Visit 12 Christmas Lights Displays In Kentucky For A Magical Experience
As we make our way toward winter, you know what that means… it’s time to start celebrating Christmas. If you’re looking for something a bit more exciting than blaring Christmas music, drinking egg nog, and watching A Christmas Story for the thousandth time, then check out some of the best Christmas light displays in Kentucky. Every year, these magical destinations illuminate with festive cheer and they are some of the best things to do at Christmas in Kentucky. If you’re wondering about the best Christmas light displays in Kentucky, then take a look at these 12 wonderful options.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
1. Lights Under Louisville at the Louisville Mega Cavern - 1841 Taylor Avenue, Louisville, KY 40213.
Head to the Mega Cavern to see the world's only underground light show. Lights Under Louisville runs from November 15 through Jaunary 4. It's open from 6pm-10pm Monday through Friday, and 5pm to 10pm Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $27 per standard car, but fees may apply if you use a credit card. Learn more about this unique light display on its website.
2. The Winter Wonderland of Lights Festival, Ashland - Central Park and downtown Ashland.
Ashland puts on an impressive holiday festival every year, complete with a beauty pageant, parade, train rides, and of course, spectacular Christmas lights. The light display will be illuminated November 18 through January 5, from dusk until 10pm Sunday through Thursday, and until 11pm on Friday and Saturday. The entire season is filled with festive cheer in Ashland and you can find out more on the festival's Facebook page.
3. Southern Lights Holiday Festival at the Kentucky Horse Park - 4089 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511.
This driving tour of spectacular lights attracts more than 120,000 visitors each year. Tickets to see the three miles of lights are $20 per car (Monday-Thursday), or $25 per car (Friday-Sunday). The route is open nightly from 5:30pm until 10pm, starting November 29 and running until December 31. Plan your visit on the event's website.
4. Grand Rivers Festival of Lights - Patti's 1880 Settlement, 1793 J H O'Bryan Avenue, Grand Rivers, KY 42045.
This fun property in downtown Grand Rivers has over 700,000 lights to get you into the holiday spirit. The lights are already up and will remain sparkling until the first weekend of January. Patti's is open until 9pm, but they are closed December 23-25. Find out more about one of the largest Christmas light displays in Kentucky on its website.
5. Light up Louisville - 4th & Jefferson Streets in downtown Louisville.
Light Up Louisville has been a holiday tradition since 1981. This year, the event takes place on November 29, starting with a variety of fun activities at 3 p.m., followed by the Lots of Light Parade at 7, the arrival of Santa Claus, and finally the "light up" moment, when the Mayor and Santa light up the city. There is also a 40-foot tall Christmas tree and a pop-up ice skating rink. A "Holiday Market" with vendors and food remains open from Jefferson Street to Liberty Street through the season. Find more information on the city's website.
6. Light Up The Levee Grand Illumination at Newport on the Levee - 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071.
This festival to kick off the holiday season is located in Newport, right across the river from Cincinnati. The Grand Illumination will happen on Saturday, November 23 from 5:30 pm to 10 pm. Come listen to live music, watch artists create amazing ice sculptures, meet Santa, and admire the sparkling 50-foot tree. The lights will continue to glow until January 2. Follow along with the event's information on the Levee's website.
7. Christmas at Panther Creek Park - 5160 Wayne Bridge Road, Owensboro, KY 42301.
Drive through this amazing illuminated tour that has more than 400,000 lights. The tour is open every night from 6 pm to 9 pm throughout the season and continuing until January 1. It costs $3.00 per car to take the tour. Learn more on the Owensboro website.
8. Christmas In The Park - Noble Park, 2915 Park Avenue, Paducah, KY 42001.
For the month of December, come see Paducah's Noble Park glow with Christmas Lights. Moving light displays will be dancing from 6 to 9pm Sunday through Thursday, and 6pm to 10pm Friday and Saturday. You can bring non-perishable food items or cash to be donated to local charities. Get all of the details on the event's website.
9. Light Up Bardstown - 1 Court Square, Bardstown, KY 40004.
Bardstown will light its Christmas tree and decorate downtown this year on November 29. The lighting happens at 6pm, but you can enjoy the whole evening as you watch Bardstown get transformed into Christmas Town. The shops downtown are open late, there is face painting for the kids, and delicious hot cocoa and Christmas cookies all around. Plan a visit with the event's website.
10. Lighting Of The Trace - Buffalo Trace Distillery, 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY 40601.
On December 5, Buffalo Trace will kick off their month-long celebration of lights. There will be a candlelight tour at 5:30pm, carol singing and holiday stories at 6, and Santa will make his appearance at 6:30. This is a free event. You will be able to drive around this distillery's beautiful property and see it all lit up until January 2, from dusk until 11pm. Read more on the distillery's website.
11. Ruley's Santa Clause Land - 165 Stringtown Road, Loretto, KY 40037.
This farm in Marion County boasts more than a million lights covering four acres. The light show is put on by the Ruley family every year, who started doing it simply to have something fun for the local children to do around Christmas time. Entry is free, but donations are accepted. You can follow along with them on Facebook.
12. Bardstown Road Aglow - Bardstown Road in the Highlands of Louisville.
Bardstown Road is the place to be on the first Saturday of December in Louisville. This year it falls on December 7, with festivities kicking off at dusk and continuing until 10pm. Participating businesses up and down Bardstown Road compete in a holiday decorating contest, so it's fun to walk around and see who is the brightest and most creative with their displays. Many of the businesses will have special sales, and free trolley rides from Douglass Loop to Lexington Road will also be offered. Find out more on the event's website.
If you’re not in the Christmas spirit yet, you certainly will be if you visit one or all of the best Christmas light displays in Kentucky!
Has anyone ever seen one of these displays in person before? Are there any other awesome Christmas light shows in Kentucky that we missed? Feel free to share with us in the comments!
And for more on the unique drive-thru Christmas lights display in Kentucky featured above, read on about our very own Christmas cave.
Address: 165 Stringtown Road, Loretto, KY 40037
Address: 4089 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511
Address: 1841 Taylor Avenue, Louisville, KY 40213
Address: 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY 40601
Address: 1 Court Square, Bardstown, KY 40004
Address: 1880 Settlement, 1793 J H O'Bryan Avenue, Grand Rivers, KY 42045
Address: 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071
Address: 5160 Wayne Bridge Road, Owensboro, KY 42301
Address: 2915 Park Avenue, Paducah, KY 42001
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Light Displays In Kentucky
November 04, 2019
Andrea Limke
What is the largest Christmas lights display in Kentucky?
There are so many fun things to do at Christmas in Kentucky and light displays are some of the best for all ages. When it comes to the largest Christmas lights display in Kentucky, it’s a tough call. All of the destinations listed above are some of the best, but for the largest, check out Lights Under Louisville, Patti’s in Grand Rivers, and all of the festivities in Ashland.
What is there to do at Christmas in Kentucky?
There is so much to do at Christmas in Kentucky that you can have plenty of holiday fun all season long. Visit a light display as mentioned above, ride the Polar Express with Santa, go ice skating, or even consider a winter hike for some fresh air.
What are the best Christmas towns in Kentucky?
Many of Kentucky’s towns transform into winter wonderlands this time of year. Your own town or neighborhood may even be one of the best Christmas spots in the Bluegrass State. But if you need more suggestions, try Ashland, Bardstown, Lousiville, Newport, Paducah, or Owensboro. All of these towns offer a wide variety of Christmas activities and events.
Address: 165 Stringtown Road, Loretto, KY 40037
Address: 4089 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511
Address: 1841 Taylor Avenue, Louisville, KY 40213
Address: 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY 40601
Address: 1 Court Square, Bardstown, KY 40004
Address: 1880 Settlement, 1793 J H O'Bryan Avenue, Grand Rivers, KY 42045
Address: 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071
Address: 5160 Wayne Bridge Road, Owensboro, KY 42301
I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. I have lived elsewhere twice, but keep coming back. I'm a video editor and freelance writer who enjoys watching people wearing University of Louisville uniforms excel at sports, scaling the faces of large rocks, and hanging out with my border collie/laborador/cattle dog mutt thingy that I have.
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