Holidays in Kentucky
Holiday family fun is around the corner with many opportunities for festive experiences and light displays all around our beautiful state. Check out the listings below for the best holiday experiences around the Bluegrass.
November 4 - January 31
Festival of Lights at Patti's, Grand Rivers: Over 1.5 million lights adorn Patti’s 1880’s Settlement, the streets of the village, Little Lake Park, businesses, and the marinas. During the holiday season, special character breakfasts take place at Patti’s 1880s, Santa & Mrs. Claus takes time out of their busy schedule for breakfast & lunch with guests at the Community Center, Santa visits with children at Patti’s Settlement, vintage horsedrawn carriages take visitors through the village to view the amazing lights, live Christmas shows take place at the Badgett Playhouse, and much more!
November 8 - January 4
Lights Under Louisville at Louisville Mega Cavern: Enjoy a 30 minute ride through part of the 17 miles of underground passageways in your vehicle featuring over 900 lit characters with over 4,000,000 points of light. The Christmas Express is back and better than ever! What better way to get in the holiday spirit than to witness more than 4,000,000 points of lights and over 900 displays in an open top trailer!
November 18 - January 6
Winter Wonderland of Lights Festival, Ashland: You are invited to join in celebrating their five-week Winter Wonderland of Lights festival! Stroll through their 52-acre park ablaze with 60 magical holiday displays containing over 800,000 lights.
November 15 - January 6
Merry & Bright at My Old Kentucky Home, Bardstown: Guides in Victorian hoop skirts and gentleman in tailcoats sing the song “My Old Kentucky Home,” on your tour of Kentucky’s most famous landmark decorated for Christmas, My Old Kentucky Home! The mansion is adorned and decorated with six beautiful 12′ tall Christmas trees, each with a unique Kentucky theme, including the Commonwealth Tree, Meadows in the Bloom, Birds Make Music All the Day, & more!
November 18 - December 31
Christmas Island at General Burnside Island, Burnside: Join us each week from November 18th to December 31st for fun for the whole family! Christmas Island at General Burnside Island features beautiful Christmas light displays each night.
November 29 - December 31
Southern Lights at Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington: Southern Lights is a magical holiday tradition for thousands of families throughout the Bluegrass and beyond. See over a million twinkling lights from the safety of your car and enjoy a stroll through the Holiday Village featuring safe and family friendly activities for all ages. Tickets are $35 per carload.
November 27 - December 31
Christmas in the Park, Paducah: The charming town of Paducah always makes the holidays special. This year they will start the season with a holiday light display at Noble Park. Visitors can make a reservation for a horse-drawn carriage ride to experience the light spectacular in a magical way. The first Saturday of the festival is Small Business Saturday, when Paducah Main Street encourages guests and residents to shop local. The local businesses celebrate the holidays with sales and specials throughout the cheery, historic downtown.
November 27 - January 1
Christmas in the Park, Elizabethtown: This vibrant city invites visitors to the 30th annual Christmas in the Park, at Freeman Lake Park. Travel along an illuminated roadway to enjoy more than 100 brilliant displays. Freeman Lake acts as a stunning backdrop as the lights glimmer off the water. Elizabethtown also opens an artificial Ice Rink for guests and residents to skate around.
December 1 - December 23
Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill, Millersburg: Experience a spectacular holiday tradition just 30 minutes north of Lexington in the heart of Bourbon County. Stroll the breath-taking lights, enjoy music, gather with friends, shop for the perfect gift and don’t miss the most stunning gingerbread house displays in Kentucky.
November 29 - January 1
Christmas at Panther Creek, Owensboro: Owensboro continues their holiday tradition to raise money for local non-profits. This annual holiday festival offers a drive-through light display with over 500,000 lights through Owensboro’s Panther Creek Park. The display is $5 per vehicle, and all proceeds go to support various Daviess County non-profit organizations.
November 29 – January 4
Christmastime at Ark Encounter, Williamstown: You’ll enjoy a life-size ark and gardens illuminated in rainbow-colored lights, Ararat Ridge Zoo, festive food and drinks, traditional Christmas carols, a massive fair trade market and gift shop for Christmas shopping, and so much more.
November 15 - December 29 Fri. - Sun.
The Reindeer Farm, Bowling Green: Visit the reindeer barn to see and learn about Santa's magical reindeer! Play at the indoor playground or visit the gift shop. Letter writing to Santa, holiday themed games, story time with friends from the North Pole. Corn hole available and food trucks so you don’t have to leave for lunch. Cozy up by the fire pit if weather permits! Don’t forget your camera there will be many photo opportunities. Pay online with card or cash in person.
November 29 - December 30
Gardens Aglimmer, Waterfront Botanical Gardens Louisville: Enjoy a sparkling winter wonderland of swans, snowflakes, deer, Moravian stars, oversized flowers, light bursts, candles, and a multicolor tunnel of lights. Wander the Gardens under icicle arches and over a waterfall stream aglow. Visit Santa and his sleigh in the Graeser Family Education Center and Mrs. Claus' Cottage in the Ellen T Leslie Botanical Classrooms*. Holiday beverages will be available for purchase in the Jingle All the Way Cafe. Estimate visit length 45 minutes. Lights out at 9 pm. (No outside food or drink, pets, smoking or vaping allowed inside the Gardens)
November 30 - December 25
Lights at Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort: This award-winning distillery combines the best of Kentucky’s bourbon country with holiday festivities. Welcoming guests from all over the world to learn about its history, Buffalo Trace Distillery features complimentary tours and tastings year-round. For the holidays, Buffalo Trace Distillery decorates its grounds with a festive display of more than 145,000 lights. Guests can drive through the kaleidoscopic light display all season long.
December 7, 14 & 21
Illuminated Evenings at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg: During the holiday season, Shaker Village will bustle with light-hearted moments that remind us of long-ago winter days filled with wonder and laughter. Make time to delight in life’s simple gifts with family and friends, as lively music, merriment and candlelight illuminate the Village. In addition to their regular Holiday festivities, Illuminated Evenings will feature holiday music, roaring fires, twinkling lights and an appearance by Mrs. Claus!
Our Kentucky State Parks have numerous holiday experiences on schedule. Breakfast with Santa, holiday ornament workshops, Christmas teas, just to name a few. Visit their schedule of events here.
Don't forget to check out your local Convention and Visitors Bureau office for any additional holiday activities in your area.