October is one of the best months to be in coastal Georgia & the Lowcountry. The weather cools just enough, fall festivals pop up everywhere, haunted happenings, fresh seafood, and there are tons of opportunities to get out and enjoy community, history, food, and nature. Here’s a more complete calendar of what’s coming in Savannah, Hilton Head / Bluffton, Effingham County, Brunswick & the Golden Isles, and Richmond Hill. Bookmark this, share it, plan your weekends!
Savannah Events
Saturday, October 4 – 19 | Plant Riverside District | Oktoberfest
German-themed festivities including live music, Bavarian-inspired food and drinks, and fun and unique competitions, like the Savannah Wiener Dog Races.
This free event features traditional competitions such as stein-holding, yard games, and polka music.
- 20th Annual Wag-O-Ween!
Where: Pulaski Square
When: Oct 25 – 26 at Noon – 5PM
This major fundraiser for local animal rescues and community spay/neuter programs, features trick-or-treating for dogs at downtown and Starland District businesses, costume contests, wiener races, and a fun run.
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- Savannah Pride 2025
Where: Forsyth Park
When: Starts on Oct 25 at 12PM – 11PM
Celebrate diversity, music, performances, food, and a parade. A multi-day festival with something for everyone.
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- SCAD Savannah Film Festival
Where: Savannah
When: Oct 25 – Nov 1
The festival is a major destination for anyone interested in film, offering a chance to see acclaimed movies and discuss them with industry guests.
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Hilton Head / Bluffton Events
Saturday, October 4 at 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina
Enjoy numerous beer vendors, including the event sponsor Samuel Adams, authentic German cuisine, live music by White Liquor, beer from craft breweries, a stein hoist competition, and costume contests.
- Fish and Grits Music Festival 2025
Where: Lowcountry Celebration Park, HHI
When: Oct 4 at 12PM – 6PM
A celebration of Gullah Geechee culture that will feature live music, food, art, and community, with performances by Grammy-nominated artist Alvin Garrett and Gullah Joy Latrese Bush.
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- Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood
Where: Historic Bluffton
When: Oct 11 – 19
This annual, week-long event showcases a variety of local art, cuisine, and culture. It features a street fest with fine art, live music, and Southern-style food and drinks, celebrating the region's art scene and bounty of the sea, with a special focus on locally harvested seafood and Lowcountry cuisine.
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Richmond Hill Events
- 26th Annual Pumpkin Patch
Where: JF Gregory Park
When: Oct 4 at 9AM – 12PM
Traditional fall fun—pumpkins, family activities, bake sale, and Fall home decorations.
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- Fall Festival at the Clinic
Where: The Clinic
When: Oct 4 at 2PM – 4PM
The event will feature activities like a corn pit and pumpkin decorating contest.
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- 2nd Annual Fall Festival
Where: Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church (Richmond Hill)
When: Oct 25 at 10AM – 2PM
There will be local crafters vendors, food trucks, live music, games & much more.
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Tybee Island
Starts on October 9 to 12 | Tybee Island, Georgia
This is an annual, family-friendly festival featuring live music, costume contests, a pirate parade, children's entertainment, and local vendors, all organized by a local volunteer nonprofit.
This free event features a pirate theme, bringing the "seafaring community" together for a lively weekend with activities like fire shows and family-focused fun areas.
Brunswick / Golden Isles Events
- St. Simons Antique Show
Where: Postell Park
When: Oct 4 – 5 at 9AM – 5PM
Featuring unique and fascinating objects as well as other gems from earlier times. It offers a vast array of fine and fun merchandise from all over the southeast.
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- 2025 Golden Isles Film Festival
Where: Historic Ritz Theatre
When: Oct 16 – 18
A red carpet spotlight event and an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding films.
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- Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival
Where: Historic District of Jekyll Island
When: Oct 24 at 4PM – 9PM | Oct 25 at 10AM – 9PM
It celebrates the classic dish by offering various shrimp and grits creations from local vendors. It also features live music, an artist's market, family entertainment, and Southern charm in the island's Historic District.
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- St. Simons Island Wine Festival
Where: VIP Grand Tasting at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
Grand Tasting at The McKinnon-St. Simons Island Airport at the Posh Carts Hangar
When: Starts on Oct 24 – 25 at 12PM – 11PM
Enjoy premium and rare wines from over 30 vendors, paired with gourmet food, live music, art demonstrations, and a wine-themed silent auction.
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Rincon
Starts on September 27 – October 26 at 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Weekends Only)
A family-friendly attraction, popular for its beautiful pumpkins and a corn maze, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the fall season with
activities like a corn cannon, hayrides, and a hay castle provide additional entertainment for children.
Trunk or Treat Celebrations in Coastal Area
Get ready to celebrate Halloween with a unique twist at the Trunk-or-Treat events happening in the beautiful Lowcountry this October 2025! These fun-filled gatherings bring together families, friends, and neighbors to enjoy a safe and exciting way to trick-or-treat. Picture rows of creatively decorated car trunks, each offering delicious candy and treats, along with fun games and activities for kids of all ages. It’s a perfect opportunity for the community to come together, share some laughs, and showcase their Halloween spirit.
Don’t miss out on this festive occasion, mark your calendars and join in the fun this October!
- Trunk or Treat, Bonfire and Homecoming Parade
When: October 10 at 6:15PM
Where: Bloomingdale Recreation Dept
- 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat! (Nine Line Apparel & Black Rifle Coffee, Savannah)
When: October 18 at 5PM - 7PM
Where: 450 Argyle Rd, Savannah
- Annual Trunk-or-Treat by the City of Savannah
When: October 18 at 5PM
Where: Grayson Stadium, Daffin Park
- Trunk or Treat - Richmond Hill YMCA - Join us there!
When: October 18 at 5PM - 6:30PM
Where: 154 Thunderbird Dr
- Pooler Karate 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat! - Join us there!
When: October 25 at 5PM - 8PM
Where: 811 Rogers St
- Trunk-or-Treat, Savannah Martial Arts
When: October 25 at 5PM - 8PM
Where: 12419 White Bluff Rd
- 5th Annual Trick or Trail
When: October 25 at 5PM - 7PM
Where: Guyton Walking Trail
- Trunk or Treat in Rincon!
When: October 25 at 5PM – 8:30PM
Where: Freedom Park
- Trunk or Treat – Statesboro Police Department
When: October 25 at 3PM – 5PM
Where: 25 W. Grady Street
- The Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat (Savannah Impact Program)
When: October 30 at 6PM
Where: 2005 Waters Ave
- 8th Annual Trunk or Treat – Chatham Subaru
When: October 31 at 5PM – 8PM
Where: Chatham Subaru – 100 Kita Avenue, Pooler
Savannah Ghost Tours
Savannah, Georgia, is known as "America's Most Haunted City" due to its long and turbulent history, which includes numerous battles and deadly epidemics.
This history of conflict and tragedy, along with the city's ancient atmosphere, has fostered numerous ghost stories and made it a popular destination for ghost tours and paranormal investigations.
Here’s a list of ghost tours in Savannah that are running in October. If you decide to visit, make sure to reserve ahead—many sell out around Halloween.
- Spooky Savannah Ghost Tours
Walking tours, pub‐crawls, haunted history, late night spooky versions. Great variety.
Runs 7 days a week with start times at 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:30 PM & 10:30 PM
Click here for more information
- Ghosts & Gravestones Tour
Trolley-based ride through haunted sites, cemeteries, antebellum mansions, with exclusive entries to some haunted venues.
Tours depart nightly. For October, they emphasize that week’s around Halloween (Oct 24-31) book up fast.
Click here for more information
- Witching Hour Savannah Tours
Several options: family-friendly tours, more intense/ghost hunting versions, pub crawl kinds. Equipment used on some tours.
Nightly options including 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM walking ghost tours in historic Savannah. There are also haunted pub crawls.
Click here for more information
- Conjuring Cocktails Haunted Pub Crawl
A two-hour walking tour in Savannah, Georgia's historic North District that combines ghost stories with drinks at haunted bars.
Tours depart nightly at 8:30PM.
Click here for more information
- Haunted Theatre Tour at The Historic Savannah Theatre
Tour inside the theatre with ghost stories, legend, possibly ghost-hunting tools.
Nightly tour beginning at 10:30 PM
Click here for more information
Things to Do All Month Long
If you're not tied to a specific festival, here are seasonal options that are especially good in October:
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- Walk or bike through historic districts (Savannah, Bluffton, etc.) under fall foliage and with more comfortable temperatures.
- Visit museums & heritage sites - including Gullah/Geechee cultural tours, historic homes, art museums.
- Farmers markets & craft markets - great for local food, handmade goods, and community atmosphere.
- Beaches, dolphin tours, kayaking / paddle boarding - early October weather is typically still good for outdoor water/nature activities.
Why October is Perfect for Lowcountry Events
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- Mild weather: Less heat, more breathable air.
- Beautiful scenery: Fall colors, coastal sunsets, changing skies.
- Community energy: Local festivals ramp up with arts, food, culture.
- Less crowding than peak summer.
