Mahogany Bowers, founder of Blessings in a Book Bag, offers up some ways to start off the holiday season right in the Savannah area.

Mahogany’s picks:

-Start your holiday celebrating with Christmas on the River, Friday and Saturday on River Street. The event features performances and a lighted parade, ending in City Market. And a local craft fair offers a chance to buy local and regional arts for your holiday gifts. Friday, 4-10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; free. Lighted parade Friday, 5:30 p.m.

-Cap off the celebrating Friday with the monthly First Friday fireworks over the river. The exciting display begins around 9:30 p.m.

-If you’re not in the holiday spirit yet, the Savannah Theatre has you covered with A Christmas Tradition. The two-hour performance transforms the theater into a holiday wonderland, full of the Christmas standards you know and love - plus humor and audience participation to get you in on the fun. Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m.; $37 adult, $18 children. Continues through Dec. 26.

-Don’t miss the Telfair’s latest major exhibition, Monet and American Impressionism, open at the Jepson through January 24. It highlights the work of more than 20 American artists, alongside four works by Claude Monet. Find details here.

Tags: Christmas, Holidays, blessings in a bookbag, coastal ga weekend