It's been a few years since my family visited Callaway Gardens for the annual event, but we had a wonderful time - making a weekend out of it, we loved our stay in a peaceful cottage, enjoying brisk walks on the grounds, taking in the Butterfly Center and a Birds of Prey Show, and even stopping at Wild Safari (not part of Callaway) on the way home!
But if time doesn't afford you the opportunity to stay overnight, you certainly can make the trip for a day/evening. And Smyrna Vinings Macaroni Kid has 4 tickets to give away to one lucky subscriber! Scroll down to see how you can win!
Tickets
Purchasing tickets in advance, meaning prior to the day of visit, is strongly advised and provide discounted price. Advance ticket prices starting at $17 for adults and $8.50 for children, with children 5 and younger always admitted for free. Tickets purchased on the same-day of visit are $28 for adults and $14 for children, and will be sold on a first-available basis. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets and to view the schedule. Days marked RED are value show dates.
A Unique Experience For The Family
Visitors experience the light and sound extravaganza on the “Jolly Trolley” or by driving through the lighted scenes in their personal vehicle. The sparkling, animated displays include Snowflake Valley, a winter wonderland filled with enormous snowflakes and thousands of white lights; Magical Christmas Garden with a 24-foot wreath entrance; and Santa’s Workshop, showcasing animated versions of Santa’s elves busy making toys for the big night. Two “don’t miss” scenes are on Robin Lake Beach and are both narrated: ’Twas the Night Before Christmas and The Nativity.
Ninety-nine percent of the frames used to create the scenes in Fantasy In Lights are custom designed and built just for Callaway Gardens, taking 3,900 man-hours to install. In keeping with Callaway Gardens’ mission of connecting man and nature, every kilowatt of power used to light up Fantasy In Lights is compensated with “green” power. Callaway Gardens was the first destination in the Southeast to offset 100 percent of its electricity use by purchasing wind power credits.
Families experience the Christmas Village, a 22,000-square-foot indoor, heated area featuring opportunities to visit Santa and other holiday characters. Inside the Village, guests have the opportunity to shop for specialty food items from the Callaway Gardens Country Store®, unique gifts, nostalgic toys from simpler times and an assortment of holiday ornaments. An array of Georgia crafters are on hand making and selling their wares.
Visit with Mrs. Claus!
Saturday visits with Mrs. Claus add Christmas cheer. Guests can join “Storytelling with Mrs. Claus,” where guests can listen to Christmas stories, decorate cupcakes and more. Children also will make a bag of reindeer food to take home for Rudolph’s Christmas Eve visit. This event is designed for children ages 12 and younger, and at least one accompanying adult.
“Story Time with Mrs. Claus” is available every Saturday beginning Nov. 23 through Dec. 21, 2013. There are two sessions to choose from 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The cost is $10 per person; Reservations are required. Ages 2 and younger are admitted for free but require a “free child’s ticket.” For advance reservations, call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292). Seating is limited.
Of course, Father Christmas, a.k.a. Santa, is available nightly for photos, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. inside the Fantasy In Lights Christmas Village Nov. 15 through Dec. 24, though he may take a break during the evening. No admission or ticket is required to access the Christmas Village, which also features shopping and dining.
NEW IN 2013 - Specialty Nights
Specialty Nights will add some additional excitement to this year’s festivities. Between November 15 through the 21, guests can choose from a variety of unique ways to experience the millions of lights. Nov. 15 is University Night. Those connected to a University or College can purchase specially priced discounted tickets, and can represent their higher learning organization by wearing their school colors. Nov. 16: Bicycle Night. Nov. 17: the 20th anniversary of the March of Dimes Night Walk to benefit healthier babies. Nov. 18 is Motorcycle Night, which will be the first chance in Fantasy In Lights history to ride a motorcycle through the lights. Nov. 19 is Golf Cart Night. Nov. 22 is the grand opening for the 22nd Fantasy In Lights season.
Relax and Enjoy More Than One Day
A variety of Fantasy In Lights overnight packages provide the opportunity to enjoy Callaway Gardens at a more relaxing pace. Packages start as low as $99** per night in the Mountain Creek Inn and include:
* Accommodations in the newly renovated Mountain Creek Inn
* Special Jolly Trolley loading area dedicated for overnight guests
* Admission to the world-class Gardens and its many attractions including the Day Butterfly Center, Sibley Horticultural Center, Callaway Discovery Center, live Birds of Prey Shows, seven miles of nature trails and our 10-mile Discovery Bicycle Trail.
The best value is the Fantasy In Lights Bed & Breakfast package which includes a hot, Southern buffet breakfast and a 2013 collectible commemorative Fantasy In Lights ornament starting in the Mountain Creek inn for $127** per night.
Award-Winning
This National Geographic recognition marks the latest for Fantasy In Lights, adding to a long list of honors received through its 20 years. Additional recent honors include Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) Access Atlanta’s “Best Place to See Holiday Lights;” The Weather Channel’s “Top 10 Places to See Holiday Lights” and the American Bus Association’s “Top 100 Events in North America.” Fantasy In Lights also has been recognized numerous times by the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) as a Top 20 event.
Callaway Gardens®, is in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus. To experience nature at its finest, call 1-800-CALLAWAY or visit http://www.callawaygardens.com
To experience the most spectacular holiday light and show in the South, visit http://www.callawaygardens.com or call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292).
ENTER TO WIN A 4-PACK OF TICKETS TO FANTASY IN LIGHTS!
* Valid on Value Nights only, CLICK HERE for schedule.
* Valid on Value Nights only, CLICK HERE for schedule.
- CLICK HERE to enter by form (MANDATORY ENTRY) by Wed. Nov. 20 at 12pm.
- 2 Bonus Entries - Like my post on Facebook by CLICKING HERE and comment about the giveaway. Don't have facebook? You can comment below instead.
- 2 Bonus Entries - Follow me on PINTEREST? Like or comment on my Giveaway Pin for even more chances to win!
RULES: To be eligible to win this giveaway you MUST be a Smyrna Vinings Marietta Macaroni Kid subscriber (to our free weekly e-newsletter). By entering this giveaway, you are you are agreeing to become a subscriber (see form). Entries must be received by Wed. Nov. 20 at 12pm. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter and a resident of the metro Atlanta area. Once chosen winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. CLICK HERE for complete rules.
