Happy Friday, Savannah. In today’s edition: Making bedtime brighter, gingerbread house decorating party, brunch with Santa, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Making bedtime brighter: Volunteers with the YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s A Place to Dream delivered 60 beds in Savannah, partnering with the Housing Authority of Savannah to give kids rest and holiday cheer — read the full story.

Political fallout over transit: Sen. Derek Mallow’s bid to settle Chatham Area Transit’s board fight unraveled, angering lawmakers, as commissioners blocked a separate bid to end the dispute. Mallow still plans legislation next month — get all the details.

Southern Cross’s most ambitious yet: Fishbar has opened in Starland in Squirrel’s Pizza’s former spot with a live-fire grill and seafood small plates. There are local oysters and shrimp and cocktails like the Tiki-style Tritones — get the opening and menu details.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Donate to the Big Savannah Toy Drive
• Sing carols on Savannah’s holiday trolley
• Shop Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside
• Shop local at DeSoto Street Holiday Market
• Shop Savannah’s producer-only farmers market
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A tiny hearing aid is taking the US by storm

🫶 We got your back

Giving back with gratitude: Decades after a $25 Empty Stocking Fund gift saved her Christmas, Savannah native Kathy Jones now spends Tuesdays cooking at the Salvation Army shelter, often with her 10-year-old granddaughter. The more than 50-year-old program, run with the Savannah Morning News, is accepting donations through Dec. 24 for toys, teen gift cards, and family food. See how to donate.

Holiday cocktails and cozy hideaways: Savannah’s sipping season is stacked. The Wayward pours Banana Bread Nog, Water Witch serves a beloved vegan coquito in ceramic Santas, and The Vinyl Room’s Naughty List returns. Frosty’s takes over Bar Julian with skyline views and festive events. Craving chalet vibes? The Lost Square’s Alpine Village yurts run through Jan. 26. Check out the full lineup.

Fresh cut, no fuss: When color feels flat or ends frizz, Roots Southern Salon delivers thoughtful consults, modern color (balayage, lived-in blonding, gray blending), and extensions, all from a warm, skilled team, so you leave with hair that fits your life.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

✨ Annual Christmas Parade of Lights @ Tybee Island | Friday (12/12) at 6:30pm – Line the sidewalks for Tybee’s Parade of Lights, where our beach town pretends it’s a snow globe and pulls it off. Glowing floats, marching bands, school kids, and decked-out locals roll from 4th Street, plus the kind of cheerful chaos you only get here.

🎸 A Carnival of Sorts @ Victory North | Friday (12/12) at 8:00pm – Whether you caught R.E.M. at the 40 Watt or perfected your Love Shack shimmy in someone’s den, Athens is calling. Savannah’s finest are saluting R.E.M. and the B-52s, all hooks, harmonies, and hometown pride. Low on pretense, high on singalongs.

This weekend

🛒 Holiday Makers Market & Bloomin Bazaar @ Branches | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – Holiday shopping that doesn’t feel like combat. Branches is marking 30 years with a bloomin’ bazaar packed with Lowcountry makers, clever gifts, and festive goodies at their Hilton Head shop. It’s free, it’s local, and an RSVP gets you updates without the Facebook drama.

🏠 Gingerbread House Decorating Party @ The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa | Saturday (12/13) at 2:00pm – Trade your holiday stress for royal icing at a gingerbread house decorating party that actually delivers quality time. Your crew of up to six gets a locally made house, a candy bar, hot chocolate, holiday tunes, and take-home boxes. BYO sprinkles, not chardonnay.

💪 Phenomenal Woman: To Whom Much is Given @ Christ Church Episcopal | Saturday (12/13) at 3:00pm – Pay tribute to the Savannah women who stared down wrecking balls, sang for the cause, and kept our historic downtown from becoming a parking lot. Expect equal parts history lesson, song-filled gratitude, and local pride, served with grit, grace, and good company.

🎅 Brunch with Santa @ Plant Riverside District | Sunday (12/14) at 11:00am – If you prefer your holiday chaos with a holiday buffet and a full bar, Plant Riverside District is serving Brunch with Santa. The kids get photos with the big guy and Mrs. Claus, you get something delicious, a drink, and cheerful music. Reservations, obviously.

🍪 Cookies with Santa @ Alliance Dance Academy | Sunday (12/14) at 1:00pm – Skip the mall chaos, get your Santa fix with cookies, a charming Winter Performance by our STARS, and a keepsake photo, all for ten bucks. Kids decorate, you supervise, everyone wins. Space is limited, so snag your spot, and bring those letters.

🎼 Christmas Oratorio @ St. John’s Episcopal Church | Sunday (12/14) at 5:00pm – Whether you know your Saint-Saëns from your Santa songs, St. John’s Choirs join members of the Savannah Philharmonic for the Christmas Oratorio and classic carols in Madison Square. Tiered seating available, student and military deals, and, miracle of miracles, free parking off Whitaker.

Next week

🎄 Festival of Trees @ Plant Riverside District | Monday (12/15) at 10:00am – Skip the tinsel tantrums at home and wander the Power Plant lobby at Plant Riverside for a forest of Christmas trees decked out by local businesses. It is festive, free decor inspiration, and primo people-watching. Pick a favorite, then argue about it over cocoa.

🎄 Savannah Christmas Market @ Plant Riverside District | Monday (12/15) at 11:00am – Riverfront is glowing, and it smells like waffles. Plant Riverside’s Savannah Christmas Market brings 50 booths, live music, Santa photos, the Festival of Trees, a gingerbread unveiling, and hot chocolate, so tackle your gift list while pretending the second Belgian waffle is for the kids.

🚎 Savannah’s Holiday Sights & Festive Nights @ Old Town Trolley Tours | Monday (12/15) at 5:30pm – Let Old Town Trolley handle the holiday chaos from a cozy seat with Savannah’s light peeping tradition, complete with caroling conductors, tales, and no parallel parking. Cruise past glowing historic homes and squares, then duck into the Prohibition Museum’s speakeasy for a charming time warp.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/12 Sonic Sanctuary @ Move Fitness & Yoga – 7 pm
• 12/13 AMP’D Weekend Brunch @ Electric Moon – 11 am
• 12/18 Comedy Under the Stars @ Starland Yard – 8 pm
• 12/19 CFP Pre-Game Stand Up Comedy @ Dub’s Pub – 7 pm
• 12/19 Whores. and more @ The Wormhole – 9 pm
• 12/20 Cc Witt @ Oak 36 Bar – 6 pm
• 12/20 Richard Smith and more @ Randy Wood Guitars – 7 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Savannah edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Margaret Amodio Federal (BHHS Bay Street Realty Group)

Classic coastal, custom 1986, at the quiet end of a Long Point cul-de-sac. Blooming dogwoods and azaleas streetside, 150 feet on Gray Creek waterside with a long view to the Talmadge Bridge. Deep water, a fully permitted dock, and water views with sunlight in nearly every room.

Recent updates include fresh paint, refinished oak floors, and new carpet upstairs. Primary on main with an updated bath, a flexible first floor office or bedroom, living, dining, family, and a screened porch. Two bedroom suites flank a dramatic landing. Media room over the two car garage, plus carport and extra parking.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →