Savannah events & things to do in May 2027
Start with Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Telfair Museums, plus SCAD Museum of Art. May in Savannah averages 29°C / 83°F highs, 18°C / 65°F nights, and about 15 rainy days.
Expect 29°C/83°F days and about 15 rainy ones in May. Start with these:
- Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist★ 4.8 · 7.3k reviewsTwin-spired Gothic Revival church with stained glass and murals, a major visual anchor near Lafayette Square.
- Telfair Museums★ 4.5 · 784 reviewsThree-site museum group including the Telfair Academy, Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, and the contemporary Jepson Center.
- Brad Williams: The Big & Small TourMay 16Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre · Source: Ticketmaster
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Savannah in May 2027
Weather
TempTemperature
83°F / 65°F
28.6°C / 18.2°C
RainPrecipitation
15d
2.8in · 71.2mm
LightDaylight
13.5h
Beach season begins, but afternoons already feel hot in the squares.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- May 1 – May 2
Sidewalk Arts Festival
The sidewalks of Savannah's Forsyth Park come to life with remarkable original artwork and live music.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- May 14 – May 16
Savannah Tour of Homes
This annual spring event offers self-guided walking tours through private homes and gardens in Savannah's National Landmark Historic District.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- May 16
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- May 31Memorial DayPublic holiday
- May 29-May 31Long weekend
About Savannah
City overview
Savannah is a planned colonial city of shaded squares, live oaks, river warehouses, and a strong preservation layer around the Historic District and Victorian District. The calendar swings from spring garden weather to heavy summer heat, fall ghost-tour and festival demand, and mild winter weekends.
Food & drink
Savannah food leans coastal Southern: shrimp and grits, crab stew, fried green tomatoes, biscuits, pralines, and seafood near the river or marsh. The strongest dining mix is split between polished Historic District restaurants, Starland casual spots, and beach seafood on Tybee.
Top sights
Ranked for May suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1SCAD Museum of Art
- 2River Street
- 3Tybee Island
- 4Forsyth Park
- 5Bonaventure Cemetery
- 6Savannah Historic District Squares
1SCAD Museum of Art
4.5★ · 350indoorClosed TueContemporary museum run by Savannah College of Art and Design, giving the historic city a strong student and design layer.
Wikipedia
2River Street
4.7★ · 158mixedFormer cotton warehouses along the Savannah River, now restaurants, bars, shops, and cobblestone ramps down from Bay Street.
3Tybee Island
mixedBeach town and lighthouse island 30 minutes from the Historic District, useful when heat makes inland sightseeing harder.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4Forsyth Park
- 5Bonaventure Cemetery
- 6Savannah Historic District Squares
Neighborhoods
1Historic District
Squares, inns, museums, churches, and restaurants in the walkable core north of Forsyth Park.
2Victorian District
Colorful 19th-century houses, quieter blocks, and the south edge of Forsyth Park.
3Starland District
Creative corridor with SCAD influence, murals, small galleries, coffee, vintage shops, and casual restaurants.
Day trips
29km / 30 min by car
Tybee Island Lighthouse & Beach
Barrier-island beach, pier, lighthouse, and casual seafood, easiest as a half-day from the Historic District.
15km / 20 min by car
Wormsloe State Historic Site
Live-oak avenue, tabby ruins, and colonial Georgia interpretation south-east of town.
50km / 1h by car
Hilton Head Island
Resort beaches, bike trails, golf, and dolphin tours across the South Carolina line.
Getting around
The Historic District is best on foot, with DOT fare-free shuttles and ferries covering some visitor routes. A car helps for Tybee, Wormsloe, Bonaventure, and late-night returns from outlying districts.
Planning a Savannah trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in May.
Common questions about Savannah in May
- What to pack for Savannah in May
Pack for May's weather, not a generic Savannah checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 29°C / 83°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 18°C / 65°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 15 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Savannah
- 3 days covers the main Savannah highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Savannah worth visiting in May
- Yes. May in Savannah averages 29°C / 83°F highs, 18°C / 65°F nights, and about 15 rainy days.
Ready to plan Savannah?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Savannah plan for May 2027, every place checked for your exact dates.