Every holiday season, Lanier Islands in Buford turns a six-mile loop of island roads into Magical Nights of Lights, a drive-through Christmas light show with more than a million lights. You stay in your car and roll past animated displays like the 12 Days of Christmas, about 45 minutes north of Atlanta.
Tickets are sold per vehicle, not per person, so it is one of the better holiday values for a full car. Next door, the resort’s License to Chill Snow Island adds snow tubing, an ice rink and carnival rides for families who want to make a night of it.
- 2026-27 seasonNov. 20, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027
- HoursNightly, 5 to 10 p.m.
- The driveAbout 6 miles; allow 2.5 hours for the full visit
- Where7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford
Tickets & Prices
Cars & Vans
One pass covers a standard vehicle with up to 10 passengers. The price varies by date; the ticket site shows the rate for each night.
Shuttles & Buses
Shuttles with 11 to 20 passengers are $100, and buses with more than 20 passengers are $250.
Where to Buy
Buy passes ahead on the Lanier Islands ticket site or at the gate. Parking inside the resort is included.
Tips for Your Visit
Beat the Crowds
The busiest time is shortly after sunset until about 8:30 p.m. Come later in the evening or on a weeknight for a shorter line at the gate.
Rules on the Route
Guests stay in their vehicles during the drive, and no one may ride in a truck bed or trailer. Pets are welcome inside your car but not in Snow Island or the restaurants, other than service animals.
Rain or Shine
The show stays open in bad weather as long as the roads are safe. The driving tour is fully accessible, and Lanier Islands says most other attractions have ADA access.
Arriving by Boat
You can reach the resort by boat, but there is no transportation from the docks to the light show entrance.
More to Do at Lanier Islands
Snow Island
License to Chill Snow Island at Margaritaville has Blizzard Mountain, a 575-foot snow tubing slide, plus Frosty’s Ice Rink, a snow play area and carnival rides. It is ticketed separately and opens November 20, 2026; daily admission is $59.99, and riders must be 42 inches tall to tube.
Santa & Breakfast with Santa
Santa visits on select evenings in December, and Breakfast with Santa is offered on select dates. Check the official page for this season’s schedule.
Stay the Night
Holiday packages at Legacy Lodge, Legacy Villas and the LakeHouses pair an overnight stay with the light show. See Lake Lanier parks for more around the lake.
Before you go: Dates, prices and extras change every season. Check the official Magical Nights of Lights page for this year’s details.
More Holiday Lights
Sources we checked
Facts in this guide were checked in September 2026 against the agencies and operators that run these places:
- Lanier Islands: Magical Nights of Lights – dates, hours, vehicle pricing and visitor FAQ
- Margaritaville at Lanier Islands: License to Chill Snow Island – snow tubing, ice rink and ticket prices
- Lanier Islands tickets (Honk Mobile) – online vehicle passes
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.