Driving by Christmas light displays is on everyone’s Christmas bucket list. We have found the best Christmas light displays in Georgia, where you can either walk through, drive through, or ride their trolley through. Scroll the list, check it twice, and make your plans.
Want to see lights, lights, and more lights? Start planning your trips to any of these Georgia towns near you.
One of our favorite drive-through Christmas light events near us is at Callaway Gardens during their Fantasy in Lights. Our bucket list includes the Stone Mountain Park Christmas, so let’s start there.
Table of Contents
- Atlanta Area
- North Georgia
- Northeast Georgia
- Central Georgia
- West Central Georgia
- South Georgia
- More Southern Travel Ideas
Atlanta Area
Stone Mountain
The Stone Mountain Park Christmas event runs from early November until just after New Year’s Day. Christmas lights are only one of the magical Christmas experiences at Stone Mountain. There are multiple experiences throughout the holiday season at Stone Mountain. Daily events include: a Christmas Parade, a tree lighting ceremony, and the drone light show each night.
Stone Mountain Park Christmas has created all of the magical feels for the holiday season. You could easily spend the night and enjoy a couple of days here.
There are also walk-through light experiences, as well as other immersive holiday experiences. Some experiences may require separate ticket purchases. You could easily spend a full day and evening enjoying all of the lights and events. Stone Mountain also offers dining and shopping. Don’t skip the Cinnamon Bread! It’s the same bakery that is at Dollywood. I can attest that cinnamon bread is delicious!
North Georgia
Helen
Helen is a quaint, small Bavarian town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River. It transforms into a magical mountain Christmas village for the holiday season. All of the downtown village is decked in Christmas lights.
There are more than 200 shops, boutiques, and restaurants tucked neatly into the little Alpine village. You can park your car and stroll through the Christmas lights downtown. Stop in the shops along your way. Enjoy a nice dinner with a view of the Christmas magic outside.
There are scheduled events taking place throughout December, including a lighted Christmas parade, The Christmas Market, and of course, visits with Santa.
We stayed in a cabin when we were there. It was a short drive into the village. We parked and walked all through the village. You might want to dress in layers for the December weather.
Hiawassee
Mountain Country Christmas in Lights -Hiawassee Fairgrounds, Nov. 23- Dec. 23, the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds are transformed into a magical holiday walk-through light show. There will be Christmas music, arts and crafts, food, fun, entertainment, photo opportunities, train rides, and special visits by the Grinch, Mrs. Claus, and her husband, Santa!
Northeast Georgia
Athens
Right in the heart of Bulldog country is the State Botanical Garden at UGA. This is where you will find Winter Wonderlights. Stroll on a half-mile trail through a Winter Wondercave, along Jingle Bell Lane, into the Northern Lights, and through a Cone Tree Forest. Stop along the way to roast marshmallows and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa.
Central Georgia
Macon
Downtown Macon is transformed into a magical canopy of over one million lights synchronized to Christmas music. The Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza spans 5.5 city blocks in the center of historic downtown Macon. Visit one of the more than 80 downtown restaurants.
Santa is present on the weekends. Horse drawn carriage rides are available on the weekends as well.
All of the music is arranged and produced by Macon Pops, a world class orchestra that performs with orchestral musicians from around the southeast and across the country.
My tip: Plan to arrive early, before dark. Find a good parking spot. Go have dinner at one of the 80 downtown restaurants, then take a stroll through the lights. Bring the whole family and plan to make lots of memories. There are multiple places for great Instagram photos.
Also see: Where The Locals Eat in Macon, Ga.
West Central Georgia
Pine Mountain
Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain runs from Nov. 17 through Jan. 1. This is one of our favorite Christmas light experiences to enjoy. Pine Mountain is an easy round trip from middle Georgia.
You can either drive your own vehicle through the lights or ride their trolley. There is a per person charge either way. It is a magical experience. Christmas music is playing, so crack your window to hear, but keep your heater on. This is a super popular event, so you will need to make reservations online for your time to enter the tour.
We like to take a thermos of hot chocolate and disposable cups, like these, in the car with us. While we are in the line-up, waiting our turn to go, I pour everyone a cup of hot cocoa to enjoy while riding through the seven-mile light show.
You also get to park your car and stroll through the Callaway Christmas Village. There are shops, a 40-foot Christmas tree, and of course, Santa is there. Plan to take pictures and enjoy this experience. We like to book our tour early so we can park and enjoy the Christmas Village after we have driven through the lights.
South Georgia
Valdosta
Christmas Lights at Camp Rock in Valdosta is a drive-through light show. You will have to make some tough decisions about what your family will do while you enjoy these Christmas activities because there are many other things to do, such as the petting zoo, games, bonfire, crafts, mini golf, outdoor movie, bounce houses, roller skating, ax throwing, and a light maze.
This event is a fundraiser for Camp Rock, which is an organization dedicated to meeting the needs of underprivileged children in South Georgia.
Also in Valdosta
Wild Adventures is not just a warm weather theme park. Visit Wild Adventures Christmas Wild and Bright creates the magic of the holidays with over 2 million sparkling lights for a magical Christmas experience.
Stroll through a winter wonderland of the 2.5-acre Alapaha Trail, creating Christmas magic with dazzling lighted symphony. Snap your Instagram memories as you stroll through the hanging lights stretched across the canopy of the Twinkling Timbers.
Floating trees appear to dance at the Carol of the Animals Lake Show. There is more: Holly Jolly Junction, The Miracle of Christmas Nativity, Santa’s Outpost, Tree Lighting Ceremony, Candy Cane Express, Gingerbread Village, and more. Plus, all of the rides and animals, and shows.
Need to know: You can purchase a Christmas dining pass at Wild Adventure. Book a Brunch with Santa before you go. Buy your tickets online.
Jekyll Island
If you are feeling like some Island time, head down to Holly Jolly Jekyll at Jekyll Island. A magical wonderland, Island-style, awaits. Over Two Million lights create a magical wonderland. You can drive through, ride the Jolly Trolley, or book a private tour in a Model T.
Other events throughout the holiday season at Jekyll include: fireworks, mini golf surrounded by life-size gumdrops, peppermint sticks, and gingerbread characters. A Winter Carnival & Big Truck Roundup where kids can enjoy free carnival rides, games, and music on the Village Green. For history lovers, a trolley ride historical tour is available, which includes a trip through one of the historic cottages.
Are there more places in Georgia to either walk through or drive through Christmas light displays? Yes, so check back to see what we have added to the list.
More Southern Travel Ideas
9 Great Places To Spend Christmas in The South
Tips For Visiting Dollywood at Christmas
Great Smoky Mountains Trip Planner
Visit The 7 Natural Wonders of Georgia
17 Fun Things To Do in Foley, Alabama
