It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And that means it’s time to shines bright in Atlanta. One of the best ways to get into the holidays spirit is by heading to one of the many dazzling light shows in town. There’s definitely no shortage of fun light displays. From a mind-blowing Chinese lantern festival to beloved Christmas traditions, here’s 12 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, 2024
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. Get all the info and head over to this spectacular light display!
2. Winter Lantern Festival
Where: Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
When: until January 15, 2023
Winter Lantern Festival returns for its fourth year to present another unforgettable outdoor experience! Guests will be able to stroll through a world full of lights and lanterns! And everything is lovingly handmade by artisans—some with over 20 years of experience! Come to Winter Lantern Festival to learn about the culture and craftsmanship of traditional Chinese lantern festivals. Every detail, from the traditional Chinese silk cloth to the painted designs, will be illuminated as creatures made of lanterns come to life before your eyes. Celebrate a beautiful tradition: get your tickets for Winter Lantern Festival in Georgia!
3. Fantasy In Lights at Callaway Gardens
Where: Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain
When: until January 1st, 2024
This magical lighting spectacle promises myriads of fantastic holiday experiences for the whole family to enjoy. Stroll through the whimsical Holiday Village at Callaway Gardens’ Fantasy In Lights and see a 40-foot Pixel Pine Tree, or take a ride on their Jolly Trolley for a cruise through the enchanted illuminated forest.
For all the details, check out their website!
4. Fernbank Museum’s WildWoods: AGLOW
Where: Fernbank Museum
When: Until February 25th, 2024
Explore Fernbank Museum’s luminous Wild Woods that’ve been magically transformed for the holiday season. Even though these lights are perfect for the holiday season, the museum will be treating us throughout the winter, with this spectacular display concluding in late February. 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’s Winter WonderLights
Where: State Botanical Garden of Georgia
When: November 22nd – December 30th, and then January 4th – 7th, 2024 (with a Disco twist)
Take a trip to Athens for Winter WonderLights at The State Botanical Gardens of Georgia. Take a walk through light show extravaganza, which features several illuminated displays along an accessible half-mile path, guaranteed to delight and inspire this holiday season!
You’ll walk through a Winter Wondercave, the Jingle Bell Lane, the Northern Lights and a Cone Tree Forest, along with other dazzling features!
For more information, check out their website!
5. Atlanta Holiday Lights
Where:Ameris Bank Amphitheater parking lot A
When: November 24th, 2023 – December 30th, 2023
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.
You can choose a night to walk or drive through, and there’s even a bring your dog night! Check out their website for all the specifics!
6. Six Flags Over Georgia’s Holiday in the Park
Where: Six Flags Over Georgia
When: From November 18th, 2023 – January 3rd, 2024
Holiday in the Park is a spectacular way to enjoy the holiday season! Guests can expect a symphony of music and choreographed dancing lights to compliment the unbeatably festive vibes! There is so much holiday merriment, you can spend the whole day enjoying the festivities! From live shows to dazzling lights to visits from Santa himself, you can’t miss out on this lights display!
For all the dates and rates, check out Six Flags’ website!
7. Stone Mountain Park
Where: Stone Mountain Park
When: Until January 2nd, 2024
Become totally immersed in holiday magic at Stone Mountain Park this year. As we all know, Stone Mountain goes hard for every holiday, and the winter holidays are no different! Get ready for 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.
For the rates and dates, check out Stone Mountain’s website!
8. Lights of Joy
Where: Kennesaw
When: November 26th, throughout the end of 2023
You also don’t want to miss out on the largest residential lights display in Georgia, right here in Kennesaw! This impressive display has grown over decades of lights, turning into an adored holiday tradition for Atlantans and people from all over the state! This residential display has 1.2 million lights… so you’ll have PLENTY to see!
Check out Lights of Joy for more details!9. Dunwoody’s Brook Run Park
Where: Brook Run Park, Dunwoody
When: until December 31
This year, Brook Run Park will be decked out in an Après Ski Party theme, and filled with dazzling lights! This totally free lights display boasts over 85,000 lights, a self-guided walkable display, ceremonial lighting, FREE hot cocoa, and concessions from Top Job Beverages and DonutNV Atlanta!
11. Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights
Where: Lookout Mountain, Georgia
When: until January 6th, 2024
Warm your heart during this nighttime, family tradition as you walk through Rock City Gardens’ winter wonderland! There will be so much to see and do, right at the heart of the mountain!
Take a walk down the lighted Grand Corridor in the North Pole Village, immerse yourself in the twinkle of icy lights in the Arctic Kingdom, and get ready for the Magic Forest to come alive and reveal exciting enchantments!
All guests will need to reserve an entry time in advance online. Tickets are not available at the door. For more details, check out their website!