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 2024 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 2nd-December 24th. Reservations open on October 27th

See Santa at the Malls: 

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

Santa at Mall St. Matthews – November 15-December 24, pet photos on select Mondays and Tuesdays. Santa Cares Day is December 8, 9:30-10:30am.

Santa at Oxmoor Mall – November 22-December 24, pet photos on select Mondays and Tuesdays. 

Santa at Jefferson Mall – November 7-December 24, Pet Photos are available on Mondays starting Nov 11th.

The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass – November 10-December 22, Saturdays & Sundays from 1-4pm.

Zoneton Santa Truck Route – Various dates throughout November & December

Through December 31

A Wonderful Life – Derby Dinner Playhouse, November 13-December 31

A Fairy Tale Christmas – Derby Dinner Playhouse, November 16-December 21

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 8

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

Tree Lighting – The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass, 6-8pm, Santa, Mrs. Claus, & Polo’s Teddy Bear will be making a grand entrance in a horse-drawn carriage plus cheerleaders, dancers, stilt walking balloon Elves, a live DJ, and Free Hot Chocolate!

November 8 – January 4

Lights Under Louisville – Louisville Mega Cavern

November 8 & 9 

Light Up Corydon – Beat the crowds at Light Up Corydon and get your Christmas Shopping done early AND locally! Beginning at 11:00 AM both Friday & Saturday until close… explore, support, and shop.

November 9

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

Nulu Jingle Fest – East Market District, 11am-5pm, Shelby St. between Market & Nanny Goat Strut 

November 13

Christmas Ornament Paint Party – 7pm-9pm to help them make their Christmas decorations! It’s FREE and you get to keep your ornament door hanger after Christmas is over! They will provide everything that you need.

November 14

Holiday Open House – Historic Downtown Jeffersonville, Enjoy local shops & restaurants, trolley rides, & holiday music, 5:30-8:30pm

November 15-17

Festival of Trees and Lights – Louisville Slugger Field

November 15-December 29

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

Kosair Wonderland of Trees – Christmas Wonderland at the Kosair Shrine Center is a fundraising event for Kosair Shrine Center, Kosair Charities and Sproutlings Pediatric Day Care. 

Storytime with Mrs. Claus – 4:00pm, Sundays are magical when you cozy up for Storytime with Mrs. Claus at the Outlets! Enjoy a sweet holiday book, then finish with a song and dance that even Santa can’t resist in this interactive adventure.

November 19-21

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

November 18, 19, 20, 21, 25 & December 3, 4, 5

Nutcracker Family Storytime – Check website for locations/times.

November 21

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 preview and then on display until Januray 6th. The museum will be transformed into an enchanted holiday forest with sponsored trees beautifully decorated by local businesses, organizations, families, and individuals. 

November 22-25

Roots101: African American Museum 124 N 1st Street Louisville Kentucky 40202. Letters to Santa, November 22, 23, 24, 25. Tickets are $22 before November 1st and go up to $30 after that.

November 22-December 23

Santa Claus Land of Lights – A 1.2-mile Family Christmas Light Adventure that tells the “Shining Story of Rudolph!”

The Santa Claus Land will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays November 22 through December 8. Open nightly December 13 – December 23. Closed December 24 & 25. 5-9pm CST

November 23

Christkindlmarkt – German American Club, The Market opens at 11:00 am and runs until 6:00 pm. This year’s event features local crafts, festive gifts, hot Glühwein, German food, music, and much more!

November 24, December 1 & 8

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 27 – 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 29 – 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 29-December 21

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 29 – December 21

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

November 29-December 31

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

November 29 – 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.  

November 29-January 4

Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom – Get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of the season among dazzling displays of over ONE MILLION lights, Christmas trees and holiday decor as far as the eye can see.

November 30

Light Up Jeff – 4pm, Start the fun with the North Pole Party on Court Avenue. 6pm, Watch the Holiday Lights Parade as it travels up Spring Street. After the parade, stick around for the official city lighting!

November 30 – December 23

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 1

Light Up Jeffersontown – Gaslight Square District on Watterson Trail at Taylorsville Road, 5:30-7:00pm

Cirque Dreams – The Louisville Palace, 4:00pm

December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, & 22

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

More Christmas Events in Louisville

 

December 3

The Hip Hop Nutcracker – 7:30pm, A remixed and reimagined version of the classic.

December 6

Light Up Mt. Washington – Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus, food trucks, costume contest and more! 6:00-9:00pm

A Charlie Brown Christmas – Brown Theater, 7pm

December 6 & 7

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 7

Light Up Louisville – New Date, 3-9pm. 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. 

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

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

Winter on the Farm – 10:00am-4:30pm, Enjoy Winter on the Farm, a day of Holiday cheer, music, baked goodies, and historical fun for the whole family. At 3PM, Locust Grove welcomes Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts School for a special holiday performance.

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.

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 their one-stop-Santa-shop and enjoy a morning of holiday fun.

Breakfast with Santa – Celebrate this holiday season with the Louisville Bats for their annual Breakfast with Santa! Join Santa in the Bats Home & Away Clubhouse and enjoy buffet style breakfast, cookie decorating, and ornament crafting!

Light Up Simpsonville – local businesses have joined forces to create our biggest holiday celebration ever! Eat, shop & play!

Winter on the Farm – Locust Grove, 10am-4:30pm, a day of Holiday cheer, music, baked goodies, and historical fun for the whole family. 

December 7-8

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

Picture Your Pet with Santa – Picture Your Pet With Santa returns for ONE WEEKEND ONLY at the Middletown and Preston Highway Feeders Pet Supply stores! Join us from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday OR Sunday.

Christmas Carnival at The Park – Christmas Carnival at My Old Kentucky Home State Park, from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. This family-friendly holiday event promises a festive atmosphere with activities for all ages to enjoy. 

December 7, 8, & 14

Cookies with Captain Santa – Mary M. Miller Cruise Boat, 12:30-1:30pm

December 7, 8, 14 & 15

A 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 7-8, 14-15, 21-22

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 7, 8, 14, 15 & 21

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – StageOne Theater will perform in the Bomhard Theater. Check their website for specific dates/times.

Even more Christmas Events in Louisville!

December 6, 7, 8, 12, 13-15, 19-22

A Christmas Carol –  Get ready to embark on a heartwarming journey of redemption and transformation as Highview Arts Center proudly presents, “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by Kathy Preher Reynolds.

December 8

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! 10AM – 2:30PM!

A World of Christmas – Beargrass Christian Church, 5:30pm. Experience the magic of Christmas carols from around the world, performed by our talented ensembles—choirs, handbell groups, and orchestra. You’ll enjoy a musical journey through familiar songs and unique settings.

Walk to Bethlehem Live Nativity – Live Nativity event from 7-9pm, Biblical telling of the true meaning of Christmas with live animals and hot chocolate.

December 10

Christmas Family Night – Floyd County Parks and Recreation is a free event with support from Small Talk Pediatric Therapy and the Knights of Columbus Cardinal Ritter Council 1221. Live festive music, holiday crafts and fun activities for the entire family! 6:00-8:30pm

December 12

Christmas Party – Wiggles and Giggles Christmas Party, 10am-12pm, craft a festive ornament to take home and put on your Christmas tree, indulge in sweet hot cocoa and cookies with Santa and enjoy our playroom filled with toys!

December 13

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

December 13-15

Winter Wonderland – Enjoy a mesmerizing showcase of holiday spirit in Shawnee Park.

December 13, 14 & 15

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

December 13-15 & 19-24

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker – Times vary by date.  

December 14

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

Making Needlefelt – The Little Loomhouse, Spend a relaxing morning creating needle felt cookie cutter ornaments., 1-3pm. Cost is $35 for the two hour class, all supplies included. Register at www.littleloomhouse.org

December 13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22

Amahl and the Night Visitors – Since its first performance on Christmas Eve, 1951, Amahl and the Night Visitors has been performed on every continent and in many languages. Set in the 1930s, this Kentucky Opera production captures the essential spirit of Christmas and presents Amahl and his mother’s story.

December 16

Santa is Coming to Christi’s Cafe – 5-9pm, Gather your loved ones, bring the kids and join us for a day full of holiday cheer, delicious food, and a special visit from Santa himself!

December 18, 19, & 22

Santa’s Jolly Trolley – Santa is coming to town and instead of a sleigh, he’s making his rounds in the lit up Jeffersontown Trolley! The three dates for Santa’s tours are December 18th, 19th from 6 pm – 8 pm and December 22nd from 4 pm – 6 pm!

December 19

The Spirits of Christmas-Victorian Ghost Stories – Culbertson Mansion, 6-8pm, The ancient tradition of Christmas Eve ghost stories skyrocketed in popularity during the Victorian Era. Carry on the tradition with the Friends of the Culbertson Mansion during an evening of storytelling in the formal parlor.

December 21-22

The Flea Off Market – 13th Annual Indoor Holiday Bazaar, 1860 Mellwood Ave

December 22

Storytime with Mrs. Claus – 4:00pm, Sundays are magical when you cozy up for Storytime with Mrs. Claus at the Outlets! Enjoy a sweet holiday book, then finish with a song and dance that even Santa can’t resist in this interactive adventure.

 

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 2024 as of 11/01/24. 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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