Dazzling holiday lights in Atlanta: 15 must-see displays for the season

Illuminated gardens, drive-through displays, lantern creations: There are many ways to experience holiday lights in and around Atlanta this season. Load up the family and head north to Lookout Mountain or stay in town at Atlantic Station or the botanical gardens. Either way, you’ll find beautiful displays in a variety of themes: A little light in the darkness of winter and a great way to ring in a celebratory season!

Glow Light show at Coolray Field

One million LED lights illuminate the event that calls itself “Atlanta’s premier drive-through Christmas light show.” Load up the family and drive to Lawrenceville to see dazzling shapes piercing the night in time with music. This show operates rain or shine - vehicle max height is 12 feet and length is 20 feet.

Location: Coolray Field; Website: glowlightshow.com; Dates: now-Dec. 29; Times: Seven days a week - 6-9 p.m.; Admission: $39.99-$99.99

Magic of Lights

Gather the family to drive through the lights at Dixie Speedway this season! Enjoy iconic holiday themes like The 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Reindeer Road and Toyland. And catch the waving Christmas Barbie, Prehistoric Christmas displays and a 200-foot light tunnel.

Location: Dixie Speedway; Website: magicoflights.com; Dates: Now-Dec. 31; Times: Monday-Thursday - 6-9 p.m., Friday-Sunday - 6-10 p.m.; Admission: $23.50-$35

ATL Holiday Lights

This drive-thru light show at Atlantic Station will feature scenes from iconic holiday movies with Atlanta establishments featured in a mini-neighborhood. Thursday walking nights let you get up close on foot. Stay for dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants afterward and catch Celebration at the Station around the giant tree on Atlantic Green.

Location: Atlantic Station; Website: atlanticstation.com; Dates: Now-Jan. 2; Times: 5:30-11 p.m.; Admission: $15-$40

Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights

Experience seven miles of lights from the Callaway Gardens trolley, or drive your car through. Either way, you’ll gain walk-through access to the venue’s Christmas village where you can visit Santa see the Tree of Traditions Pixel Pine and more! Make this a holiday tradition for your family starting this year.

Location: Callaway Gardens; Website: callawaygardens.com; Dates: Now-Jan. 4; Times: 5-10 p.m.; Admission: $15-$19.99

Enchanted Garden of Lights

It’s a bit of a trek from Atlanta up to Lookout Mountain, Georgia, but this holiday lights display high atop the peaks makes it worth the drive. You’ll find Rock City Gardens transformed into a nighttime holiday celebration with cookie decorating, Santa and beautiful lights throughout the venue. Remember to reserve tickets online as they cannot be purchased upon arrival.

Location: Rock City Gardens; Website: seerockcity.com; Dates: now-Jan. 4; Times: 4-10:30 p.m.; Admission: $31-$35

Stone Mountain Christmas

From Mrs. Claus’ Cookie Corner to 3D Northern lights to Aurora the Princess of Light in the Stone Mountain Christmas Parade, this holiday extravaganza has something for everyone in your family! Over a dozen show experiences await you, and don’t forget to load up on delicious cinnamon bread at the Basecamp Cafe!

Location: Stone Mountain Park; Website: stonemountainpark.com; Dates: Now-Jan. 5; Times: Times vary - see website; Admission: $34.99-$49.99

Winter Lantern Festival

Over 1,000 Chinese lanterns illuminate this 45-minute walk. Skilled artisans work to construct lanterns in the likenesses of various creatures with painted designs on silk cloth. It’s a great time to learn about the tradition of Chinese lantern festivals. Kids will love the bounce house, dino ride and sugar paintings, too!

Experience Fernbank at night and the magic of nature. See the natural surroundings of Wildwood at Fernbank highlighted during this otherworldly display, which is included with after-hours tickets. Original music compositions and artfully set lights draw viewers into the biodiversity around them: nocturnal life, plant species that glow, incandescent mushrooms. Bring the family except on nights when this event coincides with Fernbank After Dark.

Location: Fernbank Museum; Website: fernbankmuseum.org; Dates: Select nights now-Feb. 23; Times: 6-9 p.m.; Admission: $15.95 (members), $29.95 (nonmembers)

Six Flags holiday light show

Your favorite holiday songs paired with synchronized LED lights: get in the spirit of the season with the Six Flags Over Georgia holiday light show on the Promenade Stage as part of the park’s 10th annual Holiday in the Park event. Catch the Grand Fir lit up and sparkling in the night nearby.

Location: Six Flags Over Georgia; Website: sixflags.com; Dates: Select dates between Nov. 23-Jan. 5; Times: 2-8 p.m.; Admission: $49-$150

Okefenokee Swamp Park Light Show

Load up your loved ones on a train through Georgia’s beautiful Okefenokee Swamp and see the thousands of lights. It’s a great way to enjoy an iconic natural destination. Don’t forget to bring a blanket so you can snuggle cozily as you enjoy the 1.25-mile rail trip through this portion of the park in Waycross.

Location: Okefenokee Swamp Park; Website: checkout.xola.com; Dates: Nov. 26-Dec. 31; Times: 6-9 p.m. - trains depart on the hour and half hour; Admission: Free-$14

Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular

You haven’t seen Lake Lanier until you’ve seen it decked out in lights! A walk through this fantastic lights display, accompanied by festive music will put your family in the mood to celebrate the holidays!

Location: Margaritaville at Lanier Islands; Website: margaritavilleresorts.com; Dates: Opens Nov. 27; Times: 5-10 p.m.; Admission: Free-$19.99

Lights of Life

Life University hosts a holiday extravaganza with pony rides, petting zoo, concessions and train rides and, of course, lights! This enchanting display will put you in the holiday spirit, and attendees are invited to share their photos online with Life University for a shot at prizes!

Location: Life University; Website: life.edu; Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 31; Times: Sunday-Thursday - dark to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday - dark to 10 p.m.; Admission: $10 - cars, $20 - busses

Lights of Joy

This light display calls itself the largest such residential display in Georgia with more than 1.2 million lights and nearly 250 illuminated trees. Christmas music synchs with lights on 40 of the trees, and 60 lighted holly bushes are shaped like Christmas trees. See Santa in several places, too! Get the full experience by parking at Future Church and walking through the inner circle display.

Location: 1510 Ben King Rd. NW, Kennesaw; Website: lightsofjoy.net; Dates: Opens Dec. 1; Times: 6-10 p.m.; Admission: $5 parking at Future Church (requested donation)