The Isle of Hope Art and Music Festival returns, plus more happenings around Savannah

This time of year in Savannah brings out way more treats than tricks. Just look at the calendar of things to do! From the annual staging of the adults-only Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Bay Street Theater (read all about it with Destini Ambus) to the slate of family-friendly festivals happening throughout the week (see below), you have plenty to keep you busy, entertained and engaged in community.

‘Dangerous Liaisons’ screens at the Jepson on Thursday

Flowers detail a dress from Dangerous Liaisons during the Art of the Character exhibit, featuring highlights from Glenn Close’s costume collection on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at the Jepson Center for the Arts.

As part of the Art of the Character exhibit that features several pieces from the costume collection of actress Glenn Close, the Jepson Center auditorium will screen “Dangerous Liaisons,” the award-winning 1988 historical drama set in pre-revolutionary France and starring Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer. Based on the 1782 novel, “Les Liasions Dangereuses,” the story revolves around jealousy, sexual politics and revenge. The settings and the costumes are exquitesly detailed and inspired by paintings from the period, which you can see in the exhibit. Come dressed in your favorite 18th-century attire and you may win a prize.

6 p.m., Oct. 23, Jepson Center, 207 York St., Savannah; Free for Telfair members; $10 for non-members

Tell the Tales: Crawl through the Green-Meldrim House with some of Savannah’s most noteworthy writers

Good old-fashioned family fun at Auspicious Baking Co. on Friday

Auspicious Baking Co. is staying open late on Friday for its first fall festival at the Whitemarsh Island location. Test your speed and stomach muscles at the pie eating contest or take it a little easier with seasonal bites and sips created by the Auspicious bakers. Literal Ginger will perform live while local artisans sell their wares.

4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 24, Auspicious Baking Co., 104 Bryan Woods Road, Whitemarsh Island, auspiciousbakingco.com; $5 for adults

Isle of Hope Art and Music Festival returns on Saturday

Bernard Nolan’s 16″x12″ oil on panel, “Complete Job, Complete Job,” on view as part of Grumpy Old Men exhibit at Location Gallery, through Aug. 15, 2025.

Come rain or shine, more than 100 artists―including Bernard Nolan (above)―food purveyors and vendors will line the narrow oak-lined streets on the seaside enclave of Isle of Hope for one of the year’s most anticipated events, the annual IOH Art and Music Festival. Musicians such as Susto, Damon and the S#!^kickers, Matt Eckstine and more will grace the stages at the marina and Paxton Park once the art tents toll up and the sun starts sinking into the horizon. Stroll, soak up the sun and savor the sights and sounds of Isle of Hope.

10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 25, Isle of Hope, iohartandmusicfestival.com; Free

Sea and Sky: Rob Strati’s fragmented porcelains go “beyond the plate” at Ships of the Sea exhibit

Wag-o-ween frights and delights all weekend

For 20 years, Savannahians have been dressing up their pups and parading them around downtown for the cutest and sweetest trick-or-treating, all in service of raising funds for local animal rescue organizations. More than $100,000 was raised to support 12 different organizations last year. Because Wag-o-Ween has grown to surpass more than 3,000 participants annually, shops throughout downtown and the Starland District will participate. Weiner dog races and photo contests will take place in Pulaski Square. For a full calendar of events, go to .wagoween.org/event-schedule.

Noon to 5 p.m., Oct. 25 and Oct. 26, Pulaski Square and Starland Yard, wagoween.org

It gets Scary in the Dairy on Sunday

Pegasus Riding Academy hosts the annual Scary in the Dairy event this Sunday, replete with haunted hayrides through the forested trails, a pumpkin carving contest, horse rides, a cake walk, and more fun and games. All proceeds benefit the academy’s veterans riding program.