Christmas in Savannah! Old-time Christmas at its best

All these experiences and much, much more are right at home in Savannah still today and many will be getting underway any day now! Be smart and make reservations well ahead to make sure you have the opportunity to make the most of this exceptional Christmas experience.

Starting out with a holiday tour is always a good way to start off a Savannah Christmas. Old Town Trolley offers its Holiday Sights Tour, with conductors regaling passengers with some special Savannah holiday tales as it travels slowly to its two holiday stops -- the historic Isaiah Davenport House and Savannah's decorated Westin Resort, which has the area's largest Gingerbread Village.

Much the same kind of environment is at the historic Owens-Thomas House and at the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace. At the Davenport House, interpreters show visitors around, skilled musicians play holiday tunes, and light refreshments are served.

If you happen to be in Savannah on December 10 this year, many residents of Savannah's historic district will open their homes to you during the Annual Holiday Tour of Homes. The same timing (or a week earlier) would allow you a see "The Journey," an outdoor production of Compassion Christian Church – Savannah that recreates the ancient town of Bethlehem, including a real-life manger scene. Costumed volunteers bring the production to life.

Another holiday show is going to be on beginning just before Thanksgiving and continue until Christmas Eve. "A Christmas Tradition" is a two-hour family-friendly show presented at the Savannah Theatre in downtown Savannah.

The beautiful stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist are well worth a visit anytime but the whole sanctuary is decorated during the Christmas holidays such that this historic Savannah landmark is a must-see at Christmastime.

City Market is another focal point of Savannah holiday spirit. Shops offer enticing Christmas decorations and gifts, restaurants and bars here are extra-festive, and the closer you get to the big day, the more likely you'll see Christmasy street vendors and performers.

For something decidedly different, look into the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens on Savannah's south side. Some 10 acres of the gardens will be decorated with 275,000 twinkling lights on trees, fountains and displays. Music and warm holiday drinks will make it all the more pleasant.

Savannah will have two Christmas parades, one traditional, one less so. The city's Boat Parade of Lights on the Savannah River will be Nov. 26 this year, when more than 60 decorated sailboats and yachts pass through the Savannah Harbor. Savannah Riverboat Cruises takes part in the procession and offers a passenger cruise package. Savannah's traditional Christmas parade is Saturday, Dec. 3.

And New Year's Eve is a blast in Savannah! Revelers on River Street count down the final seconds of 2016 as a 6-foot to-go cup is raised to celebrate the New Year! Many of a certain age will no doubt have the (perfectly legal) to-go cups of their favorite beverage to help the celebration.