Hey there, locals! Lorallye Robertson here, and friend, do we have a jam-packed week for you! From pumpkin patches to paddleboards to puck drops, the Coastal Empire is bursting with fall festivities. Grab your pumpkin spice something-or-other, round up the family (furry members included), and let’s count down this week’s top five can’t-miss events!
#5 — Fall Festival and Movie Night at Port Wentworth
Friday, October 16, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
317 Cantyre St., Port Wentworth
The City of Port Wentworth Parks & Recreation is rolling out the orange carpet for its annual Fall Festival & Movie Night, and it’s **100% FREE** for the whole family! Decorate a pumpkin, join a prize-filled scavenger hunt, watch local youth group performances, bounce in the bounce houses, snap pics at the fall-themed photo station, and strut your stuff in the costume contest. Grab a bite from the vendors and food trucks, then settle in with your chairs and blankets as the movie rolls once the sun goes down.
Full Event Details Become a Vendor
#4 — Opening Night for the Ghost Pirates
Friday, October 16, 7:00 p.m.
Enmarket Arena
Puck drop, y’all! Head coach Jared Staal and the Savannah Ghost Pirates kick off their home season with veteran forward Eddie Matsushima leading the charge. Opening weekend always brings the energy, and with a storied head-to-head history of nail-biting comebacks and physical battles against their rivals, this one’s shaping up to be electric. Bundle up your enthusiasm and get ready to cheer!
#3 — 10th Gullah Food Festival
Saturday, October 17, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
12 Georgianna Dr., Hilton Head Island, SC
Come hungry, y’all! The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island is celebrating a full decade of this beloved festival. Expect authentic Gullah cuisine, lively music, soulful storytelling, and rich culture that make this community gathering so special. Bring the whole family and savor the flavors and traditions that make the Lowcountry’s Gullah heritage shine.
#2 — 5th Annual Family Fun Day and Paw-rade for Fish Gotta Swim
Saturday, October 17, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wilmington Island Marina – Bull River Cruises, 36 Wilmington Island Rd, Savannah
Paddle. Play. Give back! This splashy day of fun benefits Fish Gotta Swim©, WiSE’s environmental education program bringing underserved Savannah youth to the beach and wetlands for the very first time. Dive into 5K & 10K kayak and paddleboard races, a 1-mile fun race for families and kids, family boat rides with Daufuskie Life, and a bouncy house from Harkleroad Event Rentals. In 2025 alone, Fish Gotta Swim© reached 1,385 students — 55% of whom had never set foot on a beach or wetland before. Let’s make a splash for a great cause!
Event Schedule,Tickets & Registration
#1 — HSGS 7th Annual Fall Fair
Saturday, October 17, Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Humane Society for Greater Savannah, 7215 Sallie Mood Dr., Savannah
Topping our list this week is the Humane Society for Greater Savannah’s Fall Fair — and it’s paws-itively adorable! Kick things off at 11:30 a.m. with the Shelter Dog Parade, featuring adoptable pups strutting their stuff in costume. Then enjoy an afternoon of arts & crafts, kids’ activities, treats, food trucks, raffles, and adoption specials. It’s the perfect chance to fall in love with your new best friend!
That’s a Wrap!
Whew, what a lineup! Whether you’re craving Gullah cuisine, cheering on the Ghost Pirates, paddling for a cause, or snuggling up with a shelter pup, the Coastal Empire has something for everyone this week. Mark your calendars, grab your crew, and get out there — because living like a local means never missing a moment! See you around town!
Stay Connected with Live Like Locals
Get updates on upcoming events, news and giveaways.