MerryMapThe Best Christmas Lights in Atlanta
Atlanta’s season is built around a handful of very large ticketed shows: Garden Lights at the Botanical Garden, Stone Mountain Christmas, IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta, and the Lights of Life in Marietta. But the free layer is unusually deep. Nearly every town center north of the Perimeter lights its green, from Kennesaw and Smyrna to Alpharetta and Dunwoody, and the home displays scatter well out into Cobb, Cherokee, and Paulding counties. Below are the displays worth the drive this season, in the city and across the suburbs.
57 displays mapped · 2026 season · updated September 26, 2026
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Big light shows, gardens & town centers
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Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Midtown / Atlanta Botanical Garden · 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
A ticketed walk-through at the Atlanta Botanical Garden with a synchronized curtain of light and sound plus new tree-sculpture installations along the Flower Walk.
Ticketed showTicketedEvenings, Nov 15–Jan 11View on the map -
IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta
Grant Park · 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
A ticketed lantern festival across the zoo grounds featuring hundreds of illuminated wildlife lantern sculptures alongside holiday displays.
Ticketed showTicketedSelect nights through Jan 18View on the map -
WildWoods: AGLOW
Druid Hills · 767 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
A ticketed nighttime walk at Fernbank Museum through illuminated sculptures and nature-themed projections with original music.
Ticketed showTicketedSelect nights, Nov 14–Feb 28, ~6–9pmView on the map -
Lights of Life
1269 Barclay Cir, Marietta, GA 30060
A 1.5-mile drive-through show on the Life University campus with over a million lights, a nativity scene, petting zoo, pony rides and a train.
Ticketed showTicketedNightly through 9pm Sun–Thu, 10pm Fri–Sat; Nov 27–Dec 31View on the map -
World of Illumination's Candy Rush
Six Flags White Water · 250 Cobb Pkwy N, Marietta, GA 30062
A ticketed drive-through animated light show themed to a candy wonderland, with a gingerbread village and synchronized musical scenes.
Ticketed showTicketed6–10pm, Nov 14–Jan 4View on the map -
Stone Mountain Christmas
Stone Mountain Park · 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
A ticketed park-wide holiday festival with a nightly Christmas parade, a drone-and-light show, and a musical frosted forest walk.
Ticketed showTicketedWeekends and holidays, Nov 8–Jan 4View on the map -
Depot Park Holiday Extravaganza
Downtown Kennesaw · 2828 Cherokee St NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
A free walk-through park display of more than 100,000 lights with a light tunnel, giant toy soldiers, a 30-foot city tree and dozens of sponsored trees.
Park / publicFreeDec 1–Jan 11, eveningsView on the map -
Market Village & Village Green Light Display
Downtown Smyrna · 1250 Powder Springs St, Smyrna, GA 30080
The City of Smyrna decorates its downtown Market Village and Village Green with a free, walkable holiday light display around shops and cafes.
Park / publicFreeNightly from Nov 26 through the seasonView on the map -
Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park
Brook Run Park · 4770 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338
A free walkable playground display of roughly 85,000 lights, kicked off with a lighting event offering free cocoa each December.
Park / publicFreeNightly 6–9pm, Dec 1–31View on the map -
Lights on the Loop
Alpha Loop Trail
A free month-long walk along a one-mile stretch of the Alpha Loop trail strung with lights, including an illuminated tunnel, with themed weekends.
Park / publicFree5:30–11pm nightly, Dec 5–Jan 4View on the map -
Ravinia Holiday Lights
Ravinia campus · 1-2 Ravinia Dr, Dunwoody, GA 30346
A free evening walk through the corporate Ravinia campus and gardens, decorated with lights and ornaments and open to the public each season.
Park / publicFreeNightly 6–9pm through Dec 31View on the map -
Cobb EMC Holiday Lights
1000 EMC Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30060
Cobb EMC turns its Solar Flower Garden into a free public holiday light display open to visitors each night through Christmas.
Park / publicFreeNightly 6–10pm, Dec 1–25View on the map -
Lawrenceville Lights
FUMCLV Campground
A free drive-through light show hosted by First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville over six nights each December.
Park / publicFree6–8:30pm on select nights, Dec 11–20View on the map -
Christmasville Tinseltown
Alexander Park West
A new city-run walkable light show at Alexander Park West, free to the public each night through early January.
Park / publicFree5:30–10pm nightly, Nov 29–Jan 2View on the map -
Atlantic Station Holiday Lights
Atlantic Station / Midtown · 271 District Ave, Atlanta, GA 30363
The mixed-use district decks its plazas and streets with a large tree and seasonal lighting, free to stroll with shops and restaurants open late.
Park / publicFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
Avalon Holiday Lights
Avalon
Alpharetta's Avalon shopping village strings its storefronts and streetscape with lights around a towering central tree, free to walk and photograph.
Park / publicFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
Peachtree Street Holiday Lights
Midtown (Fox Theatre / Woodruff Arts Center)
Midtown's Peachtree Street corridor near the Fox Theatre and Woodruff Arts Center glows with tree lights and festive streetscape lighting all month.
Park / publicFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
Marietta Square Holiday Lights
The Marietta Square
Marietta's historic downtown square is wrapped in holiday lights each year, free for a leisurely evening stroll among its shops and gazebo.
Park / publicFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
Duluth Town Green Holiday Lights
Duluth Town Green
Duluth's downtown Town Green is decorated with holiday lighting each winter, a free public gathering spot through the season.
Park / publicFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
Woodruff Park Holiday Lights
Downtown
Downtown Atlanta's Woodruff Park is lit for the holidays, offering a free evening stop within walking distance of the central business district.
Park / publicFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
Peachtree Corners Town Green Holiday Lights
Town Green
Peachtree Corners lights its Town Green for the holidays, a free open-air spot to visit through December.
Park / publicFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
Holiday Lights at Veterans Park
7345 Cumming Hwy, Canton, GA 30115
A two-mile drive-through Christmas light show featuring thousands of lights and illuminated holiday displays.
Ticketed showTicketedNightly from 6pm, Nov 22–Dec 31View on the map -
Glow Light Show
Coolray Field · 2500 Buford Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
A mile-long drive-through of more than a million synchronized lights around Coolray Field, with towering light trees and illuminated tunnels.
Ticketed showTicketedThrough Jan 4View on the map -
Magical Nights of Lights at Margaritaville
Lanier Islands · 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, GA 30518
A drive-through of animated, sparkling displays along Lake Lanier, with a holiday market and Santa visits at select times.
Ticketed showTicketedMid-Nov–early JanView on the map -
A Country Christmas at Pettit Creek Farms
337 Cassville Rd, Cartersville, GA 30120
A ticketed farm-set light display offering a drive or hayride through Christmas lights on the working farm grounds.
Ticketed showTicketedTue–Thu 6–9pm, Fri–Sat 6–10pm, Sun 6–9pm, Nov 27–Dec 30View on the map -
Noel Magic Lights
Atlanta Motor Speedway (EchoPark Speedway)
A drive-through animated light show at the speedway with tunnels and towering illuminated displays synchronized to Christmas music.
Ticketed showTicketedThrough Jan 4View on the map -
Holiday Lights of Woodstock at Hobgood Park
Hobgood Park · 6688 Bells Ferry Rd, Woodstock, GA 30189
A ticketed walk-through display of more than two million lights that benefits the Anna Crawford Children's Center.
Park / publicTicketedNightly through Dec 31View on the map -
Deck the Square
Roswell Town Square
Roswell's Town Square hosts a free display of about 50 community-decorated Christmas trees each holiday season.
Park / publicFreeThrough Jan 2View on the map -
The Lighting at Colony Square
Colony Square, Midtown
Colony Square's plaza tree is lit every night through Christmas, free for passersby to enjoy in the heart of Midtown.
Park / publicFreeNightly through Dec 25View on the map
Synchronized homes & decorated neighborhoods
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Avondale Estates Neighborhood Lights
Avondale Estates Historic District
This Tudor-style neighborhood decorates its winding streets and rooftops for the full month, good for a slow evening drive or walk.
Neighborhood streetFreeThroughout December, eveningsView on the map -
Sycamore Street
Sycamore Street
Historic homes along Decatur's Sycamore Street decorate for a nostalgic holiday drive, anchored nearby by the Graves Christmas House.
Neighborhood streetFreeThroughout December, eveningsView on the map -
Smoke Rise
Smoke Rise
This wooded DeKalb subdivision draws holiday drivers for its concentration of decorated homes along winding, tree-lined streets.
Neighborhood streetFreeThroughout December, eveningsView on the map -
Grant Park Holiday Lights
Grant Park
Grant Park's Victorian homes and tree-lined streets get dressed up for the holidays, a popular walkable route near the zoo.
Neighborhood streetFreeThroughout December, eveningsView on the map -
Lake Claire
Lake Claire (near Fernbank)
The Lake Claire neighborhood near Fernbank decorates its bungalow-lined streets for a quiet, family-friendly holiday-lights walk.
Neighborhood streetFreeThroughout December, eveningsView on the map -
Hillbrooke Neighborhood
Hillbrooke
Several homes throughout this Alpharetta subdivision decorate together, entered from Gladewood Drive, for a self-guided evening drive.
Neighborhood streetFreeThroughout December, eveningsView on the map -
Fox Family Christmas Lights
A synchronized home display of more than 100,000 lights with handmade animated features and two snow machines, benefiting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
Famous houseFreeNov 29–Jan 7, tuned to 88.3 FMView on the map -
Woodruff Family Christmas Lights (Holiday Magic)
A free nightly show of dancing lights, inflatables and special effects including fire and snow, with a Prince tribute segment synced to 102.1 FM.
Famous houseFree6pm–midnight nightly, Thanksgiving–Jan 10, tuned to 102.1 FMView on the map -
Hrockin Hranicky Christmas Light Show
A precision-synchronized family home show with moving lights and dramatic musical stops, collecting donations for Angels Among Us Pet Rescue.
Famous houseFree6–10pm Sun–Thu, 6–11pm Fri–Sat, through Jan 1, tuned to 107.7 FMView on the map -
Lights of Joy
1510 Ben King Rd NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
Georgia's largest residential display, a 2019 Great Christmas Light Fight contestant with more than a million lights and 246 lit natural trees under a 'Tunnel of Joy.'
Famous houseTicketed6–10pm nightly, Nov 30–Dec 28View on the map -
Maple Avenue Miracle
Maple Avenue
Homes along Marietta's Maple Avenue coordinate an eye-catching holiday light display each year, a local newspaper-covered tradition.
Neighborhood streetFreeThroughout December, eveningsView on the map -
Smoot Family Christmas Light Show
A synced-radio home show of more than 75,000 LED lights, with hot chocolate and cookies on Saturdays, raising funds for the Lupus Foundation of Georgia.
Famous houseFreeDec 1–31, Sun–Thu 6–10pm, Fri–Sat 6–11pm, tuned to 90.7 FMView on the map -
Riley's Rockin' Christmas
More than 60,000 LED lights choreographed to over a dozen holiday songs, with donations collected for the Children's Burn Foundation.
Famous houseFreeOpens Dec 1, tuned to 101.3 FMView on the map -
Atkinson Family Christmas Lights
A talking-tree-themed home show featuring giant snowflakes, a 20-foot mega tree and an animated pixel screen synced to 99.1 FM.
Famous houseFreeDec 1–29, Sun–Thu 5:30–9pm, Fri–Sat 5:30–10pm, tuned to 99.1 FMView on the map -
Lights on Linstone
Thousands of lights dance to music broadcast on 89.7 FM, with occasional visits from Santa or the Grinch on select dates.
Famous houseFreeDec 1–31 nightly 5:30–10pm, tuned to 89.7 FMView on the map -
PierceLights
370 Oak Terrace, Alpharetta, GA 30009
A synchronized show of more than 56,000 lights and 15,000 pixels with donations collected for the Wounded Warrior Project.
Famous houseFreeNov 28–Jan 5, Mon–Thu 6–10pm, Fri–Sun 6–11pm, tuned to 89.7 FMView on the map -
A Whole LOT of Christmas
More than three decades of extreme home decorating with a Snowflake Lane, Santa's workshop and Disney section, raising funds for Make-A-Wish Georgia.
Famous houseFreeNightly 5:30–11pm through Dec 28View on the map -
Gaddy Family Christmas Light Extravaganza
898 Sandy Creek Rd, Fayetteville, GA 30215
A three-decade-plus drive-through home display with light tunnels and inflatable decor, hosting an annual Toys for Tots collection.
Famous houseFreeNightly 6–10pm through Dec 30View on the map -
Portwood Family Christmas Lights
A home display of roughly 150,000 lights and 130 inflatables, including a 40-foot Santa, collecting food donations for a local church food drive.
Famous houseFreeThrough Dec 31, Mon–Thu 6–9:30pm, Fri–Sat 6–11pm, Sun 6–10pmView on the map -
Daniell Family Lights
A home celebration of more than 13,000 lights synchronized to a holiday soundtrack broadcast on 87.9 FM.
Famous houseFreeNightly 6–11pm through Jan 3, tuned to 87.9 FMView on the map -
Felix Family Christmas Lights
A 20-year-old animated home display with an animatronic Bumble and Rudolph and a waving Santa in the window, synced to 100.9 FM.
Famous houseFreeNightly, tuned to 100.9 FMView on the map -
Byrd's Christmas Display
A family home display synced to 88.3 FM that dims early on school nights and stays dark on rainy evenings.
Famous houseFreeNov 25–Jan 1, off by 9pm school nights/11pm weekends, tuned to 88.3 FMView on the map -
Holly Springs Lights
2632 Holly Springs Pkwy, Holly Springs, GA 30142
First Baptist Church of Holly Springs hosts a large free light display on its grounds each December evening.
Famous houseFree6–11:30pm, Dec 1–25View on the map -
Ashebrooke Night of Lights
Ashebrooke
This Forsyth County subdivision lights its houses and luminaries for a single charity-benefit night each holiday season.
Neighborhood streetFreeOne night in December, time varies by yearView on the map -
McMinn House
Newport Heights
A decorated home in the Newport Heights area of Alpharetta adds to the neighborhood's self-guided holiday-lights circuit.
Famous houseFreeThroughout December, eveningsView on the map -
Farina Family Lights
Fairwood Dr
A family home display on Fairwood Drive adds to Acworth's cluster of holiday-lights stops each season.
Famous houseFreeThroughout December, eveningsView on the map -
Dogwood Lane Lights
Dogwood Ln
A home on Dogwood Lane runs a nightly lit display through the season as part of Acworth's home-display circuit.
Famous houseFree5:30–10:30pm nightlyView on the map -
Gulledge Road Lights
Gulledge Rd
A Paulding County home lights up nightly through early January as part of the Dallas-area home-display trail.
Famous houseFree5–11pm nightly through Jan 2View on the map
Atlanta Christmas lights: FAQ
- When do Christmas lights turn on in Atlanta?
- Most displays light up in mid-to-late November and run nightly through late December or early January, typically from dusk (about 5:30pm) until 10pm. Garden Lights, Stone Mountain Christmas, and IllumiNights publish exact dates and sell timed-entry tickets.
- Which Atlanta Christmas lights are free?
- All of the home displays and decorated streets, plus the town-center displays: Kennesaw’s Depot Park, Smyrna’s Village Green, Brook Run Park in Dunwoody, and Lights on the Loop in Alpharetta. The garden, zoo, and Stone Mountain events are ticketed.
- What are the synchronized “dancing lights” homes?
- Homes across the north metro program their lights to run in time with music broadcast on a low-power FM channel. Park out front, tune your car radio to the station listed at the display, and watch from the car. Several collect charity donations.
- How should I visit a private home display?
- Many north-metro displays sit on winding two-lane streets with no sidewalk, so pull fully off the road before you stop. Keep music low, leave driveways clear, watch for kids in the street, and carry your trash back out with you.