Plan Ahead: The DO Savannah Guide to New Year's Eve Weekend

New Year’s Eve falls on Sunday this go ‘round, making for an entire weekend of action-packed fun in Savannah. No need to wait to ring 2024 when a scintillating range of festivities beckons from around the city beginning the Friday after Christmas.

Dec. 29 and 30

Crafts on the River

Head down to River Street and the waterfront Friday and Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. where more than 50 local and regional artists showcase art, candles, photography, jewelry, handcrafted apparel and more. The event benefits Inheritance of Hope, an organization serving young families grieving the loss of a parent. Free to attend. savannahswaterfront.com

Bonaventure Cemetery After Dark New Year’s Eve Weekend

Ready to bury 2023? How about a ghost tour in Bonaventure Cemetery led by veteran ghost whisperer, Shannon Scott. The after-dark tours run Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00, featuring stories of secret societies, bootleggers, root doctors, star crossed lovers and more. Get tickets and details here: shannonscotttours.com/public-tours/bonaventure-cemetery-night/

Dec. 30

Kitten Yoga at the Humane Society of Greater Savannah

After a scary night of graveyard tales, perhaps a mellow Saturday morning is in order with therapeutic yoga. Best part? Kittens! This feline-focused stretch session begins 8:30 a.m. at the Humane Society of Greater Savannah, 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, and is $15 to join. All proceeds benefit local shelter animals in finding fur-ever homes. humanesocietysav.org

New Year’s Resolution Bar Crawl

If you’re a local and haven’t yet done a bar crawl, this might be the one. First, it starts early at 4:00 p.m. and wraps up by 10:00 p.m. Also, you and your friends go at your own pace and not in a big group. The goal is to visit each designated bar, check them off a scorecard then be among the first 150 crawlers at the final bar to receive a commemorative tee shirt. Super bonus: if you’re designated driver, you can visit each bar without ordering a beverage and still be eligible for a tee shirt. Tickets start at $24.99 with a portion of proceeds benefitting United Way of the Coastal Empire. Details and registration here: savannahbarcrawl.com/newyears2023

Dec. 31

Kimpton Brice Hotel Dueling Menus & Havana Nights

This New Year’s Eve extravaganza features the Kimpton Brice Hotel, 601 East Bay Street, along with signature restaurant, Pacci, going all out to create a unique experience of Italian and Cuban cuisine. After dinner, festivities continue into the new year with “Havana Nights,” an all-inclusive Latin music-themed dance party with boutique rums, imported Cuban cigars, live DJ and three-piece Salsa band. Instructors from Savannah Ballroom will be offering Salsa dance tips.

Executive chef, John Angelo Cole, emphasized the collaborative spirit that united hotel departments as well as greater Savannah community in creating the event.

“Several people who work here are from Cuba, and it’s been fun having them try the dishes and refining them as authentic as they can be,” said Cole. “The city has also been very supportive. Cuban restaurant, Rancho Allegre, let us hang a poster advertising our event, and Agenda Latina has been so helpful getting the word out. Jesse Blanco even came and filmed a segment with us. Our goal is to connect and create and make this event special, memorable, while honoring the cultures we’re celebrating.”

Dueling Menus dinner, 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., tickets $60 per person—find them here: opentable.com/pacci-italian-kitchen-and-bar

Havana Nights dance party, 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., tickets $99 per person, all-inclusive—find them here: eventbrite.com

Studio 24 New Year’s Eve Disco Celebration

If sequins, bellbottoms, and doing the Hustle have a hold on you, this is your party. Plant Riverside District, 400 W. River St., presents an upscale celebration with full band, DJ, open bar and gourmet dinner designed by their top-tier culinary masters. Though disco attire isn’t required, dressing up and stepping out is highly encouraged. More details here: plantriverside.com/venues/new-years-eve-disco-gala/

Black and White New Year’s Eve Ball

You’ll be among the highest of Hostess City society at Thompson Savannah, 201 Port Street, where Bar Julian offers the city’s tallest rooftop bar and some of the best panoramic views. The Black and White Ball boasts heavy hors d’oeuvres, dessert, midnight countdown, signature cocktails and live DJ. Best part: all those photos you’ll snag of you and your besties so finely dressed as the waterfront firework bursts brightly in the sky above you. Make reservations here: barjulian.com/new-years-eve/

Savannah’s Waterfront New Year’s Fireworks Show

If you’re on the waterfront at the stroke of midnight, look up and celebrate with friends and family as the sky shimmers in a 10-minute light show. Free to attend.

Tybee Island’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Best place to see fireworks on Tybee: anywhere on Tybrisa Street and near the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion. Or stroll the beach with your significant while the sky lights up. Free to attend. Happy New Year!

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: What to do in Savannah on New Year's Eve