let us do the work

Effortlessly plan your next adventure with AI
ExperiencesEventsFestivals

The Light Up Festival In Kentucky Is Straight Out Of A Hallmark Christmas Movie

Bardstown, Kentucky, transforms into a picturesque holiday destination with its Light Up Bardstown festival, offering a Hallmark movie-like Christmas experience.

Updated Nov 8, 2023

Written by 

Sarah McCosham

Bardstown is one of the most delightful towns in the Bluegrass State, offering visitors and residents a slice of picture-perfect small-town life. It's consistently lauded as one of the best places to visit in the state (and country!); and this is perhaps most true during the holidays. From mid-November through New Year's, the Light Up Bardstown festival (formerly known as Christmas 'Round Bardstown) invites guests to come and experience the pure pleasure of a Bardstown, KY Christmas. Come along as we show you why its one of our favorite annual events!

Bardstown is a place that needs no introduction.

A charming street lined with brick buildings and shops, leading to a grand architectural structure under a blue sky.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook

This Kentucky town of just over 13,500 is as good as it gets, offering folks a sublime slice of small-town life. Its downtown district is hailed as one of the best in the state. And during the holidays...?

If you've ever wished you could be an extra in one of those cheesy-but-oh-so-delightful Hallmark Christmas movies...

A festive night parade with colorful floats, snowflakes, and people holding green balloons, celebrating the holiday season.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook

... simply visit Bardstown during Christmastime.

A large crowd gathers around a beautifully lit Christmas tree in a festive night scene.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook

At the annual Light Up Bardstown festival, this enchanting town offers visitors over a month of non-stop holiday fun and cheer.

This annual event kicks off in mid-November, with local businesses and attractions decking their halls for all to see and enjoy.

A large crowd gathers around a brightly lit Christmas tree adorned with decorations and a star on top.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook

Then right after Thanksgiving, the town gathers for a tree lighting of epic proportions. This is when Light Up Bardstown really gets going.

From then until New Year's, the town hosts a number of fun and family-friendly activities.

A couple stands near a festive sign in front of a brightly lit building decorated for the holidays.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook

This includes a live nativity, story times and visits with Santa Claus, an ice skating rink, and more. Other perennial favorites include My Old Kentucky Dinner Train's North Pole Express and the Kentucky Railway Museum's Santa Express. But of course, simply visiting Bardstown during this time is sure to put you in the proper holiday spirit.

Bardstown, Kentucky, is one of those places that's so picture-perfect, it doesn't seem real.

A family walks hand-in-hand past a brightly lit building and Christmas tree at night.
Visit Bardstown Facebook page

But luckily for us here in the Bluegrass State, Bardstown is as wonderfully real as it gets.

Bardstown, Kentucky, is one of those places that's so picture-perfect, it doesn't seem real. But luckily for us here in the Bluegrass State, Bardstown is as wonderfully real as it gets!

If you've ever dreamed of starring in your very own Hallmark Christmas flick, you have to visit this charming Kentucky town during the holidays. For more information, including a full directory of events and activities, visit the Light Up Bardstown website.

Have you ever been to this exciting Kentucky town? If so, what was your favorite part? Would you agree that is is one of the best Christmas towns in Kentucky? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

For something unique to do nearby, be sure to read There's A Logical Explanation For The Huge Lighthouses Atop A Pair Of Skyscrapers In Louisville, Kentucky. And if you'd like to stay in Louisville, one of the best places is the TownePlace Suites Louisville Downtown.

For those who love winter hiking, you can find some great trails in and around the area by going to the AllTrails website.

If you’re still in the mood for more Bluegrass State adventures, take a look at this video:

youtube embeded image

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Nature

The Most Beautiful Lake in Hawaiʻi That Most People Have Never Heard Of

High above the Pacific Ocean on Mauna Kea, Lake Waiau offers one of Hawaiʻi’s most unexpected landscapes: a tiny alpine lake surrounded by volcanic terrain, clear skies, and sweeping summit views.

by Kate Orlando
on Jul 22
An orange and yellow sunset lights up the sky above a remote lake in Hawaii.
Trips & Routes

The Instagrammable Roadside Attraction Is Worth the Drive From Dallas

Forget Paris; just a short drive from Dallas, Texas, is a whimsical Eiffel Tower worthy of your Instagram. Here’s what makes it worth the trip.

by Melanie Johnson
on Jul 21
Views of a replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas, with a large red cowboy hat on top.
Stays
Vacation Rentals

This Historic Brick Brownstone Is One of the Most Successful Airbnbs in Massachusetts

Step inside a historic Victorian brownstone overlooking Union Park in Boston’s sought-after South End. With three floors of living space and some of the city’s best restaurants, shops, and landmarks within walking distance, this Airbnb offers a memorable way to experience Boston.

by Megan Todaro
on Jul 21
The exterior of a brick building in Boston Massachusetts, where one of the most historic Airbnbs is.
Trips & Routes
Unique Trips

The 11 Most Spectacular Tree Tunnel Drives in America

Some roads exist just to get you somewhere else. These eleven don't, and that's exactly the point.

by Marisa Roman
on Jul 21
Cypress tree tunnel at Point Reyes, California, USA
Trips & Routes
Small Towns

The 17 Most Charming Hidden Towns You’ve Never Heard Of Across the U.S.

Every state hides at least one town this good, and locals would rather keep it that way. We found 17 of them, from quiet river towns to desert outposts, so you can get there before everyone else does.

by Marisa Roman
on Jul 21
Dahlonega, Georgia aerial view, one of the most charming hidden towns in the U.S.