Happy Tuesday, Savannah. In today’s edition: Savannah’s Christmas tree lighting, Breakfast with Santa, The Nutcracker, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Hometown spirit on display: Savannah shoppers packed stores for Small Business Saturday, hunting deals and enjoying treats as small businesses offered specials, highlighting how local spending supports the city’s culture and economy — read the full story.

Rainfall outlook shifts: Savannah logged just 0.01 inches in November, tying the driest on record. The Coastal Empire and Lowcountry remain in drought. December is starting wet and will likely exceed average rainfall — see drought and rain outlook.

Holiday cheer fills downtown: Savannah kicked off the season as crowds packed Broughton Street for the annual 30-foot Christmas tree lighting, with live music and the Grinch. The tree stays lit through New Year — read the full story.

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.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Experience holiday magic at Savannah Christmas Market
• Holiday karaoke, pet parade at City Market
• All aboard the Savannah Santa Train
• Explore Savannah’s squares with songs and stories
• Celebrate Christmas tree lighting with Santa
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Local partners fight hunger: Mark your calendar: Savannah Impact Program and the Ceceline Blake Foundation are hosting a Friday Food Drive behind 2005 Waters Ave., starting at 10 a.m. and running until the food is gone. Upcoming dates are Dec. 5, 12, and 19—swing by early if you can. See dates and details.

Lowcountry luxury’s next chapter: Daufuskie Island-born lifestyle brand Spartina 449 is expanding its headquarters to Bluffton, building a 14,100-square-foot hub in Bluffton Village Town Center. The $6.1 million project aims to break ground before year’s end and add about 15 jobs averaging $40.71 per hour, backed by local incentives. Get all the details.

Burrito craving, solved: When it hits, Bull Street Taco has the Bull Street Burrito dialed in, with rice, beans, jack cheese, house salsa, avocado salsa, and your pick of chicken, beef, carnitas, or falafel. A no-fuss, big-flavor move for lunch or a blissfully lazy dinner.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

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.

This week

❄️ Wurlitzer Wednesdays @ Lucas Theatre | Wednesday (12/3) at 8:00am – Think you know your holiday traditions? Trade the mall soundtrack for Savannah’s freshly restored Lucas Theatre, a historic tour, and the original 1925 Wurlitzer roaring back to life. Sing carols, laugh through a festive silent comedy, and yes, it’s free.

⛄ Winter Wanderland @ The Kimpton Brice Hotel | Thursday (12/4) at 4:00pm – The Brice’s Secret Garden turns into Savannah’s coziest holiday market, with local artists, makers, and small businesses, plus festive drinks under the lights. Cross off the list, treat yourself, and call it supporting the local economy, not avoiding the mall.

🔔 Jingle Mingle Marketplace @ Alee Shrine Temple | Thursday (12/4) at 6:00pm – Holiday mode calls for shopping with snacks, so swing by Alee Temple for curated vendors, hands-on classes, and festive pours. For $25, enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, a custom tote, and a chance at $100 sprees, because Santa appreciates delegation.

🎄 Town of Bluffton’s Tree Lighting Ceremony @ Martin Family Park | Friday (12/5) at 5:30pm – Bluffton flips the switch on the season with the tree lighting at Martin Family Park, then Santa’s Workshop next door, and Arthur Saves Christmas at the park. Bring chairs, blankets, and small talk, because the town shows up. First December weekend tradition, rain or shine.

🎄 Celebrate the Season @ City Market | Friday (12/5) at 6:00pm – Kick off the season Savannah-style at City Market with live carolers, shopping deals, photos with Father Christmas, and a cheeky Duck Hunt for prizes. Meet at Wexford’s for a candlelit procession to the tree lighting, then linger like a local, warm drink in hand.

This weekend

🎅 Breakfast with Santa @ The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa | Saturday (12/6) at 8:00am – Skip the mall chaos and head to the Grand Ballroom for Breakfast with Santa, where pancakes meet proof of good behavior. Photos, letters, crafts, and take-home goodies keep the kids busy while you caffeinate. Adults $45, kids $25, under 3 eat free.

🛍️ Holiday Pop-Up Shop @ Jepson Center | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Roll into Gallery 912 and knock out your holiday shopping with a lineup of local artists, makers, and giftable goodness. From handmade treasures to Telfair’s own merch—yes, including those iconic Bird Girl reproductions—you’re basically guaranteed to find something irresistible. Limited-edition totes? Don’t mind if you do.

📚 Book Talk & Signing with Andrea Martin @ Bluffton Gullah Heritage Center | Saturday (12/6) at 1:00pm – Andrea Martin is bringing real Bluffton to the Gullah Cultural Heritage Center with a talk and signing about her great-great-great grandmother, Caroline Martin, the first Black woman to own property here. Expect resilient history, family truths, and the kind of legacy that outlasts souvenir t-shirts.

🩰 The Nutcracker @ Trustees Theater | Saturday (12/6) at 2:00pm – Yes, we’re doing The Nutcracker again, because some traditions are actually worth the parking hunt. Trustees Theater turns into pure holiday nostalgia with gorgeous choreography, lush costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s swoon-worthy score, plus pre-show photos, treats, and the kind of memories your crew will actually remember.

🌿 Christmas Wreath Making Workshop @ The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa | Sunday (12/7) at 2:00pm – Think your front door is holiday-ready, or just pretending? Make an evergreen wreath with the John Davis Florist crew, supplies included, then toast your handiwork with wine or champagne, enjoy light bites, and leave with something giftable, fragrant, and classier than last year’s plastic bow.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 Joe Bonamassa @ Johnny Mercer Theater – 8 pm
• 12/4 Elli Perry @ Lone Wolf Lounge – 7 pm
• 12/4 Kylesa and more @ District Live – 7 pm
• 12/6 AMP’D Weekend Brunch @ Electric Moon – 11 am
• 12/6 Soul Sessions Holiday Ball @ District Live – 8 pm
• 12/7 Tophouse @ Charleston Pour House – 8:30 pm
• 12/10 Holiday Songs and Stories in the Squares @ Taylor Square – 1 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Liza DiMarco (Compass Georgia LLC)

Circa 1851 sophistication by Crawford Square in the Historic Landmark District, this 4-bed, 3.5-bath stunner pairs restored heart pine floors with floor-to-ceiling windows and sunlit exposed brick. Taken to the studs then elevated, it adds a chef’s kitchen with premium appliances, easy entertaining flow, plus a secluded deck and courtyard.

The luxe owner’s suite adds a walk-through dressing room and spa bath. Two bright upstairs bedrooms share a refined bath, and the garden flat flashes oversized brick fireplaces, polished concrete, an efficiency kitchen, and guest-ready style, moments from Historic District icons.

Take a peek inside →