Best holiday lights near me, where to see christmas lights for free

Atlantans love their holiday lights! Whether you’re looking for an immersive experience with an admission fee or just a leisurely drive through a really lit neighborhood, we’ve got the info you’re looking for.

If you landed here from a calendar event, you might have to scroll a bit (or use the search-within-page function) to find the holiday light show you’re looking for.

The first half of this post is a list of attractions that feature holiday light shows. Most involve an admission fee — but there are discounts available.

After that, we have a list of neighborhoods and private homes that put on brilliant displays, and these are FREE to enjoy.

A note about the displays at private homes: These are put on by regular people, who have neighbors to consider. PLEASE be considerate when visiting these homes. If a homeowner has requested NO PARKING, that means you may only enjoy the lights on a drive-by basis. 

We’ve only listed private home displays that have a Facebook page or website. Please click those links to check on hours and anything else the homeowner wants you to know before showing up.

Do you know of a light display that should be included in the list?
Please email editor@atlantaonthecheap.com. If you suggest a private home that you do not own, we’ll need to see a website or Facebook page so we know the homeowner wants the information shared.

Enjoy!

 Beneath the ticketed holiday light shows, you’ll find a listing of houses and neighborhoods that are LIT to the max.

Looking to enjoy holiday lights for FREE?

Just bundle up, bringing a thermos of cocoa, and take a stroll around:

• Atlantic Station (midtown)
• Peachtree St in midtown (near the Woodruff Arts Center, Colony Square, or the Fox Theatre)
• Holiday Hoopla Lights in downtown Chamblee
• Woodruff Park (downtown Atlanta)
• The Marietta Square
• Avalon (in Alpharetta)
• Duluth Town Green
• Smyrna Village Green & Market Village
• The Ravinia campus in Dunwoody
• Brook Run Park in Dunwoody
• Peachtree Corners Town Green
• The neighborhoods and private homes listed below (scroll past the paid attractions)

Stroll through the Marietta Square to see the holiday lights at your leisure.

Midtown Atlanta is ablaze with festive lights. This is the area near Colony Square and the Fox Theatre. Photo credit: H. Brucker

Holiday lights at parks and attractions

FREE! Lawrenceville Lights

FUMCLV Campground
700 Braselton Hwy, Lawrenceville
Dec. 12 – 14, 2024
Dec. 19 – 21, 2024
6 to 8:30 p.m.

The First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville will host this FREE drive-through light show on six nights in December.
Get the details

FREE! Christmasville Tinseltown

Alexander Park West
Mcdonough
Nov. 30, 2024 to Jan. 6, 2025
5:30 to 10 p.m., nightly

This is a new, walkable light show hosted by the City of McDonough.
More info

FREE! Ravinia Holiday Lights

Ravinia campus
One & Two Ravinia Drive
Nightly from 6 to 9 p.m.
FREE
Details here

The Ravinia corporate campus and gardens play host to a holiday light display and a FREE community event. Anyone can visit the commercial property to enjoy the lights and ornaments, through December 31st.

FREE! Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park

Dunwoody, GA
Nightly from Dec. 1st to 31st in 2024
6 to 9 p.m.
FREE
Details here

The playground at Brook Run Park, in Dunwoody, becomes a magical wonderland this season. The spectacular display features 85,000 lights. A kickoff lighting event on Dec. 1st features free cocoa, plus some special surprises.

FREE! Holiday Lights Display at Cobb EMC

Nightly from Dec. 1st to 25th, 2024
6 to 10 p.m.
Cobb EMC Headquarters
1000 EMC Parkway, Marietta

Cobb EMC has turned their Solar Flower Garden into a spectacular holiday lights display, and the public is welcome to visit.
More info here

IllumiNights Chinese Lantern Festival

Zoo Atlanta 
800 Cherokee Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30315
Nov. 14, 2024 to Jan. 19, 2025
5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Prices start at $18/child and $21/adult and are higher on peak nights

Remember the Atlanta Chinese Lantern Festival that took place at Centennial Olympic Park? It has not returned since the pandemic started, but there’s an all new holiday lantern experience at Zoo Atlanta.

Unsurprisingly, the larger-than-life-sized lanterns depict animals and the natural world — which was also the theme of the 2019 Centennial Park event. We haven’t seen the display at the Zoo yet, but we can tell you that this type of lantern is a breathtaking spectacular.

As an added bonus, the Zoo’s endangered species carousel will be open for rides during the festival. Concessions will also be available.
Get more info and buy tickets

We took this shot at Centennial Park in 2019 — so you can see how amazing the larger-than-life lanterns are.

Magic of Lights drive-thru at Dixie Speedway

Nov. 22, 2024 to Jan. 4, 2025
Nightly, 6 to 9 (to 10 on weekends)
Online prices from $18 to 29 per car
Get the details

You definitely want to buy online and in advance for this event — because prices at the gate are quite a bit higher!
There’s also a Groupon deal with a flat ticket price of $20.
The event takes place at Dixie Speedway, located in Woodstock, GA.

Winter Lantern Festival

November 8, 2024 thru January 5, 2025
Nightly 6 to 10 p.m.
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds

Save BIG with a Groupon deal for this walk-thru lantern festival.
The price through Groupon is 45% OFF regular price tickets, per person.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Midtown Atlanta
Nightly from Nov. 16, 2023 to Jan. 12, 2025
5 to 10 p.m.
Prices per person vary by date
View complete price info, including discounts

This beloved display is hands-down Atlanta’s favorite, returning year after year to the Atlanta Botanical Garden in midtown. It’s an immersive, walk-through experience that includes a huge curtain of lights synchronized to music. We have a full post with all the details on Garden Lights, Holiday Nights — just click here.  You’ll find info on parking, Value Nights, coupon deals, and more.

Enchanted Safari drive-thru light show

Nov. 15 to Dec. 29, 2024
Nightly from 6 to 10 p.m.
Starting at $40 per car, higher on weekends
Get all the details

Taking place at Six Flags White Water, in the parking lot.
Animated lights synched to music.

Image: World of Illumination

Holiday Lights at Veterans Park

Canton, GA
Nightly from Nov. 23rd to Dec. 31st in 2024
6 to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on Friday & Saturday)
$20 per car — or $50 for a season pass
More info here

Super affordable for families! Enjoy a two-mile drive through lighted tunnels, past animated displays, and featuring over two million lights. Open on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Veterans Park is located  at 7345 Cumming Highway, in Canton.

Holiday Lights of Hope at Hobgood Park

Woodstock, GA
Nov. 29th to Dec. 3oth, 2024
Sunday thru Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, 6 to 10 p.m.
$10 per person
Kids 11 and under FREE
More info

This huge walk-through Christmas light display is in its 13th year — with more than 2,000,000 lights, concessions, vendors, and more.
The kids can visit with Santa Claus — bring your phone or camera for do-it-yourself photos.

This is one of the cheapest light shows in town, especially since kids are FREE.
Hobgood Park is located at 6688 Bells Ferry Rd in Woodstock.
You can check the Facebook page for weather updates and cancellations.

Lakeside Lights Spectacular at Lanier Islands

(Replaces the drive-thru attraction formerly known as Magical Nights of Lights)

Buford, GA
Nov. 27, 2024 to  Jan. 20, 2025
Opens at 5 p.m. nightly; closing time varies by date
Price is $20 per person; kids 3 and under are FREE
More info

This is a walk-through event. It’s an immersive one-mile stroll along the shores of the Margaritaville resort. You can walk at your own pace, stopping for photos or seasonal treats like hot cocoa along the way. You’ll find illuminated tunnels, a three-story wall of lights, and other high-tech displays. Everything is set to music.

Lanier Islands

Lights of Life at Life University

Marietta, GA
Open Thanksgiving thru New Year’s Eve
6 to 9 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday
6 to 10 p.m. on Friday & Saturday
$10 per vehicle
All the details here

Hands down, the most affordable drive-though display in metro Atlanta!
It’s just a 1.5 mile drive around the Life University campus in Marietta, just off Cobb Parkway. It features more than one million lights, arranged to create charming scenes — and a few extras, for a fun family outing.

Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens

Pine Mountain, GA
Nov. 18, 2024 to Jan. 4, 2025
6 to 11 p.m.
Prices vary widely depending on date
View complete price info, plus available discounts

Fantasy in Lights features over 7 miles of lights in custom-designed scenes with animation and music. It was named one of National Geographic’s Top 10 Holiday Light Displays in the world.

You can drive through in your own car, or ride on an open-air Jolly Trolley. The tour takes about an hour. Callaway Gardens is located an hour south of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, so it’s a trek. We have a complete post with all the details, tips, and Value Night discount info — you can see it here.

Image courtesy of Callaway Gardens

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia

Austell, GA
select dates from Thanksgiving to New Year’s
Hours vary by date; lights come on at dark
Prices vary by day, starting at $40 for adult admission
Visit the Six Flags website

View more than one million LED lights AND ride some of the park’s popular attractions. This experience goes far beyond just enjoying holiday lights. There is a stained glass nativity scene, holiday shows, exhibits, and so much more that it’s overwhelming. Advance purchase tickets are cheaper than buying at the gate.

There is nothing cheap about Holiday in the Park. A parking pass is $25 on top of admission, and ticket fees are very high. Your best bet might be a season pass. Six Flags Over Georgia is located west of Atlanta, in Austell.

Stone Mountain Christmas

Stone Mountain, GA
Nov. 9, 2023 to Jan. 5, 2025
Hours & prices vary widely
View complete price info and available discounts

Stone Mountain Park is hosting a true holiday extravaganza. The Christmas Village is open before dark, but the magic starts after sunset with a parade every night at 6 p.m. Santa makes his flight on a zip line, and Angelina the Snow Angel makes it snow — to the delight of the crowd.

For a limited time, you can SAVE $15 with a Groupon deal.

A Country Christmas at Pettit Creek Farm

Cartersville, GA
Thanksgiving thru Dec. 30th in 2024
Sun thru Thurs 6 to 9 p.m.
Fri-Sat 6 to 10 p.m.
CLOSED Mondays
Open Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Prices:
The ride-thru light display is $10 per person for the hayride, or $30 per car (1-8 people)
Vans are $35 for 9 to 15 people
Buses are $45 for 16 to 22 people, and $3 for each additional person.

Take a drive or hayride through more than a mile of Christmas lights that illustrate children’s stories. Patio heaters and campfires will be available to help you warm up, but please bring a blanket for the hayride!

On weekends there’s also a live nativity with barnyard animals and opportunities to visit and take pictures with Santa.  Petit Creek Farm is located in Cartersville, at 337 Cassville Rd. Please check hours and details on the website before you head out! You can also buy a fresh cut Christmas tree while you’re there.

Noel Magic Lights

November 22, 2o24 to January 1, 2025
5 p.m. to midnight
Atlanta Motor Speedway

This drive-thru light show has value pricing of $25 per carload from Monday thru Thursday.
On the weekends, the price is $40 per car.
Visit the website

Where to see holiday lights in neighborhoods 

If you have an amazing display you’d like us to add, please email editor@atlantaonthecheap.com

We shot this in front of a house near Autumn Park, in Doraville.

A note about the displays at private homes: These are put on by regular people, who have neighbors to consider. PLEASE be considerate when visiting these homes. If a homeowner has requested NO PARKING, that means you may only enjoy the lights on a drive-by basis. 

We’ve only listed private home displays that have a Facebook page or website. Please click those links to check on hours and anything else the homeowner wants you to know before showing up!

Some of these homeowners have synchronized their lights to music, which you can hear by tuning your car radio to a specific radio frequency.

Some are collecting money or canned goods for a charity, so please consider contributing.

Remember, some homeowners may keep the lights OFF during heavy rain or bad weather.

Ashebrooke Night of Lights

Ashebrooke Subdivision
Entrance near 5020 Luke Dr
Cumming, GA 30040

The Ashebrooke subdivision in Cumming prides itself on its holiday spirit. There are often up to 300 homes all lit up, and the lights are spectacular. You can drive through the neighborhood just about any night in December after 6 p.m. to enjoy the show.

BUT, on Sunday, December 15, 2024, starting at 6 p.m., there is a one-night event that is not to be missed. In addition to the usual holiday displays, neighbors will put out hundreds of luminarias. Cars will line up to drive-through the neighborhood in a pre-set route about 7 miles long. There will also be a live nativity, hot cocoa stand, baked goodies, and visits with Santa. 

The subdivision is located near the intersection of Kelly Mill Road and Bethelview Road in Cumming. For the Night of Lights event, all traffic must enter at Luke Drive.
Visit the website for complete details OR go to the Facebook event page

Decorate Decatur

The city of Decatur hosts a decorating contest each year — and there’s nothing like the competitive spirit when it comes to spectacular light displays!
Neighbors have created a Decorate Decatur Facebook group where they share their locations and pictures of their decorated houses and yards. You have to join the group in order to browse the posts there and make notes of which streets you’d like to stroll or drive down.
REMEMBER to be courteous of the neighbors and to observe all parking regulations.

Smyrna’s Bright Nights project

The city of Smyrna has created a website and interactive map to help you locate the most brilliantly decorated homes near you! You can see the public Christmas tree at the Village Green, and lights at Market Village retail district. Also, enjoy four holiday-themed selfie stations where you can make some memories.
All the details here

Deposit Photos

Lights of Joy

1510 Ben King Road
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Through Jan. 1, 2024
Nightly, 6 to 11 p.m.

Park across the street at the church and walk over to step inside the inner circle of lights. Or just drive by.
This is the home that was featured on the reality TV show The Great Christmas Light Fight. The owners say it is the largest residential light display in the state. The photos on the homeowner’s website and Facebook page are just amazing, so check out the photos.

Light up Addison

2600-2700 block of Addison Drive
Doraville, GA 30340

Neighbors have coordinated an effort to light up as many houses as possible on this street.
It’s 0kay to park and walk — just be considerate. This is truly a magical stroll down a block where house after house has an enchanting light display.
NOTE: While you’re there, take a drive down nearby Raymond Drive as well — there is a well decorated house on the corner of Lambeth Circle, and several displays at the other end of Raymond, near Brook Park (3100-3200 block)
Read a news story about Light Up Addison

Just one of the many decorated houses that participate in Light Up Addison — with a larger-than-life lion king!

Felix Family Christmas Lights

224 Oliver Overlook
Dallas, GA  30132
6 to 11 p.m.

This family emailed Atlanta on the Cheap to ask to be included on our list! This is a fully animated residential Christmas light display in Paulding County. There are thousands of lights that move to Christmas music.
We suggest that you check the Felix family’s Facebook page for updates, before you head out. They post about weather cancellations, technical difficulties, and any changes to the hours the lights are on. You’ll also find pictures there.

Alexander’s Land of Lights

5120 Wild Ginger Cove
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
Thanksgiving thru New Year’s Day
5:30 to 10 p.m.

This home features thousands of lights, synced to Christmas songs, in a 30-minute loop.
More info

A Whole Lot of Christmas

1833 Smokerise Summit
Stone Mountain, GA 30087
Through Dec. 31st
6 to 10 p.m.
Visit the Facebook page

Themed areas include Snowflake Lane (the driveway), a Snowman village, Toyland, a Disney section, Christmas Tree Forest, Santa and his reindeer on the roof, and more.

Holiday Magic – Woodruff Family Lights

5268 Seamus Way
Powder Springs, GA 30127
Nov. 25th thru Jan. 10, 2024
6 p.m. to midnight, nightly

The audio is live here, OR you can choose to listen in your car at 102.1FM. Please park in the cul-de-sac or on the street, and don’t block anyone’s driveway. You’re asked to stay off the grass, and only walk on the street or driveway. 
Visit the Facebook page for weather updates — they’ve had a few rainout nights. 

Hrockin Hranicky Christmas Lights

370 Oak Terrace
Alpharetta, GA 30009
Through Jan. 1
Nightly, 6 to 10 p.m.

An amazing automated light show,with 50,000 lights programmed to music. The whole show has 19 songs and lasts 30 minutes.  Just pull into the cul-de-sac — there are designated parking spots — and tune your radio t0 89.7 FM to listen in. This display is located just one-half mile from downtown Alpharetta, off Academy Street.
Visit the website and check for weather updates on the Facebook page.

Lane Family Christmas Light Show

770 Fox Hollow Parkway
Marietta, GA 30009
Through Dec. 26th in 2022
Nightly, 6 to 9 p.m. (till 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays)

Check out the Facebook page for pictures and video. Don’t forget to tune into to 107.7FM when viewing the lights!
You can also get weather updates on the Facebook page. There have been a few rain-outs in December of 2022.

Christmas on Amberwood

371 Amberwood Drive
Lawrenceville, GA
Visit the Facebook page

Cobb EMC’s holiday lights map

The homes featured on the Cobb EMC map include:

• Lights on Jubilee — 4500 Jubilee Ct Powder Springs GA 30127
• Riley’s Rockin’ Christmas — 2008 Palladium Dr NW Kennesaw, GA 30152
• Smoot Family Christmas Light Show — 3699 Autumn View Dr NW Acworth, GA 30101
• Hrockin Hranicky Christmas Lights — 3848 Rivers Run Trace NW Acworth, GA 30101
• Lights of Joy — 1510 Ben King Road NW Kennesaw, GA 30144
• GA Meyer Lights — 2651 Shadow Woods Cir, Marietta GA 30062
• Fox Family Christmas Light Display — 2994 Clary Hill Ct NE Roswell, GA 30075
• It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year — 1705 Nordic Trace, Marietta, GA 30068

You may also be interested in:

• Day-by-day list of free & cheap holiday events
• Best places to see holiday lights this year
• Holiday markets around metro Atlanta
• The 10 best Christmas tree farms near Atlanta
• Free photos with Santa for pets and people
• Where to get Christmas dinner to go