Best Things to Do in Georgia in Winter

Winter in Georgia means holiday lights, blooming camellias, quiet trails, and a coast that stays mild while the mountains cool off. Crowds are thinner at many parks, and lodging can be easier to find. Here are the best ways to enjoy the season.

Georgia’s big light shows draw families from across the Southeast. Magical Nights of Lights at Lanier Islands is a six-mile drive-through show that runs nightly from November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with tickets priced per vehicle. Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens offers a drive-through display and a Jolly Trolley ride, and its 2026-27 season runs November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Check each site for current dates and pricing, and see our Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Georgia for more. For other holiday traditions, see our guides to Christmas tree farms and Christmas train rides.

Georgia has not had a ski resort since Sky Valley closed in 2004, but Margaritaville at Lanier Islands builds a snow tubing hill each winter, and Atlanta gets a seasonal outdoor ice rink at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park. See our Snow Tubing and Ice Skating in Georgia guide for hours, pricing, and what your closest ski options actually are.

The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens near Savannah are home to over 900 camellia plants on the Judge Arthur Solomon Camellia Trail, and the gardens say their camellia collection blooms from October to March. The gardens also end the year with December Nights & Holiday Lights, a nighttime walk with the gardens lit by hundreds of thousands of lights, running November 27 through December 24, 2026.

Bare trees open up long mountain views that leaf cover hides in summer, and waterfalls are easy to photograph without the crowds. Dress in layers, watch for icy spots on rocky trails and stairs, and start early, since days are short. Our Best Hikes in North Georgia and Best Waterfalls in North Georgia guides list trails and falls for every skill level.

The coast has long been a winter escape. The Jekyll Island Club was built as a winter resort, and for more than 50 years wealthy families spent the winter and early spring there for its temperate climate and outdoor activities. Today Jekyll Island and the rest of the Golden Isles make an easy off-season trip. See our 3-Day Georgia Coast Itinerary for a route.

Light shows sell out on peak weekends and holidays, so buy tickets early and choose a weeknight if you can. For more seasons, see our spring guide, our fall guide, and our summer guide.

When does Magical Nights of Lights run in 2026?
According to Lanier Islands, the 2026-27 season runs nightly from November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are priced per vehicle, so check the official site for current pricing.

Is Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens a drive-through?
Yes, guests can see it from their own vehicle, and they can also book the Jolly Trolley ride. The 2026-27 season runs November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027.