Less than two weeks after Lanier Islands Resort flips the switch on its famed Magical Nights of Lights tour, the Georgia lakeside resort is kicking the holiday season into high gear with an incredibly “eventful” Thanksgiving weekend. It all begins with a sumptuous Thanksgiving buffet crafted by the resort’s talented culinary team – led by Food & Beverage Director, Nishant Chaudhary – on Thursday, November 27. In time for Black Friday on November 28, the resort debuts its weekend-long Holiday Market at Legacy Lodge, filled with shopping, entertainment, and festive fun for the whole family. On Saturday, November 29, Voices of North Georgia kicks off the holiday celebration with caroling at Game Changer, followed by the arrival of the Jolly Old Elf himself at 5 p.m. Throughout the weekend, the driving tour of twinkling holiday lights that winds through six miles of the resort’s streetscapes continues each night.

“The holidays are a special time for us at the Islands,” said Lanier Islands Resort President Matthew Bowling. “Our roads are lined with light displays, Legacy Lodge is beautifully decorated for the season, and the heavenly aroma of favorite holiday dishes fills the air. It’s also the time when we’ll start to see elves and Santa pop up in the hallways and at the occasional breakfast. This year, we wanted to make the holidays bigger and better than ever before with the premiere of our Holiday Market, the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus, and a celebration of epic proportions at Game Changer. My team and I love this time of year. We love seeing the familiar faces of families who’ve joined us for our holiday offerings each year, and we can’t wait to introduce many new families to the new and improved holiday experience at Lanier Islands Resort.”

The schedule for Thanksgiving Weekend at Lanier Islands Resort includes:

Thanksgiving Buffet at Legacy Lodge - Thursday, November 27 | Noon to 6 p.m.

Still available to overnight guests as part of the resort’s Thanksgiving Celebration Accommodation Package, the buffet will showcase a series of carving and action stations, including Herb-Rubbed and Dry-Brined Tom Turkey, Rosemary and Garlic Crusted Prime Rib, and more. There will also be a sumptuous selection of salads and sides, a child-friendly Kids Korner, and a Grand Dessert Display to round out the offerings. The Thanksgiving Celebration Package includes cozy Legacy Lodge accommodations, Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner for two, Breakfast Buffet for two the next morning, and admission to the dazzling Magical Nights of Lights. Reservations can be made by calling (770) 945-8787. Thanksgiving buffet reservations for daytime guests are sold out.

Holiday Market at Legacy Lodge – Friday, November 28 | 1-6 p.m.; Saturday, November 29 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – with Kids Market at Game Changer from 5-9 p.m.; and Sunday, November 30 | 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Both daytime and overnight guests of Lanier Islands Resort can browse unique finds like handmade gifts, jewelry, candles, lotions, and more, while soaking in the holiday cheer. There will also be a special Kids Market, featuring special gifts under $10, gift wrapping, and festive fun with George the Giant Elf. Live music from the Flash Drive Band on Saturday, November 29, adds the perfect soundtrack to the holiday shopping experience.

Santa’s Magical Arrival – Saturday, November 29 | 4-9 p.m.

Santa Claus is coming to town—straight to Game Changer! Guests can welcome him as he arrives to kick off the season, then dive into a holiday wonderland full of sparkling décor, sweet treats, lively games, and even a chance to meet a real reindeer! Voices of North Georgia will fill the air with beloved Christmas carols to get everyone in the holiday spirit beginning at 4:30 p.m. Special Offer: Guests who donate three canned goods to Georgia Mountain Food Bank upon their arrival at the resort’s gate will have their gate fee waived until 4:30 PM! (After 4:30 PM, regular gate fees apply.) Future Santa sightings at Game Changer can be made on December 2, 9, and 18.

Breakfast with Santa – Sunday, November 30 | 9-11 a.m.

Families are invited to converge on Legacy Lodge for a joyful holiday tradition filled with festive flavors, sparkling lights, and of course - an unforgettable visit from Santa himself. Children can share their wish lists, take photos, and enjoy special time with Santa and his elves, while the whole family delights in a delicious breakfast buffet with Santa designed to please guests of all ages. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 678-318-2048. Additional Breakfast with Santa experiences are scheduled for December 6 - 7, December 13 - 14, and December 20 – 23.

Magical Nights of Lights – Nightly | 5-10 p.m.

After a five-year hiatus, the magic is BACK at Lanier Islands Resort. The newly designed show will feature mile after mile of twinkling, animated light displays. Guests will be able to tune in to Star 94 during their modern-day sleigh ride, filling each vehicle with holiday cheer amid a backdrop of classic Christmas carols. The tour will lead to two destinations – the Holiday Headquarters at Game Changer and Margaritaville’s License to Chill Snow Island. As in the past, pricing for this treasured holiday attraction will be based on the carload, rather than on individual guests. The show runs nightly through January 4, 2026.

For guests who wish to turn their Thanksgiving weekend into a fun holiday vacation on the shores of Lake Lanier, the resort offers several holiday-themed accommodation packages that – in addition to an overnight stay – include enhancements such as an Elf Tuck-In with milk and cookies, Breakfast with Santa (on select dates), a keepsake ornament, passes to Margaritaville’s License to Chill Snow Island, and complimentary access to Magical Nights of Lights. The lakeside destination is located 45 miles north of Atlanta at 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford. To view Magical Nights of Lights pricing, additional holiday-themed events, and more, prospective guests are invited to visit https://www.lanierislands.com/holiday-events/special-experiences/. For up-to-the-minute news, follow Lanier Islands Resort on Facebook @lanierislands, Instagram @lanierislands, TikTok @lanier_islands, and LinkedIn @Lake-Lanier-Islands-Resort.