Things to Do in Savannah in October

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Stay in Savannah in October

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October in Savannah marks the first comfortable outdoor month since late April. The warm weight of summer's humidity finally lifts, and you can walk the Historic District's 22 squares, laid out in James Oglethorpe's 1733 grid plan, at midday without the kind of soaking humidity that sends you into Leopold's Ice Cream on Broughton Street for shelter every 20 minutes. Afternoons settle into the mid-20s Celsius (upper 70s Fahrenheit), mornings carry a coolness you can feel through a cotton shirt on a bench in Chippewa Square, and the heavy rains that define June through August give way to mostly dry skies.

Two events anchor the month. The SCAD Savannah Film Festival, organized by the Savannah College of Art and Design, typically runs for about a week in late October with dozens of screenings at the Trustees Theater on Broughton Street and the Lucas Theatre on Abercorn Street. And Halloween carries particular weight in a city that has built an entire tourism segment around ghost stories, with nightly walking tours departing from Johnson Square, Reynolds Square, and Wright Square. Bonaventure Cemetery, established in 1846 and made internationally known by John Berendt's 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,' tends to see its highest foot traffic of the year during the final 2 weeks of October.

One caveat worth noting. October still falls within Atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs through November 30. Direct landfalls on Savannah are statistically rare, but tropical systems can push rain bands through coastal Georgia with only a few days' notice. Check the extended forecast before you book.

Why visit in October

First month since April where you can walk the full 2.5-mile grid of 22 squares, from Johnson Square near City Hall south to Whitefield Square, without stopping to escape the heat. The roughly 7°C drop from July's average highs is immediately noticeable.
Rainfall drops to about 72mm across 6 days, roughly a third of August's totals. Showers arrive as brief afternoon bursts rather than the all-day downpours of summer, so Forsyth Park and the southern squares dry out quickly.
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival fills late October with daily screenings at the Trustees Theater on Broughton Street and the Lucas Theatre on Abercorn Street, alongside director conversations and industry panels. An event significant enough to plan a trip around.
Savannah's ghost-tour industry operates at full capacity throughout October, with multiple nightly departures from Johnson Square, Reynolds Square, and Wright Square. The city's 18th-century squares, live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and documented Civil War history give these tours more material than most American cities can offer.

Worth knowing

Atlantic hurricane season includes October. Tropical weather systems can push rain through coastal Georgia and disrupt plans at outdoor sites like Fort Pulaski and Bonaventure Cemetery.
Early October can still deliver warm days reaching 28-29°C (82-84°F), particularly during the first week, before the month's cooler pattern takes hold. Midday walks along shadeless River Street feel closer to summer than fall on those days.
Hotel rates climb during the SCAD Film Festival and Halloween weekend, making the final 10 days of October noticeably pricier than the first 20. Properties within walking distance of the Trustees Theater and Lucas Theatre book earliest.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 25° / 16°C 72mm rain · 6 rainy days · 75% humidity rains perceptibly ~0.9h/day · 91% of mornings dry

Crowds medium

Pack Light layers for the 10°C daily temperature swing, a compact rain jacket for the occasional afternoon shower, and sun protection for the still-strong coastal Georgia sun at latitude 32°N.

October days in Savannah follow a gentle pattern. Mornings open near 15.5°C (60°F) with a crispness that burns off within a couple of hours as you walk through Chippewa Square or along Jones Street. By early afternoon, temperatures reach the day's peak around 24.8°C (77°F), then taper off again at sunset. Humidity averages 75%, still noticeable for visitors from arid climates but markedly lighter than summer's oppressive readings. Rainfall totals about 72mm across roughly 6 days, arriving in afternoon bursts that rarely exceed an hour. The low-angle October sun filters through the live oaks along Bull Street and Abercorn Street with a warm amber tone that summer's flat overhead glare never produces.

Seasonal caution

Hurricane season runs through the end of November. Direct landfalls on the Georgia coast are infrequent, but passing tropical systems can produce rain bands and wind gusts of 40-60 km/h (25-37 mph). Most October tropical threats materialize in the first 2 weeks, and forecasts typically provide 3-5 days of advance notice.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Savannah
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	16	6	79
Feb	19	9	77
Mar	22	12	110
Apr	25	15	69
May	28	19	88
Jun	31	22	132
Jul	32	24	156
Aug	31	24	232
Sep	29	21	126
Oct	25	16	72
Nov	21	11	78
Dec	18	8	83

Holidays and festivals in October

Public holidays

Columbus Day(Columbus Day)12 October 2026
Indigenous Peoples' Day(Indigenous Peoples' Day)12 October 2026

When is Halloween in 2026?

31 October 2026

Halloween is a major cultural celebration in Savannah. In 2026 it falls on 31 October 2026.

Headline events

Citywide

SCAD Savannah Film Festival

Late October, typically running 5-8 days

The Savannah College of Art and Design's annual film festival featuring independent and studio premieres, retrospectives, and tributes to notable filmmakers and actors. Screenings take place at the Trustees Theater on Broughton Street and the Lucas Theatre on Abercorn Street, with audiences of film students, industry professionals, and visiting cinephiles filling the Historic District venues.

#SCADFilmFest

Best things to do in October

Ghost tours through the Historic District

tours

Evening walking tours covering Savannah's most storied haunted sites, from colonial-era Johnson Square to Civil War-era buildings south of Oglethorpe Avenue. The creak of old floorboards, the uneven brick underfoot, and the rustle of Spanish moss overhead give these tours their atmosphere. Most companies run multiple departures nightly from the northern squares, with routes passing the Mercer House, the Marshall House hotel, and the 432 Abercorn address.

Halloween season fills every ghost-tour departure, and the cooler evening temperatures in the mid-to-high teens Celsius make 90-minute outdoor walks comfortable rather than sweat-soaked.

Booking tipBook at least a week ahead for Friday and Saturday nights. Weeknight tours tend to have smaller groups and more interaction with guides.

Walking the Historic District's 22 squares

sightseeing

Savannah's layout of public squares dates to James Oglethorpe's 1733 city plan. The full grid runs from Johnson Square near City Hall south to Whitefield Square, covering roughly 4 km (2.5 miles) on brick-and-stone paths. Each square has its own canopy of live oaks, its own monuments, and its own character. Chippewa Square held the bench scenes from 'Forrest Gump.' Monterey Square anchors 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.'

The roughly 7°C drop from summer's average highs makes this 2.5-mile route feasible as an all-day activity for the first time in months. You can stop at Clary's Cafe near Jones Street for breakfast and still feel comfortable walking through the afternoon.

SCAD Savannah Film Festival screenings

culture

A week of film screenings, panel discussions, and tributes at the Trustees Theater on Broughton Street and the Lucas Theatre on Abercorn Street, organized by the Savannah College of Art and Design. The festival features both independent debuts and studio releases alongside conversations with directors and actors.

The festival only happens in late October, typically running 5 to 8 days.

Booking tipIndividual screening tickets go on sale several weeks before the festival and tend to sell out for headline events at the Trustees Theater. Full festival passes cover all screenings across all venues.

Bonaventure Cemetery photography

sightseeing

The 160-acre cemetery sits on a bluff overlooking the Wilmington River, about 15 minutes east of the Historic District. Live oaks draped in Spanish moss shade Victorian-era monuments and sculptures, including the famous Bird Girl statue's original location. Gravestones date to the mid-1800s, and the site became internationally known through John Berendt's 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.'

October's lower sun angle creates softer light through the live-oak canopy than summer's harsh overhead glare. The cemetery also runs its most frequent guided tours during Halloween season.

Booking tipThe cemetery gates close at 5 p.m. Arrive by 3:30 for late-afternoon golden-hour light on the Wilmington River bluff.

Fort Pulaski National Monument

history

The brick fortification on Cockspur Island near the mouth of the Savannah River dates to 1829. Its walls still bear visible damage from the 1862 Union siege, the battle that proved rifled artillery could breach masonry fortifications and changed military engineering permanently. The 5,600-acre grounds include nature trails through the surrounding salt marsh.

The fort is entirely outdoors, and summer visits mean walking exposed ramparts in 32°C heat. October's highs near 25°C make the 30-minute perimeter walk and the marsh trails comfortable.

Booking tipThe fort sits about 25 minutes east of the Historic District by car on U.S. Route 80. Combine it with a Tybee Island trip since both are in the same direction.

Tybee Island day trip

beach

Savannah's nearest ocean beach sits about 30 minutes east of the Historic District via U.S. Route 80. The 5-km (3-mile) stretch of sand faces the Atlantic and offers swimming, kayaking, and the Tybee Island Light Station, one of the tallest lighthouses in Georgia at 44 meters (145 feet).

October air temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius keep beach visits pleasant. Water temperatures start to cool but hover in the low 20s Celsius (low 70s Fahrenheit) on warm days. Summer's crowds thin considerably.

Booking tipWeekend parking near the beach fills up by late morning in October. Arrive before 10 a.m. or use the lots further from the strand on Butler Avenue.

Kayaking the coastal marshes

outdoor

Guided kayak tours launch from points east of downtown into the tidal salt marshes that line Georgia's coast. The paddling corridors wind between shoulder-high Spartina grass, with the smell of salt water sharpening as the tide shifts. Herons, egrets, and the occasional bottlenose dolphin share the waterways along Skidaway Island and the Moon River.

October's moderate temperatures and reduced thunderstorm risk make 2-3 hour paddle sessions comfortable. Summer's heat and frequent afternoon lightning posed real safety constraints.

Booking tipBook morning departures. Wind tends to pick up in the afternoon, and morning light on the Spartina grass photographs better.

Evening walk along River Street

nightlife

The cobblestone waterfront along the Savannah River runs roughly 1 km (0.6 miles) from the Hyatt Regency east past converted cotton warehouses from the 19th-century port era. The sound of live music drifts from open doorways at Vic's on the River and Kevin Barry's Irish Pub most evenings. The stone ballast steps connecting Bay Street to River Street are worn smooth from over 2 centuries of foot traffic.

Evening temperatures in the mid-to-high teens Celsius make outdoor dining and waterfront walks comfortable. The patios that emptied in August's extreme humidity fill up again.

What to eat in October

On menus now

Lowcountry shrimp and grits
Local white shrimp from the Georgia and Carolina coast are still in season through October. The dish pairs stone-ground grits with sauteed shrimp, andouille sausage, and a rich pan sauce. You'll find versions at nearly every sit-down restaurant south of Bay Street.

Street food peaks

Hot boiled peanuts
A Southern roadside staple still available from vendors through October. The peanuts simmer for hours in salted water until they're soft and briny, a texture nothing like dry-roasted peanuts. An acquired taste worth acquiring.
Savannah pralines
The city's signature confection, made from sugar, butter, cream, and fresh pecans. The sticky sweetness of a warm praline, still soft from the copper pot, is worth tasting at least once along River Street. October's early-harvest nuts give confectioners their best raw material of the year.

What to drink

Oktoberfest craft lagers
Local Savannah breweries release seasonal Oktoberfest-style lagers in October. The Starland District and westside neighborhoods host several taprooms where limited-run amber and copper-toned fall beers appear on draft.

In markets

Georgia coast oysters
The traditional 'R months' season picks up in October. Raw bars across Savannah feature fresh catches from the tidal creeks and sounds along the coast, served on the half shell or roasted over open flame with garlic butter. The Wyld Dock Bar on the marsh and spots along River Street both move through them quickly.
Fresh-harvest pecans
Georgia produces more pecans than any other U.S. state, and October marks the start of the annual harvest. Fresh crop nuts show up in pralines at River Street Sweet Shoppe, in pies at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, and alongside cheese plates at restaurants across the city.

Regular events in October

Savannah Greek FestivalFree

Annual celebration hosted by St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church featuring traditional Greek food, live music, folk dancing, and tours of the Byzantine-style sanctuary on Bull Street.

Mid-October, typically a 3-day weekend event

Oktoberfest on the River

River Street's annual Oktoberfest celebration with German food, craft beer from local and regional breweries, and live music along the waterfront cobblestones between the Hyatt and the eastern end of the strip.

Early October, typically the first weekend

Halloween on River StreetFree

Halloween-themed events along the waterfront during the final week of October, with costume contests, themed bar crawls, and live entertainment stretching across the cobblestone strip from Bull Street to East Broad Street.

October 31 and the preceding weekend

Best places this October

Forsyth Park
park
Established in 1840, Savannah's largest urban park covers 12 hectares (30 acres) at the southern boundary of the Historic District. The iconic cast-iron fountain, built in 1858, anchors the north end, while tree-lined paths extend south past the Fragrant Garden and tennis courts. The scent of fresh produce and cut flowers fills the Saturday morning farmers market near the fountain. October is the first month since spring where lingering on the park benches feels pleasant rather than sticky.
Historic District
Jones Street
street
Often considered one of the most photogenic streets in the eastern United States. Live oaks form a complete canopy overhead between Abercorn Street and Bull Street, and the brick rowhouses date primarily to the 1850s and 1860s. October's lower sun angle sends shafts of amber light through gaps in the canopy that summer's overhead sun never creates. Worth a slow walk with a camera.
Historic District
SCAD Museum of Art
museum
Opened in 2002, the museum occupies a restored 1853 railroad building at 601 Turner Boulevard and features rotating exhibitions of contemporary and modern art. During the film festival in late October, the museum hosts additional events and screenings. A strong option when one of October's occasional afternoon showers sends you indoors.
Historic District
Telfair Museums
museum
Savannah's oldest public art museum, operating since 1886. The Telfair Academy occupies a Regency-style mansion designed by William Jay in 1819 on Barnard Street, while the Jepson Center across the street houses contemporary galleries. The three-site museum system also includes the Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters on Oglethorpe Square.
Historic District
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
religious site
The French Gothic cathedral on Lafayette Square, founded in 1873, features twin spires visible across the Historic District skyline. The interior holds extensive stained-glass windows imported from Austrian and Bavarian workshops and a painted ceiling that rewards slow examination. October mornings offer quieter visits before the day's tourist volume arrives.
Historic District
Wormsloe Historic Site
historic site
A 1.5-mile (2.4 km) avenue of roughly 400 live oaks forms a canopy over the approach to the ruins of a colonial estate established in 1736 by Noble Jones, one of Georgia's original colonists. Dappled sunlight shifts across the road as the branches sway. October's softer light and thinner crowds make it noticeably less congested than the spring peak.
Isle of Hope
Mercer House
historic house
Built in 1868 for Confederate General Hugh W. Mercer, this Italianate mansion on Monterey Square is one of Savannah's most recognized homes, central to 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.' The house operates as a museum with guided tours of the main floor and its antique collection. Halloween-season tours tend to lean into the house's dramatic history.
Historic District
Congregation Mickve Israel
religious site
Founded in 1733, the same year as Savannah itself, this is one of the oldest Jewish congregations in the United States. The Gothic Revival synagogue on Monterey Square holds a small museum with artifacts dating to the congregation's founding, including one of the oldest Torah scrolls in North America.
Historic District

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Light rain jacketOctober averages about 6 rainy days, and showers tend to hit in the afternoon without much warning. A packable waterproof layer that fits in a daypack lets you keep walking through the squares rather than sheltering in a shop on Broughton Street for 30 minutes. Shop
Layering piecesThe 10°C swing between cool mornings and warm afternoons means a t-shirt alone won't cut it before 10 a.m. in Forsyth Park or after sunset on River Street. A light cotton button-down or thin fleece covers the range without overheating at midday. Shop
Sturdy closed-toe walking shoesThe Historic District's surfaces include brick sidewalks along Bull Street, cobblestone on River Street, and uneven flagstone paths through the squares. October's weather means you'll likely cover 10-15 km (6-9 miles) per day on foot, and sandals on cobblestones lead to sore ankles. Shop
SPF 30+ sunscreenThe Georgia coast sun at latitude 32°N still burns in October, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Spanish moss provides intermittent shade in the squares but none on River Street, Tybee Island, or Fort Pulaski's ramparts. Shop
Insect repellentMosquitoes taper off by mid-October but haven't fully disappeared, particularly near the marshes east of town and at Bonaventure Cemetery during evening hours. A small spray bottle saves real discomfort on ghost tours and sunset walks. Shop
Light scarf or wrapSavannah's restaurants and bars often run aggressive air conditioning. A thin layer to throw over your shoulders prevents the chill that hits when you walk from warm outdoor air into a frigid dining room on Broughton Street or Congress Street. Shop
Reusable water bottleThe humidity that lingers through October dehydrates you faster than the pleasant air temperature suggests. The Forsyth Park fountain area has drinking fountains, and most restaurants will refill bottles on request. Shop
Sunglasses with UV protectionOctober's lower sun angle means more direct glare than summer's overhead position, particularly when walking east-west along Broughton Street or along the River Street waterfront in the late afternoon. Shop

Insider tips

The squares closest to River Street, like Johnson Square and Reynolds Square, get the most foot traffic. Walk 10 blocks south along Bull Street toward Monterey Square or Whitefield Square for the same live oaks and Spanish moss with noticeably fewer people.
Forsyth Park's Saturday morning farmers market runs year-round, but October is the first month since spring where browsing the stalls near the cast-iron fountain feels enjoyable rather than draining. Arrive before 10 a.m. for the best produce selection from Georgia growers.
Ghost tour quality varies considerably between companies. Mind you, the high-volume operators that depart from Johnson Square are fine for a first visit. But smaller companies that route through the Victorian District or south of Forsyth Park tend to offer more unusual material and fewer fellow tourists.
October evenings in Savannah are warm enough to take advantage of the city's open-container laws in the Historic District. You can carry a to-go cup from a bar on Congress Street south through the squares, and the stroll between River Street and Forsyth Park takes about 20 minutes at a comfortable pace.
If you're visiting during the SCAD Film Festival, standby seats for sold-out screenings often open up 15 minutes before showtime at the Trustees Theater. Festival staff announce availability at the venue entrance.

Avoid these mistakes

Booking a midday walking tour in early October and expecting autumn-crisp temperatures. The first week can still push 28-29°C (82-84°F) on sunny afternoons, closer to summer than fall. Morning tours before 10 a.m. or late-afternoon departures after 4 p.m. avoid the warmest hours.
Planning a late-afternoon visit to Bonaventure Cemetery without checking gate hours. The gates close at 5 p.m., and if you want golden-hour photographs on the Wilmington River bluff, budget your arrival to give yourself at least 90 minutes.
Skipping Tybee Island because you assume it's too cold for the beach. That said, October water temperatures in the low 20s Celsius (low 70s Fahrenheit) are still comfortable for wading on a warm afternoon, and the beach sees far fewer visitors than summer.
Driving into the Historic District and circling for parking near Johnson Square or Chippewa Square. The 22 squares sit within a 20-minute walking radius of each other, and the flat terrain makes the city one of the most walkable in the American South. Save the car for Tybee Island and Wormsloe.

Practical tips for October

October straddles shoulder and high season in Savannah, so booking accommodations 3-4 weeks ahead pays off, especially during the final 2 weekends when the film festival and Halloween overlap. Most Historic District restaurants accept walk-ins on weeknights, but Friday and Saturday dinner service at The Olde Pink House on Abercorn Street, Elizabeth on 37th, and along Broughton Street fills up. Dress codes lean casual across the city, though a handful of higher-end restaurants expect collared shirts for dinner. The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) sits about 20 minutes from the Historic District by car. Savannah scores 6.2 out of 10 for solo-traveler safety (see the TTDI Solo-Safety Index), and the well-lit squares along Bull Street and Abercorn Street feel safe for evening walks. Exercise standard precautions south of Forsyth Park after dark, particularly in the less-trafficked blocks of the Victorian District.

FAQ

Is October a good time to visit Savannah?

October is one of the 2 or 3 best months to visit. The summer heat breaks enough that you can walk the full Bull Street corridor from City Hall south through Chippewa Square, Madison Square, and Monterey Square to Forsyth Park without stopping to cool down in a shop. The SCAD Savannah Film Festival fills late October with screenings at the Trustees Theater and the Lucas Theatre for the Arts, and ghost tours run multiple nightly departures from the northern squares through Halloween. The main risk is a low-probability tropical weather system during the first half of the month, but forecasts typically provide 3-5 days of warning.

What is the weather like in Savannah in October?

Expect warm but not hot days with highs in the mid-20s Celsius (upper 70s Fahrenheit) and cool mornings around 15-16°C (59-61°F). Humidity sits around 75%, lower than summer but noticeable if you arrive from a dry climate. Rain falls on roughly 6 of the month's 31 days in brief afternoon bursts that typically clear within the hour. Worth noting, the first week can still push 28-29°C on sunny afternoons, so layers that come off easily matter more than anything warm.

Is Savannah crowded in October?

Crowds are moderate. October sits between summer's quiet season and spring's peak. To be fair, even the busiest October weekend doesn't approach the March St. Patrick's Day celebration, which draws the second largest parade in the United States. The SCAD Film Festival in late October and Halloween weekend bring noticeable spikes along River Street and around Johnson Square, but you won't struggle for a table at The Olde Pink House or Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. Weeknight ghost tours tend to run smaller groups too.

Is there a hurricane risk in Savannah in October?

October falls within Atlantic hurricane season. Direct landfalls on Savannah are rare, but tropical systems can push rain and gusty winds through coastal Georgia even without a direct hit. The probability is low, and forecasts provide several days of warning. Consider flexible or refundable bookings for the first 2 weeks of the month, when tropical activity is statistically more likely.

Is Savannah welcoming for LGBTQ+ travelers?

Savannah rates 6.5 out of 10 for LGBTQ+ friendliness (sourced from TTDI's editorial rubric). The city is generally welcoming, with LGBTQ+-friendly establishments concentrated along Congress Street and in the blocks around Ellis Square. The scene is smaller than Atlanta, about 4 hours to the northwest by car, but Savannah's compact walkable core means you'll find the welcoming spots within a few blocks of each other near the northern end of the Historic District.