I always feel so torn at this time of year. Do you spend $500 for a room in Pine Mountain, Ga., and $108 to ride through Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens for a family of four? Or do you pack up your brood and roll through some parking lot lights for $40? Or there’s always the solid freebie—driving by the best neighbor’s light display in the ‘hood. Deciding on the best holiday lights in Georgia can be a conundrum and pull at both sides of your Two-Sided Southern heart.
I know these are not do or die decisions. In the whole vast universe of what’s going on in the world, it’s trivial. I get it. But I need to get in the holiday spirit, durn it! And I want to provide that for my kids. So I created a list of the best high-end and down home holiday light experiences around Georgia. You can spend your holiday bonus in one go, or do something affordable that won’t break the bank. There is beauty in both experiences. Behold, six of the best holiday lights in Georgia:
High-end – Fantasy in Lights
Every year at Callaway Gardens the Fantasy in Lights is a blowout spectacle with 10 million twinkling bulbs and dozens of scenes and shows. It’s the 30th anniversary in 2022 and they have a brand new Celebration Lake experience with 30 dancing trees floating on the lake. This year they still have their drive-thru experience. But it ain’t exactly cheap to see it. Going on a prime night (Sat. or Sun) with a family of four could set you back $150 just for the drive through the lights. (They charge per person, not per car.)
Still, it’s one of the most beautiful and magical experiences you can give your kids for the holidays. So it’s worth it for those traditionalists. If you want to make a weekend or night of it, the Fantasy in Lights Overnight Package comes with a guest room, Gardens admission, access to some of the best holiday lights in Georgia and a commemorative ornament. You could get a cottage ($519 per night) and get a few family members to join in.
Down Home – World of Illumination’s Reindeer Road
This is a much more affordable experience ($39 per car on weeknights, $49 on weekends) than some of the others in town. It’s also beautiful and well done. It will do the trick of putting you and yours in the holiday spirit. The Southerner in me who grew up going to White Water is thrilled that it’s in that parking lot in Marietta, Ga.. It gives it a touch of that hillbilly vibe, but the light display is still higher end. (Just had to throw that out for my Two-Sided Southerners who get it.)
High-end – Atlanta Botanical Gardens
This is one of my favorite experiences in Atlanta to see lights and always puts me in the holiday mood. The last couple of years, the appointments are timed and they’re letting a lot less people in, which actually makes it a bit more enjoyable. Before that, it was wall-to-wall guests and I felt like I was shuffling through a line at Disney World. And like Disney, they have a VIP Fast Pass-esque option.
If you’re worried about flexibility and timing, get an Adult Premium Plus Ticket ($129) or Kids Premium Ticket ($126). Each includes the chance to use it on another night if needed, express entry and anytime arrival on the night of your visit as well as a lighted bulb necklace, hologram glasses and drink ticket. If you are just doing the general ticket now you can pick your time and arrive knowing that you won’t be in the throngs. General tickets for a family of four should be about $110-$194 if you’re not a member.
Down-Home – The Fox Family Light Display
For about 14 years, the Fox family in Roswell, Ga., has gone above and beyond to create an epic light display for free for its neighbors. Donations are accepted for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, but other than that, it’s done from pure joy by the Foxes. This year, they have two interactive stations: a memorial ornament station and a Letter to Santa table where kids can write letters to Santa.
This is not your typical Christmas-obsessed neighbor, this is a display of over 75,000 Christmas lights with a ferris wheel, arches, virtual Santa and tons of photo ops. It is sure to put every Southern holiday lover in the mood.
High-end – Stone Mountain Christmas Spectacular
I love Stone Mountain and grew up going there for holidays. They’ve upped their game as far as attractions, setting and sophistication. We have enjoyed this as a family for the last few years. I think it’s the millions of sparkling lights, The Polar Express 4-D Experience and children getting to visit with Santa without having to make an appointment. A VIP ticket will have you skipping the lines and accessing the whole park ($50 per adult, $45 for kids over 3). That’s about $200 for a family of four even before you start buying up candy, hot cocoa and toys. Or you can still enjoy the holiday historic square, the new World’s Largest Light Show, scenic railroad, mini-golf and more at regular ticket prices($40 per adult, $35 for kids over 3).
Down Home – Lakeside Lakes Spectacular
Even though Lake Lanier’s prices are higher than my other “low-brow” suggestions, it’s still at Margaritaville at Lake Lanier. That places it in prime hillbilly holiday zone for me. Also because I’m an Atlanta native and Lake Lanier wasn’t always the most high end of resorts, it gives me those Two-Sided Southern vibes. More importantly than if it’s low- or high-brow, after 30 years, Lake Lanier has ended the drive-through experience.
The Magical Lights of Nights is now Lakeside Lights Spectacular for the last two years and is a walkable holiday lights tour. It’s still gorgeous and will put you in the holiday mood. Only now you can sip on a spiked cider at Santa’s Tiki Bar instead of having to drive through sober. I’m down for that! A License to Chill Island Snow all-access Pass will set you back $49.99 for the day. Not bad. That includes the walking light show, and one day unlimited snow tubing, snow play area, ice skating and amusement rides. So family of four is about $200 or so.
