Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025
Good morning!
Is it just me or does Santa seem to be everywhere, all at once this weekend? I’m sure Einstein or Galileo would tell us Christmas magic transcends time and space, but since they’re not here, we shouldn’t think too much about it and enjoy getting photos of him with the family and pets. Enjoy a chili cook off in McIntosh county, or head to Skidaway Island State Park to volunteer for clean up. Since the days are only getting shorter, let’s all channel our inner Joyce Byers and follow the Christmas lights from downtown Chatham to Jekyll Island, where trees, houses, and beautiful coastal terrain are lit up through the night.
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CHATHAM COUNTY
Campaign Kick Off Party: Honor and celebrate the Loop It Up program that serves more than 11,000 children across the Savannah area each year. The event is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Bar by Fleeting inside Thompson Savannah. There will be small bites, cocktails, and raffle prizes to take home. For more information, visit their facebook page.
Kids Movement Class: Join Oak Roots Kids from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at Origin Coffee Bar, 356 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. There will be free drinks and pastries.
Holiday Film Festival: Free for everyone. The movie starts at 11 a.m. with a sensory friendly show starting at 10:30 a.m. with the lights up and sound down. The first movie of the month will be The Grinch (animated) on Friday, Dec. 5 – 7th, at NCG Cinemas, 3001 Skidaway Road. Large groups can be accommodated with a private show for $7.00 per person and will include popcorn, drink, and fruit snacks.
Conquer the Bridge: Experience what runners call “The South’s Toughest Bridge Run” from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, on Hutchinson Island, Grand Prize of America Ave. The Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run has become an iconic event where over 5,000 runners from all over come to challenge the 5.5% grade of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. A 5K, 10K, and 15K are available along with a kid’s fun run.
Skidaway Island State Park Clean Up: From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 6, at Skidaway Island State Park, 52 Diamond Causeway. Help mulch the trail surface, cut back overgrown vegetation on the Sandpiper trail, and remove any invasive plants. Please wear close-toed shoes, bring work gloves and a water bottle. Snacks and beverages will be provided by the Friends of Skidaway Island State Park.
Savannah Santa Train: Coastal Heritage Society will be hosting the annual Savannah Santa Train this year from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Georgia State Railroad Museum and Savannah Children’s Museum, 655 Louisville Rd. Come together for a family-friendly event with festive activities and entertainment. Tickets are $18 for CHS members and $20 for non-members.
Santa Paws: Donate $50 to the Humane Society for Greater Savannah to get professional photos taken with Santa by Keyla TeAnn Photography from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Westin Savannah Harbor Gold Resort & Spa, 1 Resort Drive. Guests can pay in advance or via Venmo or cash upon arrival. First come, first serve basis.
A Christmas Tradition for Single Moms: A variety show features dancing reindeer, Santa and his elves, along with award-winning singers and a live band performance to benefit the single mothers of Shelter From the Rain, a non-profit that provides assistance to single mothers and children in need. Come enjoy the show from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Savannah Theatre, 222 Bull St. Tickets range from $25-50 depending on what program you’d like to support.
GDOT Public Information Open House: The Georgia Department of Transportation will host a Public Information Open House From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, at The Old School Cafeteria, 202 Fifth St. The department will be talking about the proposed safety improvements on US 80/SR 26 from the Lazaretto Creek Bridge to Tybrisa Street.
Holiday Songs and Stories in the Square: Go on a free walking tour filled with true stories of Savannah history and seasonal songs presented by the Historic Savannah Foundation and Savannah Voice Festival. The tour will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Taylor Square, 429 Abercorn Street.
Savannah Sunset Market: A downtown experience from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. every month on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at the Eastern Wharf, 400 Passage Way. Shop with local farm, fishery and food artisans, stroll the riverfront, and savor great food.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Christmas in the Park: From noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at St. Marys Waterfront Park, 201 W. St Marys St. Open to the public. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit, stockings full of goodies will be given to the kids, and there will be games, refreshments, and local entertainment. For questions, call Saltwater Performing Arts at 912-510-9700 or the St. Marys Welcome Center at 912-882-400.
Photos with Santa: From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Josselyn Homes Model Home, 217 Verano St. Join Santa for a free photo and then shop local vendors.
Toys for Tots Volunteer Meeting: Starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Restoration Church, 2475 Village Dr. Join the Santa Squad and make a difference in the community for their distribution event on Dec. 13. The meeting agenda includes training and vital information for the days before and the day of the event. Click here for more information.
Justin’s Viewfinder
Some photos don’t always make it to the story. In this weekly newsletter, The Current GA will highlight photos from staff photojournalist Justin Taylor as a behind-the-lens look at the work put into visuals at our publication. Justin’s Viewfinder will also be featured on our Instagram alongside other news and notes from the coast.
BRYAN COUNTY
Santa Paws is Coming to Town: Bring your furry friends for a festive photo with Santa from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Flashback Bar & Grill. Bring $10 or $5 with an animal shelter donation item. All proceeds benefit the Bryan Animal League, which helps improve local shelters.
Used Book Sale: The Richmond Hill Friends of the Library will hold a used book sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Richmond Hill Library, 9607 Ford Ave. All proceeds benefit the library. Click here for prices and more information.
Christmas Parade: This year’s theme is “Scenes of the Season”. From Christmas movie moments to cozy hometown traditions, bring your favorite holiday scenes to life at the parade starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, from the Timber Trail Recreation to City Hall. Visit the website for more information.
GLYNN COUNTY
Gullah Geeche Christmas celebration: The Jingle Jangle Gullah Geechee Christmas celebration is coming back to Selden Park from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at 100 Genoa Martin Drive in Brunswick. This year, the celebration will feature a performance by the Gullah Geechee Ring Shouters, and children will be able to visit Gullah Geechee Santa, ride “Buck” the Gullah Reindeer, and enjoy the Gullah Geechee choo-choo. The event is free and open to the public.
Brunswick Police hires assistant chief: The Brunswick Police Department (BPD) has finally hired an assistant chief of police after a months-long search. Ben Herron will be the new assistant chief. Herron has more than 25 years of service with the Savannah Police Department, with experience in various leadership and operational roles.
Brunswick asks for collaboration to address homelessness: The City of Brunswick said that it is taking proactive steps to address the needs of the unhoused, and it recently notified surrounding communities to discourage the relocation of individuals facing housing hardships into Brunswick without coordination or support. The city said it cannot continue to bear the brunt of helping its unhoused, along with others displaced from other communities.
Christmas on Jekyll Island: Visit Jekyll Island to see amazing Christmas lights on display this weekend. The island is always open to visitors with plenty of lights to see.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Riceboro Tree Lighting: This evening, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, celebrate the holiday season with the annual lighting of Riceboro’s Christmas Tree next to City Hall, 4614 S Coastal Hwy. This family event includes gift drawings for Riceboro Water customers, so bring your water bill with you to claim your prize. There will also be barbecue and free popcorn from the city.
Hinesville for the Holidays: From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, the City of Hinesville is holding it’s annual tree-lighting celebration. A family-friendly event featuring photos with Santa, train rides, bouncy houses, food trucks, and holiday music from local school choruses. The event ends with the tree lighting in Bradwell Park, 110 S. Commerce St. Cosponsored by Liberty County Chamber of Commerce and Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Liberty County NAACP: The NAACP Liberty County Branch holds its general membership meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the historic Dorchester Academy, 8787 E. Oglethorpe Hwy. in Midway.
Community Flea Market: Do a little holiday shopping from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Bo’Maz Event Center, 4850 W. Oglethorpe Hwy. in Walthourville. Support local craftspeople and hunt for vintage treasures! Vendor application here.
Walthourville Tree Lighting: The City of Walthourville holds its annual Christmas Tree Lighting event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, at City Hall, 222 Busbee Road.
MCINTOSH COUNTY
Food Distribution: The Boaz Project distributes food packages to residents in McIntosh County. If you’re in need of a food package, make sure to fill out an application for assistance on distribution day from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday Dec. 11, at Boaz Project Food Distribution, 14213B Hwy. 251. While new applicants might not get food on the day off, the organization will try their best to help.
Coastal Christmas: The Darien Lions Club will kick off festivities at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, for the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 504 North Way. The inaugural chili cook off will start at 5 p.m. by the Old City Hall. Registration is free and chili samples will be sold for $1 each with proceeds going to the Empty Stocking Fund of McIntosh County. Then the parade will start at 6 p.m. in Downtown Darien, 86 Screven St. Santa will visit the McIntosh Arts Association with hot chocolate and cookies to share with the kids. Click here for more information.
Hofwyl-Broadfield Christmas: From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation. Visitors will be treated to a guided tour of the decorated antebellum rice plantation home. There will be musket and cannon demonstrations, re-enactors demonstrating camp life as a soldier, and hot wassail with cookies. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for youth, 5 & under are free. It is recommended to arrive no later than 7 p.m. to be able to see all of the attractions. Call 912-264-7333 for questions.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
A Night in Bethlehem: From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Newington Pavillion, 174 Park St. Enjoy the live nativity scene, live music, cookies and cocoa. Guests can walk through a Bethlehem-style marketplace with interactive stations, crafts, and storytelling. The event is suitable for all ages. A $5 donation will be accepted to benefit the Screven County Crisis Center. Contact Zandra Overstreet at 912-690-1223 for questions and more information.
ALONG THE COAST
Flu shots available: Health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties now offer updated 2025-2026 flu vaccine. Supplies are limited in some locations as vaccine shipments continue to arrive. Call your local health department to confirm availability and schedule an appointment. A yearly flu vaccine is the best way to prevent serious flu-related illness for everyone age 6 months and older. Costs are typically covered by insurance, and health departments accept many health insurance plans, and low-cost options for those without health insurance coverage. Information at coastalhealthdistrict.org/flu.
COVID shots available:The health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties are now offering the Pfizer brand of COVID vaccine without a prescription, the Coastal Health District announced Tuesday. COVD vaccines are also available without a prescription at pharmacies, Healthbeat Atlanta reports.
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Chatham commissioner challenges chairman in ongoing transit dispute
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