Georgia's Best Holiday Lights, Outdoor Fun, and Festive Towns
Georgia’s mild winters and joyful festivities make it a special destination. Find holiday pleasures across the state, from lights and ice skating to Christmas markets and New Year’s celebrations.
Experience Georgia's holiday light displays
What is more wonder-inducing than being dazzled by millions of sparkling holiday lights? Get your fill of immersive displays synchronized to holiday songs at Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain. Honored in Forbes’ “7 Spectacular Christmas Light Displays That Offer Holiday Magic” list, the 7-mile drive is a memorable winter treat.
At Hiawassee’s Mountain Country Christmas in Lights, arts and crafts and hot chocolate accompany the glittering spectacle best enjoyed on foot. Capture frame-worthy images of your kids meeting Santa Claus, then stock up on gifts at the bustling craft market filled with ornaments and keepsakes.
Take the fully accessible Winter WonderLights tunnels-of-lights tour at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens for shining displays with fun names like Winter Wondercave and Cone Tree Forest. Pause from the half-mile stroll to roast chocolatey s’mores over flickering flames.
Wild Adventures Christmas in Valdosta dazzles with thousands of synchronized lights dancing across floating trees in the Carol of the Animals Lake Show. In between holiday cheer, meet exotic animals like tigers, giraffes, and bears, or hop on kid-friendly rides and thrilling coasters throughout the theme park.
On the coast, Holly Jolly Jekyll transforms the island into a dazzling holiday heaven – one of the very best in Georgia. Hop aboard a festive trolley or cruise in a classic Ford Model T through the historic district decked out in dazzling holiday lights.
Enjoy winter activities in Georgia
Georgia might not have frequent snow, but that won’t stop you from enjoying our outdoor activities, like ice skating, train rides, and seasonal pop-ups. Head to Snow Island at Lanier Islands in Buford, where you’ll find an eight-story snow slide and freshly made powder for snow angels. Lace up your skates for pristine rinks at Atlanta’s Skate the Station at Atlantic Station or the annual Evans on Ice near Augusta.
Stroll Savannah’s European-style Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District for garland-strewn decor and photos with Santa. Or, hop on the Georgia Coastal Railway in Kingsland for the Santa Special Christmas Train, where the great St. Nick himself and his trusty elves greet passengers along the way.
Celebrate in Georgia’s festive small towns
In Thomasville, Victorian Christmas transforms the already picturesque downtown into a wonderland inspired by the 19th century. Enjoy strolling carolers, carriage rides, visits with Santa, and shopping for gifts from local boutiques – like puzzles and brain teasers at Imagination Emporium and Georgia authors at the indie bookseller, The Bookshelf.
Framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dahlonega inspires holiday cheer with its own Old Fashioned Christmas. Search for artisanal treasures at the Dahlonega General Store, admire decorated storefronts that look straight out of a Hallmark movie, watch the joyful Christmas parade, and see the town sparkle at the annual Lighting on the Square.
In Madison, a historic town with farming roots just an hour from Atlanta, architecture takes center stage during the Holiday Tour of Homes. Grand residences are decorated with shimmering lights, evergreen garlands, ruby-red poinsettias, and perfectly tied bows.
Take a piece of Georgia home with you
Stock up on Dahlonega-made sparkling wines for a midnight toast or special celebration. At Wolf Mountain Vineyards, the Blanc de Blancs Brut is described as a dry, sparkling chardonnay that’s light, crisp, and a bit fruity. The Three Sisters Vineyards & Winery’s Georgia Cuvée Rosé features complex berry flavors and notes of apple and strawberry. At Accent Cellars, the Insider Sparkling Apple promises an apple-y aroma and malted flavor and is best served cold. Or, stock up on sparkling cider from Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge for effervescent non-alcoholic sips.
