Magical Nights of Lights

A drive-thru Christmas lights experience in Buford, Georgia

Magical Nights of Lights returns to Lanier Islands Resort for another season of holiday magic! From November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, drive through miles of sparkling lights and animated displays, with even more lights and more magic to discover along the way. Make the most of your visit with a stop at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands’ License to Chill Snow Island, where you can trade twinkling lights for snowy adventures and enjoy a little winter magic, too. Gather the family, turn up the holiday music and make Magical Nights of Lights part of your holiday tradition. We’re grateful to Coca-Cola, Georgia Power, and Universal Concepts, our Magical Nights of Lights sponsors, for helping make the season shine.

Pricing is per vehicle.

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Magical Nights of Lights At A Glance

  • What is it?: A drive-through holiday light show in Georgia
  • Dates: Nightly, November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, including holidays
  • Hours: 5 PM to 10 PM
  • Location: Lanier Islands Resort, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford, GA
  • Tickets: Priced per vehicle, not per person. Buy online or at the gate.
  • Full evening: Plan at least 2.5 hours with Snow Island and Game Changer
Two kids ride in a purple SUV at night, one reaching toward the other as colorful lights glow behind them.
A large illuminated sign that reads “12 Days of Christmas” with festive shapes and lights, set up outdoors at night.
Bright holiday lights: glowing snowmen and figures around a clock tower, with a red “HAPPY HOME” display and glowing snowballs along the ground.
A nighttime scene with colorful LED holiday figures along a roadside: a large round ornament centerpiece flanked by dancing characters, wreaths, and stylized figures in bright neon outlines.

The Experience

With more lights and more magic, there is more to see! This season, our drive-thru holiday light show adds new lights to the lakeside route, including new holiday vignettes and animated trees. Cozy up in the car, turn up the holiday tunes and take it all in at your own pace. Then warm up at our Holiday Headquarters at Game Changer, a 23,000-square-foot indoor playground decked out in lights for the season and raise a Moose Mug at Clark's Holiday Pop-Up Bar.

Mommy Poppins named it one of the best holiday light shows in Georgia last season. So if you're looking for Christmas lights nearby, you'll find us in Buford, about 45 miles north of Atlanta.

A colorful holiday light display features toy soldiers, flags, and starbursts against the night sky.

Plan Your Visit

Magical Night of Lights opens at 5 PM each night. The show is most popular from just after sunset to 8:30 PM, so come a little later for a more relaxed drive. Everyone stays cozy in their car along the route, and the whole family is welcome, pets included. The lights shine through rain, sleet and snow whenever the roads are safe.

A woman dressed as an elf reads a colorful book with three young children gathered around her.

Make A Night Of It

Skip the drive home and wake up on Lake Lanier. Stay at Legacy Lodge, Legacy Villas or the LakeHouses at Legacy. Magical Nights of Lights is truly one of the top drive-through holiday light shows in Georgia. Our holiday overnight packages pair your stay with Magical Nights of Lights and festive extras like Breakfast with Santa, Elf Tuck Ins and Snow Tubing. Find the one that fits your crew on our overnight packages page.

Lanier Islands Resort

Groups

Bringing a crowd? Shuttle Tickets cover 11 to 20 passengers and Bus Tickets cover more than 20. Book a holiday party with us and your guests get into the show free.

Magical Nights of Lights Sponsors

The image shows the Georgia Power logo with a triangular design in red, blue, and green above the company name in black text.

Magical Nights of Lights is proudly powered by Georgia Power. Their sponsorship helps keep the holiday magic shining bright across Lanier Islands Resort, illuminating unforgettable moments for families all season long.

Learn More
The image shows the Coca-Cola logo in red text on a white background.

Magical Nights of Lights is proudly sponsored by Coca-Cola. Their partnership adds extra sparkle to the season, helping create festive memories and timeless holiday cheer at Lanier Islands Resort.

Learn More
The image shows a Christmas tree made of ribbon with a star on top and the text

Magical Nights of Lights is made possible with the support of Universal Concepts. Their partnership helps bring the holiday season to life at Lanier Islands Resort, creating a festive atmosphere filled with dazzling light displays.

Learn More

Magical Nights of Lights FAQs

You've got questions? We've got answers!

  • Will Santa be there?

    Yes! Santa visits our Holiday Headquarters at Game Changer on select nights, starting with Santa's Magical Arrival on Friday, November 27. You can also meet him at Breakfast with Santa on select mornings.

  • What is Magical Nights of Lights?

    Magical Nights of Lights is a drive-thru Christmas light show at Lanier Islands Resort in Buford, GA. Last season it took the top spot in North Georgia Living Magazine's Favorite Homegrown Holiday Light Displays. Add License to Chill Snow Island or Game Changer afterward (additional fees apply) and grab a drink at Clark’s holiday pop up bar.

  • When does Magical Nights of Lights start?

    Magical Nights of Lights opens Friday, November 20, 2026 and runs nightly through Sunday, January 3, 2027, including holidays. The show starts at 5 PM each evening.

  • What are the event hours?

    The light show runs nightly from 5 PM to 10 PM. From 4 PM each night, the Magical Nights of Lights surcharge applies at the resort gate.

  • Where is it located?

    Magical Nights of Lights is at Lanier Islands Resort, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford, GA. That's about 45 miles north of Atlanta, on the shores of Lake Lanier.

  • How much are the tickets?

    Ticket prices vary by vehicle size and date. You can buy tickets in advance online or at the gate when you arrive at Lanier Islands Resort.

  • Are tickets priced per person?

    No. Tickets are priced per vehicle, not per person, so one ticket covers everyone in your car. Pick the ticket that matches the number of passengers in your vehicle.

    • Vehicles with up to 10 passengers: Standard Vehicle Ticket
    • Vehicles with 11 to 20 passengers: Shuttle Ticket - $100
    • Vehicles with more than 20 passengers: Bus Ticket - $250
  • Is parking included?

    Yes. Parking is included once you're inside Lanier Islands Resort, so you can park and head to Snow Island, Game Changer or dinner after the drive.

  • How long does it take to go through the show?

    Plan for at least 2.5 hours for the full experience, especially on busy nights. That gives you time to drive the light show, play in the snow at License to Chill Snow Island and warm up at our Holiday Headquarters at Game Changer.

  • What else can we do besides the lights?

    Buy tickets to License to Chill Snow Island for snow tubing, ice skating, carnival rides and more. Several of our restaurants serve dinner, and our Holiday Headquarters at Game Changer has festive fun for the whole family. Some highlights include Clarks pop up bar, our Holiday Market and visits with Santa and other holiday friends.

  • Can I get out of my vehicle during the show to take pictures?

    No. For your safety, guests must stay in their vehicles along the roadways during the Christmas light show. Photos and videos from inside the car are welcome.

  • Can I bring my pet(s)?

    Yes. Pets are welcome inside your vehicle during the driving tour. For safety and health reasons, only certified service animals are allowed in License to Chill Snow Island and our restaurants.

  • Can I bring a trailer or have people ride in my truck bed?

    No. Passengers are not permitted to ride in truck beds or trailers. Everyone rides inside the vehicle, and all guests must follow state motor vehicle laws and regulations.

  • Are you open if it is raining, sleeting, or snowing?

    Yes. As long as the roadways are safe, Magical Nights of Lights stays open in bad weather. Check our website or social media for the latest on any closures for the light show or License to Chill Snow Island.

  • What are the peak hours?

    The busiest time is usually from shortly after sunset until 8:30 PM. If you'd like a quieter drive, plan to arrive after 8:30 PM. The show runs until 10 PM.

  • Can we come by boat?

    Yes. You're welcome to arrive at Lanier Islands Resort by boat, but transportation isn't provided from the docks to the light show entrance. The courtesy dock gives quick access to our Holiday Headquarters at Game Changer.

  • Do you provide overnight packages?

    Yes. Lanier Islands Resort offers several holiday packages with stays at Legacy Lodge, Legacy Villas and our two-bedroom, two-bath LakeHouses. Visit our overnight packages page for details and special offers.

  • Can I host a group or corporate event?

    Yes. Lanier Islands Resort has meeting spaces, venues and dining for group outings, meetings, weddings and holiday parties. Book a holiday event with us this season and your attendees get into Magical Nights of Lights free. Call our Sales Team at 678-318-2027.

  • Is Magical Nights of Lights wheelchair accessible?

    Yes. The driving tour is fully accessible, since you enjoy the whole show from your vehicle. Most other attractions at Lanier Islands Resort also have ADA access.

  • Can I take photos and videos?

    Yes! Photos and videos from inside your vehicle are encouraged. Share your favorite moments on social media by tagging @lanierislands and using #MagicalNightsOfLights or #TheMagicIsBack.

  • Is there a holiday light show near me?

    Magical Nights of Lights is a drive-thru Christmas light show at Lanier Islands Resort in Buford, GA, about 45 miles north of Atlanta. It runs nightly from 5 PM to 10 PM through January 3, 2027, for families across metro Atlanta and North Georgia.

  • What's new at Magical Nights of Lights this season?

    This season's route adds new holiday-themed vignettes, animated trees and decor, and our Holiday Headquarters at Game Changer is decked out in lights too.

  • Is Magical Nights of Lights open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?

    Yes. Magical Nights of Lights runs every night through January 3, 2027, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, from 5 PM to 10 PM. Check our website or social media for weather updates.

  • Do I need to stay at the resort to see the lights?

    No. Magical Nights of Lights is open to everyone with a vehicle ticket. If you'd like to stay the night, our holiday overnight packages pair a room at Legacy Lodge, Legacy Villas or the LakeHouses with the show.

  • Can church, school or community groups come by bus?

    Yes. Groups are welcome. Vehicles with 11 to 20 passengers need a Shuttle Ticket, and vehicles with more than 20 passengers need a Bus Ticket. Planning a group event at the resort? Call our Sales Team at 678-318-2027.

  • What are Give Back Nights?

    From November 20 to 30, bring five cans of food to the front gate for $20 in vouchers: $10 off License to Chill Snow Island and $10 off food and drinks at Game Changer (excluding alcohol). Donations support the Georgia Mountain Food Bank.

Lanier Islands Resort

Join us for Give Back Nights, November 20 - 30! Bring five cans of food to the front gate to receive a $10 voucher for License to Chill Snow Island and $10 voucher at Game Changer. Your donation supports the Georgia Mountain Food Bank and helps brighten the holidays for local families.

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