After months of designing and weeks of setup, the seasonal vibe is positively electric at Lanier Islands Resort. With the upcoming return of Magical Nights of Lights on November 15, there is an undercurrent of gratitude from the team behind the lakeside destination. Inspired by the spirit of Thanksgiving, Lanier Islands Resort seeks to not only express its appreciation for the community that has supported it for decades, but also to provide opportunities for light watchers to give to those in need this holiday season. With donation drives for Georgia Mountain Food Bank and Toys for Tots, donors can receive the Islands’ thanks in the form of discounts on select nights throughout the Magical Nights of Lights Season – valued at $30*. There will also be discount nights for active-duty military members, veterans, first responders, and educators on the resort’s event calendar.

“We launched our ‘Lanier Islands Resort Gives Back’ initiative this summer with our FREE Lakeside Concert Series, which featured three incredible outdoor concerts at our lakeside Peachtree Pointe Amphitheatre,” said Matthew Bowling, President of Lanier Islands Resort. “There was a charitable element to that, too, which resulted in the donation of more than 500 pounds of food to the Georgia Mountain Food Bank, translating to roughly 14,350 meals. During the holiday season, many of our neighbors need our help more than ever. There are more than 50,000 food-insecure people in the area served by the Georgia Mountain Food Bank, and we believe every child deserves the gift of a new toy on Christmas morning. That’s why, on select evenings during Magical Nights of Lights, we will say ‘thank you’ to anyone who brings three or more canned goods or new unwrapped toys by giving them a $10 discount on their holiday light tour admission, along with a voucher for $20 off one all-access band at Margaritaville’s License to Chill Snow Island. We’ll also extend that same discount on select nights for many of the true heroes in our community – our teachers, our military members, our veterans, and our first responders – as our thanks for the way they give back daily.”

Bowling also expressed his team’s gratitude for this year’s partners of Magical Nights of Lights 2025. “After a five-year hiatus at the Islands, bringing Magical Nights of Lights back to our shores is an enormous undertaking. We are truly honored to have three Georgia powerhouses joining us on this journey. Our major event sponsors are The Coca-Cola Company and Georgia Power, with our friends at Star 94 serving as our partner radio station, powering the festive atmosphere and filling each vehicle with holiday cheer as they drive through our tour of lights.”

Given its standing as one of the Southeast’s leading destinations, the resort also has traditional Thanksgiving plans in store for its guests. On Thursday, November 27, from noon to 6 p.m., Lanier Islands Resort will play host to a Thanksgiving buffet hosted in the Legacy Lodge Grand Ballroom. Designed by Food & Beverage Director Nishant Chaudhary and his team of chefs, the meal will feature a series of carving and action stations, alongside a sumptuous selection of salads, entrees, and sides. A child-friendly Kids Korner and Grand Dessert Display round out the offerings. Reservations can be made by calling 678-318-2048. As another way of giving back, the lakeside destination will waive the resort gate fee with a Thanksgiving buffet reservation.

At the heart of the holiday season at Lanier Islands Resort, the Magical Nights of Lights will run nightly from Saturday, November 15, through Sunday, January 4, beginning at 5 p.m. each evening. The lakeside destination is located 45 miles north of Atlanta at 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford. To view “Lanier Islands Gives Back” nights, Magical Nights of Lights pricing, holiday-themed accommodation packages, special events, and more, prospective guests are invited to visit https://www.lanierislands.com/holiday-events/magical-nights-of-lights/. For up-to-the-minute news, follow Lanier Islands Resort on Facebook @lanierislands, Instagram @lanierislands, TikTok @lanier_islands, and LinkedIn @Lake-Lanier-Islands-Resort.

*Disclaimer: Discount offer only available and valid on select nights. May not be combined with other offers, discounts, or promotions. Discount not transferable. One discount per vehicle. No cash value for unused discounts.  Please visit www.lanierislands.com for additional terms and details.