The easiest way of getting into the holiday spirit is a visit to a magical winter wonderland filled with Christmas lights!
Luckily, Georgia offers many adult-friendly holiday light displays you will love to explore.
When you’re looking for a fun holiday experience that is geared towards adults, consider these 7 great options.
Many venues allow you to visit for a day or spend a cozy weekend. Either way, you’ll love the holiday magic.
Let’s dive in.
7 Best Christmas Lights Georgia
These awesome Christmas light displays are listed in no particular order. Each magical display offers a unique experience for couples.
- Atlanta Botanical Garden Garden Lights, Holiday Nights presented by Invesco QQQ
- IllumiNights at The Zoo
- Stone Mountain Christmas
- December Nights & Holiday Lights at Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
- Holiday Lights at Barnsley Resort
- Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City Gardens
- Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Resort & Gardens
Keep reading for a full explanation of each Christmas Light event.
Atlanta Botanical Garden Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
- Best for: Beautiful atmosphere, diversity of displays.
- Location: Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia
- Website
- Dates: November 16, 2024 – January 12, 2025.
You can feel the magic of Christmas Day from November through January at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Soak in the incredible atmosphere, including the world’s largest curtain of synchronized lights dancing to the sound of “Nature’s Wonders”.
The garden’s architecture and landscapes are adorned in holiday lights, from the Earth Goddess and Cheshire Cat to the Anne Cox Chambers Garden.
Visit the snack stand for a holiday drink, adult beverage, or even non-alcohol options.
IllumiNights at The Zoo
- Best for: Fun, festive environment and adventure.
- Location: Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Website
- Dates: November 14, 2024 through January 19, 2025.
Zoo Atlanta comes alive with color and light during the holiday season with their annual IllumiNights event.
Walk through an enchanted safari trail of hand-painted, animal-themed lanterns, stop for photos, and explore the new lanterns and experiences the zoo is offering in 2024.
Snacks and signature hot chocolate is available, plus adult beverages if you want to sip while you stroll.
The zoo’s animals are mostly asleep in the evening, so the lanterns are the wildlife when you visit at night. You can also visit the zoo during daytime hours for a different (equally wonderful) experience.
Stone Mountain Christmas
- Best for: Family-friendly holiday spirit, feeling like a kid again.
- Location: Stone Mountain, Georgia
- Website
- Dates: November 9, 2024 through January 5, 2025.
Stone Mountain Park is renown for its annual holiday celebration and Christmas lights during Stone Mountain Christmas.
Festive train rides, Christmas music, beautiful Christmas lights and snow machines bring the park to life.
You can visit for the day or stay on property at one of Stone Mountain’s highly rated hotels.
New in 2024, Stone Mountain is presenting Magical Flight to the South Pole, an interactive production that will whisk you away to the North Pole.
You can catch this new adventure alongside crowd favorites like Magical Christmas Drone Show, World’s Largest Christmas Light Show, and the Christmas Parade.
December Nights & Holiday Lights at The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
- Best for: Size of display, vastness of walking trails.
- Location: State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
- Website
- Dates: To be determined for 2024, visit website for updated information.
Explore 5 acres of displays, millions of holiday lights, and a garden aglow in Christmas spirit. The softly lit gazebos and strings of lights along walking trails make for a perfect holiday date.
Event proceeds go directly to the gardens. Make a weekend of it and stay in Athens, GA.
Holiday Lights at Barnsley Resort
- Best for: Luxury holiday experience, scenic photo ops.
- Location: Around Adairsville, Georgia
- Website
- Dates: Holiday promotion runs November 30 through December 30, 2024, with special NYE events.
If you’ve been dreaming of European Christmastime, this is the perfect Christmas lights pick. Come for the day or stay a weekend at this stately manor and collection of cozy cottage houses.
The English village is decked with Christmas lights starting in November. And, the resort’s holiday promotion is perfect for a weekend getaway in North Georgia. Holiday events like hay rides, wreath-making, and cookie decorating are on the calendar, so be sure to check them out.
Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City Gardens
- Best for: Christmas light show.
- Location: Lookout Mountain, Rock City, Georgia. 15-minutes from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- Website
- Dates: November 15, 2024 through January 4, 2025.
Embark on a brilliant walk of nighttime lights through the Grand Corridor. This historic attraction of gardens, rock formations, and folklore lights up over the holiday season and makes for a perfect evening.
Stay in Chattanooga or the Rock City area for a weekend to explore the surrounding areas.
Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Resort & Gardens
- Best for: Enchanted forest rides and magical walk through a Christmas tunnel.
- Location: Pine Mountain, Georgia
- Website
- Dates: November 15, 2024 through January 4, 2025
Take a 7-mile ride through Christmas lights and visit the Callaway Christmas Village at this 2,500 resort. Callaway Resort is a lux retreat, perfect for a weekend trip during the holiday season. In fact, the resort offers special rates from November through early January.
The Jolly Trolley, sparkling walk-through tunnel, festive nativity, and miles of lights create a whole Christmas world to explore during your visit. Tickets to holiday events include a day pass to the beautiful Callaway Gardens.
Best Christmas Lights in Georgia: Other Top Christmas Light Attractions
- Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular at Lanier Islands, Buford GA (website)
- Pettit Creek Farms a Country Christmas (Featuring a petting zoo and live reindeer), Cartersville GA (website)
- Glow Light Show & Jolly Trolley Ride, Lawrenceville GA (website)
- Okefenokee Swamp Park Annual Light Show, Waycross GA (website)
- Winter Wonderlights, Athens GA (website)
- Savannah Christmas Market & Christmas Events across Savannah, Savannah GA (website)
- Holly Jolly Jekyll (Featuring ice skating and Christmas lights), Jekyll Island GA (website)
Best Time of Year to See Christmas Lights in Georgia
The best time to enjoy the holiday season and Christmas lights in Georgia is mid November through the first week in January.
This is when the majority of holiday events are happening in Atlanta and around the state.
Best of all, Georgia’s weather is typically mild. So, you can enjoy holiday nights without needing to bundle up for snow or freezing temperatures (though a good jacket is a must).
What to Bring With You to View Christmas Lights in Georgia
For a trip to see the beautiful Christmas lights Georgia has to offer, pack a warm jacket, blanket, snacks and a phone charger. A camera is always nice too, but most folks are just fine with their phone camera.
What is Christmas Like in Georgia
Christmas in Georgia typically includes mild weather. Mountainous areas may see a bit of snow, but nothing like the northern states.
People across Georgia are friendly, and will likely say hi to you on the street. If you are planning Christmas in Georgia, you’ll get plenty of holiday spirit.
Wrapping Up [Best Christmas Lights Georgia]
Enjoy your Christmas light experience in Georgia! If you are curious about Georgia and East Coast travel in the United States, you will love the travel articles I post weekly.
Are you traveling this holiday season? Discover 12 ways to make Christmas in an Airbnb (or hotel) truly magical.
