Savannah’s holiday season kicks off with a series of events, beginning with the installation of a 40-foot holiday tree on Bull Street between Broughton and Congress streets on Monday. The annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is set for Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Ellis Square will host the Holly Days Family Fun Event on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m., featuring cultural arts activities, holiday-themed entertainment, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event is organized in partnership with Savannah Holly Days, presented by Visit Savannah.

To accommodate the tree installation, Bull Street between Broughton and Congress streets will close to traffic beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, with the closure extending through January 2025. No-parking zones in the area will be enforced starting Friday, Nov. 22, with towing at the owner’s expense for violations.

In addition to holiday events, the city is offering free parking in its garages on select dates. Complimentary parking will be available on Black Friday (Nov. 29), Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30), and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1). Free parking will also be offered from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Dec. 3 to Dec. 25. Regular rates apply outside these periods.

These events and initiatives aim to bring the community together to celebrate the season while supporting local businesses and enhancing accessibility to Savannah’s vibrant downtown.