Fantasy in Lights is a beloved holiday tradition at Callaway Gardens each year. The spectacular light display opens for the season on November 20, 2020. It runs through January 4, 2021.
Now is the time to snag discount tickets. There are a couple of ways to save — through advance purchase or a Groupon deal — so read on and check out all the various ways to save money on admission.
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 — and it’s right here in our own backyards.
It is quite an experience. You can make merry in the Christmas Village, meet holiday characters up close, and ride through the dazzling illuminated forest in your own car or in the Jolly Trolley (mask required).
You can even book a Fantasy In Lights Overnight Package, which includes a daytime Callaway Gardens admission, trolley ride through Fantasy In Lights, and a stay in Callaway’s resort accommodations.
Please be safe this holiday season!
The CDC has issued guidelines on how to have safer holiday celebrations during the 2020 season.
You can read them here.
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2020 hours, prices, and discounts
Fantasy in Lights opens on Friday, November 20, 2020. It runs through Monday, January 4, 2021.
The Fantasy In Lights show begins at 6 p.m., which is dusk.
The Christmas Village opens daily at 4 p.m.
Ticket prices are quite a bit higher this year, across the board.
In the past, same-day tickets have been the most expensive option. It’s not clear that same-day purchase is available at all this year, as only the advance purchase prices are listed.
Note that tickets are per person — they are no longer per vehicle, and haven’t been since 2018.
When you buy a ticket, you’ll choose specific dates, times, and drive-thru options (your own car, or the trolley).
Advance purchase discounts are the best value. Those prices are listed below — just scroll down.
A ticket includes:
- Access to the Christmas Village to enjoy Santa, children’s playland, shopping, dining and more; open daily at 4 p.m. Note that masks are required for a visit with Santa this year.
- One trip through the Fantasy In Lights show either in your own car or on the open-air Jolly Trolley. If you ride the trolley this year, masks are required.
- One complimentary day admission per ticket to visit Callaway Gardens during the Fantasy In Lights season — between the date of your visit and the end of the Fantasy In Lights season (Jan. 4, 2021).
The Gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during this season. This is a $25 value admission, but they probably count on people not coming back during the day.
The advance purchase discount
Why would you not want to purchase in advance?
It’s not just about the discount — it’s about getting your preferred time slot and transportation option (either your own toasty-warm car, or the open air Jolly Trolley).
Advance purchase prices are based on days of the week.
Children 3 and under are FREE.
Here’s a basic rundown of prices, from low to high.
Note that taxes and fees are added to each ticket.
Value Days — the cheapest option
Value Days are Mon–Thurs, with exceptions for Thanksgiving week and Christmas week, when prices go up with demand.
You’ll get Value pricing on these dates:
- November 23, 24, and 30
- December 1-3
- December 7-10
- December 14-17
- December 28-30
- January 1-4
Value Days prices:
- Adults — $2o
- Children age 3-11 — $15
Prime Days — the mid-range option
Prime Days are most Fridays and Saturdays, as well as Thanksgiving Day and weekdays during Christmas week.
You’ll get Prime pricing on these dates:
- November 20-22, 25-26, and 29
- December 4, 6, 11, 13, 18
- December 20 – 27
Prime Days prices:
- Adults — $30
- Children age 3-11 — $20
Super Prime Days — high demand and highest prices
Super Prime Days are Thanksgiving Weekend (Nov. 27 & 28) and Saturdays in December (Dec. 5th, 12th, and 19th).
If you can, plan to avoid these five dates.
Super Prime Day prices:
- Adults — $35
- Children age 3-11 — $25
Sound confusing?
Click here for a color-coded calendar of all the price levels.
The 2020 Groupon deal
Thanks to a deal on Groupon, you can visit Fantasy in Lights on the cheap. But if you want to go, you should buy your voucher now.
The Groupon deal lets you visit from Sunday through Friday — so Saturday is off the table here.
A voucher is just $19.99 — which is 42% off the highest price tier.
This is per person, regardless of age.
Note that the Groupon deal may or may not save you any money over an advance purchase discount — it just depends on when you go. If you are taking kids under age 12 and can go on a Value Day, you’ll save money buying in advance on the Callaway ticket page.
Bike Night on Nov. 15th
Experience the magic by two wheels this year during the Fantasy In Lights Bicycle Night. All must have a bicycle light or a helmet light.
Please note that there will be no Jolly Trolleys or personal vehicles operating on this night. Ride is approximately 50 minutes and 7 miles.
Bicycle night tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for kids age 3-11.
Need to rent a bicycle?
Those tickets are $35 for adults (you can reserve a bike with a toddler seat) and $28.50 for kids.
Know before you go
Your ticket is rain or shine — no refunds if you reserve for the Jolly Trolley and get cold or rainy weather.
You can bring pets with you in your own vehicle, but not in the Jolly Trolley.
It takes about an hour to drive through the light display:
- Trolley rides start on the hour, from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Drive-throughs in your own vehicle start on the half-hour, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Callaway Gardens is located at 17800 U.S. 27 in Pine Mountain, GA.
It is 75 miles south of downtown Atlanta.
Preview your experience:
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That’s my guess, too…four $28 tickets for four adults comes to $128ish after tax & fees. The list price is $120 at the gate for four adults, so it could be based on that. For me, I just look at what matches my family’s needs & go with whichever ends up cheaper…sometimes that’s a mix of adult & kid tix on a cheap night, other times it’s a Groupon. ~Jenn
Since the highest price ticket is only $28 – I assume the savings being based on $120 for 4 tickets must take into account fees and taxes?