This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Enjoy Georgia Christmas Light Displays on a Budget

Take a look at local light displays from individuals who just love Christmas or have a charity you may donate to in lieu of admission, and tell us who you think has the best Christmas light show.

One family holiday tradition that delights family members from infants to the elderly is going to see Christmas lights. There is something absolutely magical about riding through a sea of glowing, blinking lights highlighting everything from The Nativity to The Grinch.

You can pay big bucks to enjoy this tradition, or, with a little research from your friends at Patch’s Frugal Family, enjoy dazzling and creative Christmas light displays without spending a fortune.

Here is a list of local light displays from individuals who just love Christmas or have a charity you may donate to in lieu of admission. The only exception to this list is The Lights of Life, sponsored by Life University—it is simply the most affordable, biggest, over-the-top explosion of lights in the area, easily competing with Lake Lanier’s Magical Night of Lights (about $50 per car) or Callaway Garden’s Fantasy of Lights.

Find out what's happening in Mariettawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If you are a serious Christmas light die-hard, you may find and map your own tour of Georgia Christmas light displays by visiting tackylighttour.com, and most of them aren't tacky at all.

Lights of Life 

On the campus of Life University (Barclay Circle - off Hwy 41/Cobb Parkway, just north of Dobbins AFB)

Find out what's happening in Mariettawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This holiday tradition was created in 1989 and has been delighting Georgians ever since.

When: Event runs every night (rain or shine) from November 22 through December 31.

  • Sunday - Thursday: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. 
  • Friday - Saturday: 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Cost:

Sunday - Thursday

  • $5 per car
  • $10 per passenger van
  • $20 per bus

Friday - Saturday

  • $10 per car
  • $10 per passenger van
  • $20 per bus

* This is a zero-profit operation for Life University. Fees cover the cost of electricity for the lights, as well as costs associated with the ongoing operations.

After you visit Lights of Life, check out the music-synchronized lights at some mesmerizing homes located in and around Cobb County.

Need To Know:

  • Concession Stand - Open seven days a week
  • Petting Zoo - Friday, Saturday and Sunday only (weather permitting)
  • Train Rides - Friday, Saturday and Sunday only - $3 per person (weather permitting)
  • Pony Rides - Friday, Saturday and Sunday only - $5 per person (weather permitting)
  • Santa Claus - Friday, Saturday and Sunday - $12 per person includes photo with Santa (weather permitting)

Jazz band, percussion, brass quintet or choir will be provided by a Cobb County high school from 6-8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for your enjoyment.

Directions: Click here.

Christmas at the Stack’s 

Address: 811 Locust Grove Court, Alpharetta, GA 30004. facebook.com/ChristmasAtTheStacks

The holiday display features 75,000 lights synchronized to music broadcasted directly to your car radio on 107.7 FM.

When: Sunday - Thursday: 5:30 – 10 p.m.; Friday - Saturday: 5:30 – 11 p.m.

Cost: Donations accepted benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Directions: Click here.

Meckley Family Xmas in Kennesaw

Address: 4291 Edgewater Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30144; meckleyfamilyxmas.com/

The display features approximately 30,000 lights and a great musical Christmas light show, programmed and run via Light-o-Rama software and controllers running 256 channels. Just turn your radio channel to 88.3 FM and enjoy.

When: Sunday –Thursday: 5:30 p. m. - 9 p.m.; Friday –Saturday: 5:30 p.m. -10 p.m.

Cost: Donations accepted benefit Turn Around Ministries, (a local, Woodstock-based ministry dedicated to helping families in crisis, in particular, taking in the children and helping them learn and grow.)

 2012 show features:

  • "You're a Mean one Mr. Grinch"
  • "Jingle Bells"
  • "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"
  • "Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train"
  • "Linus & Lucy"
  • "Alvin & the Chipmunks"
  • an all-new song by "Straight No Chaser"

In previous years there was a beautiful version of “O Holy Night” by The Judds.

Directions: Click here.

Felix Family Lights 

Address: 224 Olive Overlook, Dallas, GA 30132. my.att.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=369361&ck=

Approximately 100,000 lights are controlled by 216 computer channels of Light O Rama.

When: Sunday-Thursday: 6 p.m. - 10:30 p. m.; Friday-Saturday:  6 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. with extended hours the week of Christmas.

Cost: Free!

Directions: Click here.

Hrockin Hranicky Lights 

Address: 3848 Rivers Run Trace NW Acworth, GA 30101

Tune to 107.7FM. The display features Snoopy, The Misfits, a train, angels, trees and vultures. Look for the huskies on the roof. I visited this home last year and was amazed at the precision and changes of scenes as they moved to some awesome music

When: Friday and Saturday “we run the show till 11 p.m.”

Cost: Free!

Directions: Click here.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?