December is a busy month for many of us. What with holiday shopping and parties! But one of the best memories for kids are the time they spend with their families especially in Atlanta where there are many fun Christmas celebration events and Holiday Light Displays to check out.
To add to our first guide to Christmas Light Displays from Residential homes in Atlanta, we have gathered information on Christmas Light and Holiday Light Displays from Atlanta Attractions around town. Most of these holiday light displays are not free but well-worth the splurge during the holiday!
Guide to Holiday Light Displays in Atlanta 2013
Holiday in Lights @ Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta
Don’t miss out on downtown favorite Holiday Light display at Centennial Olympic Park. Centennial Olympic Park’s annual Holiday in Lights is an Atlanta tradition. In November, the Park transforms into a winter wonderland with thousands of lights that make up the sparkling display. Different and unique every year, Holiday in Lights runs through the first week of January. The Park is open daily to view the lights from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., including Dec. 25, Christmas Day, and there is no charge for admission.
Stroll down the park and enjoy the winter wonderland in the downtown area. Then you might also want to check out the Outdoor Ice Skating rink.
Place: Holiday in Lights, The Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave West NW, Atlanta, GA
Date: Everyday from Nov. 23, 2013 – first week of January, 2014
Time: 7:00AM – 11:00PM
Cost: FREE
Garden Lights Holiday Nights 2011 @ Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights sparkles with new imagination! Imaginary Worlds brightens the glow of the third annual extravaganza featuring a million lights.
Earth Goddess transforms into an icy vision of wintry radiance with twinkling lights weaving through her tresses. The Cobras are wrapped in red and white stripes, welcoming visitors as towering candy canes. Green lights trace hypnotic spiral patterns in the snakes’ majestic hoods. Look for a harvest of illuminated corn, brilliant bugs and the grand Poinsettia Tree.
Experience all of the spectacular light displays, the “Orchestral Orbs” – a one-of-a-kind topiary light show choreographed to holiday music – and listen for Sounds of the Radiant Rainforest in the Fuqua Conservatory.
Place: Garden Lights Holiday Nights, Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA
Date: November 16, 2013 – January 4, 2014
Time: 5:00PM – 10:00PM
Cost: From $17-20 adults; $11-$14 children 3-12; members receive additional discounts
Magical Night of Lights @ Lake Lanier Island Resort, Buford
The World’s Largest Animated Holiday light extravaganza in the Northern suburb of Atlanta is one of the go-to place.
Drive over the magnificent snowflake bridge, down through the 12 days of Christmas, up past the illuminated diamond wonder light, under the blanket-lit bridge, all the way to the dancing Holiday House, Santa’s Workshop, Christmas Carnival and more! Starting Friday, November 15th until Monday, December 31st, come celebrate our 21st Anniversary of Magical Nights of Lights featuring miles of illuminated characters and millions of twinkling lights!
Place: Magical Night of Lights, Lake Lanier Islands Resort, 7000 Holiday Road, Lake Lanier Islands, GA
Date: November 15, 2013 – December 31, 2014
Time: opens at 4:00PM; Holiday Village opens at 5pm
Cost: Starting from $40 per car (with coupon and discount). Price varied; DOUBLE coupons accepted through November 26
Stone Mountain Christmas @ Stone Mountain
The top attraction in Atlanta and the go-to place whenever you have a cousin comes to visit has one of the biggest Christmas fun for the whole family.
It’s not as economical as other options but you can get a bargain by buying a family value pass for the Christmas event. With $15 more than the regular tickets price for family of 4 and you will get dinner and hot cocoa for the whole family. See our Parent Review for more money savings tips to Stone Mountain Christmas.
There are many fun things to do so plan to be there the whole day and stay a while to check out Wonderland Walkway, a dazzling tunnel of lights guiding you to the Snow Angel Palace; Polar Express 4-D experience, visit with Santa Claus, Rudolph, and even Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster.
Place: Stone Mountain , Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Drive, Stone Mountain, GA
Date: November 9, 2013 – January 1, 2014
Time: 10:00AM – 10:00PM- see their website for schedules
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Season of Magic @ Piedmont Park
For the third year, this Holiday lights display in Atlanta returns to Piedmont Park for the Season of Magic. Couples and families can enjoy daily horse-drawn carriage rides in Piedmont Park, the only Atlanta park with carriage rides. Visitors will be carried through the historic areas of the Park, enjoying beautiful holiday lights and ornaments under the scenic Atlanta skyline. Rides are available from 4:00pm to 10:30pm daily. Each ride is approximately 20 minutes in length. Infants (0-24mos) ride free.
Season of Magic in Piedmont Park attractions:
• Horse-drawn carriage rides
• Holiday lights
• Carousel rides
• Corporate packages
• Ice skating at Park Tavern
Place: Season of Magic, Piedmont Park – Park Tavern, 500 10th Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Date: November 24, 2013 – January 5, 2014
Time: Daily 4:00pm – 10:30pm
Cost: $25 per adult/ $20 per child (11 and under)
Christmas Lights @ Pettit Creek Farm, Carterville
Over a mile of Christmas Lights to drive thru in Cartersville Georgia along with Live Reindeer (Comet & Cupid) are there nightly for your viewing pleasure and enjoyment. Kids and parents will enjoy family time watching the holiday light displays at the Petit Creek Farm.
Place: Christmas Lights, Pettit Creek Farm, 341 Cassville Road, Cartersville, GA 30120
Date & Time: Call for more info (770-386-8688)
Cost: $15.00 per vehicle for a drive-thru or $10/adults – $8/children for a hay ride
Gift of Lights @ Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton
Not exactly in Atlanta metro area but close enough for a drive with your family without having to plan an overnight stay.
The Gift of Lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway is one of Atlanta’s most enjoyable and affordable activities during the holiday season, making it economical for you and your family to create lasting memories of the season. More than one million lights and hundreds of individual light displays will light up Atlanta Motor Speedway, and this drive-through experience will become a beloved tradition for family and friends to enjoy together. Come out this holiday season to drive through 1.5 miles of LED lights. It has become one of top Atlanta Holiday Light Displays for the holiday season.
NEW FOR 2013- this year’s route includes portions of the Speedways racing surface.
Place: Gift of Lights, Atlanta Motor Speedway, 1500 Tara Place Hampton, GA 30228
Date: November 22, 2013 – January 4, 2014
Time: Sun – Thu: 6 – 9 p.m., and Fri – Sat: 6 – 10 p.m.
Cost: Sun – Thu: $15 per vehicle, Fri – Sat: $20 per vehicle
Lights of Life @ Life University, Marietta
This annual tradition of holiday light displays started since 1989 by Life University has become one of Atlanta residents favorite. Plus the affordable cost for a mere $5 per car make it a great family outing during this Holiday season. Plan to spend extra time for the petting zoo, train ride, pony ride or Photo with Santa during the weekend.
Place: Lights of Life, On the campus of Life University (Barclay Circle – off Hwy 41 just north of Dobins AFB, Marietta)
Date: Every night November 28, 2013 – December 31, 2013, rain or shine
Time: Sun-Thu 6:00pm – 10:00 pm, Fri-Sat 6:00pm – 10:30pm
Cost: Sun-Thu: $10 per car Fri-Sun, as well as Nov 28- Dec 1 & Dec 20-25; All other days are $5 per car. Vans/buses are always $20.
Fantasy in Lights @ Callaway Garden, Pine Mountain
Callaway Garden – Fantasy in Lights is not just a typical Holiday Lights show. It’s the Holiday Lights and Sound show. One of the nice option here is a ride of Jolly Trolley to experience the custom-designed scenes through out the park. This way a driver won’t miss out on the fun and can truly relax and enjoy the holiday spirit.
Sunday, November 17th, the annual March of Dimes Walk – one night each year is reserved for walkers only to hike the winter wonderland of Fantasy In Lights. No vehicles allowed! Other specialty nights include bicycle night, golf cart night and specialty car night.
Place: Fantasy in Lights, Callaway Gardens 17800 US Hwy 27, Pine Mountain, GA
Date: November 15, 2013 – December 30, 2013
Time: Open at 6:00PM-8:00PM
Cost: Price varied on different dates
Map of Holiday Lights Displays in Atlanta area
View Christmas Lights & Holiday Light Displays in Atlanta in a larger map
