The Augusta area has one big ticketed light show, Lights of the South in Grovetown, plus a free downtown parade and tree lighting and a lighted park in Evans. Lights of the South opens November 20, 2026, and the city’s parade and Light-Up Spectacular land on an early December Saturday.
- Biggest showLights of the South, 5 million-plus lights
- Best free nightAugusta Christmas Parade and Light-Up
- Ice skatingEvans on Ice, Evans Towne Center Park
- Travel regionClassic South
Augusta Christmas Lights at a Glance
| Event | Where | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights of the South | Grovetown, off I-20 | Nov. 20 – Dec. 30, 2026 | Ticketed; ages 3 and under free |
| Christmas Parade and Light-Up Spectacular | Downtown Augusta | An early December Saturday | Free |
| Evans Towne Center Park lights | Evans, Columbia County | Early December into January | Free to see; skating is ticketed |
| Augusta Riverwalk | Downtown Augusta | Holiday season | Free |
Lights of the South, Grovetown
2026 dates: Opening night is Friday, November 20, 2026, and the season runs through December 30. Tickets are sold online through the event’s ticket partner; regular 2026 prices and nightly hours are posted on lightsofthesouth.com. Parking is free, and children 3 and under get in free.
The region’s biggest light show spreads more than five million lights across about 100 acres just off I-20 near Grovetown, about a 20-minute drive west of downtown Augusta. You can walk the grounds or take a hayride through the displays, then work through the Christmas Tree Maze, let kids loose on the Candy Land playground, roast marshmallows and visit Santa at Santa’s House for photos. Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen sells meals and treats. Group nights are available for churches, schools and companies.
Augusta Christmas Parade and Light-Up Spectacular
When: The city holds both on the same Saturday in early December. In 2025 that was December 6, with the parade at 1 p.m. on Reynolds Street and the Light-Up Spectacular at the Augusta Common from 4 to 8 p.m.; in 2024 it was December 7. The 2026 date will be posted on the City of Augusta calendar. Both events are free.
The parade brings floats, marching bands and Santa down Reynolds Street, and the crowd then moves to the Augusta Common for the city’s official tree lighting, fireworks, live music and a kids’ holiday village with Santa and train rides. Recent parades have been presented with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta. Come early for a spot along the route, and plan on staying downtown through the evening tree lighting.
Evans Towne Center Park Lights and Evans on Ice
Columbia County lights up Evans Towne Center Park each December, starting with an official tree lighting night with food trucks, holiday shopping and skating. Recent displays have included Charlie Brown, the Grinch, a nativity scene, the 12 Days of Christmas and a tree whose lights dance to music, and the 2025 lights stayed up through January 5. It is free to stroll through.
The park also hosts Evans on Ice, a seasonal outdoor skating rink that usually opens in mid-November and runs into mid-January (the 2024-25 season ran November 14 to January 18). Check evansonice.com for this season’s dates, session times and skate rental prices.
Augusta Riverwalk Holiday Lights
The Augusta Riverwalk strings holiday lights along the Savannah River, an easy and free evening walk before or after dinner downtown. It is open to the wind off the water, so bring a warmer layer than you would expect for a Georgia December night.
Across the river: North Augusta, South Carolina, holds its Lions Club Christmas parade on Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 3 p.m. on Georgia Avenue, a few minutes from downtown Augusta.
Tips for Your Visit
Pair a free night with Lights of the South: Parade day is a full afternoon downtown, so save Lights of the South for a weeknight, when the trail is less crowded.
Buy ahead for weekends: December Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest nights at Lights of the South, and buying tickets online saves time at the gate.
Make it a holiday trip: Pick out a tree at one of the Christmas tree farms in Georgia, or plan a day around the Christmas train rides in Georgia. For more of the region, see the Classic South travel region page.
Common Questions
When do the Christmas lights start in Augusta?
Lights of the South in Grovetown opens first, on November 20, 2026, and runs through December 30. Evans Towne Center Park lights up with a tree lighting in early December, and the Augusta Christmas Parade and Light-Up Spectacular fall on an early December Saturday.
When is the Augusta Christmas Parade in 2026?
Recent parades were on the first Saturday in December (December 6, 2025, and December 7, 2024), with the Light-Up Spectacular at the Augusta Common the same evening. The 2026 date will appear on the City of Augusta calendar.
Are there free Christmas lights in Augusta?
Yes. The Augusta Christmas Parade and Light-Up Spectacular are free, as are the Evans Towne Center Park lights and the holiday lights along the Augusta Riverwalk. Lights of the South in Grovetown is the main ticketed show.
Can you ride through Lights of the South?
Yes, you can walk the trail or take a hayride through the displays. The grounds also have a Christmas Tree Maze, a Candy Land playground, marshmallow roasting and Santa’s House for photos.
Sources we checked
Dates and details in this guide were checked against official event, city and venue sources:
- Lights of the South, Grovetown
- City of Augusta: event calendar
- Visit Augusta: Christmas parades and tree lightings
- Augusta Good News: Evans Towne Center Park Christmas lights
- Evans on Ice
- WRDW: North Augusta Lions Club 2026 Christmas parade
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.
Looking beyond Augusta? See Christmas lights in Georgia by region, including Atlanta Christmas lights and Macon’s Christmas Light Extravaganza.