Six Flags Over Georgia wraps its thrills in holiday glow

HOLIDAY GUIDE

For more ideas about gifts, decorating, where to eat and what to do, check out our Atlanta Holiday Guide at AJC.com/holidayguide.

At Six Flags Over Georgia through Jan. 3, the blazing summer sun gets replaced by twinkling Christmas lights and falling faux snow. Its Holiday in the Park event covers Atlanta’s theme park giant in a snug, seasonal blanket of cheer with more than 1 million LED lights and 400 Christmas trees.

The yuletide overlay arguably makes the venue more magical, giving it a shimmer that successfully enhances its rides and attractions. Think thrill ride yelps meet ho, ho, hos.

Sights, sounds and smells

Step through the gates, and you’ll find a canopy of 165,000 red, green and white lights high above Main Street. Costumed wooden soldiers on stilts march amid the sprinkling snow. A 25-foot Christmas tree looms at the end of Main Street and gets a ceremonial lighting each evening, complete with carolers in Dickens-esque dress.

This sets the tone for Holiday in the Park and its 13 themed sections. Stroll through Peppermint Plaza and lighted trees double as giant candy canes while the staff pumps minty scents into the air. Orange colored lights dominate an area dubbed A Georgia Christmas with manufactured peach smells wafting throughout.

The holidays go retro in the USA section with vintage-style decor and a 130-foot Christmas tree-shaped lighting arrangement strung to the towering Dare Devil Dive coaster. A short walk away, the Batman-themed Gotham City transforms into Holiday City, illuminating in green and purple hues. A 25-foot Christmas tree blinged with 200 Batman candles stands guard.

The Mistletoe Mansion section, with its 100,000 lights and 30 bundles of mistletoe, serves up serious smooching. On Dec. 12, Six Flags staff hopes to set a Guinness World Record by gathering the most couples together to kiss underneath the mistletoe.

And that’s just the tip of the Fraser fir. Live musical shows, a train ride to see Santa and more stuff Six Flags’ stocking. Unwrapping it all in one visit may be challenging, but don’t miss the new Magic of the Season light show. Stand on the Retro Christmas USA end of the illuminated tunnel to watch 7,500 bulbs dance and animate to an original soundtrack every 30 minutes.

A white-knuckle Christmas

This year, Holiday in the Park expands its offerings with a total of 24 rides on tap. The lines often prove short, especially later in the evening. A recent visit found no wait for the Goliath coaster, one of Six Flags’ marquee attractions. Score an amazing view of the park’s lights from Goliath’s first hill or high atop the plunging Acrophobia.

Adrenaline junkies have plenty to scream about. Most of its roster of roller coasters, including Batman: The Ride, the Joker Chaos Coaster, Dare Devil Dive and more, are available to ride.

A taste of the holidays

Concessions get a celebratory twist. Several seasonal-style funnel cakes tempt visitors, including the green mint drizzled in chocolate, and topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint. Steaming hot chocolate flows, and Daddy O’s restaurant serves up dinner table staples from roasted turkey breast to cranberry sauce.