Annual Tybee Island Festivals & Things to Do | Lighthouse Inn Tybee Island GA

Tybee Island festivals and events are well attended by tourists, Tybee locals, folks from Savannah, and our coastal island neighbors. No wonder! It’s relaxing, shirtsleeve weather most of the year in Tybee Island’s unique community-style beach town! Southern folks are eager to get out and mingle.

U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, Susie Morris, Tybee Mayor Jason Buelterman. Photo (c) 2011 Susie Morris

2011 Irish Festival with U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, Susie Morris, and Tybee Mayor Jason Buelterman

Tybee Island’s year around festivals and events are hosted primarily near the south end (south beach) pier. In that main strand travelers are rarely at a loss for company.

When you are ready for peace and quiet, escape to the north end (north beach) and Lighthouse Inn. It’s gentle relaxation here.

Third Thursday on Tybee (year around, except August)
Polar Bear Plunge – (January 1)
Critz Tybee Run Festival (February) – February 3-4, 2012
Mardi Gras Tybee (February) – February 17-18, 2012
Irish Heritage Celebration Parade (March) – March 10, 2012
Tybee Seafood Festival (Spring) – TBA
Tybee Wine Festival (April) – April 12-15, 2012 at Tybee Post Theater
Turtle Trot-5k Beach Run (Spring) – April 28, 2012. Fundraiser for the Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project and kick-off for Coastal Georgia’s Sea Turtle nesting season
Tybee Sea Turtle Project (May – November). Respect turtles nesting with lights out and no noise on the night beach.
** Savannah Tall Ships Challenge, (Savannah Harbor) — May 3-7, 2012. See historic sailing ships arriving through Tybee Roads channel into the Savannah River and leaving in parade from the Savannah harbor into the Atlantic Ocean.
SCAD Sand Art Festival (May) May 4, 2012
Tybee Island Kite Flying Festival, May 6, 2012, 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m., North Beach near Lighthouse
Beach Bum Parade and Street Party weekend (May, free) – May 18-20, 2012. Back story (annually since 1987)
Tybee 500 Catamaran Race (May) – TBD
2011 race postponed | Twitter: @Tybee500
Extreme Pro-AM (EVP) Beach Volleyball Tournament (May) – May 12, 2012
National Safe Boating Week (May with U.S. Coast Guard)
Tybee Island Tour of Homes (June) – June 9, 2012 TBA
July 4th Fireworks on the Beach (July) – July 3, 2012
Tybee Island Labor Day Beach Bash (September) – September 2, 2012
14th Annual Tybee Kayak Race - Saturday, September 15, 2012. Proceeds benefit Tybee Island Marine Science Center.
Taste of Tybee (September) – TBD. Walter W. Parker Pier & Pavilion (Tybee Pier).
Festival of the Arts (October) – Cancelled for 2011.
Tybee Island Pirate Festival (October) – October 5-7, 2012.
Sea Kayak Georgia Skills Symposium & BCU Week, October 19 – 23, 2012, includes daily courses in sea kayak skills development, education, safety, navigation, rescue, rolling and fitness.
** Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon, November 3, 2012. Shuttles transport runners from Tybee Island lodging (and back) for downtown Savannah for race.
Purple Stride (November) TBD. Event raises awareness and funds Pancreatic Cancer research.
Tybee for the Holidays (November – December). Various events November 22 – December 31, 2012
Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (December)
New Year’s Eve Fireworks (December 31) — Tybee Pier

See Tybee Island Seasons video here, produced by TybeeVisit.com.

For more information:

Artfully Quiet, Historic Beach Cottage

Beyond the Tybee Island, Atlantic Ocean Breakers

Meet Innkeepers, Susie and Stuart

Annual Tybee Island Festivals