Head to Avalon the Sunday before Thanksgiving for a day full of holiday activities. Photo courtesy of Avalon
Christmas Tree Lightings, Georgia Festival of Trees, and More Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids
Lights of Joy in Kennesaw uses 60 miles(!) of Christmas lights to create the ultimate holiday display.
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Atlanta
Take a festive ride on the Holiday Express for a memorable train ride experience. Photo courtesy of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
14 Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Atlanta
One of the most popular takes on The Nutcracker comes from Atlanta Ballet, performed at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Photo by Kim Kenney
The Nutcracker Ballet and More Holiday Shows for Atlanta Families
Immerse yourself in holiday magic with evenings full of festive music, millions of dazzling lights, and more cheer at Stone Mountain Christmas. Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain
25 Best Things to Do in Atlanta November 2024 with Kids
Overtime Elite games are exciting for all ages! City Reapers and RWE faced off in the OTE Finals in March 2024 at Atlanta's Overtime arena. Photo courtesy Overtime Elite
Atlanta's Overtime Elite Opens the World of Basketball to Young Players & Young Fans
Test your physical and mental prowess at Activate Atlanta, a gaming facility perfect for big kids, teens, and adults!
Activate Atlanta: A Physical Gaming Experience for Big Kids and Teens
Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park was designed with input from the local skateboard community and received funding from Tony Hawk's foundation. Photo by Bill Leffler
16 Best Skate Parks in Atlanta for Kids
Get ready to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, right after Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
10 Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 Activities to Celebrate with Kids
All Rowan piercings are performed by licensed nurses, using hypoallergenic jewelry. Photo courtesy Rowan
Best Places to Get Ear Piercings for Kids in Atlanta
SkyView Atlanta offers an amazing experience for Atlanta visitors and tourists alike! Photo courtesy SkyView Atlanta
SkyView Atlanta: A Panoramic Downtown Adventure
Amore e Amore welcomes muggles and wizards alike during its Harry Potter themed events. Photo by author
9 Themed Restaurants and Family-Friendly Dining Experiences in Atlanta
See Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, and other Sesame Street characters at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by the author
Best Museums for Kids in Atlanta: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in Atlanta
Stone Mountain Park is one of the most visited attractions in Atlanta for a reason -- it's fun! Photo by author
Stone Mountain with Kids: 20 Best Things to Do in Stone Mountain, GA
Kidmoto car service addresses the all-too-common challenge of getting families with young kids to the airport safely.
Kidmoto’s Airport Car Service Offers Safety & Comfort with Up To Five Car Seats
Kids can hone their skills by taking pickleball classes at the Sharon Lester Tennis Center at Piedmont Park. Photo courtesy of the center
18 Best Pickleball Courts in Atlanta for Kids and Families
Kids will stay entertained, and parents can relax with a pint at Scofflaw Brewing. Photo by author
16 Family-Friendly Breweries in Atlanta
Kids get up close to gentle farm animals at Zoo Atlanta's petting zoo, Outback Station.
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Root, root, root for the home team when you're in Atlanta...especially since the Atlanta Braves are, of course, the 2021 World Series champs! Photo by Bill Lefler
3 Days in Atlanta with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Take a photo at Tiny Doors ATL's door #6, featured in a custom bench by artist Ira Hill, located on the Beltline Eastside trail. Photo courtesy of Tiny Doors ATL
100 Best Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids Before They Grow Up
After a day at the Center for Puppetry Arts, check out the Tiny Door ATL installation (Door #11) at the attraction! Photo by Melanie Preis
Tiny Doors ATL: Big Fun Exploring Tiny Treasures
See wonderful live puppet performances, like Pete the Cat, at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by Chris Hunt
Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts and The Jim Henson Collection

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

Enjoy the sparkle of the season at the Glow Light Show Festival in Lawrenceville. Photo courtesy of the event
Enjoy the sparkle of the season at the Glow Light Show Festival in Lawrenceville. Photo courtesy of the event
11/24/23 - By Melanie Preis

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 as well as new light shows like Noel Magic Light Show at Atlanta Motor Speedway. We also love a good free light show like Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody. Whether you chooose 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 The Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays, Nutcracker Ballet and Holiday Show Performances, 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

Cosmic Sleigh Ride by World of Illumination

Marietta
Select dates, November 15 - Through December 29, 2024
Take a trip through a cosmic sleighride in this holiday lights extravaganza. World of Illumination welcomes families in their own cars to ride through Six Flags White Water as it is transformed into a land filled with out-of-this-world magic.  READ MORE

Glow Light Show & Festival

Lawrenceville
November 15 - Through December 29, 2024
Glow Light Show & Festival is back at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville. Glow has three different experiences the whole family can enjoy. READ MORE

Noel Magic Light Show at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Hampton
November 22, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Drive through this huge holiday light show at Atlanta Motor Speedway, synchronized to Christmas music for all ages. READ MORE

Magic of Lights at Dixie Speedway

Woodstock
November 22, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Magic of Lights is a national, drive-through holiday lights experience that runs in Woodstock this season. Featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations, families experience Magic of Lights from the comfort of their car.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Veteran's Park in Canton

Canton
November 24 - December 31, 2024
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 28 - December 31, 2024
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

Lawrenceville Lights

Lawrenceville -FREE!
December 12-14; December 19-21, 2024
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 Lantern Festival Atlanta

Lawrenceville
Select dates, November 8, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds transforms into a dazzling world of light with over 1,000 Chinese lanterns portraying Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs; Attendees will be amazed as they traverse through dazzling displays of colorful, festive lights and lanterns, including an animal kingdom, a sea world, and a theme park. READ MORE

Stone Mountain Christmas

Stone Mountain
Select dates, November 9, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Stone Mountain Park celebrates the magic of Christmas with music, lights, live shows, and visits from familiar holiday-season friends.  READ MORE

IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta
Select dates, November 14, 2024 - January 19, 2025
IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival is back at Zoo Atlanta! The lanterns create a wonderland for zoo visitors to enjoy.  READ MORE

Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights

Pine Mountain
November 15, 2024 - January 4, 2025
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

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

Midtown
November 16, 2024 - January 12, 2025 (closed Mondays)
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

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia

Austell
Select dates, November 23, 2024- January 5, 2025
Starting the weekend before Thanksgiving and going through January 5, 2025, Six Flags Over Georgia gets into the holiday spirit. Families enjoy photos with Santa, hot chocolate, beautiful light displays, and of course, all of the thrilling Six Flags rides.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights of Ellijay

Ellijay
November 25 - Through December 31, 2024
Visitors enjoy this walk-thru light show in quaint downtown Ellijay.  READ MORE

Margaritaville Lakeside Lights Spectacular

Buford
Select dates, November 27, 2024 - January 20, 2025
Families walk through this spectacular light show with festive seasonal music all by Lake Lanier.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights of Woodstock

Woodstock
November 29 - December 30, 2024 (closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)
One of the largest walk-through Christmas lights events in Georgia, featuring a light display with more than 2 million lights, a lighted maze, shop concessions and vendors, craft making, and a visit with Santa. Proceeds benefit the Anna Crawford Children’s Center. READ MORE

Christmasville Tinseltown in McDonough

McDonough - FREE!
November 30, 2024 - January 6, 2025
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 1 - 31, 2024
Families love this free event at Brook Run Park. This year's theme is Arctic Safari,featuring grand pillars of lights and lighted snowflakes along the entrance near N. Peachtree Road, a safari-style vehicle and train, the Mega Tree, illuminated faux igloo geo-domes, Arctic animal ice shapes, and more for a total of 100,000 lights! READ MORE

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