1. Magical Night of Lights Returns to Lake Lanier
Santa is over the moon that the “magic” is back at Georgia’s Lanier Islands Resort this holiday season. After a five-year hiatus, the family favorite driving light tour “The Magical Night of Lights” is back and better than ever at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. Experience one of the nation’s best Christmas light shows from now until Jan. 4. Guests will drive through six miles of animated, sparking lights, and can top off their evening with adventures sledding or skating at Snow Island, and an Elf Turn-Down service at the resort. lanierislands.com
2. A Country Christmas at Pettit Creek Farms
This lovely drive (or hayride) through over a mile of twinkling Christmas lights is a family favorite in Northwestern Georgia. At Pettit Creek Farms in Cartersville you can visit Santa’s Cottage to meet Santa and his reindeer, Comet and Cupid, get a kiss from a camel at the petting zoo, enjoy a warm campfire and smores or pick out the perfect Christmas Tree. Pettit Creek Farms is open Tuesday through Sunday Thanksgiving to Dec. 30thand, yes, they are open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! pettitcreekfarms.com
3. Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights
Just an elf jump over the border into Tennessee is one of our favorite Southern style Christmas light shows: The amazing Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City. Open now until Jan. 4, this is Chattanooga’s (and one of the South’s) most magical holiday celebrations. Never been? Well, then there is no present … like the present, I guess. You will enjoy visiting with Santa, decorating “GingerGnome” cookies, holiday shopping and dining all the while enjoying an amazing light spectacle among the stellar views that made Rock City world famous. Rudolf is already packing his bags. seerockcity.com
4. Winter Wonderlights in Athens
Starting select nights on Nov. 21 through Dec. 30, Winter Wonderlights, hosted by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and presented by the University of Georgia Office of the President, this wonderful event is a family favorite in Athens. And for great reason. The tour follows a half-mile fully accessible trail through Winter Wondercave, along Jingle Bell Lane, into the Northern Lights and through a Cone Tree Forest all the while munching roasted marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate. Then celebrate the New Year from Jan. 2-3 and 9-10 when the garden transforms into Wonderlights Disco Nights! Bring your dancing shoes, as disco music fills the air as the light show twinkles on a couple more weekends to celebrate the New Year. botgarden.uga.edu/wonderlights
5. Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
In Northeast Georgia, the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee knows how to dress up the holidays, mountain style! The Mountain Country Christmas is a treat for the whole family as the fairgrounds known as the Country Capital of Georgia transforms into the North Pole. Young and old enjoy the walk-through holiday lights immersed in Christmas music, arts and crafts, food, fun, entertainment, train rides and of course, the Man in Red himself. Mountain Country Christmas runs 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from Nov. 27 through Dec. 6 and every night from Dec. 11-23. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
6. Alpharetta Menorah Lighting
Mazel Tov in the New Year! Join Chabad and the City of Alpharetta for the annual lighting of the Alpharetta Menorah on the lively Town Green. The memorable event celebrates Chanukah on Dec. 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with a traditional Menorah Lighting and some goodies to boot. awesomealpharetta.com
