THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 – THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025

​​Ships of the Sea will unveil Sea of Ink: Savannah Maritime Tattoos, an extraordinary exhibit showcasing the art and cultural significance of tattoos. Featuring more than a dozen Savannah-area tattoo artists and over 30 maritime tattoo collectors, Sea of Ink highlights tattoos as a meaningful art form and cultural movement.

With one-third of American adults having at least one tattoo, this visual language is rich for exploration. Sea of Ink presents the tattoo not just as body art, but as a powerful instrument for storytelling. Tattoos tell stories that often are deeply meaningful to the collector, and are a result of an artistic understanding between the tattoo creator and the collector.​​

Experience the Exhibit:

• Cultural Insight: Explore tattooing as a visual language and art form.

• Artistic Appreciation: Admire the intricate designs and craftsmanship.

• Stories: Learn about Savannah’s history of maritime tattooing.

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Exhibit Elements:

Savannah-based photographers Thomas Sanders and Mike Schalk bring the exhibit to life:

• Thomas Sanders photographs tattoo collectors, showcasing their maritime tattoos.

• Mike Schalk captures tattoo artists in their creative environments.

Before televisions, computers, and high-speed internet, everyday Americans engaged with image-based storytelling through illustration. Illustration is art created to be reproduced for books, magazines, periodicals, advertisements, and other printed media. Designed covers—based on finished paintings—by artists like Norman Rockwell (1894–1978) regularly reached thousands of homes via mass-produced publications such as “The Saturday Evening Post.” Celebrating the charming, wholesome, and seemingly commonplace, Rockwell enjoyed a successful career, which unfolded against a string of era-defining crises and revolutions, including two World Wars, the Great Depression, struggles over Civil Rights, and space exploration. Through illustration, Rockwell and his peers chronicled the transformation and challenging of ideals in the 20th-century, sometimes using childhood to explore complex subject matter. By tapping into American adults’ nostalgia and their associations of childhood with innocence, these artists made subjects from consumer goods to wartime politics more appealing. Through advertisements and calendar illustrations, magazine covers, and story artwork, ‘Norman Rockwell & Peers: Illustrating Childhood’ regards childhood as an expressive and revealing lens to view an evolving and often complex American society.

Experience the magic of the holidays at Plant Riverside District!

Enjoy a European-style outdoor holiday market as well as a Festival of Trees, live performances, photos with Santa, a wide range of holiday-themed food and drink options, and so much more.

You are invited to help us kick off the holiday season by joining us at our second annual Festival of Trees to take place throughout our three lobbies at Plant Riverside District. This festival will feature a forest of dazzling Christmas trees that represent a unique array of local businesses and organizations, free and open for the public to explore.

This holiday season will shine even brighter, with Magic of Lights turning South Georgia State Fair into a dazzling drive-through light display. The festive spectacular begins on Opening Night NOVEMBER 22 and will light up the nights until Close Night JANUARY 4.

Produced by Family Entertainment Live, “Magic of Lights” will make its debut at SOUTH GEORGIA STATE FAIR in SAVANNAH GA showcasing dozens of displays, festive favorites, and digital animations—all crafted with millions of LED lights to create a memorable holiday experience for the entire family.
“We’re excited to bring Magic of Lights to SOUTH GEORGIA STATE FAIR and become apart of the SAVANNAH GA community and holiday traditions.” Said Ken Hudgens, CEO of Family Entertainment Live “We hope all that join us are memorized by all the lights and Magic of Lights becomes a staple in SAVANNAH GA.”
Guests can experience Magic of Lights’ beloved holiday displays from the comfort of their own vehicle, including Prehistoric Christmas, Winter Wonderland, the 12 Days of Christmas, Toyland, festive Elves, and Reindeer Road. Along with the 200-foot Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, there will be new and captivating light tunnels to enhance the festive journey.

For the 2024 season, the brand-new MagicVision Selfie Filters will be unveiled featuring fun filters that will transform your selfies into festive holiday-themed images, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Other dazzling displays include the 32-foot-tall animated Mattel’s Waving Christmas Barbie®, a Prehistoric Christmas scene with life-sized dinosaurs celebrating the season, and the iconic BIGFOOT® Monster Truck. With over two million sparkling lights, Magic of Lights offers a nostalgic and festive experience that everyone will love.
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Welcome to Myrtle & Mistletoe, the ultimate Christmas Bar in Savannah where the festive spirit meets the warmth of a cozy Christmas wonderland and where every drink is filled with holiday cheer, and every night feels like Christmas Eve. Whether you’re looking to unwind after holiday shopping, meet friends for seasonal drinks, or simply soak in the yuletide cheer, our Christmas-themed bar will be open from November 29th through December 29th to offer everything you need for a merry and memorable time.

Step into a magical world of twinkling lights, decked-out Christmas trees, garlands, and cozy corners adorned with mistletoe and festive ornaments. Sip on handcrafted holiday-inspired cocktails, and classic Christmas signature drinks, and enjoy a selection of savory shareable bites within a cozy ambiance in a holiday escape, providing the perfect spot to relax and soak in the magic of the season.

Seasonal Specialty Drinks
Santa Baby (Grand Marnier, Chocolate Ganache, Whipped Cream, Candied Orange Peels), White Christmas Egg Nog (Wild Turkey Bourbon, Rum, Egg, Cream, Nutmeg), Figgy Pudding (Fig Infused Vodka, Grand Marnier, Fig, Lime, Ginger Beer, Mint), Mele Kalikamaka (Grand Marnier, Espolon Blanco, Coconut, Basil, Orange Run, Run, Rudolph (Carpano Antica, Angostura, Lime, Mulled Wine Syrup), Jingle Bell Rock (Wild Turkey Bourbon, Orange Reduction, Angostura & Chocolate Bitters), Winter Wonderland (Wild Turkey Rye, Espresso, Kahlua, Bourbon Cream), Saint Nick Spritz (Grand Marnier, Cranberry, Rosemary, Prosecco, Soda), and Gluhwein (Red Wine, Cinnamon, Clove, Orange, Star Anise)

Holiday Menu Features:
Roasted Autumn Vegetables (Carrots, Broccolini, Radicchio, Lemon, Anchovy), Seared Scallops (Fall Butternut Squash Pure, Toasted Pumkin Seeds Salsa), Provoleta (Grilled Provolone, Olive Chimichurri, Toast), Roasted Bosc Pears (Prosciutto, Cambazola Blue Cheese, Truffle Honey, Spiced Walnuts), and Apple Almond Tart (Vanilla Chantilly, Spiced Caramel)

It’s the perfect place to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!

Age Requirements: 21 after 8 PM

November 29th to December 18th

Toy Donation Drive x SAFE Shelter at Frosty’s Stevedore Bakery

Help us bring joy to children in need this season by giving back to our community.

Your generous contributions will make a difference and ensure that every child experiences the magic of the holidays. Let’s come together and make this a season of giving!

Get ready for the holiday season with Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s annual Santa’s Wonderland experience! Bring your family to your local Bass Pro Shops store to join over two million kids and families in taking a photo with Santa.

Enjoy a complimentary 4×6 photo with Santa and a shareable video of your visit. Photo sessions begin on Sunday, November 3. Reservations are highly recommended, so book your spot online at www.basspro.com/santa.

Immerse yourself in a nostalgic winter wonderland that brings holiday magic to life!

Open November 29th to December 30th

Toy Donation Drive x SAFE Shelter

Through December 18th

Join us in spreading holiday cheer by donating new, unwrapped toys benefitting the children at SAFE Shelter.

Your generous contributions will make a difference and ensure that every child experiences the magic of the holidays. Let’s come together and make this a season of giving!
Book your semi-private igloo for an intimate holiday dining or cocktail experience, perfect for up to six guests. Create unforgettable memories in this cozy, festive setting overlooking the Savannah River!

Monday-Friday

3:30p, 6p & 8:30p

Saturday & Sunday

10:30a, 1p, 3:30p, 6p & 8:30p

12 Days of Thompson Holiday Happenings:

Saturday, November 30th, 5pm to 11pm

Boat Parade of Lights and After Party

Saturday, December 7th, 5p to 8p

Nono’s Festive Sketch Corner with Nono Flores

Thursday, December 12th, 6p to 9p

Holiday Hits Bingo with MC Chris Grimmett

Friday, December 13th, 8p to 11p

Jack’s Spooky Movie Bash

Saturday, December 14th, 9p to 12a

Sing Your Sleigh Bells Off Holiday Karaoke with MC Chris Grimmett

Friday, December 20th, 9p to 12a

Pajama Jingle Mingle with DJ Jason B James

Saturday, December 21st, 9p to 12a

Ugly Sweater Party with DJ Jason B James

Sunday, December 22nd, 12p to 3p

A Very Merry Motown Brunch with Laiken Love

To see the full schedule of Holiday Happenings, visit the link below!

Live Oak Public Libraries encourages people of all ages to read this winter.. Log at least five hours of reading to be entered into a drawing to win a grand prize of Savannah Ghost Pirate tickets for four or VIP access to the 2025 Savannah Book Festival Saturday Author Presentation. Sign up online or in person at any Live Oak Public Libraries location. Read whatever you choose, whenever you like!