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Events · Holiday · Lake Lanier, Buford
Lake Lanier's resort area hosts one of Georgia's biggest holiday celebrations. Christmas at Lake Lanier centers on Margaritaville at Lanier Islands near Buford, where the Magical Nights of Lights drive-through, a snow park, a decorated boat parade, and New Year's Eve fireworks carry the season from November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027 · Buford
Lights season
November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027
The Magical Nights of Lights drive-through runs this window, the core of the lake's Christmas season.
Snow Island
Select dates through February 16, 2027
License to Chill Snow Island runs on select dates with hours that vary, so check the venue schedule.
Where
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
The resort area on the Buford side of Lake Lanier, on the I-85 corridor.
Also on the lake
Boat parade and New Year's Eve fireworks
The December traditions that round out the season on the water.
What's on at the lake
The verified pieces of the lake's holiday calendar, each with its own dates. Hours, ticket prices, and the parade schedule come from the official Lanier Islands site.
November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027
The drive-through light show at Lanier Islands, the anchor of the lake season. You stay in your car and drive a route lined with animated light displays across the islands, an evening tradition for families along the corridor.
Select dates, November 20, 2026 through February 16, 2027
The island snow park, open on select dates through the winter. Hours vary by date, so check the venue schedule before you plan the trip.
A December tradition, dates to confirm
Decorated boats parade across Lake Lanier in this holiday tradition, with the best views from the marina. Exact parade dates for 2026 should be confirmed on the official site.
December 31, 2026
The resort area rings in the new year with fireworks over the lake on December 31, a bright close to the season on the water.
Dates, hours and tickets
The season windows above were checked against the official holiday events page, but hours vary by date and some parade dates and ticket prices change year to year. Confirm them on the official Lanier Islands site before you plan the drive. Tickets for the lights drive-through and the snow park are sold by the venue, and holiday dates sell out early.
The official source
The Magical Nights of Lights page on the Lanier Islands site carries the current hours, prices, and season calendar.
Official Magical Nights of Lights pageTips for visitors
The drive-through lights look their best after dark, and the boat parade and fireworks are evening events. Give yourself a late-afternoon arrival so you are in position as the lights come on.
Snow Island runs on select dates, and hours and some parade dates vary. The official Lanier Islands holiday events page is the source of truth for the night you pick.
A December evening at Lake Lanier is cold, and the boat parade and fireworks mean time outdoors. Bring coats, gloves, and blankets for any open-air part of the plan.
The islands sit near Buford on the I-85 corridor, a short drive from Gwinnett and the North Georgia foothills. Lake views, shopping, and a restaurant in Buford or the surrounding towns round out the trip.
Before you go
Christmas at Lake Lanier runs at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands near Buford, with the Magical Nights of Lights drive-through from November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027, License to Chill Snow Island on select dates into February, the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights in December, and New Year's Eve fireworks on December 31. Facts on this page were checked against the official Lanier Islands holiday events page on October 31, 2026. Holiday schedules change, so confirm hours, prices, and dates with the venue before you go.
Plan the season
The lake fits into the wider Christmas calendar on the site. These pages round out the season with lights, events, and the local guide.
Seasonal handoff
Find every verified holiday guide on the site in one place: lights, tree lightings, Santa photos, and the Christmas events calendar.
The Christmas in Georgia hub