Garden lights, holiday nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden: The best holiday event in the city

As the weather starts to drop, Atlanta’s wide array of holiday events start to pop up all around the city, with the crown jewel being Garden Lights, Holiday Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. This winter affair has been voted the number one holiday event in Atlanta for years, with tickets selling out weeks in advance. With so much to do and see, it’s truly a must-see for all ages.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights kicked off in 2011, featuring more than one million energy-efficient LED lights among their sprawling 30 acres. The following year, it increased by half a million more, eventually bringing it to the current light count of two million, dazzling guests through several displays throughout the park. 

To begin your adventure at the ABG, pass through the front entrance, scanning the passes that were purchased ahead of time (remember, door tickets are rarely available, so get them several weeks before your visit). From there, garden employees will direct you to the Storza Woods Canopy Walk, an elevated path through the dazzling forest, thousands of hung light strands synchronized to the holiday music. It’s said to be the world’s largest curtain of synchronized light and sound, sure to take your breath away. The Skywalk is 600 feet long, which gives you more than enough time to pass through the trees and enjoy the full selections of music, ranging from Disney tunes to classic Christmas Carols.

Once the Canopy Walk ends, the path will head towards the famous ‘Earth Goddess’ who has been transformed into the brilliant ‘Ice Goddess,’ covered in twinkling lights. This spot makes for great photos, so make sure to have your phone ready! 

After you spend some time with the Goddess, the main courtyard holds several more activities and displays. A favorite among families is the elaborate model train display, hidden near the side of the rose garden. There lies a miniature town, complete with shrunk-down foliage, bodies of water and, of course, a sprawling track for the several model trains. Naturally, the display is all set up for Christmas, fully decorated despite its small scale. 

The dancing Orchestral Orbs on the Great Lawn is another great display, with larger-than-life lights changing between 14 million different colors. These too are synchronized with music, making for a fantastic light show, and a perfect reason to dance your heart out. 

Behind the Great Lawn is the huge greenhouse, formally known as the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory. There lies a whole new world, transporting guests into a tropical rainforest, filled with lush vegetation, a humid climate and the calls of exotic birds. The greenhouse is already a must-see outside of the holiday event, but the festive flare completely changes the atmosphere, transforming the abundant rainforest into a masterpiece, closer to an alien planet than anything here on Earth. If you’re torn on attending Garden Lights, Holiday Nights because you’ve already visited the Botanicals before, this room alone is enough to make you feel like you’re getting a brand new experience. 

Once you exit the rainforest, you’ll be greeted with hundreds of Christmas poinsettias and marshmallow-making over a beautiful bonfire. Sweet treats at the Botanical Gardens? Who could ask for “s’more?” 

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden has been voted the number one holiday event for years, and it’s easy to see why. The event will be happening throughout the holidays and into mid-January, and like mentioned before, tickets sell out far in advance. If a certain date works for your party, buy the tickets as soon as possible, assuring your spot at this spectacular. You do not want to miss out on this event!