The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a treasure year-round, but during the holidays, it transforms into an illuminated wonderland with the WonderLights show. This has become the prettiest Christmas event in Athens — arguably in the state! Stroll through the garden at night, as it’s illuminated with over one million rainbow lights!
Location, Cost & Hours
Location: 2450 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens, GA 30605. For WonderLights, park at the Turner Soccer Complex (2330 S. Milledge Avenue), where a shuttle will take you to the garden.
Cost: $15 per person; kids under 4 get in free. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Hours: 5:30–9 PM. Tickets are sold in 30-minute arrival windows, but once you’re in, you can take as long as you like.
The shuttle system is surprisingly smooth and efficient, so don’t let the off-site parking deter you. Just plan to arrive about 20 minutes before your ticketed time to catch the bus.
What Makes WonderLights Special?
Seeing the Botanical Garden at night is a rare treat in and of itself and the WonderLights enhance the garden’s natural beauty with beautifully crafted, glowing scenes.
As you walk through the half-mile trail, try to spot the 10 illuminated animals including a cardinal, a red fox, a pink elephant, and a unicorn. My favorite feature is the giant, glittery snowflakes suspended in the forest bordering the Children’s Garden. Taking a phone pic of these is like trying to take one of the moon or a sunset — pictures just can’t do them justice.
Don’t miss the cozy beverage stops along the way, where you can warm up with a Condor Chocolates hot cocoa or other refreshment. For the ultimate holiday treat, grab a s’mores kit just after the Rainbow Tunnel, near the end of the trail.
As someone who loves Athens and its Botanical Garden, I acknowledge a bias but you gotta believe me that the WonderLights genuinely stands out. Even with a crowd, the vibes are easy and relaxed. The holiday lights are just as impressive as those at Atlanta’s Botanical Garden or Callaway Gardens, and it’s easier on the wallet.
The magic you see takes months to create. The Wonderlights crew and garden staff work from mid-September to early November to make sure the displays are perfect. My boyfriend is a gardener so I’ve been lucky enough to attend preview night. It really is a masterpiece!
Tips
- WonderLights operates in all weather, so dress warmly and/or pack a rain jacket if the forecast looks dicey.
- Leave dogs and drones at home — neither are allowed in the garden.
- If you can’t make it before Christmas, or don’t care about Christmas, check out the WonderLights Disco Nights after the holiday (for 2024 that’s January 2–5). Christmas tunes are swapped out for a disco soundtrack.
Stay Awhile
Athens is my adopted hometown and there’s a lot to love about it. If you’re visiting from out of town, make an evening of it. Grab a hot dog at Hi-Lo, a fish burrito at Cali n Titos, or BBQ at White Tiger. After the lights, go for a drink at Flicker, Manhattan, Little Kings, Hi-Lo, or Hidden Gem. Definitely revisit the Botanical Garden in April when all the tulips are blooming.
PSA: Athens is also the best town to be in for Halloween.
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