Take your Christmas photo on board with Santa!
Kids sail FREE with the donation of a new unwrapped toy!
Join Savannah Riverboat Cruises, Santa and his North Pole crew as they cruise the Savannah River during this one and a half hour Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise.
Catch Santa’s grand arrival on Friday, Nov. 25 2016 at 11:45AM. Then Join Santa and his North Pole crew on board for pictures and a sweet treat(hint: they’re Santa’s favorite) while you cruise the Savannah River during a Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise.
All toys will be donated to WSAV’s Holiday Hope Toy Drive for the Salvation Army.
TO RESERVE YOUR FAMILY’S SPOT, CLICK HERE.
Sailing Dates:
Nov. 25 & 26 2016
Dec. 3 2016
Boarding begins at Noon | Sailing from 1-2:30PM
Ticket price: Adults: $22.95* | Child(ages 5-12) $13.95*
Savannah Riverboat Cruises is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
Tree House Adventures & Putt Putt is hosting a Drop Off & Shop event on Fri. Nov. 25, 2016 @ Savannah Mall.
Parents can drop their children off between the hours of 11AM-5PM while they go shopping for Black Friday. Price: $10 per hour for a maximum of 4 hours. Price includes a snack and drink.
Call (912) 436-6555 for more information.
Tree House Adventures is on the upper level of Savannah Mall next to Dillard’s, 14045 Abercorn St.
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Birthday Parties
Have your party with provide a safe, friendly and clean environment.
Birthdays, fund raisers, lock-ins, ANY EVENT AT ANY TIME. See party packages here.
Call today: (912) 436-6555
Tree House Adventures & Putt Putt is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
It’s a Christmas parade, Savannah style!
On November 26, 2016, about 35 lighted vessels parade both sides of the waterfront. The Holiday Boat Parade of Lights 2015 starts at 7:15 PM.
You can watch the parade along River Street, free of charge.
More information on the Savannah Harbor Foundation’s Boat Parade of Lights here.
Don’t miss Savannah’s Lighted Christmas Parade 2016 starting West River Street at 5:30PM Sat. Dec. 3 2016, traveling throughout downtown and ending at Ellis Square.
The parade marks the official arrival of St. Nick, so this is one event you don’t want to miss!
The lighted parade starts at 5:30PM Dec. 3 on the west end of River Street and will travel throughout downtown, ending in City Market. See the parade route here.
This year’s parade will have over 40 community groups and businesses with multiple units of decorated cars, trucks, floats, and trolleys. Even the walking groups are wrapped in Christmas lights.
Christmas on the River
FIRST FRIDAY & SATURDAY
DEC 2-4, 2016
Rousakis Riverfront Plaza 115 East River Street Savannah, GA 31401
It’s a holiday celebration on Historic River Street. Rousakis Plaza will be full of regional arts & crafts exhibitors with holiday gifts and stocking stuffers to check off of your Christmas list. Music and local entertainment will take place on the Arbor Stage throughout the weekend leading up to Savannah’s Lighted Christmas Parade.
Weekend festivities will kick-off Fri. Dec. 2 from 4-10PM with First Friday Fireworks at 9:30PM and continue on Sat. Dec. 3. For more details including an entertainment schedule, click here.
Event Times
Fri. Dec. 2, 4-10PM
Sat. Dec. 3 10AM-8PM
Sun. Dec. 4 12:30-6PM
Admission: Free & open to public
Phone: (912) 234-0295
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FREE HOLIDAY PARKING
The City of Savannah is offering a holiday parking deal every Thursday and Friday in December.
The first three hours in any city-owned garage is free. Any time over three hours is the daily rate.
Garages included: Bryan Street, Liberty Street, Robinson garage on Montgomery Street, State Street Garage and the Whitaker Street Garage.
Enjoy well over 800,000 sparkling lights @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah December Nights and Holiday Lights 2016 on select evenings from Fri. Nov. 25 through Sat. Dec. 24, 6-9PM
The “Jewel of a Savannah Christmas” returns with improved access pathways, new light displays and approaching 1,000,000 sparkling lights.
Santa and Mrs. Claus make appearances across the season as their busy schedules allow. Various non-profit groups help stock Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, selling hot chocolate and other tasty holiday treats.
Also returning this year is the model train display and new feature is the holiday floral display on the Back Terrace portico.
Please remember the lights display are affected by rain, so plan to attend on evenings with fair weather to avoid disappointment.
This is a self-guided WALKING tour of illuminated displays across about six-acres @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens.
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Select evenings from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve
Nov. 25 – 27 (Friday – Sunday)
Nov. 30 – Dec. 4 (Wednesday – Sunday)
Dec. 7 – 11 (Wednesday – Sunday)
Dec. 14 – 24 (nightly)
6-9PM (weather permitting)
$10 per person (ages 13 and older)***
$5 per child 3 to 12 years
Infants (age 2 and under) FREE
***$5 Thursday ‘Family’ Nights (ages 3 to 103)
Cash or Credit Card (Visa, MC, Discover) accepted
Highlights of the casual self-guided walking tour
You will visit differently themed garden areas including:
White reindeer among green-glistening timber bamboo, a snowflake-accented 18-foot holly Christmas tree, an allee of glistening multicolor trees, a rainbow arch-tunnel, the Orchid House roof aglow in red and green light, a Nativity scene with a deep blue background, white trumpeting angels in a bed of champagne gold lights, green and white lights around an illuminated fountain in the Rose Garden, giant red poinsettias, and a candy-inspired children’s experience in the Cottage Garden for just a sampling.
Learn more here.
Compassion Christian Church, formerly Savannah Christian, is once again hosting The Journey this December 2016.
Since its debut in 1998, The Journey has drawn tens of thousands of visitors from across the Southeast to experience life the night Christmas began. This outdoor event is brought to life by hundreds of costumed volunteers. It a must-do for any Savannah family’s Christmas season.
Step back centuries in time and join others heeding the Roman decree that all must go to be taxed, each to his own ancestral home. Board a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. Encounter wise men traveling across the desert. Watch evil King Herod pacing and plotting in his opulent palace. Enter the gates of ancient Bethlehem, teeming with travelers and shopkeepers. Follow shepherds to find a baby lying in a manger, and let the wonder of the season come to life in that star-lit stable.
Purchase tickets in advance at CCCJourney.com or at the door. Advanced purchase is recommended.
The Journey
5-8PM Wednesday-Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 4 and Dec. 7-11
Compassion Christian Church, 55 Al Henderson Blvd., Savannah, GA 31419
CompassionChristian.com, 55 Al Henderson Blvd., Savannah, GA 31419 On Facebook here. Compassion Christian’s The Journey is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
Here are businesses in the Savannah/Lowcountry area where you can bring your children’s Halloween candy to help prevent cavities & send these businesses will send the candy to our troops overseas through Operation Gratitude. Some will buy back the candy.
Bluffton SC
Bluffton Center of Dentistry
Bluffton Center of Dentistry will collect extra and leftover Halloween candy to help put smiles on the faces of our deployed Service Members and First Responders.
Donate your Halloween candy at the Bluffton office @ 29 Plantation Park Dr, Suite 303
Bluffton,SC until Friday, Nov, 4. It will be donated to Operation Gratitude for their care packages. Please drop off any extra candy to the office and they’ll get it shipped out to support our heroes. Call (843) 593-8123
Sea Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
Sea Smiles Pediatric Dentistry will buy back Halloween candy from Nov. 1-Nov. 11 2016 at their Bluffton SC office at 168 Bluffton Rd (near Old Town Bluffton). They’ll be sending the candy to our troops overseas partnering with Operation Gratitude and Sea Kids Smile Worldwide Foundation. The team will buy back your children’s candy for $1 per pound up to 5 pounds per child. Last year, they collected over 100lbs of candy. Call 843-815-5437 (KIDS)
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Pooler, GA
Donations of wrapped, unopened candy will be collected at Godley Station Dental in Pooler until noon Friday Nov. 4 for those unable to attend the Nov. 1 candy buyback program detailed below.
On Tues. Nov. 1, Godley Station Dental is participating in Operation Gratitude’s candy buyback program. Trick-or-treaters can bring in goodies and receive $1 per pound of candy donated. Up to five pounds. All donations will be shipped to troops deployed in war zones.
Donations of wrapped, unopened candy will be collected at Godley Station Dental in Pooler on Tues. Nov. 1, between 9AM-3PM
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Savannah
Bring your Halloween candy to Whole Foods Market in Savannah (1815 E Victory Dr, Savannah, Ga 31404) on Wed. Nov. 2 (9AM-9PM) and trade it in for healthy fruits. All candy will be donated to Operation Gratitude, which sends it to our deployed troops.
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Find an Operation Gratitude Candy Buyback program near you here.