Note: Most homes run Christmas lights around 6-10pm. Remember, these are all private homes—homeowners expect sightseers, but don't touch displays, enter private property, block neighboring driveways, and show up after hours. Consider bringing items or money for donations, as many homes collect funds for charities close to their hearts. 

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

Holiday & Christmas Lights: Decatur 

2464 Fontaine Circle

The Graves family has been entertaining Atlanta residents with their incredible Christmas House for 45 years. Families walk through a winter wonderland which has arches that create a magical tunnel. The family accepts donations that help them continue the tradition. Tip: Get there as soon as it gets dark because it becomes crowded later in the night. 

Holiday & Christmas Lights: Acworth

3699 Autumn View Drive

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 updates.

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

3848 Rivers Run Trace NW

The Hranicky family welcomes visitors yearly to their Hrockin Hranicky Christmas Lights show in Acworth. Visitors can sync radios 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.

Holiday & Christmas Lights: Kennesaw

1510 Ben King Road

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 December 1, 2024; nightly, 6-10p

2008 Palladium Drive

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, which goes to the Children's Burn Foundation. Check Facebook page for updates.

Holiday & Christmas Lights: East Cobb

2651 Shadow Woods Circle

The GA Meyer Lights house in Marietta is part of the Cobb EMC Holiday Lights 2024 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 updates.

2994 Clary Hill Court

Making the East Cobb and Roswell 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! Donations accepted for local organizations. Check Facebook page for updates.

770 Fox Hollow Parkway 

Lane Lights at 770 Fox Hollow Pkwy in Marietta has attracted visitors for years who love a festive light show! Check Facebook page for updates.

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

Holiday & Christmas Lights: Alpharetta 

370 Oak Terrace

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. Check Facebook page for updates.

Holiday & Christmas Lights: Cumming

Kelly Mill Road and Bethelview Road

The Ashebrooke subdivision in Cumming is an entire neighborhood of awe-inspiring lights! They invite the public for their annual Night of Lights, which is scheduled for Sunday, December 15, 2024 starting at 6pm. Make sure to drive slow and catch all the homes as the streets will be directed into a one-way traffic pattern. Check Facebook page for updates.

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

Holiday & Christmas Lights: Stone Mountain

1833 Smokerise Summit

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

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

Holiday & Christmas Lights: Hiram

20 Valley Drive

The Portwood Family Christmas Lights are so much more than just lights—visitors are treated to character nights, a snow machine, and even hot chocolate on certain nights! Bring canned goods upon arrival, as the family is donating to the North Paulding Baptist Church food pantry. Runs November 30-December 31, 2024

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

Holiday & Christmas Lights: Dallas

224 Oliver Overlook

Homeowners go all out, making a visit to 224 Oliver Overlook, west of Dallas, Georgia, 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 updates.

18 Riverwood Landing 

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 updates.

Holiday & Christmas Lights: Powder Springs

5268 Seamus Way

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, synchronized to holiday music, lasts 48 minutes. Check Facebook page for updates

Holiday & Christmas Lights: Stockbridge 

1408 Hemphill Road

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 Woodlands School Teacher Appreciation. Select nights December 6-26, 2024; 6-10pm on Saturdays, 6-9pm other nights

Holiday & Christmas Lights: Fayetteville 

165 Stafford Court 

Folks who drive by 165 Stafford Court are treated to 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 29, 2024 at 6pm, then continues Sunday - Thursday until 9:30pm and Friday & Saturday until 10pm.

898 Sandy Creek Road

Shining for its 37th year, 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 19; March of Dimes donations will be accepted the entire run of the light show. November 28 - December 30, 2024; nightly 6-10pm

Photos courtesy of the families/venues

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