There is something so magical about the Holidays! People are nicer, there are festively decorated lattes in red cups, and on every corner, you will find decorations of every twinkling variety! One of my favorite parts leading up to Christmas is driving around to admire light displays. Did you know 60 miles Southwest of Atlanta lies a Christmas light display that dreams are made of?
Callaway Gardens, in Pine Mountain, GA, transports visitors to a Winter Wonderland as they set 8 million lights ablaze, through 15 mesmerizing scenes for their Fantasy in Lights show! Fantasy in Lights is not only the most spectacular holiday light show, but it has also earned a spot in the “Top 10 Places to See Holiday Lights,” according to National Geographic Traveler.
We were visiting family in Atlanta, and it was the holidays so it only made sense to make the scenic drive to Pine Mountain and witness the Holiday magic! We decided to make our visit just a day trip, and if there was anything I would change, it would be that. The grounds at Callaway Gardens are so beautiful, and one of the perks of purchasing tickets to Fantasy in Lights is complimentary admission Callaway Gardens (a $20 value).
Callaway Garden has activities year-round, but just because it is a bit brisk outside doesn’t mean the fun stops. There is a Callaway Discovery Center, Horticulture center, Pioneer Log Cabins, Gardens, Butterfly Center, hiking trails, and even a SPA!
Here is info on pricing, but be sure to check the official Callaway Gardens website for updated pricing. Be sure to order your tickets ahead of time, as the tickets for the show are timed. You can purchase tickets the same-day, but there is a cutoff time, and they are frequently sold out.
*Military families: You can receive a $3 discount on Value Dates or you can get your tickets from the Ft. Benning MWR.
The ticket includes access to the Christmas Village, where Santa hangs out to take pictures, and there is a plethora of shopping if Christmas trinkets are your thing!
Your ticket also includes 1 trip through the Fantasy in Lights show, you have the option to drive your own vehicle or take the trolley. My advice? Take the Jolly Trolley! It isn’t called the Jolly Trolley for nothing, it fully immerses you in the Holiday Magic with a delightful story and simulated horse and carriage ride complete with Christmas song caroling!
There are 15 scenes throughout the show and each of them is magnificently done! My favorites are a 3-way tie between Christmas Tree Lane, Enchanted Rainbow Forest, and the Twin Trees!
*Trolley tip: It is an open-air trolley If you are visiting in December (or a chilly night) bundle up and bring a blanket! Our little one was freezing around the halfway point, and thankfully we had a blanket to bundle ourselves up in, or she would have been miserable.
The whole trip takes about an hour, and there were awkward silence and darkness on the ride back to the Christmas village. Hopefully, they find a way to fill this in, at least with lights and music the cold was a bit bearable.
Once we were back at the Christmas village there was an impromptu “snow” and then we decided to let Roo have her first s’more and the prices were a bit steep, but we figured we would let her splurge. She was not impressed with the process of roasting marshmallows, but loved the end result!
Overall, it was a fun evening, I would, however, stay at one of the Callaway Gardens Hotels because the last thing I wanted to do was make that drive back to Atlanta after all that fun!
