I’m still recovering from my turkey hangover, but everything is ok because my Spotify playlist is set to “Christmas Pop” and I’ve got gingerbread cookies and spiked cider on my mind. Call me cliché, but I could listen to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” all day, every day.
There’s nothing quite like walking around with some hot chocolate (or wine), listening to Christmas music and seeing thousands of bright lights to get you in the holiday spirit! So with the holiday season in full swing, I wanted to list some of my personal favorite spots in (and near) Atlanta to see Christmas lights this season.
Garden Lights- Atlanta Botanical Garden
Back for its fifth year, the Garden Lights at Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown Atlanta is a classic. The garden is almost unrecognizable with lights draped from one end to the next. This spot also has several marked bar areas along the path, making it easy to grab your hot cocoa, beer or wine!
The exhibit opened up on November 14, 2015 and will run nightly until January 9, 2016. Purchase tickets here.
Holiday in Lights- Centennial Olympic Park
You probably know this Downtown park for the Fountain of Rings, but in the winter it is transformed into a winter wonderland. Centennial Olympic Park’s Holiday in Lights features more than 10,000 feet of lights and a 40-foot Christmas tree.
Not only can you see lights, but you can also skate! Centennial Olympic Park opened a big ice rink to give Atlanta the full winter experience.
Holiday in Lights and the ice rink opened on November 21, 2015 and will run until January 10, 2016. Purchase tickets here.
Stone Mountain Christmas- Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain? Not in the winter! When it gets cold, Stone Mountain turns into SNOW Mountain. (There’s literally a mountain of “snow” where you can go sledding!)
Get ready to experience more than two million lights, Christmas music and more! Stone Mountain Christmas is an awesome family spot with different exhibits such as live Christmas performances, a “sing-along” train, a meet-and-greet with holiday characters, a Christmas parade and, of course, a visit with SANTA!
Stone Mountain Christmas opened on November 21, 2015 and will run until January 3, 2016. Purchase tickets here.
Magical Nights of Lights- Lanier Islands
This year is Lanier Islands’s 20th year of its annual Magical Nights of Lights! Now I know Lanier Islands is a bit of a drive, but it’s definitely worth it! It’s a family-fun experience with millions of bright lights. Pack up your car with your friends, family and hot cocoa, and drive through this Holiday lights spectacular.
And once you’ve made your way through the Magical Nights of Lights, be sure to stop by the Holiday Village where you can roast marshmallows, eat holiday treats, ride the amusement rides and do some holiday shopping!
Magical Nights of Lights opened on November 16, 2015 and will run until December 31, 2015. Purchase tickets here.
Fantasy in Lights- Callaway Gardens
Fantasy in Lights was named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the world’s “Top 10 Places to see Holiday Lights.” I think that warrants the drive out to Callaway Gardens!
Fantasy in Lights features eight million lights and 15 “dazzling” scenes, viewable from either your own car or the Callaway Gardens’s trolley.
Fantasy in Lights opened on November 13, 2015 and will run until January 2, 2016. Purchase tickets here.
*Bonus: For a limited time, Groupon is running a deal on tickets for Fantasy in Lights… what are you waiting for?!
Christmas lights are an essential part of the holidays, and I hope you enjoy the lights at one of these spots! Let me know your favorites in the comments. And happy holidays!