Cool air drifts through the garden as familiar paths take on a new glow—trees shimmer, lights twinkle and the garden sparkles with enchantment. It’s that magical time again—Winter WonderLights returns to transform the State Botanical Garden of Georgia into a radiant wonderland beginning this November.
Tickets for the fifth year of the show are now available at wonderlights.uga.edu. Ticket sales support the garden’s conservation and outreach work.
Winter WonderLights, presented by the UGA Office of the President, has become a beloved Athens tradition. For the fourth year in a row, it was named the best local event in the Athens Banner-Herald Community’s Choice Awards. The show attracted over 65,000 visitors last year and sold out on 17 nights.
This year’s show will run on select evenings from Nov. 21 through Dec. 30. Stroll through a garden aglow with over 2 million lights as you travel along the festive Jingle Bell Lane, into the shimmering magic of the Northern Lights, through a Frosted Forest where 30 illuminated trees sparkle in the night, and into a tunnel of 50,000 multicolored lights, among other dazzling features.
The Alice Hand Callaway Visitor’s Center will be transformed into a holiday market where guests can shop for gifts and souvenirs. S’mores, Condor Chocolates’ hot chocolate and coffee will be available for purchase throughout the light show.
The garden will also continue offering a special event for the new year, WonderLights Disco Nights, on Jan. 2-3 and 9-10, 2026. Disco Nights will allow visitors to experience the light show trail while grooving to disco hits. Ticket prices and entry times will be the same as Winter WonderLights, and tickets are on sale now.
“We’re delighted that Winter WonderLights has become a beloved tradition in the Athens community. As we gear up for this year’s show, we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to experience the garden illuminated at night,” said Jenny Cruse-Sanders, State Botanical Garden director. “Support for Winter WonderLights allows us to continue working towards our mission to create and nurture an environment for learning, inspiration and engagement through horticulture, conservation, science-based programs and lasting partnerships.”
The half-mile outdoor trail follows an accessible pathway and will take approximately 45-60 minutes to complete. Tickets are $15 per person, and children 3 and under are free. Friends of the Garden members will receive a 10% discount. There are no door sales available; tickets must be purchased online ahead of time at wonderlights.uga.edu.
The show is presented by the University of Georgia Office of the President. Premium sponsorship is provided by the Georgia Lottery. Other sponsors include Barron’s Rental Center, Trumps Catering, Condor Chocolates and valued members of the local community.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is located approximately 70 miles east of Atlanta, at 2450 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, Georgia. Free off-site parking and shuttle services will be provided at UGA’s Turner Soccer Complex on South Milledge Avenue. Paid parking at the garden is available for a limited number of vehicles and must be purchased when you buy tickets to the show.
