Holiday lights and Christmas events in Alpharetta 2026

Last checked 2026-10-04. Dates, times and prices come from each organizer’s own page, linked below. Where an organizer has not posted 2026 details, we say so.

Alpharetta’s own tree lighting, the Lighting of Avalon and the Alpharetta Christmas Market are in our Christmas parade and tree lighting guide. This page covers the rest of the season: Santa visits, light displays, holiday markets and menorah lightings in Alpharetta and the towns around it.

Who to call

• Avalon concierge (Santa, skating, events): 770-765-1000
• City of Alpharetta special events: 678-297-6102
• Chabad of North Fulton: 770-410-9000, 10180 Jones Bridge Road
• Johns Creek Recreation (Breakfast with Santa): 678-512-3200
• Lanier Islands Resort: 770-945-8787

Santa at Avalon

Santa is at Santa’s Cottage in Palmer Plaza from Nov. 23 to Dec. 24, according to Avalon’s Santa page.

• Hours: noon to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with a break from 2 to 3 p.m.; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with breaks from 1 to 2 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m. On Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., walk-ups only.
• Prices: $35 for digital photos, $40 for photos plus prints or Christmas cards, $45 for the bundle.
• Booking: appointments go on sale Monday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. Walk-ups are taken if there is room. No refund for cancellations less than 48 hours ahead.
• Pets: pet portraits with Santa are 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, walk-up only.

Story Time with Santa runs Mondays at Santa’s House in Palmer Plaza, with sessions at 6 and 6:30 p.m. It does not include formal portraits (Avalon listing).

Breakfast with Santa at Avalon is Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8 to 8:45 a.m. and 9:15 to 10 a.m. at Chick-fil-A, and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Oak Steakhouse. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m.; Avalon has not posted a price (Avalon listing).

Skating at Avalon

The Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau lists Avalon on Ice as opening for the 2026 holidays on The Plaza at Avalon, 400 Avalon Blvd. It gives prices of $18 a person and $14 for children 12 and under, skates included, and says reservations are recommended. Avalon has not posted 2026 opening dates; last checked Oct. 4.

Light displays

Magical Nights of Lights, Lanier Islands Resort, Buford. The drive-through show runs Nov. 20, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, starting at 5 p.m. each evening, at 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway. Tickets are priced per vehicle and vary by date; vehicles with 11 to 20 passengers pay $100 and buses $250. Source: Lanier Islands.

Holiday Lights on the Loop, Alpharetta. The city’s light display along the Alpha Loop ran in December 2025. The 2026 dates have not been posted; last checked Oct. 4. Details in our parade and tree lighting guide.

Tree lightings and holiday markets nearby

Cumming’s market promises more than 100 vendors, live music, kids’ activities and photos with Santa. Roswell’s lighting includes choral performances, hot chocolate, s’mores, a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Mayor Mary Robichaux, Santa and a 40-foot tree. Johns Creek requires registration for its breakfast, and its page lists more than one set of times; confirm yours when you sign up.

Trouble in Toyland, a holiday show at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., plays at 10 a.m. Dec. 2-4, with a 1 p.m. show added Friday, Dec. 4 (tickets).

Not this year: the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell says its Back to Nature Holiday Market is taking a break in 2026 for construction and returns Dec. 4, 2027 (nature center).

Milton: we could not confirm a 2026 date for the city’s Christmas in Crabapple. See the city’s event page for the 2026 date.

Hanukkah and menorah lightings

Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4. Chabad of North Fulton has not posted 2026 menorah lightings, and neither the city nor Avalon lists one; last checked Oct. 4. Check Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, or call 770-410-9000.

Frequently asked questions

When does Santa arrive at Avalon in 2026? Santa is at Santa’s Cottage in Palmer Plaza from Nov. 23 to Dec. 24. Photo appointments go on sale Monday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m., with packages from $35 to $45.

Is Avalon on Ice open for 2026? The Alpharetta visitors bureau lists the rink as opening for the 2026 holidays at $18 a person and $14 for children 12 and under, skates included. Avalon has not posted 2026 dates.

When are the Lanier Islands Christmas lights in 2026? Magical Nights of Lights runs Nov. 20, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, starting at 5 p.m. each evening. Tickets are priced per vehicle.

Is there a menorah lighting in Alpharetta for Hanukkah 2026? Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4. Chabad of North Fulton had not posted 2026 menorah lightings when we checked on Oct. 4.

When is the Roswell Christmas tree lighting? Friday, Dec. 4, 6 to 8 p.m., at Heart of Roswell Park, 925 Canton St. It is free.

What this means for you

• Book Santa photos at Avalon early: appointments open Monday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m.
• Breakfast with Santa tickets at Avalon go on sale Thursday, Nov. 5.
• Friday, Dec. 4, is busy: Roswell’s tree lighting and the first night of Hanukkah.
• We will add Avalon on Ice dates, Lights on the Loop and menorah lightings when they are posted.

Related: Christmas parade and tree lighting, Thanksgiving 2026, New Year’s Eve 2026, Avalon, kids’ activities and holiday trash pickup.