It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and that statement truly shines bright in the ATL. One of the best ways to get into the holidays spirit is by heading to one of the many dazzling light shows on offer. Luckily, there’s no shortage in Atlanta. From a mind-blowing Chinese lantern festival to beloved Christmas traditions, here’s 10 unmissable light shows to check out this holiday season in the ATL!
1. Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden, Piedmont Park
Until: until January 14, 2023
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights has made its triumphant return to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. This mesmerizing event is illuminating the enchanting grounds, with spectacular and festive lighting displays to bring cheer to the holiday season. Click here for more information.
2. IllumiNights
Where: Zoo Atlanta, Grant Park
When: until January 15, 2023
Head down to Zoo Atlanta for IllumiNights! The beloved Atlantan attraction has transformed into a night-time lantern wonderland! There’s more than 80 hand-painted animal lanterns, with some measuring up to 20 feet in height. This incredible festival honors the wonders of the natural world, as you come face-to-face with modern masterpieces, each depicting a particular species of animal.
3. Callaway Gardens
Where: Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain
When: until January 2, 2023
This magical lighting spectacle promises myriads of fantastic holiday experiences for the whole family to enjoy. Stroll through the whimsical Christmas Village at Callaway Gardens’ Fantasy In Lights, or, take a ride on their trolley for a cruise through the enchanted illuminated forest. Click here for more information.
4. Fernbank Museum
Where: Fernbank Museum
When: Until March 2023
Explore Fernbank Museum’s luminous Wild Woods that’ve been magically transformed for the holiday season. However, the museum will be treating us throughout the winter, with this spectacular display concluding in March. The installations are immersive and inspired by the surrounding wildlife, beautifully honoring the plants and animals that call ATL home.
4. State Botanical Gardens of Georgia
Where: State Botanical Garden of Georgia
When: until Jan. 8, 2023
Take a trip to Athens for Winter WonderLights at The State Botanical Gardens of Georgia. The inaugural walk-through light show extravaganza features several illuminated displays along a half-mile path, guaranteed to delight and inspire this holiday season!
5. World of Illumination
Where: Six Flags White Water
When: Until January
Six Flags White Water annually transforms itself into a love-letter to the holidays, and with a different theme each year, you’ll never know what’ll pop up! This year’s iteration is ‘Reindeer Road’, with an audio-visual element that transforms this beloved tradition into an immersive experience. Click here for more information.
6. Atlanta Holiday Lights
Where: Lakewood Ampitheater
When: November 25 – January 1
ATL Holiday Lights has returned with bigger, better and longer light displays than ever before! This year’s show features hand-crafted displays from everyone’s favorite holiday movies, a mini neighborhood featuring some local Atlanta establishments and more. Click here for more information on this year’s bright and beautiful iteration!
7. Six Flags Over Georgia
Where: Six Flags Over Georgia
When: Until January 1
Oh What Fun! A Holiday Light Spectacular is a brand new light show at our beloved white-knuckle theme park. Expect a symphony of music and choreographed dancing lights to compliment the unbeatably festive vibes! You can even watch their spectacular Christmas tree come to life with a magnificent animated light experience, featuring three unique shows choreographed to your favorite holiday classics! Click here for more information.
8. Stone Mountain Park
Where: Stone Mountain
When: Until January 1
Become totally immersed in holiday magic at Stone Mountain Park. The holiday takeover is full of festive music, millions of dazzling lights, spectacular shows and visits from some of your favorite holiday characters! Delve deep into the mountain’s Magical Frosted Forest of mesmerizing Christmas Lights, as well as checking out their stellar Christmas light and laser show.
9. Lights of Joy
Where: Kennesaw
When: Undetermined
For a cheaper option, check out the largest residential lights display in Georgia at Kennesaw. This impressive display has grown over decades of lights, turning into an adored holiday tradition for Atlantans and Georgians alike. Click here for more information.
10. Dunwoody’s Brook Run Park
Where: Dunwoody
When: until December 31
These holiday lights are free-of-charge, and are guarunteed to spark festive joy. Expect a plethora of festive displays, including luminous trees and around 85,000 lights with an enchanting Candyland theme. For more information, click here.
10. Rock City
Where: Lookout Mountain, Georgia
When: until January 1, 2023
Warm your heart and soul during this nighttime, family tradition as you walk through Rock City Gardens’ winter dreamland. Located a quick drive from Chattanooga, this magical Christmas lights experience is not to be missed!