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Garden Lights, Holiday Nights returns to the Atlanta Botanical Garden from November 14, 2026, through January 10, 2027. The annual event transforms the Garden into an illuminated outdoor experience with millions of LED lights, large-scale installations, synchronized displays, seasonal food and holiday photo opportunities.
This guide covers the 2026–2027 dates, ticket options, parking, dining, accessibility and tips that can make your visit easier.
2026–2027 Garden Lights Dates and Hours
- Event dates: November 14, 2026, through January 10, 2027
- Member premiere: November 12, 2026
- Member ticket sales: September 1, 2026
- Non-member ticket sales: October 1, 2026
- Nightly closing time: Midnight, with the final entry at 11 p.m.
Most visitors spend about 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the Garden. You may want additional time for photos, drinks, s’mores or dinner at Longleaf Restaurant.
What Is New for Garden Lights in 2026?
The 2026–2027 season includes expanded displays along Flower Walk and the return of the Imaginary Worlds mosaiculture dragon to Skyline Garden. The Garden has also extended the event until midnight and made discounted Night Light Tickets available every night.
Premium+ ticket holders receive access to the new Holiday Hideaway, a private area with a s’mores kit, fire pits, restrooms, seating, music and lawn games. Premium+ also includes flexible scheduling, unrestricted arrival time on the selected date, express entry, a drink ticket, hologram glasses, 25% off Garden Gift Shop purchases and one daytime guest pass for 2027.
How to Get Garden Lights Tickets
Popular dates, especially weekends and nights near Christmas, can sell out. Buy early if you have a specific date in mind. Garden members save $5 on each Garden Lights ticket and receive access to tickets before the general public.
The main ticket options are:
- General Admission: Timed entry for the date and time selected. General Admission tickets must be purchased before the day of your visit and cannot be transferred to another night.
- Premium: Includes express entry, a drink ticket and hologram glasses. Limited same-day Premium tickets may be available.
- Premium+: Includes Premium benefits, Flex Tix, unrestricted arrival time on the selected date and access to the Holiday Hideaway.
- Flex Tix: An optional add-on for General Admission or Premium tickets that allows you to change your visit date. It is included with Premium+.
- Night Light Tickets: Discounted admission after 9:30 p.m., starting at $19.95 for adults. Availability is limited.
Children age 2 and younger do not need an admission ticket. Orders are limited to eight tickets, and the Garden charges a $5 processing fee for orders placed online or by phone.
Your ticket time controls when you can enter, not how long you can stay. Guests are asked to arrive within 15 minutes of their selected time, but may explore until the event closes.
Parking and Arrival Tips
The SAGE Parking Facility is shared with Piedmont Park and often fills during Garden Lights. Parking costs $20 per vehicle and is debit or credit card only. The garage clearance is 6 feet 8 inches, and oversized vehicles, buses and limousines cannot park on site.
Traffic and parking delays can reach 30 minutes on busy nights. Your timed ticket will still be honored if a parking delay causes you to arrive late. If the Piedmont Avenue entrance is congested, the Garden recommends using the Monroe Drive entrance at 1320 Monroe Drive.
Rideshare, taxis and public transportation can make arrival easier. Paid parking is also available at Colony Square, about a 20-minute walk from the Garden.
Food and Drink Options
Longleaf Restaurant
Longleaf offers table service from 5 to 10 p.m., with the final seating at 9:15 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended, and everyone dining at the restaurant must have a Garden Lights admission ticket. Schedule your reservation at least 15 minutes after your admission time.
Quick Café, Magnolia Bistro and Garden Bars
The Longleaf Quick Café serves light bites and beverages from 5 to 11 p.m. Magnolia Bistro, Garden bars and the s’mores area operate from 5 to 11:30 p.m. Options include festival food, beer, wine, soft drinks, hot chocolate and cider. The Garden is cashless.
What to Bring and Know Before You Go
- Wear comfortable shoes for an outdoor walking experience.
- Dress in layers because temperatures can drop after sunset.
- Charge your phone for photos and the Garden’s mobile map.
- Strollers are permitted, but wagons are not allowed during the event.
- Outside food and drinks are not permitted.
- The event is rain or shine. Standard tickets do not include rain checks.
Accessibility at Garden Lights
Complimentary wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. Scooter rentals cost $30 plus tax, with a $5 member discount. Guests renting a scooter must be at least 21, show a valid driver’s license and leave a photo ID with Guest Experience during the rental. Scooters may not be available during inclement weather.
Tips for a Better Visit
- Choose a weekday or a later entry time for smaller crowds.
- Consider a Night Light Ticket after 9:30 p.m. if a late visit works for your schedule.
- Purchase Flex Tix if rain or a schedule change could affect your plans.
- Buy tickets before reserving dinner so both times are on the same date.
- Allow extra time for parking during weekends and the final weeks before Christmas.
Planning more time in Midtown? Read the full Atlanta Botanical Garden visitor guide, browse more Atlanta events, or explore places to stay in Atlanta.
