Fort Pulaski will recreate Christmas as it was celebrated there during the Civil War.

Fort Pulaski will recreate Christmas as it was celebrated there during the Civil War. / Fort Pulaski National Monument on Facebook

The holiday season is in full swing, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate this weekend in Savannah. Mahogany Bowers of Blessings in a Bookbag and Claire Sandow of the Tourism Leadership Council have some tips.Mahogany and Claire talk weekend events.

Claire's picks:

  • Travel back in time to experience Christmas 1861 at Fort Pulaski. The event recreates the Christmas Nog party the Confederate garrison celebrated at the fort as a respite from the coming battle. It includes a candlelight tour of the fort as well as cider, egg nog and caroling, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; $10 adults, $3 children.
  • Continue your trip to the past with Colonial Christmas at Wormsloe. Make holiday crafts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum, with holiday festivities from the colonial period like caroling and dancing beginning at 1 p.m.; $2-10.
  • Stay fit this holiday season with the Savannah Reindeer Run, an 8K race benefitting the Rape Crisis Center. Reward yourself after the race with cookies made by top pastry chefs from the area. The fun begins at 8 a.m. Saturday; $35 to enter.
  • Spend a festive day at the movies at the Trustees Theater's Holiday Happenings series. Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas will screen at 11 a.m. Saturday, followed by The Nightmare Before Christmas at 3 p.m. and Miracle on 34th Street (1947) at 7 p.m.; free with donation of non-perishable food.
  • Celebrate Christmas at the cathedral with the annual Christmas concert at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, featuring the Cathedral Choir and the unveiling of the Christmas creche, beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday; free, with a collection taken for the music program.
  • Enjoy a jazzier Christmas at the Holiday Equinox Concert at the Westin. The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra will play a show to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund, with a three-course dinner included, from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday; $60.

Mahogany's picks:

  • Take in some music and beer at Bluegrass By The Pint. City Hotel will perform at Service Brewing from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday.
  • Spend a magical day at the Savannah Fairytale Ball. Kids can meet their favorite princesses, enjoy dancing and stories, get their faces painted and more at the convention center from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; $20-55.
  • Get in the holiday spirit (with plenty of spirits) at the Twelve Bars of Christmas holiday bar crawl, benefitting the Shriner's Children's Hospital. Don your merriest holiday attire and head out for the crawl, which starts at McDonough's and continues at a dozen bars downtown from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; $15 until Friday, $20 day-of.
Tags: Tourism Leadership Council  blessings in a bookbag  Coastal Ga Weekend  Georgia  Savannah