Callaway Gardens' Fantasy In Lights runs Nov. 13 to Jan. 3: a 7-mile drive past 18 light scenes, trolley rides, Santa, tickets by time slot and Run Callaway.

Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Dates, rules and ticket terms come from Callaway Gardens’ Fantasy In Lights page and its Run Callaway page.

Yes, it is on this year. Callaway Gardens says Fantasy In Lights runs Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, about 25 miles north of Columbus in Harris County. It is the biggest Christmas light show within an easy drive of Columbus: a seven-mile route past 18 light scenes and more than 10 million lights, which Callaway says takes at least 45 minutes to drive. Questions: Callaway, 1-800-225-5292.

The short version

  • Dates: Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027
  • Ways to see it: your own car, a trolley tour, a Pink Jeep tour or a bike-only night
  • Tickets: online, for one date and a one-hour time slot; under 3 free
  • Weather: no refunds for rain
  • Christmas Village: Santa, hot chocolate, s’mores and a walk-through light tunnel
  • Where: Robin Lake Beach entrance, 17800 U.S. 27, Pine Mountain

What it is

Fantasy In Lights started in 1992 as a drive-through with five lighted scenes, according to Callaway, inspired by Virginia Callaway’s love of Christmas lights. It now has 18 scenes, two of them at Robin Lake Beach, many animated and set to music. The new scene for this season is Song of the Trees, where Callaway says towering trees light up in time with music.

The show is sponsored by Georgia Power, and its full name this year is Fantasy In Lights Powered By Georgia Power.

Ways to see it

  • Drive-through: your own car, at your own pace, through all 18 scenes with your own music. Pets may stay in the car with you.
  • Trolley tour: a guided ride along the same seven miles. In rain, trolley ticket holders may drive their own car instead without exchanging tickets.
  • Pink Jeep tour: a guided ride with holiday music, booked through the resort.
  • Bike Through: special bicycle-only nights; dates are on the bike ticket page.

Buy each one from the Fantasy In Lights page.

The Christmas Village

The Callaway Christmas Village sits at Robin Lake Beach. Callaway lists:

  • Santa, for meet-and-greets and family photos
  • The Christmas Market, with hot chocolate, seasonal shopping and classic characters
  • Hot chocolate and s’mores
  • The walk-through tunnel of lights and a Winter Wonderland Walkthrough with giant snowflakes and oversized ornaments
  • The Tree of Traditions, a 40-foot pixel pine

Pets are not allowed in the village, on the trolleys or anywhere else at Robin Lake Beach, except trained service animals.

Tickets

  • Tickets are sold online at callawaygardens.com for one date and one-hour time slot. Callaway lists adult and child (ages 4 to 12) prices on its ticket pages.
  • Children younger than 3 get in free and do not need a ticket.
  • Each ticket includes same-day admission to Callaway Gardens, so you can visit the gardens by day.
  • Season passholders get a discount when they sign in before buying.
  • No refunds, for weather or any other reason. You may ask to move to another date or time if space allows, by calling 1-800-225-5292 before you arrive; if the new slot costs more, you pay the difference.
  • Running late? You can join the line any time during your one-hour slot. Miss it and you must go to Will Call to exchange for the next open slot. Will Call desks are at the Robin’s Nest, the waiting lot for cars and trolley loading.

Getting there and parking

Callaway lists three entrances on U.S. 27 in Pine Mountain: the resort lodging entrance at 4500 Southern Pine Drive, the gardens main entrance at 17617 U.S. 27, and the Robin Lake Beach entrance at 17800 U.S. 27, where the Christmas Village is. Drivers wait in a holding lot for their time slot; trolley riders board at trolley loading.

Callaway has not published road closures or traffic plans for the show. Overnight guests can ride a shuttle from the Lodge and Spa and the Cottages, which runs continuously from 5 to 10 p.m. Nov. 15 to Dec. 31; a hotel stay does not include Fantasy In Lights tickets.

Closer to home, our road construction and closures page lists work on the Columbus end of the trip, and our getting around Columbus guide covers parking in town.

Run Callaway, Dec. 4-6

Callaway’s first Run Callaway race weekend runs through the lights:

Date Race Start
Friday, Dec. 4 Fantasy in Lights 5K Night Run 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5 10K 7:30 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5 Kids Fun Run, ages 4 to 12 9:15 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6 Half Marathon 6:30 a.m.

Runners who finish the 5K, 10K and half marathon earn a Southern Pine Challenge medal. Registration is on the Run Callaway page.

More at Callaway this season

  • Breakfast with Santa, 9 and 11 a.m. Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, 12 and 19 at the Lodge and Spa; reservations required.
  • Christmas Buffet Dinner, Dec. 25; Callaway says details are still to be announced.
  • New Year’s Eve Celebration, Dec. 31 at the Lodge and Spa, with dinner, live music and fireworks at midnight. See also New Year’s Eve in Columbus.

Frequently asked questions

When does Fantasy In Lights open in 2026? Callaway Gardens says Fantasy In Lights runs Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

How long does it take to drive through Fantasy In Lights? The drive-through route is about seven miles and takes at least 45 minutes, according to Callaway. It passes 18 light scenes, many animated and set to music.

How much are Fantasy In Lights tickets? Callaway sells tickets online for a set date and one-hour time slot and lists adult and child (ages 4 to 12) prices on its ticket pages. Children younger than 3 get in free without a ticket, and a ticket includes same-day garden admission.

Can I get a refund if it rains? No. Callaway says tickets are nonrefundable for weather or any other reason. In rain, trolley ticket holders may drive through in their own car instead without exchanging tickets.

Can I bring my dog to Fantasy In Lights? Pets may ride in your own car on the drive-through. They are not allowed in the Christmas Village, on the trolleys or elsewhere at Robin Lake Beach, except trained service animals.

What this means for you

  • Book early for weekend nights in December: tickets are sold by date and time slot and cannot be refunded.
  • Build in at least 45 minutes for the drive itself, plus the trip up U.S. 27 from Columbus.
  • Running the 5K on Dec. 4? It starts at 9:30 p.m., inside the lights.

In Columbus itself: the Broadway Holiday Parade and tree lighting on Nov. 20, holiday lights and Christmas events and The Nutcracker.