Free Events in December
We are all about free events in December! Here’s a selection of FREE family festivals, experiences and events around Kentuckiana.
Surely, you will spend enough money this month. So, we want to provide you with ideas for free family fun. This is just a sampling of some of the amazing free events around Louisville. We are happy to provide you with even more information on our Winter Fun page.
Throughout the month of December
First, Check the Louisville Free Public Library calendar; there are storytimes, special holiday programs, book clubs, and more occurring throughout December, and they are all FREE!
Continuing with its FREE admission Sundays, check out the J.B. Speed Art Museum from 12pm-5pm.
Once Upon an Orchestra – Once Upon an Orchestra, a 60-minute, all-ages program, weaves together storytelling adventures with creative music making. Varies times/library locations during the month.
Lights on Main – Lights On Main is a display of live Christmas trees in Downtown Louisville to promote community and support a good cause. Wednesdays and Thursdays 4-8 p.m. Fridays 4-9 p.m. Saturdays 2-9 p.m. Sundays 4-8 p.m. Now until December 11th.
December 1
Lessons & Carols – Bellarmine University, Our Lady of the Woods Chapel, 6:00pm. Reservations are required.
December 2
All is Bright – Westport Village, 6:00-8:00pm. Live music, Santa Appearance, entertainment, and more.
December 3
Gingerbread House Holiday Exchange – 11:00am-2:00pm. Build your own edible masterpiece with our free gingerbread house kits (1 per child) and enjoy crafts, games, cookies, and holiday surprises!
Old Fashioned Family Holiday Festival – 2:00-6:00pm, this FREE family event features: visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday craft activities for kids, holiday craft vendors, music, horse-drawn wagon rides, tours of the historic Farnsley-Moremen House and more!
Light Up St. Matthews – Brown Park, 3:00-6:00pm. Pictures with Santa, kid’s activities, cookies, hot chocolate, and more!
Light Up LaGrange – 3:00-9:00pm with Santa arriving at 6:00pm. It’s the weekend that many small towns are turning their lights on, so head out to and enjoy seeing Santa, refreshments, holiday entertainment and more.
Fa-La-La on Frankfort – Frankfort Avenue, 8:00am. Join us for live music, entertainment and activities at the small businesses all along the avenue.
Bardstown Road Aglow Holiday Party – Bardstown Rd – Noon-10pm.
December 3-19
Free Carriage Rides – Saturdays and Sundays at the Paddock Shops, 12:00-4:00pm.
December 4
Light Up Lyndon – Robsion Park, 4:00-7:00pm, Santa arrives at 5:00pm.
December 10 & 17
Gaslight Square Carriage Rides – Jeffersontown Gaslight Square, 6:00-8:00pm.
December 16-18
Winter Wonderland – Shawnee Park, 6p-10p.
December 29
NYE Around the World– Main Library, 2:00-3:00pm. Many cultures around the world have New Year’s celebrations, and most celebrate it differently. Come see how diverse cultures celebrate the New Year through books and activities! All ages.
Other ideas for free entertainment during this holiday month include:
- Lights/displays around the city such as Christmas on the Square in Jeffersontown; the entire downtown area of Jeffersontown has light up displays where you can park your car and get out and walk around and look at them together. Brown Park in St. Matthews is always lit up for the holidays as well. Across the river in Southern Indiana, you can head to Clarksville, Jeffersonville, and New Albany to find many more light up displays and other free family events, such as watching the famous candy making at Schimpff’s Confectionery!
- Enjoy Toyland Christmas or Blue’s Light Show, which is a huge hit for family memory making every year.
Finally, check out our list of Best Holiday Events in 2022 for more ideas!
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