A Night of Lights: My Long‑Awaited Callaway Gardens Adventure

Written By: Felecia Causey

Photos By: Felecia Causey

Callaway Gardens’ Fantasy in Lights in Pine Mountain, Georgia has been on my must‑see list for years. Every holiday season I’d tell myself, “This is the year,” and every year life would pop up with something unexpected. But this time, I made a promise to stop putting things off. So, I packed my bags, hit the road solo, and finally committed to experiencing it for myself.

After the small adventure of finding a place to stay, I was ready to see whether Fantasy in Lights lived up to the excitement I’d built up in my mind. I booked the very last night of the $19 plus fee special for the 7:00 p.m. time slot. Before going, I did what most of us do—I went online to see what to expect. Nearly every review said the same thing: get there early. So I planned to arrive at least an hour ahead.

The drive from Great Wolf Lodge took about 30 minutes along dark back roads. When I arrived, I expected a line at the gate, but there was no one there. After explaining to one of the workers that I came early because that’s what everyone recommended, he told me there was no need to be early at all. Naturally, I felt unsure. He suggested I head down to the Christmas Village while I waited.

The parking lot was already filling up, so I went inside to see what all the buzz was about. The Christmas tree was stunning, and the theatrics around it made it feel magical. It’s clearly a popular photo spot, so patience is definitely required—hopefully everyone remembers to be courteous. There were about four food trucks offering a variety of options. As a pulled‑pork lover, I couldn’t resist trying a sandwich. It was $15, and I grabbed a $7 lemonade to go with it. The food came out quickly, the fries were great, and the sandwich was warm with a generous amount of meat. Unfortunately, the meat itself was pretty dry, and I really hated that I didn’t think to grab any BBQ sauce to help it out a bit. The bun, however, was very fresh and surprisingly good — soft, warm, and definitely the best part of the sandwich. The lemonade was pretty good as well, mostly ice, but definitely a little too sweet for my liking.

When I returned to my car, I noticed people heading toward the line for the lights. The lines were long, and a young woman came by to scan my ticket. I’ll be honest—I wasn’t thrilled. The cars had lined up much earlier than the worker suggested, and I ended up near the back of the third line. But once I saw how quickly the lines were moving, I relaxed a bit. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder what the point of selecting a time slot was if people could arrive whenever they wanted.

At the beginning of the trail, I questioned whether the experience was worth the money. But as the drive continued, the lights became more impressive. The deeper we went, the better it got. I found myself smiling, especially watching kids pop up through sunroofs, completely mesmerized by the displays. While I do think the prices are on the higher side, children would absolutely love it.

My long‑awaited excitement didn’t quite match the reality, but I still give the experience a solid 4 out of 5 stars. It’s something everyone should try at least once. I’m not sure whether the displays change each year, but I can see how it could become a family tradition.

If you’re planning a 2026 visit, here’s my best advice: plan ahead, prepare for the weather, and budget for the higher ticket prices. If you book early—especially before peak season—you can catch some great specials. Arrive early even if a worker tells you otherwise and only visit the Christmas Village if it’s something you genuinely want to do. You can choose to drive your own vehicle through the lights or purchase a trolley ticket. Personally, I prefer the comfort of my own car—no feeling crowded, no fighting for a seat, and no dealing with inconsiderate people.

If you’re like me and enjoy planning and budgeting ahead, I hope this blog gives you a clear idea of what to expect. It’s a memorable experience, and with the right preparation, you can make the most of your visit.