Atlanta Festival of Lights at Atlantic Station: Your Complete Guide

The Atlanta Festival of Lights at Atlantic Station has quickly become one of the city’s favorite holiday traditions. If you’re planning winter festivities in Atlanta, this immersive drive-through (and sometimes walk-through) light experience in Midtown’s Atlantic Station is worth understanding in detail—how it works, when to go, what it costs, where to park, and how to make the most of it.

What Is the Atlanta Festival of Lights at Atlantic Station?

The Atlanta Festival of Lights is a seasonal holiday light display hosted at Atlantic Station, a mixed-use development just off 17th Street in Midtown.

Expect:

• Tunnel-style light displays synchronized to holiday music
• Themed scenes (snowflakes, candy canes, Christmas trees, stars, and more)
• A family-friendly, all-ages environment
• A chance to pair the light show with shopping, dining, and other Atlantic Station holiday activities

The experience is usually designed as a ticketed, time-slotted event, with visitors driving (or on some years walking) through a set route lined with millions of lights.

Location:
Atlantic Station
1380 Atlantic Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30363

When Does the Festival of Lights Typically Run?

The dates can vary by year, but in Atlanta the Festival of Lights at Atlantic Station commonly:

• Opens in mid- to late November
• Runs through December, often including Christmas week
• Sometimes extends into early January, depending on scheduling and demand

Because exact dates change year to year, Atlanta residents and visitors should:

• Check the current season’s calendar for opening and closing dates
• Look specifically for event details listed under Atlantic Station holiday events or Festival of Lights / holiday lights

❗ Tip: Prime weekend dates close to Christmas often sell out or get crowded. If your schedule is flexible, consider early season dates or weekday evenings.

Where Is the Festival Located Within Atlantic Station?

Atlantic Station covers a large area, so knowing where the Festival of Lights is set up will save time.

The festival is typically held in or near:

• A designated event lot or drive route within the Atlantic Station property
• Spaces that are easy to access from 17th Street and the Atlantic Station parking garage

Once you’re in Atlantic Station:

• Follow event signage for “Festival of Lights,” “Holiday Lights,” or similar
• Look for staff directing traffic, especially during peak evenings
• Pay attention to where they direct event traffic vs. regular parking

Drive-Through vs. Walk-Through: What to Expect

The format can shift slightly year to year, but Atlanta Festival of Lights at Atlantic Station is best known as a drive-through holiday lights experience.

Drive-Through Experience

If it’s operating as a drive-through, you can expect:

• A set driving route that winds through light tunnels and themed areas
• Preselected time slots to keep traffic moving smoothly
• Holiday music you can play in your car (often through a specific radio station or provided playlist)

Pros:

• Comfortable in cold or rainy Atlanta winter weather
• Good for families with young kids or grandparents
• Accessible for people who may have mobility limitations

Consider:

• You’ll need a vehicle (car, SUV, etc.)
• Large vehicles (buses, oversized vans) may have special rules or restrictions

Walk-Through Elements

Even when the core show is drive-through, Atlantic Station itself offers walkable holiday experiences:

• A central Christmas tree or main holiday display
• Seasonal décor around the Central Park area
• Shops and restaurants decorated for the season
• Occasionally additional walk-through displays, pop-ups, or holiday markets

If you’re already at Atlantic Station, it often makes sense to:

• Arrive early, park once, and walk around before your time slot
• Or enjoy a meal, snack, or hot drink after the light show

Tickets, Pricing, and Reservations

Ticketing details can change, but for Atlanta Festival of Lights at Atlantic Station, you’ll typically see:

Ticket Structure

• Per vehicle pricing is common for drive-through shows
• Sometimes different tiers (standard vs. peak nights, or earlier vs. later time slots)
• Pre-purchased online tickets with a specific date and time window

How to Get Tickets

You’ll usually:

• Choose your date and time
• Choose your ticket type (standard vehicle, larger vehicle if available)
• Receive a confirmation to show on your phone or printed out at the entrance

Atlanta locals often notice that:

• Weeknights are sometimes a bit less expensive than prime weekends
• Early-bird tickets or early-season dates can be more budget-friendly

🎟️ Smart Move: Decide in advance if you’ll go on a weekday vs. weekend and earlier vs. closer to Christmas. This can impact both price and crowd levels.

Parking and Getting There

Because this event is in one of Atlanta’s busiest mixed-use centers, planning your arrival helps a lot.

Driving to Atlantic Station

Atlantic Station is just off I-75/85 in Midtown:

• From I-75/85, use 17th Street exit
• Follow signs for Atlantic Station
• Watch closely for specific event traffic signs for the Festival of Lights during the season

Atlantic Station Parking

Atlantic Station has a large underground parking deck with multiple entrances.

Common patterns:

• First two hours of parking are often free, with paid parking after that (but check current rules, as they can change)
• Event nights may have heavy traffic into and out of the deck, especially around popular dining times

For the Festival of Lights:

• If it’s drive-through only, you may be directed to a specific entrance or queue route rather than general parking
• If you plan to shop or dine before or after, you’ll typically park in the garage, then drive to the event route as instructed, or vice versa

🚗 Local Tip: Build in an extra 20–30 minutes for garage navigation and traffic if you’re arriving around 6–8 p.m. on a December Friday or Saturday.

Best Time to Visit (Atlanta-Specific Considerations)

Atlanta traffic and weather patterns matter when you plan your visit.

Traffic and Crowds

• Weeknights (Mon–Thu): Often less crowded, easier parking, smoother traffic
• Fridays & Saturdays: Heaviest crowds, especially from 6–9 p.m. when people combine the lights with dinner and shopping
• Earlier in the Season: Late November and early December are usually less packed than the week before Christmas

Weather

Typical Atlanta December weather:

• Can range from mild (50s–60s°F) to chilly (30s–40s°F)
• Occasional rainy evenings

Because much of the light show is enjoyed from your car, it’s a solid option even if:

• You’re looking for something to do on a cold or drizzly night
• You want a holiday activity without having to walk outside for long

What to Bring (and How to Prep)

Even a drive-through event goes better with a little planning, especially if you’re coming from across metro Atlanta.

Consider bringing:

• Phone or printed ticket ready before you arrive at the entrance
• Snacks and drinks for the car (especially with kids)
• Charged phone if you plan to take photos or videos
• Light layers or jackets, if you’ll walk around Atlantic Station before or after

With Atlanta’s unpredictable traffic, also:

• Check conditions on I-75/85, GA-400, and surface streets before you leave
• Add extra buffer time if you’re coming from suburbs like Marietta, Alpharetta, or Decatur during rush hour

Is the Festival of Lights Kid-Friendly?

Yes. The Atlanta Festival of Lights at Atlantic Station is designed with families in mind.

Parents in metro Atlanta tend to like that:

• Kids can enjoy the full show from a car seat
• The lights and music are engaging but not overwhelming for most children
• They can pair the show with:
  • A visit to the big tree or other central decorations
  • A stop for hot chocolate or dessert
  • A stroll through the Central Park area if the weather is comfortable

If you have young children:

• Time your visit earlier in the evening if you want to avoid overtired meltdowns
• Plan a bathroom stop at Atlantic Station shops or restaurants before entering the drive-through route

Accessibility Considerations

For many people in Atlanta, a drive-through light show can be more accessible than large, crowded walk-through displays.

Potential benefits:

• You can remain in your own vehicle the entire time
• No need to walk long distances or stand in long outdoor lines
• Weather and temperature are less of a concern

If you or someone in your party has specific accessibility needs, it can help to:

• Review the current year’s event details to see if there are special accommodations or guidelines
• Plan your visit for a lower-traffic evening (weeknight, earlier in the season) for less waiting and easier navigation

Pairing the Festival of Lights With Other Atlantic Station Activities

One of the advantages of this event being in Atlanta’s Atlantic Station is how many other activities you can build into the same trip.

Popular add-ons include:

• Holiday shopping: National retailers and local shops in the open-air district
• Restaurants and quick bites: Sit-down restaurants, fast-casual, and dessert spots
• Seasonal events: Depending on the year, Atlantic Station often hosts:
  • Holiday markets
  • Ice skating or winter-themed programming
  • Special performances or pop-ups

If you’re coming from elsewhere in the city or suburbs, this can easily become a full evening out:

1. Arrive late afternoon
2. Shop or walk around Central Park
3. Have dinner
4. Drive through the Festival of Lights
5. End with dessert, coffee, or a quick stroll to see the big tree

Practical Quick-Reference for Atlanta Locals and Visitors

Below is a simple summary to help you plan:

Final Tips for Enjoying the Atlanta Festival of Lights at Atlantic Station

To make the most of the Atlanta Festival of Lights:

• Plan ahead: Pick your date and time slot well in advance, especially for December weekends.
• Arrive early: Give yourself buffer time for Atlanta traffic and Atlantic Station parking or queues.
• Combine activities: Turn it into a full night out with dinner, shopping, or a walk around the central holiday displays.
• Choose your night strategically: Weeknights and early-season dates usually mean shorter waits and easier parking.

With a bit of planning, the Atlanta Festival of Lights at Atlantic Station can become one of those dependable, repeatable holiday traditions that work well whether you live in the city, are driving in from the suburbs, or are visiting Atlanta for the season.