Ultimate Winter Guide: Light Displays

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Thanks to our partners at 2ULaundry for helping make more time in our schedule this holiday season.Time seems to speed up during the Holidays and there is never enough hours in the day to get everything done. Let 2ULaundry help you take a load off, literally. Hosting guests this holiday season? Simply bag up those guest room sheets and towels and let 2ULaundry take care of the dirty work!

Nothing gets you in the spirit of the holidays like cranking up the Christmas tunes while admiring whimsical displays adorned with thousands of twinkling lights.  Lucky for us, Atlanta has no shortage of holiday light displays!  Below is a snapshot of the best and brightest displays around town.  Most offer a chance to visit Santa and go for a train ride.  You might even see a reindeer or two!

Lights of LIFE @ Life University   

Location:  Marietta, GA

Dates:  Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve  November 23, 2017 – December 31, 2017

Cost:   $10 per car on Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays, as well as November 23-26 and December 15-31st, 6 – 10 pm.    $5 per car on Mondays through Thursdays, November 27 through December 14th, 6 – 9 pm.

Description:  You can’t miss these beautiful lights when you’re driving near Life University, and there’s so much more for the kiddies to do once you pull in!  After you view the huge variety of light displays from your car, be sure to ride the train (or ponies!), visit the petting zoo, and of course, you’ll have a chance to see Santa. 

Hot tip: Arrive when the gates open to beat the crowds!

Holiday Lights of Hope  

Location:  Woodstock, GA @ Hobgood Park

Dates:  December 7, 2017 – December 23, 2017.  Gates open nightly at 6 pm.

Cost:  Adults (over 14 years old) are $10.   Kids 14 and under are free.

Description:   Celebrating their 6th year, the annual Holiday Lights of Hope benefits the Anna Crawford Children’s Center.  This event has become a new local family favorite, with over 2 million lights and a unique Christmas maze.  Come see the enormous, brightly lit tree and a 17-foot tall reindeer!  Take as many photos as you wish of your kids with the (free!) Santa.  Warm up with cocoa and smores when you complete your walk-thru tour of the light displays.

Garden Lights Holiday Nights @ the Atlanta Botanical Garden    

Location: Atlanta, GA  next to Piedmont Park

Dates: November 11, 2017 – January 7, 2018,   Fridays & Saturdays 5pm – 11pm, Sundays thru Thursdays 5 pm – 10 pm

Cost:  Prices vary by date.  Tickets start at $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children (3-12 years).  Children under 3 are free.  Garden Members save $5 off admission prices.

Description:  You’ll be in awe of one of Atlanta’s premier holiday light displays!  Take a walking tour of a completely transformed Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  From the Walk of Flames to the model trains, there’s something here for all ages, the young to the young-at-heart.  New this year: a high-tech Nature’s Wonders display with synchronized dancing lights!  Elsa fans are sure to love the Ice Goddess display. 

Hot tip:  Purchase your tickets online and before 4 pm of the date you wish to visit for the best prices.  Flex Tix will make your ticket date flexible for $5 more per ticket.  This could be helpful, as there are no refunds/exchanges in the event of inclement weather.

Stone Mountain Christmas     

Location: Stone Mountain, GA

Dates: November 11, 2017 – January 3, 2018,  Dates and Hours vary

Cost:  Prices start at $19.95, parking not included in ticket price

Description:  Take the family on an all-day adventure at Stone Mountain!  Walk through the dazzling light display, then test your karaoke skills with all your favorite Christmas classics on the sing-along train.  The kids can experience Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie in 4-D, followed by a character meet & greet!  A nightly Christmas parade ends with Santa’s arrival and a Snow Angel grand finale.  Lots of great shopping for mom and grandma too! 

Magical Nights of Light at LanierWorld Winter Adventure    

Location:  Lake Lanier, GA

Dates: November 17, 2017 – January 3, 2018,  Open nightly from 5 pm – 10 pm

Cost:  $45 per car at the gate, $35 per car if purchased online in advance

Description:  Imagine 7 whole miles of dazzling light displays!  Make your experience at Magical Nights even more authentic—and fun!–by renting a golf cart to see the lights and 65 foot tall Christmas tree on your way to Holiday Village.  (rentals start at $25/hr)  St. Nick will be waiting for you in Santa’s Workshop, along with a 5 story movie screen projecting classic Christmas movies.  The family can enjoy thrills on the carnival rides, followed by a stroll through the unique gift shops.

Fantasy in Lights @ Calloway Gardens

Location: Pine Mountain, GA

Dates: November 17, 2017 – January 6, 2018

Cost:  Prices vary by date.  Tickets start at $21 for adults and $10.50 for children.  Children 5 and younger are free.

Description:  Located approximately 80 miles southwest of Atlanta, the Fantasy in Lights display at Calloway Gardens is worth the drive!  With over 8 million lights, they have been ranked as one of the “Top 10 Places to See Holiday Lights” in the entire world by National Geographic Traveler.  Photos with Santa, Storytime with Mrs. Claus, dinner shows, and character breakfasts will delight the little ones.  Overnight packages available.

Holiday in the Park @ Six Flags Over Georgia

Location: Atlanta, GA

Dates: November 18, 2017 – January 3, 2018,   Select Dates & Times   

Cost:  Prices start at $48.99 per person.  Parking not included.

Description:  The most festive thrill rides in Atlanta!  See all the twinkling lights from atop your favorite coasters.  Plenty of rides for the young and faint of heart as well.  Main Street looks like a Christmas village, and you won’t want to miss the North Pole Express train ride to visit Santa!  The crown jewel of Holiday in the Park is the antique carousel, lovingly decked out with thousands of ornaments, lights, and candles. 

Hot Tip:  Are any of your friends season pass holders?  Check into special discounts they can extend to friends.  Or buy a 2018 season pass for yourself and you could score free admission for 2017 and a break on parking fees!

Light Atlantic Station   

Location:  Midtown, Atlanta

Dates:  November 18, 2017 (Tree Lighting & Parade)

Cost:  Free

Description: Lots to see and do in Atlantic Station, beginning with the annual parade and tree lighting on November 18th!    From noon to 9:30 pm, there will be a variety of kid’s crafts, live entertainment, and even a visit from a few special reindeer from 1 – 4 pm.  The parade kicks off at 8 pm, with Santa arriving just in time to help light the 50-foot tree in Central Park at 8:30 pm.  Ice Skating, light displays, and Santa’s cottage will be available throughout the holiday season.