Short answer
The 25th Annual Savannah Lighted Boat Parade is Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m. on the Savannah River, and it is free. More than 30 light-covered boats loop twice from Eastern Wharf to the Talmadge Bridge and back. The Holiday Kickoff at The Park at Eastern Wharf, with the tree lighting and Santa, starts at 5 p.m.
The date, times, route and “free and open to all” come from Savannah’s Waterfront, the organizer, on its boat parade page and its event listing. The Kickoff details come from the Holiday Kickoff listing and The Park at Eastern Wharf’s own site (checked ).
Things the organizers haven’t published yet are marked “not yet announced – we check weekly.” This is a different event from the Savannah Christmas Market, which is open on the same weekend at Plant Riverside District.
Savannah Boat Parade of Lights 2026 at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When? | Saturday, November 28, 2026, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Boat parade 7-9 p.m.; Holiday Kickoff 5-9 p.m. |
| Where? | On the Savannah River beside River Street. Boats start and end at the dock at The Park at Eastern Wharf, 201 Port Street, Savannah |
| Cost | Free and open to all, per the organizer |
| Route | Twice from Eastern Wharf to the Talmadge Bridge and back, past Plant Riverside District and all of River Street |
| Led by | The Georgia Queen Riverboat, with 30+ captains and crews |
| Holiday Kickoff | Lighting of the Eastern Wharf Christmas trees, a visit from Santa Claus, food trucks and entertainment |
| Organizer | Savannah’s Waterfront, a Christmas on the River signature event; the Kickoff is hosted by The Park at Eastern Wharf |
| Rain plan and street closures | Not yet announced – we check weekly |
What is the Savannah Lighted Boat Parade?
Every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Savannah’s Waterfront says, “friends and families gather at the waterfront for a dazzling spectacle of lights on the Savannah River.” The boats are the show: the organizer counts 30-plus captains and their crews, each decorating a vessel in holiday lights.
The Georgia Queen Riverboat leads the fleet. The 2026 edition is the 25th. Local TV described the 2025 parade, which followed the same route, as drawing “a massive turnout.”
What time does the boat parade start?
The boats go from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., according to the organizer. The Holiday Kickoff at Eastern Wharf opens earlier, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The organizer lists the tree lighting as part of the Kickoff but has not published a clock time for it, or for the judging and award announcements, so check back; we update this guide weekly. Plan to be on the riverfront well before 7 p.m. if you want a spot by the water.
Per the organizer, a panel of judges names award winners “along the newly extended riverwalk,” and emcees welcome participants at the park, which serves as the parade’s headquarters and staging area.
Where is the best place to watch the boat parade?
The organizer names four places. All of them are on the water, and the parade passes each one, according to its route map:
- The Park at Eastern Wharf (east end of the riverwalk): the boats begin and end at the dock here, which the organizer calls “a prime parade watching location.” The Holiday Kickoff is here too, so it suits families who want food trucks and Santa as well.
- Plant Riverside District (west end of River Street): the organizer calls it “an excellent boat parade watching location.” The Savannah Christmas Market is in full swing there, with lights, music and festive food and drink, so you can warm up between passes.
- Rousakis Riverfront Plaza: the central plaza on River Street, named by the organizer as a “great” spot.
- Along the riverwalk between those points, which the organizer also lists. It is the easiest choice if you want to walk with the boats and don’t need a fixed spot.
The sources do not rank the spots, and no reserved viewing areas are announced. The official map does mark restrooms at Eastern Wharf and on the central stretch of River Street, plus public elevators and stairs between Bay Street and River Street.
What is the Holiday Kickoff at Eastern Wharf?
The Kickoff is the free holiday party that surrounds the parade. Per the organizer it includes “the annual lighting of the Eastern Wharf Christmas trees, a visit from Santa Claus, food trucks, and entertainment!”
The Park at Eastern Wharf’s own page (theparkateasternwharf.com/holiday-kickoff) titles it “Holiday Kickoff/Lighted Boat Parade,” Saturday, November 28, 5 to 9 p.m. Fireworks are not listed for either event. Which food trucks and entertainers will be there is not yet announced – we check weekly.
How do you get to the boat parade and where do you park?
- Eastern Wharf Parking Garage: 301 Passage Way, run by the City of Savannah, with 696 spaces. The park’s getting here page says it is open 24/7, costs a $10 flat rate on weekends, and takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover only: no cash. The organizer’s River Street FAQ adds that “rates may be subject to change for special events.”
- Plant Riverside Garage: 500 West River Street, with access to Plant Riverside District and West River Street, per the River Street FAQ. Its event-night rate is not yet announced – we check weekly.
- Street parking: metered spaces near Eastern Wharf are paid at kiosks or in the ParkSavannah app and enforced 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, so a Saturday-night space is free of charge only after 8 p.m.
- Free DOT trolley: the Eastern Wharf page says the trolley stops at the park “up until 7pm.” That is the moment the parade starts, so don’t count on it for the ride home.
- Savannah Belles Ferry: free rides between River Street and Hutchinson Island, running 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, per the River Street FAQ. If you are staying on Hutchinson Island, the City Hall landing is on the riverwalk next to the Hyatt Regency.
- Driving on River Street: it is one-way, west to east. Ramps from Bay Street (Barnard, Bull, Abercorn, Lincoln and East Broad) are cobblestone. Whether any streets close for the parade is not yet announced – we check weekly.
The park’s page also warns that the riverwalk beside Morrell Park and the Waving Girl statue is under construction, with signed detours past the AC Hotel, behind the parking garage and through the Marriott Savannah Riverfront courtyard. It was listed when we checked; whether it is still up on November 28 is not yet announced – we check weekly.
| Driving to Savannah from | Miles | Drive time (no traffic) |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville, Fla. | 138 | 2h 35m |
| Atlanta | 248 | 4h 34m |
| Charlotte, N.C. | 252 | 4h 48m |
Free-flow OpenStreetMap routing to Savannah (collected September 29, 2026), with no traffic model. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is one of the heaviest travel days of the year, so allow more time. Full table: Georgia drive times.
Is the Savannah boat parade good for kids?
It is built for it: the organizer describes it as a night when “friends and families gather,” the lights are the draw, and the Kickoff adds Santa and food trucks. The practical points below come from the park and the organizer’s pages:
- Go early for the Kickoff: the 5 p.m. start gives kids two hours of Santa, food trucks and entertainment before the first boats at 7.
- Pick a spot you can leave: the boats loop twice, so a family heading home early still catches them once.
- Supervise near the water: the park’s rules state that “parents and/or guardians are responsible for their children’s safety at Eastern Wharf.”
- Lawn seating: picnic blankets are allowed on the grass if water can pass through them (no tarps), and personal lawn chairs are allowed “only during public community events.” Whether the Kickoff counts as one is not stated.
- Snacks: outside food and drinks are welcome at Eastern Wharf, but not glass, and not coolers bigger than 20 by 20 inches.
- Strollers: not addressed by the organizer. The River Street FAQ lists public outdoor elevators at The Alida (West), between the Hyatt Regency and City Hall (Central) and at the AC Hotel (East), which help with the climb between Bay Street and the river.
Can you bring a dog to the boat parade?
The organizer does not publish a dog policy for the parade itself, so we can only give the park’s standing rule. The Park at Eastern Wharf’s park rules say dogs “must be on a leash at all times,” the leash may be no longer than 6 feet, and owners must pick up after their dogs; waste stations are provided. An event-specific pet policy is not yet announced – we check weekly.
What should you wear to the Savannah boat parade?
NOAA’s 1991-2020 normals for Savannah International Airport give November an average high of 70.2°F and an average low of 48.0°F, and about 2.39 inches of rain (Georgia weather by month). Those are monthly averages, not a forecast for November 28.
The parade is after dark, on the water, so the evening will be cooler than the afternoon high: bring a jacket and plan for the possibility of rain. We have no official forecast or rain-date policy to cite yet.
What else is happening nearby that weekend?
- Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District: November 19, 2026 through January 3, 2027, open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with more than 50 booths, Festival of Trees and the Gingerbread Display, per the organizer’s listing. Our guide: Savannah Christmas Market.
- Lighted Christmas Street Parade: the 34th annual parade is Saturday, December 12, 2026, 5:30 to 7 p.m., beginning at Plant Riverside District and winding through downtown. It is free (organizer listing).
- Christmas on the River: the organizer’s full season list, including dance and musical performances on December 11-12 and a New Year’s Eve fireworks show on December 31, is on its Christmas on the River page.
- Elsewhere in Georgia: Christmas in Georgia, Georgia Christmas lights, Atlanta Christmas markets, Thanksgiving in Georgia, and, in the spring, Savannah St. Patrick’s Day.
FAQ
When is the Savannah Lighted Boat Parade in 2026?
Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m., the Saturday after Thanksgiving, according to Savannah’s Waterfront, the organizer. It is the 25th annual parade.
Is the Savannah Lighted Boat Parade free?
Yes. The organizer’s event listing says the event “is free and open to all.” Parking, food and drinks are not included.
Where is the best place to watch the Savannah boat parade?
The organizer recommends The Park at Eastern Wharf (where the boats start and end), Plant Riverside District, Rousakis Riverfront Plaza and the riverwalk between them. It does not rank them.
What is the Holiday Kickoff at Eastern Wharf?
A free party at The Park at Eastern Wharf on November 28 from 5 to 9 p.m. with the lighting of the Eastern Wharf Christmas trees, a visit from Santa Claus, food trucks and entertainment.
Where do you park for the Savannah boat parade?
The City’s Eastern Wharf Parking Garage (301 Passage Way) is $10 flat on weekends, card only, per The Park at Eastern Wharf. The Plant Riverside Garage is at 500 West River Street. Event rates may change, per the organizer.
Are dogs allowed at the Savannah boat parade?
No event-specific policy is published. The Park at Eastern Wharf requires dogs on a leash of 6 feet or shorter at all times.
How long does the Savannah boat parade last?
Two hours, 7 to 9 p.m. The boats make two loops from Eastern Wharf to the Talmadge Bridge and back, per the organizer, so you can see them twice.
How we checked this guide: Dates, hours, admission and parking prices, and access details were verified against the official sources listed below on . Operators change schedules and raise prices without notice, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you drive. The figures in this guide also feed our Georgia Attraction Transparency Index and Family Day-Out Cost Index.
Sources
- Savannah’s Waterfront – Savannah Lighted Boat Parade (organizer: date, 7-9 p.m., route, Georgia Queen, viewing locations, Holiday Kickoff)
- Savannah’s Waterfront – Lighted Boat Parade event listing (Saturday, November 28, 2026; free and open to all)
- Savannah’s Waterfront – Holiday Kickoff at Eastern Wharf listing (5-9 p.m.; trees, Santa, food trucks, entertainment)
- Savannah’s Waterfront – Christmas on the River (season list)
- Savannah’s Waterfront – Lighted Boat Parade route map
- Savannah’s Waterfront – River Street FAQ (parking, ferry, driving, elevators)
- Savannah’s Waterfront – Savannah Christmas Market listing (Nov. 19, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027)
- Savannah’s Waterfront – Lighted Christmas Street Parade listing (Dec. 12, 2026)
- The Park at Eastern Wharf – Holiday Kickoff / Lighted Boat Parade
- The Park at Eastern Wharf – Getting here (garage, metered parking, riverwalk detour)
- The Park at Eastern Wharf – Park rules (dogs, glass, coolers, lawn chairs)
- WTOC – Savannah Riverwalk glows at lighted boat parade (2025 edition, press)
- It’s Georgia – Georgia Drive Times (OSRM free-flow, collected September 29, 2026)
- It’s Georgia – Georgia Weather by Month (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Savannah Intl Airport)
Checked on against Savannah’s Waterfront and The Park at Eastern Wharf. Times, parking and street closures can change; we re-check this guide every week until November 28.
Hank Whitlock is the pen name of the It's Georgia editor. Every guide is built around the questions a busy family actually asks before a trip: how long is the drive, what does parking cost, can the stroller make it, are dogs allowed. Details are checked against official park, city, and venue sources, and each guide shows the date it was last updated.
More from Events
Cite this page: It's Georgia, “Savannah Lighted Boat Parade 2026 (Nov. 28): Time, Where to Watch, Parking and Holiday Kickoff”, itsgeorgia.com/events/savannah-boat-parade-of-lights/ (updated ). Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page.