Every holiday season, a field in Grovetown turns into one of the biggest Christmas displays in the region. Lights of the South opens for 2026 on Friday, November 20, at 633 Louisville Road, just off I-20. More than 5 million lights cover 100 acres, and the evening comes with hayrides, a Christmas tree maze, a Candy Land playground, marshmallow roasting, and a visit to Santa's House. Mrs. Claus' Kitchen serves hot meals and treats, kids 3 and under get in free, and military families and first responders save 10% at the gate.
It's the kind of outing that works best with the whole family: grandparents, cousins, and the kids who will remember it. The harder part is where everyone stays. When relatives fly or drive in for Thanksgiving or Christmas, a guest room and a few hotel rooms split the family across town, and the visit happens in shifts.
The Pine Cone keeps everyone together. It's a five-bedroom home in Evans on 1.2 private acres, in Columbia County with Lights of the South in neighboring Grovetown, and about 20 minutes from downtown Augusta. It sleeps 12 in real beds and up to 16 with two queen air mattresses on request, including a bunk room the kids will claim first. The main-floor bedroom means no stairs for anyone who'd rather skip them, and every bedroom has blackout shades and a door that locks. Driveway parking holds 7 to 10 vehicles, so every carload fits.
The kitchen is built for a holiday crowd. There's a double oven for the turkey and the sides, a four-burner stove, a large granite island, and a six-burner gas grill outside, with a dining table for eight and a breakfast bar for four more. Place settings for twelve adults and four children are provided, plus a high chair, a Keurig, and coffee and teas for slow mornings.
Back at the house after the lights, the evening keeps going. The private six-person hot tub is a good finish to a cold night, and the propane fire pit with Adirondack chairs is where the grown-ups catch up. The game room has a Golden Tee arcade cabinet, foosball, a retro Nintendo with 30-plus games, board games, and a 65-inch TV. One note for a full house: both showers are upstairs, so plan the morning order.
Augusta Regional Airport is about 30 minutes away for relatives flying in, and Fort Eisenhower is about 15 minutes away for families visiting service members over the holidays.
Booking direct at thepineconestr.com skips the platform service fee that Airbnb and Vrbo add, and puts you in touch with the owner for longer holiday stays. Check your dates and reserve your family's holiday at thepineconestr.com.