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Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Atlanta

Enjoy the sparkle of the season at the Glow Light Show in Lawrenceville. Photo courtesy of the event
Enjoy the sparkle of the season at the Glow Light Show in Lawrenceville. Photo courtesy of the event
11/24/24 - By Melanie Preis

Currently being updated for 2025!

Christmas light shows add another layer of beauty during the holiday season, and we've got our favorite dazzling holiday lights drive-thru events and Christmas light shows in Atlanta. This year families will find familiar favorites like Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden and IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta. Plus, back after a five-year hiatus: Magical Nights of Lights at Margaritaville Lanier Islands, a six-mile drive-thru of spectacular, festive holiday lights. We also love a free light show, like Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody. Whether you choose to walk or drive through these fabulous holiday and Christmas lights, make sure you open your eyes and hearts to the awe of this special time of year!

We have even more amazing holiday ideas in the Atlanta Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide, including information about Must-Do Christmas Events to Book Before They Sell Out, Polar Express Train Rides, Christmas Towns and Festive Hotels Near Atlanta, and more.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

A drive-thru holiday light showcase, Lights of Life, awaits at Life University. Photo courtesy of Life University
A drive-thru holiday light showcase, Lights of Life, awaits at Life University. Photo courtesy of Life University

Holiday Drive-Thru Light Shows in Atlanta

Candy Rush Light Show by World of Illumination

Marietta
Select dates through January 4, 2026
Take a trip through sugar plum fairies, a gigantic gingerbread village and sweets as far as the eye can see. Candy Rush is the world’s largest animated drive-through audio-visual experience, highlighting larger-than-life Christmas characters and confections. READ MORE

Glow Light Show

Lawrenceville
Through January 4, 2026
Glow Light Show returns this holiday season at Coolray Field beginning Nov. 14 and running through Jan. 4. Don’t miss the Atlanta area’s most popular, budget-friendly light show the whole family can enjoy!  READ MORE

Noel Magic Light Show at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Hampton
Through January 4, 2026
Drive through this huge holiday light show at Atlanta Motor Speedway, synchronized to Christmas music for all ages. READ MORE

Magical Nights of Lights at Lanier Islands

Buford
Through January 4, 2026
Load up the family and head to Lanier Islands for a dazzling six-mile drive through festive holiday lights. Afterwards, stop at Game Changer to purchase food and beverages, enjoy games, and sit by the outdoor firepits.    READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Veteran's Park in Canton

Canton
November 23 - December 31, 2025
Families drive through a 2-mile-long light show at Veterans Park located in Canton. Holiday Lights at Veterans Park has two drive-through tunnels, animated Christmas displays, and more than 2 million lights. READ MORE

Lights of LIFE at Life University

Marietta
November 27 - December 31, 2025
A drive-through holiday light showcase awaits at Life University. In addition to the magical display, a petting zoo, train rides, and pony rides are available for children. READ MORE

Holiday Lights of Rome

Rome
November 29 - December 30, 2025
Families drive through a spectacular light show at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds in Rome. It features drive-through tunnels, animated Christmas displays, and thousands of lights.  READ MORE

Lawrenceville Lights

Lawrenceville -FREE
December 11 -13 & 18 - 20, 2025
Lawrenceville Lights (or LV Lights) is a popular free drive-thru light display, wowing visitors at the campground of Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church (just outside of downtown Lawrenceville). This year it runs for two weekends!  READ MORE
Walk through a holiday wonderland at Stone Mountain. Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain
Walk through a holiday wonderland at Stone Mountain. Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain

Awesome Atlanta Christmas Lights to Walk Through

Winter WonderLights at the State Botanical Garden

Athens
Select dates through December 30, 2025
The winter walk-thru light show, held at the UGA State Botanical Garden in Athens, follows a half-mile fully accessible trail through a Winter Wondercave, along Jingle Bell Lane, into the Northern Lights and through a Cone Tree Forest, among other dazzling features. READ MORE

Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights

Pine Mountain
Through January 4, 2026
Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights is an annual Christmas lights display that spans the size of two football fields. Visitors can experience it in a car, on a trolley or on foot.  READ MORE

Stone Mountain Christmas

Stone Mountain
Select dates through January 4, 2026
Stone Mountain Park celebrates the magic of Christmas with music, lights, live shows, and visits from familiar holiday-season friends.  READ MORE

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

Midtown
Through January 11, 2026
One of Atlanta’s favorite holiday light displays returns to the Atlanta Botanical Garden for Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. Expect new music and choreography with more vertical lights than ever.  READ MORE

IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta
Select dates through January 18, 2026
​Experience the magic of Atlanta holiday lights! IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival is back at Zoo Atlanta. The lanterns create a wonderland for zoo visitors to enjoy.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights of Ellijay

Ellijay
November 25 - December 31, 2025
Visitors enjoy this walk-thru light show in quaint downtown Ellijay.  READ MORE

Mountain Country Christmas in Lights

Hiawassee
Select dates, November 27 - December 23, 2025
Mountain Country Christmas in Lights 2025 is a holiday walk-thru treat for the entire family at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, GA.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights of Hope in Woodstock

Woodstock
Select dates, November 29 - December 30, 2025
One of the largest walk-through Christmas lights events in Georgia, featuring a light display with more than 2 million lights, a lighted maze, concessions and vendors, craft making, and a visit with Santa.  READ MORE

Christmasville Tinseltown in McDonough

McDonough - FREE
November 29, 2025 - January 4, 2026
The City of McDonough offers this free, walkable light show all throughout the holiday season at Alexander Park West.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park

Dunwoody - FREE
December 3 - 31, 2025
Families love this free month long light display at Brook Run Park. This year's theme is Cosmic Wonderland.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Melanie Preis
Melanie Preis is a writer, editor, wife, and mom of three (including her beloved bernedoodle). Before joining Mommy Poppins, she worked at StyleBlueprint, Turner Broadcasting, and HowStuffWorks. She loves reading, anything Bravo, art fairs, and, of course, her bernedoodle.
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