Best Places in Metro Atlanta to Take in the Holiday Lights
I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things about the holidays is seeing everyone take out their holiday decorations. It’s especially great at night, when you can drive around and see all of the holiday lights at the neighbors’ homes.
But where do you go to get absolutely overwhelmed by holiday light displays? Georgia has some great spots that are sure to make your jaw drop!
Atlanta Botanical Gardens – Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens went with something a bit different this holiday season, and you’ll immediately notice it when you are greeted by hot pink and electric blue lights at the entrance. The “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” show, which runs through Jan. 7, boasts nearly 1 million energy-efficient LED lights around the 30-acre garden in unusual colors.
While the show might lean towards the “artsy” side, it doesn’t make it any less beautiful to behold. Holiday songs play in certain areas, and the lights change hues to the beat of the music. There are also LED illuminated butterflies, dragonflies and bees. Located in the heart of Atlanta’s midtown, find out more about the show at the
Atlanta Botanical Garden website.
Stone MountainPark Christmas
Stone Mountain Park, be sure to visit before Jan. 1! The entire park has been decorated with millions of lights and tons of fun amusements. Stone Mountain has really gone all out with the Christmas theme including more than a dozen performances, a nightly Christmas parade, a full sized gingerbread house and more. If you haven’t been to
You can also take a walk down Wonderland Walkway, a tunnel of lights that leads to aSnowAngelPalace! Sounds incredible, right? Find out more by visiting the
Stone Mountain Park website.
Lake Lanier Islands Resort’s Magical Nights of Lights
Take a seven-mile drive-through a tour of animated holiday light displays at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. This can’t-miss holiday display is in its 19th year, and has continued to get better and better.
Some of the light displays include The Animated Carousel, The Twelve Days of Christmas, Santa’s Elves at Work, the North Pole Express, the Animated Sliding Penguin, Jack & The Beanstalk, Medieval Times Jousting Knights, a drive-through Icicle Tunnel and a stroll down Candy Cane Lane.
In addition, there is a HolidayVillage at the end of the tour, where you can roast marshmallows over a bonfire, enjoy amusement rides or just eat some delicious holiday fare. There’s more information about the Magical Nights of Lights, which runs through Jan. 1, at
Lake Lanier Islands Resort’s website.
Christmas at Pettit Creek Farms
If you’re in the Cartersville area, don’t miss out on Pettit Creek’s holiday lights display, which will be up through Dec. 30. Normally an active petting zoo, Pettit Creek brightens up during the holidays with a mile long drive-through light display.
While it may not be quite as big as some of the other attractions, it does have one distinct advantage: You can view the holiday lights from a hay ride with two live reindeer leading the way! Check out the
Pettit Creek Farms website for more information.
CallawayGardens – Fantasy in Lights
Callaway Gardens will be putting on their holiday light and sound show. It features a staggering 8 million twinkling lights, and you can choose to either drive your car or ride the Jolly Trolley to experience more than a dozen lighted scenes.Through Dec. 30. Set apart from the drivable route, two spectacular scenes combine narration, music and choreographed lights to tell the stories of
Twas the Night Before Christmas and
The Nativity. The displays are simply stunning. Find out why this has become one of the most popular holiday traditions in Georgia by visiting the
Callaway Gardens website.
