Holiday Lights in Atlanta: Garden Lights Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

What: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Where: Atlanta Botanical Gardens
When: Nov. 19, 2011 – Jan., 7, 2012
Cost: $18.95 for adults $12.95 ages 3 – 12

I’ve learned more about art visiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens than I have about flowers. It started when they brought the Chihuly glass exhibit, but my all time favorite was the Nikki in the Garden. In addition to being interesting art shows, I think the Garden is such a wonderful backdrop for any exhibit. It’s like adding the symphony to a rock concert at Chastain.

The Botanical Garden’s latest innovation Holiday Lights, Garden Nights, is a grand holiday light display throughout the garden. The exhibit has been more than 10 years in the making and uses 1 million energy-efficient LED lights. The bulbs consume up to 80 percent less electricity than traditional incandescent light bulbs but also have a life span of five years or more, more than doubling the traditional light lifespan.

But let’s face it, during the holidays we’re less about counting calories (or electricity) and more about brilliant, over the top displays that get us into the holiday spirit. After reading this article in Access Atlanta by Howard Pousner, I can’t wait to walk through the illuminated garden. I can see myself sipping hot chocolate on the great lawn while listening to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and watching my boys run around amid a backdrop of sparkling color.