Looking to enjoy holiday lights for FREE?

Consider bundling up, bringing a thermos of cocoa, and taking a stroll around:

Atlantic Station (midtown)
Peachtree St in midtown (near the Woodruff Arts Center, Colony Square, or the Fox Theatre)
Woodruff Park (downtown Atlanta)
The Marietta Square
Avalon (in Alpharetta)
Duluth Town Green
Smyrna Village Green & Market Village
The Ravinia campus 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.

Holiday lights at attractions

NEW! World of Illumination’s drive-thru Candy Rush

Marietta, GA
Nov. 20th to Jan. 3rd
Nightly from 6 to 10 p.m.
Open holidays
$35 per car weeknights
$45 per car weekends
Upgrades available
Get all the details

Brand new for 2020! This drive-thru, whimsical wonderland takes place in the parking lot of Six Flags White Water. It features millions of lights, with everything synced to music. Better yet, there is a Groupon deal that saves you a few dollars!
The animated displays include 40-foot tall candy canes, sugar plum fairies, a gingerbread village, and more. You’ll drive through a 500-foot long tunnel of lights that serves as Santa’s magic portal, with popular holiday characters appearing along the route. Note that there is a timed ticket system in place.

FREE! Lawrenceville Lights (drive-thru)

FUMCLV Campground
700 Braselton Hwy, Lawrenceville
Friday thru Sunday from Dec. 11th to Dec. 20th

The First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville is hosting this drive-through light show.
Get the details

FREE! Ravinia Holiday Lights

Ravinia campus
One & Two Ravinia Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30346

lights on display through Thursday, Dec. 31.
Ravinia Holiday in Lights event on Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., with a free ticket

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

On Wednesday, December 16th, Ravinia will pull out all the stops with a free, socially distanced event to commemorate the season. While the event is free to attend, capacity is limited for distancing reasons and you must have a reservation for a specific time slot.
Ticket details here

NEW! Festival of Lights drive-thru at Atlantic Station

Midtown Atlanta
Dec. 1st to Jan. 18th
Nightly, 6 to 11 p.m.
$25 per car Sunday thru Thursday
$35 per car on Friday and Saturday
Get all the details

This is a brand new event for 2020. You’ll buy a timed ticket, and it takes about 30 minutes to drive through the route. The organizers hope to plan a special night for motorcycles, and one for bicycles and scooters.

PRISM Winter Lights at Woodruff Park

Downtown Atlanta
FREE to visit
Nightly from dark to 11 p.m.
Through January 31, 2021
Get the details

The light exhibit features three light-based landmark sculptures installed on the park’s main lawn, as well as animated artwork (by local artists) projected on the park’s International Peace Fountain water wall.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Midtown Atlanta
Nightly from Nov. 18th to Jan. 16th, 2021
5 to 11 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.
NOTE that this year’s event has limited capacity and a timed ticket system in place.

Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park

Dunwoody, GA
Nightly from Dec. 12th to 28th
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 25,000 lights, a 20-foot tree, reindeer barn, and a holiday train that’s perfect for photos.
A kickoff lighting event on Dec. 12th at at 6 p.m. features carolers and the characters from Frozen.

Holiday Lights at Veterans Park

Canton, GA
Nightly from Nov. 23rd to Dec. 31st
6 to 9 p.m.
$20 per car
Visit the Facebook page

Enjoy a two-mile drive through lighted tunnels, past animated displays, and featuring over a million lights. Veterans Park is located at 7345 Cumming Highway, in Canton.

Holiday Lights of Hope at Hobgood Park

Woodstock, GA
Dec. 3rd to 23rd, 2020
Sunday thru Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, 6 to 10 p.m.
$10 per person
Kids 14 and under FREE
Visit the website

This huge walk-through Christmas light display is in its 9th 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. They will not be sitting in Santa’s lap. You can position them on a bench in front of Santa’s stage, and he’ll be in the background of your pictures.
Hobgood Park is located at 6688 Bells Ferry Rd in Woodstock.
You can check the Facebook page for weather updates and cancellations.
NOTES FOR 2020: Please wear a mask while waiting in line for tickets and maintain social distancing. Displays are spaced out more, and you’ll be moving through them in a one-way route this year.

View the 2018 highights:

Lakeside Lights Spectacular at Lanier Islands

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

Buford, GA
Nightly from Nov. 20th — Feb. 21st
Opens at 5 p.m. nightly; closing time varies by date
Price is $15 per child and $20 per adult on Value Days — and goes up from there
View complete price info, plus multiple discounts

The drive-thru display at Lanier Islands has been replaced with this walk-thru event. It’s an immersive three-quarter-mile walk 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
Nov. 26th — Dec. 31st
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. 20th — Jan. 4th
6 to 11 p.m.
Prices vary widely depending on date
View complete price info, plus available discounts

Fantasy in Lights features over five 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, Groupon deal, and Value Night discount info — you can see it here.
NOTES for 2020 — There is limited capacity this year, and a new timed ticket system. If you ride the Jolly Trolley, you’ll have to wear a mask.

Callaway Gardens

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia

Austell, GA
Nov. 21st — Jan. 3rd
Hours vary by date; lights come on at dark
Prices vary, but you can expect to pay $45 to $70 for adult admission
Visit the Six Flags website

View more than one million LED lights AND ride 40 of the park’s popular attractions. This experience goes far beyond just enjoying holiday lights. There is a nightly tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., a stained glass nativity scene, holiday shows, exhibits, and so much more that it’s overwhelming. It is a true winter wonderland. Advance purchase tickets are cheaper than buying at the gate. Six Flags Over Georgia is located west of Atlanta, in Austell.

Stone Mountain Christmas

Stone Mountain, GA
Nov. 16th — Jan. 5th
lights come on at dark; fireworks finale at 10:45 p.m.
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. This experience goes far beyond just enjoying the holiday lights. Note that the light displays are concentrated in the Christmas Village, which requires an All-Attractions Pass for entry. The rest of the park is not lit up or decorated. See our post for complete details — and watch our video, below!

A Country Christmas at Pettit Creek Farm

Cartersville, GA
Nov. 26th — Dec. 30th
Sun thru Thurs 6 to 9 p.m.
Fri-Sat 6 to 10 p.m.
CLOSED Mondays
Open Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Hayride is $10 per person and the drive-through is $2o per car (choose one)

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.
Want to visit with Santa? He’ll be there Thursday through Sunday, from 6 to 9 p.m., beginning Saturday, Dec. 5th.

Holiday lights in neighborhoods

We’re still adding to this one, so check back!
And if you have an amazing display you’d like us to add, please email editor@atlantaonthecheap.com

Brilliant holiday lights in front of a house

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

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.

Avondale Estates Tour of Lights

The annual tour of homes has become the Avondale Estates Christmas Tour of Lights for 2020.
The tour is planned for Sunday, December 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

It will feature six to eight homes with “over-the-top” decorations, as well as the Avondale Business District, and the plazas around town.

The city is encouraging everyone to decorate outside with lots, and to add Santa somewhere in the décor, so children can play “Where’s Santa?” as they ride in the car.
More info here

Ashebrooke Night of Lights

Ashebrooke Subdivision
entrance near 5020 Luke Dr
Cumming, GA 30040

The Ashebrooke subdivision in Cumming features over 300 participating homes, and the lights are spectacular. You can drive through the neighborhood just about any night in December to enjoy the show.

BUT, on Sunday, December 20, 2020, starting at 6 p.m., there is a one-night event that is not to be missed.
Cars will line up to drive-through the neighborhood in a pre-set route, and 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 can 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

Holiday Hills Christmas Light Show

99 E. Mays Rd.
Stockbridge, GA 30281
Through Dec. 31st
Nightly, 6 to 10 p.m.

Tune your car radio to 107.1 FM and watch the synchronized, animated light show. The hosts have asked, via their Facebook page, that you do not stop in the middle of the street. Please pull over to the side of the road to be courteous to neighbors.
Visit the Facebook page

Christmas in Castille

4220 Tivoli Way
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Through Dec. 21st
Thursday thru Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m.

This is a gated community, so when the gates close for the night, show is over. Tune your radio to 89.9 FM for a synchronized, animated show featuring over 50,000 lights. There’s also a live feed on Facebook.
Visit the website or go to the Facebook page

Rascher’s Magical Light Show

6960 Hunters Knoll
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Nightly, sunset to 9 p.m.

The Raschers wrote to us and told us about their amazing holiday display. They have 48 channels of lights synchronized to music. Tune in to 88.3 on your car radio to listen in. The house is located on a dead end street, and the family says you are welcome to park and watch the show. View on YouTube.

Lights of Joy

1510 Ben King Road
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Through Jan. 3rd
Nightly, 6 to 11 p.m.

Park across the street at the church and walk over — 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 near Autumn Park (3500 block), and several displays at the other end of Raymond, near Brook Park (3100-3200 block)
Read a news story about Light Up Addison

Duluth’s Christmas House

2929 Mockingbird Circle
Duluth, GA 30096
Through Dec. 31st
6 to 10 p.m.

This is a DRIVE-BY display only. No parking is allowed on the street.
The homeowners also host a food drive for a local food pantry — so please consider bringing a non-perishable food item for the donation box.
Visit the Facebook page

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, Toyland, Disney, and more.

Hrockin Hranicky Christmas Lights

3848 Rivers Run Trace NW
Acworth, GA 30101
Through Jan. 1st

6 to 10 p.m.

For synchronized music, tune your car radio to 107.7FM
Donations of pet food/supplies collected at the Snoopy doghouse display, on behalf of Angels Among Us rescue.

Visit the website

Pierce Lights

370 Oak Terrace
Alpharetta, GA 30009
Through Jan. 5th
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 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 the Facebook page.

Lane Family Christmas Light Show

770 Fox Hollow Parkway
Marietta, GA 30009
Through Dec. 27th
Nightly, 6 to 9 p.m.

Check out the Facebook page for pictures and video.

Tunnel of Lights

3441 Dry Creek Rd.
Marietta, GA 30062

View the web page

Stolkins Christmas Spectacular

1004 Riverside Court
Woodstock, GA 30188

Visit the Instagram page

Christmas on Amberwood

CANCELED for 2020 — back in 2021

~~371 Amberwood Drive~~
Lawrenceville, GA
~~Visit the Facebook page~~

Canceled for 2020:

Chinese Lantern Festival at Centennial Olympic Park

~~Nov. 22nd — Jan. 5th~~
~~6 to 10 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday~~
~~6 to 11 p.m. on Friday & Saturday~~
~~Regular price $13 to $17~~
~~View complete price info, including discounts~~

While this is technically not a Christmas or holiday display, the display is completely enchanting! You’ll find 25 large glowing lanterns that represent both sea and land animals. Some are interactive — you can walk into the belly of a whale or stroll across sand dollar stepping stones that change color. While you’re at Centennial Park, you can also visit the Skyview Ferris wheel or the Christkindl Market. We have a complete post with details on the 2019 Chinese Lantern Festival and you can see it here.

The Chinese Lantern Festival, at Centennial Park, with the Skyview Ferris wheel in the background.

Christmas Light Extravaganza at Warbington Farms

Nov. 22nd — Dec. 29th on select dates only
~~5:30 to 9 p.m.~~
~~Adults $10; children $8~~
Visit the Facebook event page for dates and hours

Warbington Farms transforms into an illuminated wonderland, with a synchronized light show, illuminated barnyard, walk-through light displays, and a hayride to the Field of Lights. Warbington Farms is located in Cumming, north of Atlanta. Visit the Warbington Farms website.