Best List of Holiday & Christmas Events in Louisville

‘Tis the season for the awe of Holiday & Christmas events and activities in and around Louisville. 

Looking for a way to celebrate or get into the spirit? We’ve got you covered! Holiday events, markets, tree-lighting, photos with Santa and more. 

We have scoured the internet to find what is going on for 2023 Christmas events in Louisville, and updated the following list for you. We hope you can make a ton of wonderful memories this holiday season!

Read also:

• Drive Thru Holiday Lights and Events
• Dine with Santa

 

Photos & Meetings with Santa:

Photos with Santa are available at the Malls and Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s throughout the Holiday Season. Make reservations in advance, November 5th-December 24th.

See Santa at the Malls: 

Christmas Events in Louisville are not the same if you can’t see Santa! 

Santa at the Green Tree Mall – November 24-December 24

Santa at Mall St. Matthews – November 17 – December 24

Santa at Oxmoor Mall – November 24 – December 24

Santa at Jefferson Mall – November 22-December 24

The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass – Pet Pics with Santa, Nov 19 & Dec 10. Santa & Mrs. Clause on Saturdays & Sundays starting November 11.

Zoneton Santa Truck Route – Various dates throughout November & December

Through December 31

Jack Frost Saves Christmas – Derby Dinner Playhouse, November 11-December 31

A Christmas Carol the Musical – Derby Dinner Playhouse, November 9-December 31

A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play– Actors Theater’s spirited audio production, streaming November 24 – December 31st.  

The Sauerbeck Family Drive-In – Christmas movies every Wednesday in November. Polar Express Experience – Friday & Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Click here to jump to December events listed chronologically

November 2-5

Roots101: African American Museum 124 N 1st Street Louisville Kentucky 40202. The North Pole Experience features Elf on The Shelf! That’s November 2 & 3 Daycare days and November 4 & 5 open to the public. Tickets are $25 and included 4×6 printed photo. We are giving away prizes and gift cards. Book now 812-207-3433

November 3

Chenoweth Square Holiday Walk – Stroll the Square and get into the holiday spirit! 5:00-8:00pm

St. Matthews Triangle Holiday Walk – Shop, Sip, Stroll and Stock Up for the Holidays with the merchants inside Bauer, Frankfort, & Lexington Avenues! 6:00-9:00pm

November 4

Eastern High School Band Holiday Boutique – 9:00am-2:00pm.

November 9

Holiday Open House – Historic Downtown Jeffersonville, Enjoy local shops & restaurants, trolley rides, & holiday music, 6:00-9:00pm

November 10

Tree Lighting – The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass, 6-8pm, Santa, Mrs. Claus, & Polo’s Teddy Bear will be here leading a parade involving a marching band, cheerleaders, dancers, stilt walking balloon Elves, a live DJ, and Free Hot Chocolate!

November 11 – December 17

Stilt Walking Elves – Saturdays at The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass, 1-4pm.

November 10 – January 1

Lights Under Louisville – Louisville Mega Cavern

November 10-12

Festival of Trees and Lights – Louisville Slugger Field

November 11

Nulu Jingle Fest – East Market District, 11am-7pm, Shelby St. between Market & Nanny Goat Strut 

Holiday Make & Take – Herbal Simmering Pots, Stillpoint Wellness Center, 307 W. Southern Heights Ave. 10am, 11am, & 12pm.

November 14-16

Temptations Holiday Boutique at The Olmsted- Times vary by day.

Nutcracker Family Storytime – Check website for locations/times.

November 13-18

Kosair Christmas Wonderland – Christmas Wonderland at the Kosair Shrine Center is a fundraising event for Kosair Shrine Center, Kosair Charities and Sproutlings Pediatric Day Care. They have daily events and you can go and see the trees & wreaths daily.

November 17-December 23

Reindeer Farm – The Reindeer Farm, nestled on our small family farm in Bowling Green, KY is your new holiday tradition! Come experience the magic of Christmas and meet our LIVE REINDEER! 

November 17-December 31

Jeff on Ice – The Black Diamond Pest Control Ice Skating Rink will be open at The Depot from Friday, November 17 until Sunday, December 31.

November 18

Holiday Make & Take – Beeswax Herb Candles, Stillpoint Wellness Center, 307 W. Southern Heights Ave. 10am, 11am, & 12pm.

November 24 – December 23 

Fete de Noel – Paristown. Ice skating rink, winter market, and pictures with Santa. See more information on our ice skating post. One of the most fun Christmas Events in Louisville.

November 22 – January 1

Lights at Freeman Lake Park (Elizabethtown) – nightly from 6 – 11pm. Drive thru lights with fun themes like Rudolph, to Christmas themed Star Wars, nativity and more. You turn off your lights and turn on the music! It is free, donations accepted. 

November 24-December 20

Light Up Charlestown – Varies activities, meetings with Santa and the Grinch, and train rides. Please see their website for dates/times for all the fun.

November 24 – December 16

Yuletide at Yew Dell – Yew Dell Gardens, purchase a ticket in advance for a certain time for entrance and exit. (Weekends only)

November 24-December 31

Southern Lights Holiday Festival – The Kentucky Horse Park – 5:30 pm-10pm. (Closed Christmas Eve) 

November 25

Light Up Corydon – 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM, There will be carriage rides, live entertainment, a parade, unique shopping opportunities, and of course, the arrival of Santa!

Light Up Jeffersonville & Holiday Parade – Warder Park, 4pm-7pm.

Holiday Pops – Kentucky Performing Arts, 7:30pm

November 26

Storytime with Mrs. Clause – The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass, 11am-12pm. Join Mrs. Claus as she reads Classic Christmas Tales

Light Up Jeffersontown – Gaslight Square District on Watterson Trail at Taylorsville Road, 5:30-7:30pm

November 26-December 17

Holiday House Tour and Kinkade Village & Train Exhibit – Sundays, 1:00-4:00pm. Take a break from the hustle and bustle this holiday season and tour the festively decorated 1844 Presley Tyler House. Learn about some of Christmas traditions that began during the 19th century. Tours are lead by docents dressed in period attire.

November 28

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland – The Louisville Palace, 7:30pm

November 30

Lighting of the Tree & Visit from Santa – Kick off the holiday season at Buffalo Trace Distillery! Family-friendly activities begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the lighting of the Distillery and a visit from Santa at 6:30 p.m.

November 30-December 25

Holiday Lights at Buffalo Trace Distillery – Embrace the holiday season by driving through a special route of magnificent and colorful light displays. This event is complimentary to attend and open to the public. Nightly, 5:30-8:30pm

More Christmas Events in Louisville

 

December 1 – December 30 (Various dates open, check website)

Gardens Aglimmer at Waterfront Botanical Gardens – Enjoy a sparkling winter wonderland while wandering the gardens. Estimated visit length is 45 minutes. Advanced registration is required, admission is not available at the door.  

December 1 – January 8

Lights on Main – Step into a magical winter wonderland with I Would Rather be Reading and the Frazier History Museum’s Lights on Main exhibition, open through January 8! The museum will be transformed into an enchanted holiday forest with sponsored trees beautifully decorated by local businesses, organizations, families, and individuals. Opening Party will be on December 1st at 6pm.

December 1

All is Bright Magical Holiday Celebration – Santa visit, festive entertainment, Village Christmas Market, and more! 6:00-8:00pm

Light Up Mt. Washington – Fish fry, food trucks, parade, Santa, and more! 6:00-9:00pm

Paint your own Ceramic Christmas Tree – Metro Arts Community Center, Noon-3pm or 4pm-7pm, Ages 12 and up only please.

December 1-2

WinterFair – Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church, showcases juried artists who create one-of-a-kind, original hand crafted items and fine art gifts in a variety of media at affordable prices for holiday gift giving.

December 2-17

Holiday Tea at Hermitage Farm – Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. This December, they invite you to celebrate the season with their annual Holiday Tea at Hermitage Farm’s historic Main House. Enjoy crafted herbal teas, miniature sandwiches, and delicious desserts as carolers stroll the grounds singing in the spirit of Christmas cheer. Times vary per day, check their website for all the details.

December 2

Light Up Louisville – New Date! Light Up Louisville is a free, annual event that will kick off the holiday season in the city! We look forward once again to welcoming Louisville citizens to Downtown to welcome the REAL Santa Claus! The Lots of Lights Parade brings holiday cheer to Jefferson Street, aka Santa Claus Lane, with dozens of brightly lit groups singing and dancing in the street!

Whitehall Garden’s Tea – Doors open at 2:45pm, tea is served at 3:00pm. 

Blackacre Country Christmas – 11am-3pm, Activities include, visit with Santa, hayrides, Christmas carolers, nature crafts, wood burning activity, story time with Miss Prim, refreshments, holiday house tours and our new Gift Shoppe.

Light Up St. Matthews – 3:00-6:00pm, Brown Park

FaLaLa on Frankfort – Join us for live music, entertainment and activities at the small businesses all along the avenue. 9:00am-10:00pm

FEAT of Louisville – Join them for Sensory Friendly Santa, snack & drinks, crafts and face painting. 11am-1pm

Holiday Open House – Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, 10am-3pm. Several family friendly event going on throughout the day.

A Morning with the Grinch – Oldham County History Center, 9:00-11:00am

Fun with Frosty – Kentucky Science Center, Sensory Friendly No Limits Family Nights, 5:00-8:00pm

Magic Inc Presents Nutcracker in a Nutshell – Louisville Palace, 2:00pm.

Christmas on the Farm – 10:00am-5:00pm, Embrace the season’s warmth at Locust Grove’s Christmas on the Farm! It’s never too late to find that perfect gift at the Museum Store Holiday Sale or your next great read to cozy up to at the Winter Book Sale. Enjoy musical talent from the students at Lincoln Elementary in the morning and caroling from the Pride of Kentucky Chorus in the afternoon

Sit with Santa – Little Mount Lavendar Company, Sit with Santa, enjoy lunch, shopping, and pictures with Santa. Lavender sleigh and horse photos as well. 11am-2pm

December 2-3

The Flea Off Market – They will have vendor spaces inside the Logan Street Market building, and will be popping up on the street and alley all around LSM (weather permitting), 11am-6pm

Picture Your Pet with Santa – Feeder Supply (Middletown). Join them from 12-4 p.m. at the Middletown and Preston Feeder’s Pet Supply locations, and get adorable photos of your pets with Santa Claus with proceeds benefitting the Kentucky Humane Society.

Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour – Noon-5pm, both days.

Holiday Open House –  Culbertson Mansion, 1:00-5:00pm both days.

December 2-3, 9-10, & 16-17

Qannik’s Beary Happy Holiday – Louisville Zoo, Areas of the Zoo will be transformed into a winter wonderland throughout the month of December, providing a unique opportunity to experience the holidays alongside the community’s beloved animal residents.

December 2, 9, & 16

Cookies with Captain Santa – Mary M. Miller Cruise Boat, 12:30-3:00pm

December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 & 17

Kentucky Railroad Museum – Join them for a nostalgic Christmas adventure aboard a historic train ride to pick up Santa!

December 2, 3, 9 & 10

Annual Dickens Christmas Festival – 12:30pm – 6:30pm, at the KY Renaissance Festival Grounds in Eminence, KY.  Their amazing cast will perform scenes from Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, and through the day they will have vendors, food, drink & Christmas cheer!

December 3

Light Up Lyndon – 4:00-7:00pm, Robison Park, Santa arrives at 5:30pm.

Dine with Santa – Santa is coming to Captain’s Quarters! Call today (502)228-1651 to make a reservation or use Open Table to reserve through their website at CQRiverside.com. Make sure you get a picture with the best Santa in town! The picture is free and fun, see you there!

Even more Christmas Events in Louisville!

December 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17

A Christmas Carol – Step into the enchanting world of holiday magic at Highview Arts Center! Join them this December for a mesmerizing performance of “A Christmas Carol” that will warm your heart and ignite the spirit of the season.

December 8, 9 & 10

Christmas Gift and Décor Show – Kentucky Expo Center, times vary by date.

December 8 – 24

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker – Times vary by date.  

December 8-10 & 15-17

The Snowy Day & Other Stories – Old Forester’s Paristown Hall

December 9

Christmas in Anchorage – 9:00am – 3:00pm, A wonderful Christmas craft and décor show! They will also have Christmas treats for sale!

Holiday Make & Take – Herbal Incense, Stillpoint Wellness Center, 307 W. Southern Heights Ave. 10am, 11am, & 12pm.

Breakfast with Santa – Endris Lodge, Clarksville IN

Southwest Christmas – Bringing Back the Christmas Spirit, 12900 Dixie Highway, 5:00-8:00pm. Take free pictures with Santa Clause, enjoy a free Hot Chocolate, cookie, and bowl of chili, and more! Donation at the door to support Southend Street Angels and Exodus Ministries.

Deer Park Winterfest – 1632 Norris Place, 2pm-4pm, Igloo bounce house, snow sensory play, and more.

Making Needlefelt Ornaments – The Little Loomhouse, Spend a fun afternoon with family or friends making needlefelt ornaments, 1-3pm. Cost is $30 for the two hour class, all supplies included. Register at www.littleloomhouse.org

December 9, 16, 23

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Stage One Family Theater

December 10

Grinch Brunch – The B.A Colonial, 818 W Kenwood Drive. Bring your friends and family for brunch with the one and only Grinch! He’ll be sneaking around the restaurant, ready for pics with the kids! 11AM – 1PM!

Pictures with the Grinch – Lindsay’s Kitchen, 5300 Cane Run Rd, 5:00-7:00pm. 

Breakfast with Santa – Dave & Buster’s, Skip the long line at the mall and score an exclusive meet & greet. Invite your family & friends along to visit our one-stop-Santa-shop and enjoy a morning of holiday fun. 

December 12

Cookies with Santa – Join in at any Mark’s Feed Store location on Tuesday, December 12th for Cookies with Santa! There will be treats, crafts, free kids meals* and of course… Santa himself after 6pm! *Limit 2 kids’ meals per adult entrée purchased.

December 15

Carols at The Gazebo – A special evening of Christmas carols and holiday songs located in Willow Park, on Friday, December 15th, from 7:00 to 8:00pm.

December 15, 17, 19, 22, & 23

All is Calm – Christmas Eve 1914, a lone soldier stepped out of the trenches singing. This a cappella opera, sung in English, shares the stories of soldiers along the Western Front in the spontaneous Christmas Truce of World War I.

December 16

Holiday Make & Take – Bath Salts, Stillpoint Wellness Center, 307 W. Southern Heights Ave. 10am, 11am, & 12pm.

Pancakes with Santa – 8:00am – 12:00pm (or until we run out), 2nd Annual “Pancakes with Santa” fundraiser for the WHAS Crusade for Children. Come dressed in your favorite pajamas and enjoy firehouse made Pancakes with Sausage or Biscuits & Gravy.

Pictures with Santa – The Rosewater Bookstore, 9am-11am, Come meet Santa! Bring your own camera or phone and take photos with him. 4634 S 3rd St

Holiday Trolley Hop – Downtown Jeffersonville, 12pm-6pm, Enjoy FREE trolley rides through Historic Downtown Jeffersonville and hop on and off to do some holiday shopping & dining at local small businesses.

December 16-17

The Flea Off Market Indoor Holiday Bazaar –The Henry Clay Building, 604 South 3rd Street. 

December 17

Santa Brunch – The B.A. Colonial, 818 W Kenwood Drive. Santa is heading to the Southend because he heard they have the best brunch in town. Grab your kiddos and come have some biscuits and gravy with Santa while he’s in town. 11am – 1pm!

Family Movie Day: The Polar Express – 9:30am, All aboard for a magical holiday outing with your family at Kentucky Science Center! Grab your golden ticket and take a trip to the North Pole as you spend your morning watching the ever-popular holiday classic Polar Express in spectacular 3D.

December 23

Community Canned Goods Run – Iroquois Park, Bring your canned food donation to the park between 8am and 10am. Meet other members and run a few miles (or not) while you’re there! All donations benefit local food banks.

Pancakes with Santa – 9 am until 12:30 pm, The Jeffersonian, 10617 Taylorsville Rd, $8 per person, children 2 and under free!

Family Movie Day: Elf – 2:30pm, Share your family’s affinity for elf culture at the Kentucky Science Center! Travel through the seven levels of the candy cane forest and past the sea of twirly-swirly gum drops, as you spend your afternoon watching the family holiday comedy Elf in our four-story digital theater.

December 26

Holiday Stroll – Bring your family and friends to Tribe Animal Sanctuary and enjoy a holiday stroll, meeting, greeting and learning about Tribe animals. Guided tours at 12noon and 2PM.

 

Check out Oldham Family Fun’s post for even more Holiday Family Fun!

 

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The following Christmas Events in Louisville have not yet been updated for 2023 as of 11/01/23. Please check back soon! THESE ARE PRIOR EVENTS

Rudolph’s Run – An adventure in your car, solving clues to find the missing information to complete Santa’s List. If you complete the list, you will be entered to win a $100 gift card and they will draw a winner each week. They will event have a skating rink at the end.

Festival of the Nativities in Crestwood. Read all about this free event on their website. Over 500 nativities to view!

Gaslight Square Carriage Rides – Experience an old-fashioned holiday tradition with carriage rides through Gaslight Square. 6:00-8:00pm

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