Atlanta’s holiday season is almost here, and two very different outings can help you welcome it: the glowing evening displays at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park’s community Lantern Parade. One is a ticketed garden experience you can plan for a specific night. The other is a free neighborhood celebration in the heart of Midtown.
This guide covers the confirmed 2026 dates, ticket and parking details, and a few ways to make either outing easier with family or friends. Event plans can change, so check the organizers’ official pages before you leave.
Atlanta holiday lights 2026 at a glance
- Garden Lights, Holiday Nights: nightly November 14, 2026 through January 10, 2027 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
- Light Up the Season Lantern Parade: Sunday, November 22, 2026, at Piedmont Park. The parade and lighting celebration are free.
- Best first step: check tickets and event updates directly with each organizer before choosing a date.
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Garden’s seasonal display returns nightly from November 14 through January 10. The 2026–27 show includes expanded displays along Flower Walk, the return of the mosaiculture dragon in Skyline Garden, and new choreography for Nature’s Wonders, the Garden’s curtain of light and sound.
General admission is date and time specific, and the Garden says those tickets must be purchased in advance before the day of the visit. The display can sell out, so pick your evening and reserve through the official Garden Lights page. Children two and under do not need an admission ticket. Garden membership does not include event admission, although members save $5 per ticket.
There are also Premium and Premium Plus options. Premium includes express entry and select extras. Premium Plus adds a private Holiday Hideaway and more scheduling flexibility. Review what each ticket includes before paying, since standard tickets are not transferable to another night. Flex Tix can be added to change dates when weather or other unforeseen circumstances affect your plans.
Parking and getting to the Botanical Garden
Parking is one of the biggest planning details. The Garden’s deck is shared with Piedmont Park and has limited space on busy nights. The Garden recommends alternative transportation. Rideshare, taxis, and public transit may make arrival simpler, especially when holiday traffic builds around the entrances.
If you drive, read the Garden’s current parking instructions and leave extra time. The Garden notes that entry delays can happen, and timed tickets will still be honored after the designated slot if you are delayed. The Monroe Drive entrance at 1320 Monroe Drive is an option when Piedmont Avenue is backed up. The Garden also lists paid parking at Colony Square, about a 20-minute walk away.
Standard timed tickets are valid after their selected entry time. If you plan to dine at Longleaf Restaurant, make a reservation after your Garden entry time and allow for parking delays. Garden dining is card-only, and Garden admission is required for its restaurants and cafes.
Free holiday evening at Piedmont Park
For a community gathering, Piedmont Park Conservancy’s Light Up the Season begins with its Lantern Parade and Lighting Celebration on Sunday, November 22. The event is free and open to the public, and advance registration is encouraged to help organizers plan.
Lantern making starts at 3:30 p.m. at Greystone. The parade begins at 5 p.m., led around Lake Clara Meer and into the Meadow. The evening continues with the lighting of the park’s Great Tree, Menorah, and Kinara. Guests can bring a lantern from home, make one at the event while supplies last, or watch along the route.
Parking and accessibility at Piedmont Park
Organizers expect crowds for the parade, so walking, biking, rideshare, public transportation, or arriving by the Atlanta BeltLine are encouraged when practical. Paid parking is available at Midtown Promenade. The SAGE parking facility is another option, though spaces may be especially limited that day because of other seasonal activities nearby.
The parade and lighting celebration use paved, accessible areas, with accessible restrooms nearby. If you need specific accommodations, contact the Conservancy ahead of time. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome; dogs in the parade are asked to walk toward the back. Consider whether your dog is comfortable with crowds, music, and a busy walking route.
What to bring and how to plan your night
- Check the forecast and dress in layers for an outdoor evening.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking and standing.
- For Garden Lights, save your ticket details and review the arrival instructions before leaving.
- For Piedmont Park, bring a lantern if you have one; it is encouraged but not required.
- Choose a meeting spot with your group in case phones are hard to hear in the crowd.
- Check each organizer’s update page for weather or schedule changes on the day of your visit.
A simple plan can keep the night relaxed. For Garden Lights, arrive with time for parking and entry, then follow the route at your own pace. For the free park celebration, arrive early if you want to make a lantern, and decide whether you will stay for the parade, lighting, and activities afterward.
Which Atlanta holiday lights outing should you choose?
Choose Garden Lights if you want a ticketed walk through illuminated garden displays and can plan around a selected date and time. Choose Piedmont Park if you would rather join a free community celebration with a lantern parade and seasonal lighting. Some families may enjoy both on separate evenings, but there is no need to overpack the calendar. Pick the event that suits your schedule, budget, and crowd comfort.
For more Atlanta planning, explore our Atlanta and Georgia guides and our Atlanta History Center family guide.
Event details checked October 25, 2026 against the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park Conservancy. Dates, ticket terms, parking, and program details may change; confirm with the organizers before visiting. Mhageer illustrations are conceptual, not photographs of the current displays.
