Holiday Kickoff/Lighted Boat Parade
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 from 5-9 p.m.
The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra and Savannah’s Lighted Boat Parade will headline this year’s Holiday Kickoff Event at Eastern Wharf from 5-9 p.m. on Saturday, November 29th, 2025 at The Park at Eastern Wharf.
The free, family-friendly event will commence with the opening of Santa’s Grotto at Eastern Wharf, where the intimate “Daymark Lawn” will be transformed into a magical open-air space decked out in festive and fun holiday decor, twinkling lights and a lighted Christmas tree. Attendees can take FREE photos with Santa using their own cameras or phones from 5-7 p.m.
Schedule of Events:
5 p.m. Santa’s Grotto opens: Tree Lighting, Santa's arrival
6 p.m. The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra begins
7 p.m. Boat Parade Of Lights begins*
8 p.m. MC’s announce boats, judging continues*
9 p.m. Boats return to the dock at Eastern Wharf*
*please note parade times are approximate
Sponsors for this year’s event include Pilot & Park, Service Brewing, Archer Roose and Bike Walk Savannah.
The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra will perform throughout the evening with their signature “Savannah Sound” heavily influenced by their Louisiana roots. Expect Holiday Cheer, Beatles to Broadway, Motown, Gospel, and Great American Songbook presented with unique big band soul.
The parade, historically held on Thanksgiving weekend, marks the beginning of the holiday season in Savannah. Participating boats, adorned with holiday lights and decorations, are led by the Georgia Queen Riverboat, and begin and end their voyage at the dock at Eastern Wharf. The Park serves as the parade’s headquarters and staging area where MC’s, dignitaries and a panel of judges welcome participants and judge the boats along the extended Savannah Riverwalk.
What to expect:
Great local food trucks: Bayou Cafe, Pie Society, Slow Fire BBQ, The Big Cheese, The Naked Dog, Jonny Boy Cookies and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck
Beer + Wine available for purchase (card only) at The Lowcountry Taps Park Bar
Squirrel's at Eastern Wharf serving their signature pizzas, wings and full bar
Children’s Play area with views of the river
Thompson Savannah’s Frosty’s Social Club at Bar Julian
Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed and encouraged. Please remember that no glass bottles of any kind are allowed in The Park, and only small, personal coolers are permitted. Please read and review all Park Rules here.
GO VIP!
Go VIP for the Holiday Kickoff at Eastern Wharf featuring prime Riverview concert viewing and first come-first served seating, complimentary snacks, beer and wine. Includes dedicated parking for one vehicle on site. 21+ Wristband and ID required for alcohol.
Children under 10 receive free admission to the VIP area with the purchase of an adult ticket. Limit 2 children per adult. Ticket required for anyone over 10.
Lawn chairs and small coolers are permitted in The Park, but not allowed in the VIP area due to space limitations.
Getting Here/Parking:
Metered on street parking can be paid at kiosks or by downloading the ParkSavannah mobile app, and is enforced from 8 am to 8 pm Monday through Saturday. Space numbers are listed on the curb next to your parking space.
Parking is also available in the 700 space City of Savannah's Eastern Wharf Parking Garage or hop on the DOT trolley which stops at Eastern Wharf up until 7pm.
About The savannah Lighted Boat Parade:
Every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, friends and families gather at the waterfront for a dazzling spectacle of lights on the Savannah River. Led by the Georgia Queen Riverboat, over 30 boats adorned with extravagant holiday light displays will loop twice from Eastern Wharf to the Talmadge Bridge and back. Enjoy the Crafty, Fun, Creative, Whimsically decorated vessels that these Captains and their Crews work so diligently on!
Visit savannahswaterfront.com/savannah-lighted-boat-parade/ for more information.
Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from The Park Bar, Squirrel’s Eastern Wharf and Thompson Savannah. Small, personal coolers no bigger than 20” x 20” x 20” are allowed.
For a full list of Park rules, visit theparkateasternwharf.com.
The Holiday Kickoff weekend continues with Savannah Sunset Market’s Holiday Market at Eastern Wharf on Sunday, November 30th, from 1-4 p.m.. Over 60 vendors are scheduled to participate in this ONE DAY ONLY special event.
THE LOCATION
Entering The Park at Eastern Wharf or participating in or attending an Eastern Wharf-sponsored program or event constitutes the voluntary consent of the user, participant or attendee, or his or her parent or legal guardian if he or she is a minor, to (a) be photographed, filmed or video-recorded by a EWCDA representative at the park, facility, program or event; and (b) the reproduction and use of all such photographs, digital images, films and likenesses taken at the park, facility, program or event for publicity purposes in publications, brochures, advertisements, promotional and marketing materials and all other media venues, all without further notice or compensation to the user, participant or attendee or his or her parent or legal guardian if he or she is a minor.