10 Things to Do in Savannah in September

As summer ends and fall begins, the city of Savannah, Georgia, offers a host of music festivals and a handful of other interesting activities.

Irene Quesada

Irene Quesada

11 min read

10 Things to Do in Savannah in September

Lucas Theater |©Michael Folger

If you want to get some good and interesting things to see and do in Savannah, September is definitely one of the best times to travel to the city.

Celebrations such as Hispanic Heritage Day, or Labor Day, are some of the activities that you are going to enjoy during your visit to Savannah in the month of September. You'll also enjoy food shows and even art and entertainment. You're sure not to be bored.

1. Go pork tasting at Bacon Fest

Pork|©Cleo Vergara
Pork|©Cleo Vergara

If you love food a lot, but especially if you love pork and especially bacon, this is the festival you need to attend. The inauguration takes effect with the launching of fireworks during the first day of the festival which is Friday, while the rest of the weekend offers different bacon tastings.

Savannah restaurants participating in the event organize themselves to offer the public tastings of their bacon creations, making the event one of the most awaited gastronomic traditions of this southern city.

While all this is going on, outside the shops where the bacon is offered, handmade artists and artisans offer their pieces to the public so that they can appreciate and buy them. If you want to get a taste of Savannah's cuisine, you can also sign up for a food tour of the city.

Interesting details

  • Price: you don't need to pay anything to go see the shows. But you will obviously have to pay for any craft items you want to take with you.
  • Address: this event is usually held at the Rousakis Riverfront Plaza.
  • Date: it is almost always open to the public during the first weekend of September.

Take your food tour of Savannah

2. Celebrate Labor Day at Fort McAllister State Park

house with the American flag|©Đỗ Huy Hoàng
house with the American flag|©Đỗ Huy Hoàng

Labor Day is celebrated at the end of summer, and is one of the most important celebrations in the United States. Specifically in Savannah, Georgia, this date is celebrated in different parts of the city, being McAllister Park one of the most special to enjoy these celebrations.

Year after year the focus of the celebration changes a bit, but generally ** McAllister Park offers a glimpse into the past** of what labor was like in different eras. Not only will you learn about America's ancient history, but you'll also have the opportunity to take lots of photos with the hosts who dress up as soldiers and workers from centuries past.

You will also be able to enjoy live music shows, art, exhibitions, talks, activities for children; all this in a joyful and family atmosphere, with tastings of traditional foods from the south of the United States and different drinks for both children and adults.

Savannah is a very historic city, so if you want to know even more about the anecdotes and historical facts that have raised this city, I also recommend you to walk through its streets to do some of the best historical tours in Savannah.

Interesting details

  • Price: you do not need to pay admission to enjoy the shows offered in the park on the occasion of the Labor Day celebration.
  • Address: the celebration takes place at McAllister Park located at 3894 Fort McAllister Rd in Richmond Hill.
  • Date: This takes place on the weekend that ends the summer, in the middle of the Labor Day celebration.

Take your historic walking tour of Savannah

3. Admire incredible sculptures at the Choate Construction, Canstruction Competition

Canstruction Thumbs Up|©Stephen Rahn
Canstruction Thumbs Up|©Stephen Rahn

If you love construction and love to admire other people's creativity, then you have to stop by this show while you're out and about in Savannah during the month of September. It's a quirky competition, bringing together all the creative minds that want to participate, to test their ingenuity and originality.

Participants have to make the most creative sculptures out of food cans only. One of the best things about this event is that it is held every year with the intention of helping different non-profit organizations that do their bit for people with food difficulties around the world.

Going back to the activity, you will surely love to enjoy the Choate Construction, Canstruction Competition, because not only will you be able to appreciate the art and creativity of the participants, but you will also be able to spend time with your family and taste some of the most traditional foods of the southern United States.

Details of interest

  • Price: to enjoy the show you don't have to pay anything, but you are asked to donate money for the purposes of the campaign.
  • Address: takes place every year at the Jepson Center for the Arts and the Telfair Academy.
  • Date: open to the public from September 25 to October 1 each year.

4. Delight in the best of jazz at the Savannah Jazz Festival

People Performing On Stage|©Lucas Allmann
People Performing On Stage|©Lucas Allmann

This is nothing less than one of the most important jazz festivals in the country. This one in particular pays tribute to all the jazz legends in Savannah, and above all, there is room for the different artists who are just starting out in the world of jazz, as well as those who are true living legends.

During the festival, you have the opportunity not only to see different live shows completely free of charge, but also to learn different interesting facts about jazz and its development throughout history in this southern city of the United States.

If you are a jazz lover, you definitely can't miss the itinerary of free concerts, although to know which are the performances every night while the festival lasts, I recommend you to visit the website with updated information. And if you want to know even more about the history of this musical rhythm, you can visit the Jazz Hall of Fame located right in the Savannah History Museum, in a special space.

Details of interest

  • Price: You don't need to pay to enter the festival. All concerts are free.
  • Address: the jazz concerts are located in different places in the city every day, so to know the exact meeting place, I recommend you to visit the official website before going to the concerts.
  • Date: it usually takes place during the whole third week of September.

5. Run the marathon at Leukemia Cup Run for Jane

Run for Jane|©St. Joseph's/Candler
Run for Jane|©St. Joseph's/Candler

The history of this race is quite peculiar, since the initiative started a few years ago, after a doctor named Jane was diagnosed with leukemia. Despite not surviving her battle, the race continued to take place, now to raise funds for organizations fighting this disease.

There are several distances to run: 5K, 10K and 15K, in terms of races. But this event is not only about running, there are also different disciplines in which you can participate, for example: youth fishing, golf, skeet shooting, tennis, sailing, among others. There are even auctions during the event.

You can go as a participant or just to enjoy the atmosphere. In either case, it is a good plan to do as a couple or with friends. Being so special and going through so many places in the city, this walk could be included among the best tours in Savannah, especially for its sportsmanship.

Details of interest

  • Price: the variation of prices depends on the type of race, the distance and if there are relays or not. Based on that, you have to know that the fees to participate in the event range from 30 to 90 euros.
  • Address: the race starts at Parkersburg Rd, Savannah.
  • Date: this usually takes place during Labor Day weekend.

6. Enjoy great golf at the Georgia Senior Women's Amateur Championship

Golf Ball|©Thomas Ward
Golf Ball|©Thomas Ward

This is a quintessential sporting event that I recommend you go to watch and of course, enjoy the sporting atmosphere. It is a golf competition for women over 50 years old.

Participants can go to the event under their own preparation, or they can go to some classes at the Savannah Quarters club. If you don't want to, or don't qualify to play, you can just go to the show, enjoy the festive atmosphere and support the participant of your choice.

Details of interest

  • Price: in case you want to participate in the event, you will probably have to pay some registration fees. But in case you just want to go and enjoy the atmosphere, you won't have to pay.
  • Address: usually held at TPC Sugarloaf.
  • Date: The sporting event takes place during the third week of September.

7. Dance to the sounds of the Caribbean during Latino Heritage Month

Kids Dancing|©Mark Coplan's Berkeley Public School Photos
Kids Dancing|©Mark Coplan's Berkeley Public School Photos

Latino Heritage Month is celebrated every year between September 15 and October 15 in the United States. Savannah, Georgia, is no exception to the rule, so from the second week of September you can enjoy a myriad of activities dedicated to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in this state.

The city of Savannah usually offers a parade to highlight the cultures of the different Latin countries, while the rest of the activities are dedicated to honoring Latinos who have excelled in different areas of development in Georgia in the United States.

All these tributes are accompanied, of course, by different musical performances, traditional food from the different Hispanic countries, games and other activities dedicated to the whole family, so going to enjoy the Latino festivities is one of the best things you can do in Savannah with children.

Details of interest

  • Price: you don't need to pay anything to enjoy the parade and the shows.
  • Address: The parade departs from the Civic Center in downtown Savannah, most of the time.
  • Date: The celebration opens with the parade on September 15 or 16 each year.

8. Enjoy a delicious meal during the Shabazz Seafood Festival for Labor Day

Fried chicken in a basket|©Pixabay
Fried chicken in a basket|©Pixabay

During Labor Day weekend, the Shabazz Seafood Festival takes place, a gastronomic festival where you can enjoy different traditional fish dishes at the Shabazz restaurant, which is the host of this festival. The star dish of this day is the one that is accompanied by fried fish, fries, shrimp, crab and salad.

For some reason, this dish from this restaurant has become one of the most ingrained Labor Day traditions in Savannah, so if you go to the city in September, you can't miss to stop by this place that can easily be listed as one of the places to visit during one of the best food tours in Savannah.

Details of interest

  • Price: you don't have to pay for the entrance to the restaurant, although the food may vary in price, depending on what you want to order.
  • Address: this popular restaurant is located at 502 West Victory Drive, just a few minutes from downtown Savannah.
  • Date: You can enjoy this dish during Labor Day weekend.

9. Get that tattoo you've been wanting to get at the Annual Savannah Tattoo Arts

Person tattooing arm|©cottonbro studio
Person tattooing arm|©cottonbro studio

For those who love tattoos and ink on the skin, this is one of the must-see events. So if you love this kind of body art, I recommend you not to miss this event. It is an annual event that comes to present the most exemplary artists of body art and tattooing around the world.

There are national and international artists, so if you want to get a tattoo, this is the best place to take that step, with professional people and artists who excel in their art. During the Annual Savannah Tattoo Arts you will not only be able to enjoy the art of the tattoo artists, but you will also be able to see the human suspension show, one of the most anticipated events of the activity.

All this is enlivened with different musical rhythms, live performances and traditional Savannah food. Of course, there is no shortage of adult beverages during the event. This event is a good plan to enjoy with your friends or with your partner, it is not ideal to go and enjoy with the kids.

Details of interest

  • Price: you can buy tickets at the show's box office and prices vary from year to year. Tattoos inside the convention must be paid additionally.
  • Address: the artists meet at the Savannah Convention Center, 1 International Dr, in Savannah.
  • Date: This event is presented to the public the last weekend of September. The event runs all day from 11:00 a.m. to midnight.

10. Visit the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force on Air Force Day

National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force|©fisherbray
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force|©fisherbray

September marks the birthday of the U.S. Air Force, and celebrations are in full swing across the country , especially in the capital city of Washington. In the case of Savannah, a good way to commemorate this day is to go to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, which is one of the best museums in Savannah.

Within the facilities of this museum are true gems of the history of the U.S. Air Force and how it has acted in the most critical and important moments in the history of the world. Precisely during the celebration of the anniversary of this institution, the museum dresses up.

They usually make within the facilities, different temporary exhibitions, guided tours and other similar events to celebrate the moment. To go to see all the shows you will not have to pay more than the common entrance to the museum. You can go with children and with the rest of the family to see the different exhibitions.

Details of interest

  • Price: the prices of tickets to the museum range from 2 to 12 euros per person. Children under the age of six get in free, as well as World War II veterans.
  • Address: the museum is located at 175 Bourne Avenue in Pooler.
  • Date: The United States Air Force celebrates its day on September 18 each year.

September temperatures in Savannah

Park Fountain|©Michael Folger
Park Fountain|©Michael Folger

Temperatures in September are really high, because at this point in the year summer is ending and fall is beginning. By this time temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius, while the lows are usually above 21 degrees at night. In general, there are usually no more than 7 days of rain during the whole month.

Throughout September cloudiness can vary but it is not a particularly cloudy month, so it is very likely to find clear days rather than cloudy days. The longest day of the entire month is the first day of September, when you can enjoy natural daylight for just over 11 hours.

September tourist arrivals in Savannah

Lizzy's Tequila Bar & Grill|©Michael Folger
Lizzy's Tequila Bar & Grill|©Michael Folger

Almost everywhere in the United States, September is the best time to visit, and Savannah is no exception. During this season flight prices are much cheaper, however, the influx of visitors to the city decreases during this season.

This is a great advantage not only because of the great amount of discounts you can find on attractions, flights, lodging and restaurants; but it is also a good option to find better reservations in almost all areas of entertainment, lodging and other tourist services.