For more Christmas lights info and holiday ideas, make sure to visit our Atlanta Christmas Activities & Holiday Guide all season long!

The Smoot Family Christmas Show in Acworth is an awesome place for holiday fun. Photo courtesy of Smoot Family’s Lights for Lupus

Insider Tips for Seeing Christmas Lights in Atlanta

• Go on weeknights: Crowds and traffic are lighter Monday–Thursday. Most homes run Christmas lights around 6-10pm.
• Visit early in the season: Early December visits are more relaxed and easier for parking.
• Arrive around dusk: Catch the lights right when the sun goes down so little ones can stay awake and you won't disturb homeowners.
• Bring a thank you. Consider bringing items or money for donations, as many homes collect funds for charities close to their hearts. 
• Parking & Getting Around:
  • Park on side streets and be mindful not to block driveways or mailboxes.
  • In crowded areas, use rideshare or plan to walk between nearby homes.
  • For synchronized shows, tune your car radio to the listed station and keep your headlights off while parked.
• Neighborhood Courtesy:
  • Remember, these are family homes; keep noise low and stay on sidewalks or designated viewing areas.
  • Don’t walk through yards or step over decorations.
  • Take your trash with you and respect posted visiting hours.
• Make It Comfortable:
  • Bring comfy shoes, light jackets, and maybe a thermos of cocoa for chilly evenings.
  • A flashlight or phone light helps with darker sidewalks.
• Safety Reminders:
  • Watch for kids and pedestrians; streets can get busy!
  • Follow neighborhood traffic signs and don’t linger in the roadway.
  • Turn off your car engine when parked to keep fumes and noise down.

Neighborhood Holiday & Christmas Lights Near Atlanta

2464 Fontaine Circle - Decatur

The Graves family has been entertaining Decatur residents with their incredible Christmas house for more than four decades. Families walk through a winter wonderland which has arches that create a magical tunnel. The family accepts donations that help them continue the tradition. Check Facebook page for 2025 updates.

3699 Autumn View Drive - Acworth

Wear your sunglasses at night when you head to the Smoot Family Christmas Show. Visitors can sync radios, dim headlights, and enjoy the show...they may even get hot chocolate and cookies on Saturdays! All donations go to the Lupus Foundation, Georgia Chapter. Check Facebook page for 2025 updates.

Hrockin Hranicky Christmas Lights shine for visitors and raise awareness of Angels Among Us animal rescue. 

3848 Rivers Run Trace NW - Acworth

The Hranicky family welcomes visitors yearly to their Hrockin Hranicky Christmas Lights show in Acworth. Visitors can sync radios to 107.7 FM to add festive music in their car. Donations of money, pet food, and supplies are accepted on behalf of Angels Among Us animal rescue. The holiday lights run the Saturday after Thanksgiving through January 1; Sunday-Thursday, 6-10pm and Friday-Saturday, 6-11pm.

1510 Ben King Road - Kennesaw

Lights of Joy features more than 1.2 MILLION Christmas lights! This Kennesaw attraction is a walk-through display; depending on the schedule, visitors may watch performances from local bands and choirs. The home accepts donations. Nearby parking at Futures Church costs $5. The holiday lights start November 30, 2025; nightly, 6-10p until December 28, 2025.

2008 Palladium Drive - Kennesaw

Get rockin' and rollin' at Riley's Rockin' Christmas! This drive-by light display is synchronized to 55 minutes of holiday music. Check out the animated and static decorations and bring a donation. The Christmas lights start entertaining December 1, 2025. Check Facebook page for 2025 updates.

2651 Shadow Woods Circle - Marietta

The GA Meyer Lights house in Marietta is part of the Cobb EMC Holiday Lights 2025 competition because of its awesome Christmas lights display and fun decor. Tune your car radio to sync the show with the family's choreographed musical lights. Check Facebook page for 2025 updates.

2994 Clary Hill Court - Roswell

Making the OTP communities proud, the Fox Family Christmas Light Display is back! The home is located in Roswell, and welcomes visitors nightly. The drive-by attraction is set to music and is part of the Cobb EMC Holiday Lights 2025! Donations accepted for local organizations. Check Facebook page for 2025 updates.

1705 Nordic Trace - Marietta

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year when families enjoy the holiday lights and Christmas displays at this beloved Marietta home. This one is also part of the Cobb EMC Holiday Lights 2025 competition! 

746 Willow Ridge Ct - Marietta

Bring your Christmas lights enjoyment to another level at the Berry family home, featuring holiday inflatables, synchronized light-music display, and much more. Lights will be up the weekend after Thanksgiving.

RELATED: Dazzling Holiday and Christmas Light Drive-Thrus in Atlanta 

370 Oak Terrace - Alpharetta

Join Pierce Lights for holiday fun in Alpharetta! This synchornized light show features more than 50,000 Christmas lights, and visitors can make donations to the family's selected charity. The show premieres Thanksgiving night. Check Facebook page for 2025 updates.

Get your fill of holiday lights in Stone Mountain at 1833 Smokerise Summit.

1833 Smokerise Summit - Stone Mountain

A Whole Lot of Christmas awaits in Stone Mountain, Georgia. For more than 30 years, these homeowners have been creating the stuff of Christmas dreams (check out the snowman village!). Donations are given to Make-a-Wish Foundation Georgia. Nightly 5:30-11pm

Hillbrooke Subdivision - Johns Creek

The only thing better than one house with amazing Christmas lights is a whole street...heck, a whole neighborhood! Check out the Hillbrooke subdivision, specifically Gladewood Drive, for the most dazzling display of holiday lights in Atlanta.

The Portwood family offers character nights, featuring reindeer, snowmen, and more.

20 Valley Drive - Hiram

The Portwood Family Christmas Lights are so much more than just lights—visitors are treated to character nights, a snow machine, and more! Bring donations which go toward the holiday updates. Runs November 1-December 31, 2025

224 Oliver Overlook has been voted one of the best decorated houses in the country! 

224 Oliver Overlook - Dallas

Homeowners go all out, making a visit to 224 Oliver Overlook, a must-do during the holiday season. Spectators see dazzling strings of lights that envelope the house, attached garage, and outdoor trees. This house has been voted one of the best decorated homes in the country, so be prepared to see Santa or The Grinch! Check Facebook page for 2025 updates.

18 Riverwood Landing - Dallas

Visitors to 18 Riverwood Landing in Dallas get to see an awesome Christmas house lit up for the season, with an amazing light show. Check Facebook page for 2025 updates.

10 Red Bud Court - Dallas

Get ready for the ultimate holiday magic at a Red Bud Christmas! Everyone is welcome to come (including pets). Runs November 27, 2025-January 1, 2026; Sunday-Thursday, 6-9pm, and Friday-Saturday, 6-10pm.

5268 Seamus Way - Powder Springs

The Woodruff family home is worth the drive during the Christmas season. The holiday home features a TON of Christmas lights, inflatables, and special effects. The show is synchronized to holiday music. Check Facebook page for 2025 updates.

1408 Hemphill Road - Stockbridge

This Giganti-Deer Synchornized Light Show in Stockbridge welcomes visitors to drive through and see the lights. The homeowners accept donations for both the upkeep of their holiday light show and for local charities. Check Facebook page for 2025 updates.

165 Stafford Court - Fayetteville

Enjoy a rockin' synchronized holiday light show by Burton Christmas Lights. Folks can sync to the radio to fully enjoy the spectacle. Fun fact: The same house puts on a Halloween light show in October! The fun starts on Friday, November 28, 2025 at 6pm, then continues Sunday - Thursday until 9:30pm and Friday & Saturday until 10pm.

898 Sandy Creek Road - Fayetteville

The Gaddy Family Christmas Lights Extravaganza welcomes visitors to its glittering holiday light display! Donate toys for the Toys for Tots toy drive from Thanksgiving night until December 30. November 27 - December 30, 2025; nightly 6-10pm

Neighborhood Christmas & Holiday Lights in Atlanta FAQ

Q: Where are the best Christmas lights in Atlanta?
A: We are definitely not playing favorites with intown vs. suburban Christmas light displays, but if you want to make the most out of your evening drive, we recommend hitting up the OTP neighborhoods, like Marietta, Alpharetta, and Roswell.

Q: Are there free Christmas light displays in Atlanta?
A: These neighborhood displays are all FREE! To check out paid light shows and drive thrus, see our post Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Atlanta. Check these homes' Facebook pages as some suggest bringing a donation (food, cash, etc.) for local charities and/or to support future years of fun lights.

Q: When do Christmas lights start in Atlanta?
A: Most major displays begin in mid-November and run through early January. Neighborhood lights usually go up right after Thanksgiving.

Q: What are the best neighborhoods for holiday lights near Atlanta?
A: If you need a jumping off point of where to see holiday lights near Atlanta, use the Cobb EMC Christmas lights map to start. Other great spots include Dallas, Stone Mountain, and more. Another helpful resource is visit your local Facebook groups to hear about houses that friends and neighbors are bragging about.

Q: Are Atlanta holiday lights kid-friendly?
A: Definitely!

Photos courtesy of the families/venues

Writers Dana Shemesh, James Smith, and Elsa Simcik contributed to this post.