The Savannah Boat Parade of Lights and Greenbriar Children’s Center announce this year’s schedule of events for the annual Boat Parade of Lights, an iconic event in Savannah signaling the start of the holiday season in Savannah.

“The Parade is grateful to have amazing sponsors this year,” said delylah Thompson, parade chairperson.  “We are delighted to have Joe Marinelli and the team from Visit Savannah again be a part of the Parade this year, as we know that thousands of visitors flock to the riverfront each year to see this amazing event.”

The Boat Parade of Lights, led by the Georgia Queen Riverboat, will begin its voyage on the Dock at Eastern Wharf at the Thompson Savannah Hotel, the parade’s Premier Sponsor, at approximately 7:00 pm. After crossing the Savannah River, and passing the Convention Center, it will circle back at the Talmadge Bridge, continue down the river past Plant Riverside District and River Street and then passing past the panel of celebrity judges at the Dock at Eastern Wharf. The boat captains will then repeat the loop a second time, returning to the Dock at Eastern Wharf, where additional music and festivities will be ongoing for the public.

“Visit Savannah is again proud to be a sponsor of the Savannah Boat Parade of Lights this year,” said Joe Marinelli, President and CEO of Visit Savannah.   “Savannah is delighted to welcome visitors during the holiday season not only to our historic squares, but to our historic riverfront too, where they can have an unobstructed view of the parade while enjoying some of our hospitality at local riverfront restaurants and shops as well!

While the Savannah Boat Parade of Lights is free to the public, funds from sponsorships are utilized to help defray the costs of the parade as well as raise funds for Greenbriar Children’s Center, a non-profit in Savannah for over 75 years.  Greenbriar Children’s Center operates an emergency shelter for children ages 11-18, (one of only two in the entire Coastal Empire), three affordable and accessible early childcare and learning centers for children ages six weeks to five years, and a family preservation and counseling program.

“Children are the heart of the Christmas holiday,” said Gena P. Taylor, Executive Director of Greenbriar Children’s Center. “We are grateful to the Savannah Boat Parade of Lights and its sponsors who offer this event for free to thousands of families each year while continuing to support children in need in Greenbriar’s programs.”  

Those with questions about the Savannah Boat Parade of Lights may contact delylah Thompson, parade chairperson, at [email protected].