Savannah loves a good party and with more than 200 citywide festivals and events a year, there are plenty of activities to entertain her visitors. If you're planning your visit around one of the many celebrations, give us a call at the hotel or bed and breakfast of your choice. Our guest service representatives, concierges and innkeepers are experts on the happenings of Savannah. With a little insider information from our staff, you'll be ready to join the fun. Here's a sampling of the events and festivals held throughout the year:

January

Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration—Savannah celebrates the life and times of this civil rights pioneer.

February

Georgia Heritage Society's Colonial Faire and Muster—The celebration of the founding of the Colony of Georgia in Savannah on February 12, 1733, by James Edward Oglethorpe has been a tradition among Georgians since 1734. Various events seek to promote the study and preservation of our state's rich history and the historical sites, documents and other materials that offer a window to that past.

Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival—Cultural and intellectual activities include dance performances, musical concerts, lectures and art exhibits.

Savannah Irish Festival—The Savannah Irish Festival Committee plans an annual event at the Savannah Civic Center arena in the Historic District.

March

First Saturday on the River:  featuring local art, crafts, entertainment and food on historic River Street.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration—The South's most famous and the nation's second-largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration is held here in Savannah. The Historic District marks its St. Patrick's Day celebration with festivities along the waterfront and a parade on March 17 where the streets are lined with revelers in green, and cocktails and grits are dyed to match. This is "the" event in Savannah and it's not to be missed.

Savannah Music Festival—This captivating celebration of the performing arts is held in Savannah's Historic District and features world-class music in various downtown venues. The festival lasts for 15 days with countless international talents featuring blues, classical, jazz and bluegrass.

Annual Tour of Homes & Gardens—This annual spring event offers self-guided walking tours through private homes and gardens in Savannah's National Historic Landmark District.

April

First Saturday on the River:  featuring local art, crafts, entertainment and food on historic River Street.

SCAD International Festival—The annual festival celebrates the college's international art community and shares it with Savannah  and her visitors. Highlights of the event include international cuisine, dance demonstrations, music, a global fashion show, and art and cultural displays.

N.O.G.S. Tour of Hidden Gardens—This walking tour includes eight walled gardens plus the award-winning Massie School garden. Different private gardens are selected each year for their excellence of design, historical interest and beauty.

Sidewalk Art Festival—This annual event draws thousands of people to watch SCAD students create chalk masterpieces on the sidewalks of historic Forsyth Park along with a student and faculty art exhibition, a fair, food and  a children's and youth areas for younger artists.

Savannah Garden Expo—This enchanting garden show features an open-air market, exhibition gardens, workshops, demonstrations, seminars and lectures.

Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, PGA Champions Tour—Enjoy some of golf's all-time greatest players as they tee up at the home of the PGA Tour of Champions, Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf. Experience Troon Golf and The Club at Savannah Harbor.

May

First Saturday on the River:  featuring local art, crafts, entertainment and food on historic River Street.

Savannah Shakespeare Festival—City Lights Theatre performs live Shakespeare classics, dance performances, Kids for Kids Theatre and more.

Scottish Games Festival—Traditional Scottish Games Festival featuring competitions, clan displays and booths, food and drink, music of the bagpipes, and other Scottish music.

Tybee Island Beach Bum Parade—Celebrate the arrival of summer with a huge water fight. A parade of fellow water warriors enhances this family friendly experience.

SCAD Sand Arts Festival—This annual event invites sand-loving SCAD students to create forms in the sand on the beautiful beaches of Tybee Island.

June

First Saturday on the River:  featuring local art, crafts, entertainment and food on historic River Street.

Savannah Asian Festival—Volunteers from many Asian organizations including Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Indian, Korean, Thai, and Pakistani plan this public festival to showcase the talents of the Asian community in Savannah.

July

First Saturday on the River:  featuring local art, crafts, entertainment and food on historic River Street.

Fourth of July on the Waterfront—Fantastic Fourth celebration featuring artists from around the region, food, fun and fabulous fireworks over the Savannah River.

Fourth of July Fireworks on the Beach—Tybee Island's Independence Day celebration with fireworks on the beach.

August

First Saturday on the River:  featuring local art, crafts, entertainment and food on historic River Street.

Seafood & Music Festival—This two-day event features local and national music performances and Tybee Island cuisine.

September

First Saturday on the River:  featuring local art, crafts, entertainment and food on historic River Street.

Savannah Jazz Festival—A magnificent week-long celebration of blues and jazz that promotes, preserves and perpetuates this exquisite art form through performances by great musicians throughout the Coastal Empire.

October

First Saturday on the River:  featuring local art, crafts, entertainment and food on historic River Street.

Oktoberfest—It's an "oompah" stomping, dachshund dashing, bratwurst tasting and beverage toasting weekend with your friends on the river. Featuring arts and crafts, live entertainment, oompah bands, wiener dog races, fabulous food and much more!

Picnic in the Park—Picnic in the Park provides Savannah with the symphonic sounds of local and regional musicians and a creative culinary and picnic design competition.

Savannah Greek Festival—The three-day Greek Festival includes authentic Greek foods and pastries, merchandise, grocery products, and live music featuring Nick Demos and the Greek Islanders.

Savannah Film Festival—The festival features the best in independent, innovative and influential films and videos from around the world, as well as panel discussions and presentations by visiting artists.

St. Vincent's Tour of Homes and Tea—Tour some of Savannah's premier Historic District homes and have afternoon tea in the convent of St. Vincent's Academy.

November

First Saturday on the River:  featuring local art, crafts, entertainment and food on historic River Street.

Savannah Seafood Festival on the River—Sensational seafood, live entertainment, local art, crafts, daily beach party bash, and much more.

Savannah Harbor Boat Parade of Lights—Bring the family to enjoy the kick-off of the Savannah Harbor Holiday Series on the waterfront. More than 60 festively decorated yachts and sailboats parade along the Savannah River, followed by a fireworks extravaganza. Part of Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration.

Southern Lights Tree of Lights—This event is Savannah's longest standing tradition of lighting the community Christmas Tree. Sing-a-longs and entertainment highlight the evening. Part of Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration.

Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration—Join us for parades, concerts, the lighting of the community Christmas tree, cultural festivals and dazzling lights that fill the streets and shores with the spirit of the season. From Thanksgiving to New Year's.

December

First Saturday on the River:  featuring local art, crafts, entertainment and food on historic River Street.

Christmas on the River—Dash your way to River Street for a merry holiday. Arts and crafts to finish your list, the Christmas parade can't be missed! Carolers, bells, Santa too, a festive party that's meant for you! Part of Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration.

Holiday Tour of Homes—Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of homes in Savannah's lovely Historic District. Private residences representing the full range of the downtown neighborhood will be open to the public. Part of Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration.

City Market New Year's Eve Celebration—Ring in the New Year at City Market! It's an outdoor street party, and you are invited to join in the fun with live music and entertainment for the whole family. Part of Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday Celebration.