Holiday lights 2026 in Atlanta: Garden Lights from Nov. 14, IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta, Santa at the zoo Dec. 5-6, A Christmas Carol and holiday markets.
Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address and filled in as organizers post their dates. Every date below comes from the organizer’s own page, linked.
Christmas Day is Friday, Dec. 25, 2026. Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4. Atlanta’s season opens with the Botanical Garden’s lights on Nov. 14.
| Dates | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 14 to Jan. 10 | Garden Lights, Holiday Nights | Atlanta Botanical Garden |
| Nov. 14 to Dec. 27 | A Christmas Carol | Alliance Theatre |
| Select nights, Nov. to Jan. | IllumiNights at the Zoo | Zoo Atlanta |
| Saturdays through Dec. 12 | Green Market | Piedmont Park |
| Dec. 5-6 | Cookies with Santa | Zoo Atlanta |
| Dec. 5-26 | The Nutcracker | Atlanta Ballet, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre |
| Saturday, Dec. 19 | Maker’s Market | Ponce City Market |
Light displays
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, Nov. 14 to Jan. 10, 2027. The Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, runs its light show nightly for a 16th year. This season adds displays along Flower Walk, brings back the Imaginary Worlds dragon in the Skyline Garden and reworks Nature’s Wonders, which the garden calls the world’s largest curtain of light and sound. The show now stays lit until midnight, with last entry at 11 p.m., and cheaper Night Light tickets after 9:30 p.m. are sold every night. Members have a premiere on Nov. 12. The garden says it is the only official ticket seller and warns against resellers. Source: Garden Lights page.
IllumiNights at the Zoo, select nights, November 2026 to January 2027. Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE in Grant Park, turns a mile-long trail into a lantern festival of animals and scenes, with hot cocoa, cocktails for ages 21 and up and fire pits. The animals are indoors by dark. It runs rain or shine. Nights and ticket sales had not been announced on Oct. 6. Source: IllumiNights page.
Santa visits
Cookies with Santa, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6. Zoo Atlanta’s ticketed visit includes a professional photo with Santa, holiday crafts and snacks, with Frosty and Rudolph photo spots while you wait. Tickets go on sale in fall 2026, and the zoo says the event typically sells out (event page).
On stage
A Christmas Carol, Nov. 14 to Dec. 27. The Alliance Theatre’s annual production of the Dickens story, with live music, plays the 650-seat Coca-Cola Stage, 1280 Peachtree St. NE. Group tickets for 10 or more are available (production page).
The Nutcracker, Dec. 5-26. Atlanta Ballet dances Yuri Possokhov’s production, with its orchestra playing live, at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway (Atlanta Ballet). Every show time is on our Nutcracker page.
Holiday markets
- Green Market, Piedmont Park, Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Dec. 12. Local farmers, producers and artisans, with handmade goods and gifts; Dec. 12 is the last market of the year (Piedmont Park Conservancy).
- Village Retail Saturday Maker’s Market, Saturday, Dec. 19. Local makers, artists and vintage vendors at The Shed at Ponce City Market, noon to 6 p.m. by the market’s own description (event page).
- Creator’s Market, Atlantic Station, every weekend. Artists and crafters on Atlantic Green, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 7 p.m. Sundays, weather permitting (Atlantic Station).
More shopping dates are in our Black Friday and holiday shopping guide.
Menorah lightings
Hanukkah 2026 runs from sundown Dec. 4 to Dec. 12. No public menorah lighting in Atlanta had posted 2026 details when we checked on Oct. 6; this page will add them as synagogues and community groups announce.
Holiday schedules
- Trash and recycling: the city’s 2026 holiday collection schedule lists a one-day delay for Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 (Public Works). Questions: 311.
- MARTA: buses, trains and the Atlanta Streetcar run Sunday schedules on Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day (MARTA holiday schedule).
Frequently asked questions
When does Garden Lights open in 2026? Nov. 14, running nightly to Jan. 10, 2027, until midnight with last entry at 11 p.m.
Is IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta happening in 2026? Yes, on select nights from November to January. Nights and tickets had not been released on Oct. 6.
Where can kids see Santa in Atlanta? Zoo Atlanta’s Cookies with Santa is Dec. 5 and 6, with a professional photo. It usually sells out.
How long does A Christmas Carol run at the Alliance Theatre? Nov. 14 to Dec. 27, 2026.
Is Atlanta trash pickup delayed for Christmas? Yes, by one day for Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25.
What this means for you
- Garden Lights and IllumiNights sell timed tickets; buy only from the garden and the zoo.
- Sign up for Zoo Atlanta’s email list if you want Santa tickets; they go on sale this fall.
- Put trash out a day late in Christmas week.
Related: Thanksgiving in Atlanta, New Year’s Eve in Atlanta, kids’ activities and date night.
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