When to Go to Savannah

Spring and fall are Savannah’s peak seasons, when the climate is at its most pleasant and activities are abundant. In March the azaleas bloom and St. Patrick’s Day turns the city green. This is hands-down the prettiest, priciest, and most popular time to visit. If you plan on staying in the Historic District in March, it’s wise to book at least six months ahead—longer if you plan on snagging a spot along the St. Pat’s parade route. April and May are also considered peak, but as humidity and temperatures begin to spike in summer—particularly July and August—Savannah dips into a small lull, a great time for deal-seekers to hunt for hotel offers. Similarly, from December through February, hotel occupancies fall again and you can find the best deals of the year.

Climate

Savannah’s climate is mild and comfortable much of the year, and sunny days are abundant. In spring and fall, temperatures typically range from the low 70s to the mid-80s. Locals begin flocking to beaches as early as March and linger long into October. Winter temperatures average in the low 60s and rarely dip below freezing. Summer sees Savannah at its most extreme, particularly in July and August, when highs peak around 100 and humidity soars. This is also hurricane season, and although major storms rarely brush Georgia’s coast, you can count on a brief downpour nearly every afternoon, leaving behind steamy conditions.

Festivals

Spring is packed with popular events, like the Savannah Music Festival, Savannah Stopover Music Festival, Savannah College of Art and Design Sidewalk Arts Festival, and the annual Tour of Homes and Gardens, which invites visitors into some of the city’s best-preserved private residences. But the star of Savannah’s festival calendar is St. Patrick’s Day, which boasts the second-largest parade of its kind in the world and leaves the city a swirl of leprechaun hats and green beads. On years when March 17 falls on a weekend, attendance can reach a whopping one million. The slightly calmer fall season features the Craft Beer Festival, the Tybee Island Pirate Festival, and the glitzy Savannah Film Festival. And on the first Friday of nearly every month visitors can enjoy live music, art, vendors, and fireworks on River Street.