Here’s Where to See Holiday Lights in Atlanta
Last Updated November 13, 2025
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Where are the best places to see holiday light displays in and around Atlanta? Here are several great choices.
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights — the annual lights extravaganza at Atlanta Botanical Garden — won The Great Christmas Light Fight 2023 on ABC TV. Back for its 15th year, Garden Lights, Holiday Nights presented by Invesco QQQ shines with new music and choreography for “Nature’s Wonders,” the world’s largest curtain of synchronized light and sound. New this year: The dazzling tree sculptures from this summer’s Enchanted Trees by Poetic Kinetics will line the Anne Cox Chambers Flower Walk and anchor the Skyline Garden Pond, creating an Enchanted Avenue of color and light. Nov. 15-Jan. 11, 2026.
Where: 3445 Piedmont Road NE
Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens
Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens opens Nov. 14 and runs through Jan. 4, 2026. The harmony of nature and light is evident in the new Song of the Trees exhibit, where trees come alive in a symphony of color and music. Stroll through the tunnel of lights at Fantasy In Lights, surrounded by thousands of twinkling lights. Experience the magic of Snowflake Lane where shimmering snowflakes and festive lights create a winter wonderland. Experience 18 themed scenes, more than 10 million lights, a 7-mile drive-through experience and Christmas Village for gifts and treats.
Where: 17617 US-27, Pine Mountain, Ga.
Magical Nights of Lights at Lanier Islands Resort
Starting Nov. 15 and continuing through Jan. 5, 2025, Magical Nights of Lights at Lanier Islands Resort invites you to drive through 6 miles of animated, sparkling displays. Twinkling lights, festive scenes and magical moments await. Enjoy sparkling décor at Clark’s Holiday Pop-Up Bar with Moose Mug cocktails and a festive menu plus outdoor firepits. There will be a holiday market Nov. 28 and 30. Santa will arrive Nov. 29. Breakfast with Santa is available on select dates. And Santa will depart on Dec. 23 to head back to his workshop for last minute work. There will be a Christmas Day brunch, and there is a special mailbox for collecting letters to Santa.
Where: 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford, Ga.
Lights of Life
The annual Lights of Life holiday display at Life University opens Nov. 27 and runs through New Year’s Eve. In addition to the lights, there is a nativity scene, a menorah and a Christmas tree. Marietta.com reports that the 65-foot rendition of Santa and his sleigh is the tallest holiday display in the Southeast. In addition to all of that, there are pony rides, a train ride for the little ones, a petting zoo and a concession stand.
Where: 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta
Stone Mountain Christmas at Stone Mountain Park
During Stone Mountain Christmas, open weekends and holidays Nov. 8 through Jan. 4, 2026, take the family for visits with Santa, see the Christmas Parade, which begins at 6 p.m., and the Christmas Drone & Light Show where favorite holiday songs are brought to life with state-of-the-art projection, color-changing drones, new special effects and a fireworks finale. The show begins 8:20 p.m. except Christmas Eve when it begins at 7:20 p.m. and New Year’s Eve when it begins at 8 p.m. Santa Claus makes a grand entrance with a fly-over during the Enchanted Tree Lighting Ceremony, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Visit with Santa, stroll through the musical frosted forest and laugh at a funny take on “A Christmas Carol.”
Where: 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain, Ga.
WildWoods: AGLOW at Fernbank Museum of Natural History
WildWoods: AGLOW at Fernbank Museum of Natural History will be open select nights from Nov. 14 through Feb. 28, 2026. The multi-sensory nighttime experience invites guests into a mesmerizing, exploratory outdoor walk, where they can connect with nature under the cover of darkness and discover the stories of connectivity, pollination and nocturnal activities. Visitors can wander the paths of WildWoods among towering, artistically illuminated sculptures, glowing projections and original musical compositions. Highlights include an interactive tulip poplar pod; projections of nocturnal wildlife and native plant species; larger-than-life incandescent mushrooms and more. Artistic sculptures are placed alongside the boardwalk and include glowing dandelions, fluttering dragonflies, a swarm of bats, garden light towers and more.
Where: 767 Clifton Road
IllumiNights at the Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival
New lanterns and experiences will be part of IllumiNights at the Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival, open select nights from Nov. 21 through Jan. 18, 2026. Stroll through the zoo after dark to be inspired by nature-inspired lanterns. Each lantern is made and hand-painted by Chinese artisans, representing thousands of hours of work. Warm up with hot cocoa (signature holiday spirits available for ages 21 and up). Make merry with a marshmallow roast by the fire. Find photo ops sure to sparkle on your social.
Where: 800 Cherokee Ave. SE
For more holiday things to do, check our calendar of events.
Carol Carter was a founding staff member of Atlanta Business Chronicle where she later served as editor. She served as editor of seven magazines including a 150-year business history of Atlanta. She worked as a reporter for WXIA TV’s Noonday Show, has written for the New York Times and is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Carol is author of “Junior Dragster Dreams: How Sam Found His Own Ride,” a children’s book.
Originally Published October 14, 2025
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