2025 Louisville Holiday Guide: Where to See Lights, Sip, Shop & Celebrate

The most magical season of the year is lighting up Louisville.This year’s calendar is packed with twinkling displays, cozy markets, festive performances, and plenty of cheer. Whether you’re after family-friendly fun or a night out filled with holiday spirits (literally), here’s your complete guide to local holiday happenings.

Where to See Lights

Lights Under Louisville
Friday, Nov. 14–Saturday, Jan. 3
Load up the car and head underground for a one-of-a-kind experience. The Louisville Mega Cavern transforms into the world’s only fully underground holiday light show, featuring more than 900 displays, 7 million points of light, lasers, and festive tunes during a 30-minute drive-thru journey.

Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom
Saturday, Nov. 22–Saturday, Jan. 3
Kentucky’s biggest amusement park celebrates the season with over 1 million lights, 300+ Christmas trees, Santa’s Village, and a snow tubing hill that stretches 175 feet through the drained wave pool.

Gardens Aglimmer
Friday, Nov. 28–Tuesday, Dec. 30
Waterfront Botanical Gardens glows with illuminated pathways of giant flowers, sparkling deer, and shimmering archways. This self-guided stroll is made even more magical with this year’s addition: festive 3D glasses. Kids ages 2 and under are free.

Light Up Louisville
Saturday, Dec. 6
For over 40 years, this downtown tradition has marked the official start of the holiday season. The Lots of Lights parade welcomes Santa to Jefferson Street (Santa Claus Lane) before a grand tree-lighting countdown and fireworks finale.

Seasonal Celebrations

Norton Commons Holiday Preview & Holiday Open House
Saturday, Nov. 8 & Saturday, Dec. 6
Celebrate the season in Norton Commons with two festive weekends of shopping and community cheer. The Holiday Preview on Nov. 8 invites visitors to explore new seasonal décor and gifts across local boutiques, while the Holiday Open House on Dec. 6 features sweet treats, in-store specials, and beloved traditions like free carriage rides and photos with Santa in support of Toys for Tots.

Festival of Trees & Lights
Friday, Nov. 14–Sunday, Nov. 16
Now in its 36th year, this winter wonderland at Louisville Slugger Field features hundreds of elaborately decorated trees and wreaths, indoor train rides, photos with Santa, and both holiday and Hanukkah activities.

NuLu Jingle Fest
Saturday, Nov. 15
Head to East Market Street for a lively street celebration with live holiday music, face painting, sleigh rides, a photo booth, a petting zoo, and visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Lights on Main
Thursday, Nov. 20–Tuesday, Jan. 6
The Frazier History Museum becomes a glowing forest filled with trees decorated by local families, schools, and organizations — all included with museum admission.

Fête de Noël Winter Holiday Festival
Friday, Nov. 29–Monday, Jan. 5
Paristown’s festive village features Louisville’s only authentic outdoor ice rink, a holiday market, trackless train rides, photos with Santa, and even “Drag Queens on Ice.”

Krampus Cruise
Saturday, Dec. 6
Board the Mary M. Miller riverboat for a 21+ cruise featuring live music, cocktails, and photo ops with Krampus, if you dare..

Bardstown Road Aglow
Saturday, Dec. 6
The Highlands comes alive with festive energy, discounts at local boutiques and restaurants, and a joyful tree lighting ceremony — perfect for an evening stroll through one of Louisville’s most beloved neighborhoods.

Shows & Concerts

Louisville’s stages come alive with the sounds and stories of the season:

• Champions of Magic: Holiday Spectacular — Tuesday, Nov. 11 | The Louisville Palace
  
  
  

• ‘Twas A Girls Night Before Christmas: The Musical — Friday, Nov. 28 | The Kentucky Center
  
  

• A Christmas Carol — Thursday, Dec. 4–Sunday, Dec. 21 | Actors Theatre of Louisville
  
  
  

• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever — Saturday, Dec. 6–Sunday, Dec. 21 | The Kentucky Center
  
  

• NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet — Tuesday, Dec. 9 | The Louisville Palace
  
  
  

• The Brown-Forman Nutcracker — Friday, Dec. 12–Monday, Dec. 22 | The Kentucky Center
  
  

• Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland — Friday, Dec. 12 | The Louisville Palace
  
  
  

• An Evening with Peter Billingsley & A Christmas Story — Wednesday, Dec. 17 | The Brown Theatre
  
  

• Lindsey Stirling: The Snow Waltz Tour — Friday, Dec. 19 | KFC Yum! Center
  
  

• Christmastime with Trisha Yearwood: 12 Days of Christmas Tour — Saturday, Dec. 20 | The Louisville Palace
  
  

Holiday Markets & Gift Shopping

Christkindlmarkt
Saturday, Nov. 22
Experience an authentic German-style market at the German American Club with local vendors, gluhwein, and festive food.

Pinkmas: A Holiday Market
Sunday, Nov. 23
At Mellwood Art Center, this pink-themed market features 75 woman-owned brands, festive drinks, photo ops, and ornament painting.

Vintage Holiday Pop-Up Market
Saturday, Nov. 29
The Fleur De Flea hosts a vintage shopping experience at Germantown Gables with over 75 vendors, plus holiday bites and a pop-up bar.

Louisville Holiday Market
Saturday, Dec. 6
Shop 90+ makers at Made Market’s annual event at Mellwood Art Center, with hands-on workshops and a special Maker’s Mark preview night on Friday, Dec. 5.

Louisville Christmas Gift & Decor Show
Friday, Dec. 12–Sunday, Dec. 14
Over 700 booths fill the Kentucky Expo Center with gifts, decor ideas, and a chance to snap a photo with Santa.

Holiday Pop-Up Bars

Louisville’s bar scene turns extra merry this time of year. Don’t miss these festive pop-ups:

• Sippin’ Santa, One Fourteen Bar — Opens Monday, Nov. 17
  Miracle on Market, Galaxie — Tuesday, Nov. 18–Sunday, Dec. 28

• Merry at the Marriott, Louisville Marriott Downtown — Thursday, Nov. 20–Sunday, Dec. 28

• Tinsel Tavern, Pizza Bar — Friday, Nov. 21–Tuesday, Dec. 30

• The Lodge, Trial + Error — Friday, Nov. 28–Saturday, Jan. 3

• Blitzen’s, Pin + Proof — Coming soon

• A Christmas on Story Avenue, The Whirling Tiger — Coming soon

Raise a glass to the season!