Christmas lights are one of the best parts of the holiday season. Our family has a tradition of getting in the car after dinner and driving around to see favorite light displays from each year and discovering new ones. People can be so creative and put up lights in their yards or join with neighbors to make even bigger lighting events. It's fun when they add music and you can listen to it in your car. Don't ask me how they do this because I have no idea! Quite a few of the families who host the light displays raise money and donations for non-profits like the Make a Wish Foundation, Toys for Tots, and food pantries. One family raised over $11,000+ in monetary donations last year! Fantastic. We're talking about some of the neighborhoods with lights here in Atlanta and surrounding counties including 6 we personally visit every single year. Christmas lights bring joy to your holidays and literally bring light to your life. We hope you'll check these out and enjoy the holiday season!
Please make sure you check their websites and Facebook pages before venturing out to make sure the weather hasn’t affected their display hours.
Smoke Rise and Stone Mountain
A Whole Lot of Christmas
Hands down one of my most favorite sights to see every year. I'm like a kid who can't wait to see it. For more than 25 years, this family has been decorating their home to the extreme. Different sections of the yard include a snowflake lane, Santa’s workshop, an animated gingerbread lane, Christmas Tree Forest, a Disney section, an ocean-themed display, and more. In 2012, they began collecting donations for Make-a-Wish Georgia and continue this tradition.
When: Through Dec. 30. Nightly, 5:45-11 p.m.
Where: 1833 Smokerise Summit, Stone Mountain
In the Smoke Rise neighborhoods, you'll find two great displays on Mountain Creek and Stratmor Drives.
1855 Mountain Creek Drive
Their display has an almost vintage feel to it with some decorations painted on boards which look handmade.
2253 Stratmor Drive
This couple has significantly added to their yard every year and this year they went big. They are collecting donations online and at the display for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. It's really a magnificent sight to see.
Tucker
There are three houses we like to drive by each year. One in the Winchester Heights subdivision, one in Winding Woods, and the other on Churchwell Lane off Henderson Road.
3638 Sheffield Place in the Winchester Heights neighborhood
There are two yards next to each other that have combined a large number of inflatables and lights.
3546 Castlehill Court
2689 Churchwell Lane
Their lights and inflatables are fun and you can often see this yard featured on the news.
Lawrenceville
Christmas on Amberwood was closed last year due to the pandemic but is back open this year. They have a yard full – and I mean full – of inflatables and Santa often visits. You can check out their Facebook page for updates on when Santa is on the scene. This year they are raising money for Toys for Tots and the March of Dimes.
When: 6 – 10:00 PM nightly and later on weekends
Where: 371 Amberwood Drive in Lawrenceville
Duluth's Christmas House
This gorgeous display has Santa’s zoo animals, a North Pole, a nativity scene, inflatables, and lots and lots of lights. They will be collecting pantry items and donations for First Baptist Church of Duluth’s food pantry.
When: Through Dec. 29. Nightly, 6-10 p.m.
Where: 2929 Mockingbird Cir., Duluth
Dallas
Felix Family Christmas Lights
Spot Santa waving in the window, the “Peanuts” gang, and Frosty the Snowman in this display with lights and computer animation. Tune your car stereo to 100.9 FM when you enter the neighborhood to rock along to some of your favorite Christmas tunes. They’re raising money for Paulding Public Safety Appreciation, Inc.
When: Through Dec. 31. Sun.-Thur. 6-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. 6-11 p.m.
Where: 224 Oliver Overlook, Dallas
Fayetteville
Gaddy Family Christmas Lights Extravaganza
For more than 20 years, the Gaddy family has hosted a drive-thru Christmas display with light tunnels and inflatable décor. They collect donations for Toys for Tots and The March of Dimes through Dec. 17.
When: Through Jan. 1. Nightly, 6-10 p.m.
Where: 898 Sandy Creek Rd., Fayetteville
Kennesaw
Riley's Rockin' Christmas
More than 60,000 LED lights choreographed to 13+ songs from holiday favorites, including “Frozen,” “Polar Express,” “Peanuts” and more. Tune your radio to 101.3 FM. Donations are accepted in the red Santa’s Letters collection box to benefit the Children’s Burn Foundation.
When: The show will be on a varied schedule and not every night will be an animated show. See calendar for dates and times.
Where: 2008 Palladium Drive, Kennesaw
Lights of Joy
View more than 800,000 lights, 226 decorated trees, Santa in a helicopter and 10 musical trees at this delightful walk-thru display. The Tunnel of Joy has more than 80,000 lights. Tune in to 102.1 FM to listen to the musical trees, and enjoy trombone concerts Dec. 26 and 27.
When: Through Jan. 2. Nightly, 6-11 p.m.
Where: 1510 Ben King Rd. NW, Kennesaw
Hiram
Portwood Family Christmas Lights
Drive-by this decorated house, or walk along the lighted pathway for a delightful holiday display with more than 100,000 lights, a 30-foot Grinch inflatable, a fire-breathing dragon, a 35-foot Frosty the Snowman and more. Stop by for character nights Mon.-Thur., and wear your pajamas to enjoy Polar Express Nights on Sundays with hot chocolate, candy canes, and more. They collecting socks for the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Shop for the Cop program and donations and canned goods for the Warehouse of Hope.
When: Through Jan. 1. Sun-Thur. 6-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. 6-11 p.m.
Where: 20 Valley Dr., Hiram
Acworth
Smoot Family Christmas Light Show
More than 75K LED lights are on display at this Christmas show. Stop by on Saturday nights from 6-8 p.m. for free hot chocolate and cookies. Tune in to 90.7 FM to listen to the synced music.
When: Through Dec. 31. Sun.-Thurs. 6-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. 6-11 p.m.
Where: 3699 Autumn Drive, Acworth
Marietta
Lane Lights
This light display features more than 15,000 lights and is synchronized to an hour’s worth of music—making it their longest show in history! Tune in to hear the audio on 107.7 FM.
When: Through Dec. 31. Sun.-Thur. 6-9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. 6-9:30 p.m.
Where: 770 Fox Hollow Pkwy., Marietta
Lights of Life at Life University Campus
Life University has an enormous display on their campus and even offer pony rides, a petting zoo, and concessions. It is a drive-thru and walk experience. We do both. It's $10 per car/truck to visit. They are open to view up to December 29th.
Roswell
Fox Family Christmas Lights
This light show features thousands of lights, music, two snow machines and homemade animated features. Listen to the synchronized music on 88.3 FM. Starting on Dec. 10, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos on Fri.-Sat. nights until Christmas. Donate to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church.
When: Through Jan. 6. Nightly, 6-10 p.m.
Where: 2994 Clary Hill Court, Roswell.
This is by no means a complete list of all the amazing neighborhood light displays in Georgia. You can Google a ton more, and if you know of ones you love, please post comments or a link to them in the comments section. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Sources: AtlantaParentMagazine.com and our personal light driving experiences.
