Holiday festivities will soon be underway in the Bluegrass State, if they're not already. Many people enjoy this time of year for its variety of special events and family outings and perhaps the best place to experience this in Kentucky is Ashland. This town loves the Christmas season and it hosts a magical holiday event in Kentucky, the Festival of Trees and Trains. Celebrating its 35th year, this annual fundraiser is a unique and treasured tradition in Ashland and is worth a visit if you're up for a holiday road trip.
Ashland, Kentucky is such a magical town during the holiday season and the center of it all is the historic Paramount Arts Center.
This classic theater hosts a number of events throughout the year and it is especially popular around the holidays. And this year will be no different as the Festival of Trees and Trains returns for ten days in November and December.
During the festival, beautifully decorated trees and charming trains fill the auditorium of the theater.
This holiday event in Kentucky is a fundraiser that supports the Education Department of the Paramount Arts Center. This endeavor provides enriching and theatrical experiences for the community.
Throughout the festival, you'll find nearly 200 trees of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Some of the train sets are mixed in with the trees, while others involve entire scenes and miniature towns. The pairing of trees and trains is such a classic combination and a fun way to celebrate the season.
The trees are decorated by members of the community and many of them are available for purchase through a silent auction.
Tickets for the event are available at the door and this year the festival runs from November 22nd - December 1st. Tickets are $6.50 for adults and $5.50 for children 12 and under.
You can also consider visiting on November 26th for Family Night, when up to 5 people can get in for $12.
This is also the same evening as the Ashland Christmas Parade, so you can walk amongst the trees and trains and watch an enchanting parade, all in one night!
You'll likely spend much of your time in this area of the theater, admiring the trains and trees, but there is much more to do.
There are activities for the kids, visits with Santa, the Candy Cane Cafe for snacks, and the Holiday Gift Shoppe with offerings from many local vendors. You can read all about the activities and what to expect on the festival's website, linked below.
There is also entertainment each day of the festival, adding to the enchantment of the experience.
Choirs will sing carols, there are dancers, high school band performances, and more. With so much festive fun, make plans to visit this enchanting holiday event in Kentucky this year.
The Festival of Trees and Trains in Ashland is a holiday event in Kentucky that's been delighting locals and visitors for decades. Mark your calendar now for this festive celebration this season. Is this a holiday tradition for your family? Let us know in the comments!
For more information on the event, visit the Festival of Trees and Train's website and follow along on Facebook.
And for more on Ashland, read all about this winter wonderland town in Kentucky.
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