Things To Do During the Holidays in Louisville, KY

From traditions to modern attractions that grow in splendor every year, Louisville continues to deliver new ways to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. No matter where you look, it seems like there’s always a light show, pop-up bar, or seasonal festival waiting around the corner for you and your loved ones to enjoy in the days that lead up to opening gifts.

With so much to see before Santa sets off in his sleigh, finding activities that suit your interests is a way to enjoy your holiday to the fullest. This guide from the local experts at HILLS Properties will help you plan the best holiday activities in Louisville, KY, to include on your calendar this winter.

Louisville Christmas Events and Holiday Celebrations

The Derby City transforms into a winter wonderland each year, as a dazzling lineup of Louisville holiday events becomes available for residents to enjoy as their festive spirit grows. The biggest kickoff tradition, Light Up Louisville, brightens downtown with a tree lighting, parade, music, and thousands of twinkling decorations. After that magical night, Louisville keeps the momentum going strong with events for all ages that add to the city’s December charm.

Where To See Louisville Christmas Lights

One of the most anticipated experiences of the season is seeing the Christmas lights in Louisville, KY, and few locations deliver holiday magic like Lights Under Louisville at the Mega Cavern. This underground light show sends you on a drive through twinkling tunnels with more than four million lights and animated installations illuminating the historic cavern walls.

Gardens Aglimmer at Waterfront Botanical Gardens offers a peaceful, glowing stroll through botanical displays wrapped in light. If you’re willing to venture just outside the city, Christmas In The Park at Freeman Lake in Elizabethtown, less than an hour south, provides a charming drive-through experience. This display features bright lights and classic holiday scenery reflected on the water.

Neighborhoods for Holiday Lights in Louisville

Some of the best Louisville Christmas light displays are in residential neighborhoods where families go all-out. Windemere Place is known for lighting up each home every year, while Norton Commons blends its town-center charm with festive decor. In Highview, the famous rollercoaster house features a high-energy synchronized display that draws families from all over the city.

Other communities add their own glow to the season. St. Matthews features block after block of festive decorations, and Lake Forest remains a favorite for its elegant displays and community-wide participation. In the nearby Meremont neighborhood, the Louisville Aurora Light Show truly stands out as a can’t-miss stop on your December lights route.

Louisville Holiday Events and Seasonal Festivals

Alt Text: A family smiles and stands underneath a dazzling Louisville Christmas lights display. (Source)

Louisville hosts several seasonal festivals that bring together local artisans, live entertainment, and community-oriented fun. Before the busy days of the season pass, add a few of these local favorites to your calendar:

• Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom. Locals Consider This One of the Best Things To Do Around Christmas in Louisville, as the Park Features Over a Million Lights, 300 Christmas Trees, and a Snow-Covered Hill. There are Also Rides, Reindeer, and a Chance To Get a Picture With Santa!
• Fête de Noël Winter Holiday Festival. If You’re Looking for a Place to Ice Skate in Louisville This Holiday Season, Set Your Sights on the Fête De Noël. This Louisville Holiday Festival is Open for Six Weeks Over the Winter, Featuring Outdoor Skating, Train Rides, Santa Photos, and the Brent Street Holiday Market.
• Magical Midwinter Market. This Festival Advertises Itself as an Immersive Holiday Experience. You Can Enter a World Of Fairytale Magic With Delightful Vendors, Live Performances, And One-of-a-Kind Experiences While Taking in the Magic of the Season.

Holiday Pop-Up Bars in Louisville

Louisville pop-up bars have grown into a holiday tradition of their own. Each location brings its own theme, offering everything from nostalgic decor to theatrical drink presentations. There’s no better example than The Whirling Tiger, which is home to the iconic Christmas on Story Avenue experience in its upstairs space. Meanwhile, the Secret Santa Speakeasy, located in their basement, adds a playful element for guests looking for a night out.

Miracle on Market Street is a nationally recognized favorite, offering an over-the-top display of decorations along with cheerfully crafted menu options. Blitzen’s is another bold and merry spot in the Omni Hotel, and Maddox & Rose Marketplace offers holiday-themed candlemaking classes you can participate in.

Family-Friendly Christmas Activities in Louisville, KY

Families will find no shortage of cheerful experiences during the holiday season, with many things to do with kids for Christmas in Louisville. Nutcracker in a Nutshell presents a kid-friendly adaptation of the beloved ballet. Holiday Tea at Oxmoor Farm provides a traditional, elegant way to savor the season with loved ones in a historic environment.

The Kentucky Railway Museum is also a great place to take kids during the holidays in Louisville, as you can hop aboard the Santa Claus Express for a nostalgic holiday train ride. Pancakes at the North Pole at Main Event is another fun event that offers experiences such as breakfast treats, a cookie decorating contest, and visits with Santa.

Indoor Louisville, KY, Christmas Events

During cold stretches, there are plenty of ways to stay warm without missing out on holiday fun. Many local organizations offer indoor holiday events in Louisville throughout December, so you can enjoy the season without risking frostbite. These include:

• Holiday House Tour with Thomas Kinkade Village and Train Exhibit. This Experience Offers a Tour of the Festively Decorated Home by Guides Dressed in Period-Appropriate Wear. There is Also a 65-Piece Christmas Village With a Moving Train You Can See!
• Lights on Main. The Frazier History Museum Evolves Into a Winter Wonderland for the Holidays, With Three Floors of Trees Decorated by Local Schools, Organizations, and Families. Entry Fees Benefit Local Nonprofit Initiatives.
• Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour. Get a Glimpse Into Some Historic Victorian Mansions and Feel a Bit of High-Class Festive Spirit in Old Louisville. This is a Self-Guided, Slow-Paced Tour That Supports the Preservation of One of the City’s Historic Neighborhoods.
• The Brown-Forman Nutcracker. This is the Standard for Christmas-Themed Performances in Louisville. With World-Class Choreography and Music by the Louisville Orchestra, You Won’t Regret Taking in a Night With the Nutcracker.
• A Christmas Carol at Actors Theatre. A Renowned Performance of This Christmas Classic is Presented Every Holiday Season. Take in the Legendary Story of Ebenezer Scrooge in a Delightful Setting for a Wonderful Night.
• Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland. The Cirque Musica Experience Comes to Life in This Holiday-Themed Extravaganza. Witness High-Flying Spectacles and a Night of Never-Before-Seen Wonder, Perfect for a Date Night or Family Outing.

Outdoor Winter Activities in Louisville

Alt Text: A gleeful child in winter clothes on a sled is pulled forward by a dog in a blue dog jacket in the snow. (Source)

The winter weather is surprisingly enjoyable on some weekends, and that’s when Louisville’s outdoor holiday activities bring plenty of opportunities to take in the crisp, cold air. For those who love to stay active, the SKECHERS Hot Chocolate Run brings runners and walkers together for a sweet, community-centered event. And whenever snow flurries fall, and temperatures are bearable, Cherokee Park or Charlie Vettiner Park are home to some of the best sledding spots in Louisville.

Louisville Pet-Friendly Holiday Activities

Your four-legged family members can join the holiday fun, too! Several pet-friendly winter activities in Louisville make it easy to enjoy the season together. First stop, head to Tom Sawyer State Park to experience the Enchanted Winter Woods at Tom Sawyer State Park. Take a journey through a world of bright lights and festive decorations with your pet following behind.

At PG&J’s Dog Park Bar, pick from outdoor and indoor seating options. This is one of the best places to take dogs in Louisville, where you can enjoy a drink with friends while your pet runs around the off-leash area to burn off some energy. And at West Sixth NuLu, this pet-friendly restaurant in Louisville, you can take your pup out of the house. They do require pets to stay on-leash, however, so make sure to save room underneath your table!

Historic Holiday Events in Louisville

Louisville’s rich history and cultural depth truly shine during the holidays. Historic sites and museums open their doors for special celebrations that honor community and seasonal meaning. The Conrad-Caldwell House Museum brings Victorian charm to life, while Candlelight Christmas Tours showcase historic homes glowing with holiday decor. You can also attend the 19th Annual Holiday Victorian Tea for an elegant, timeless experience.

Holiday Volunteering Opportunities in Louisville

Alt Text: A woman places a holiday card into a donation box filled with items, including a Santa hat. (Source)

Giving back is a heartfelt way to honor the season, and there are several Louisville volunteering opportunities you can participate in. St. Vincent de Paul’s 29th Annual Santa Shop helps local children have a joyful holiday by collecting and distributing gifts. All of our Louisville communities participate in the annual Toys for Tots event, collecting toys for local children to help spread holiday cheer.  

There are also ongoing Louisville charitable opportunities making a year-round impact. Wayside Christian Mission, Coalition for the Homeless, and Dare to Care Food Bank welcome volunteers during the holidays and beyond. Whether you’re donating funds, goods, or your time, your contribution will make a real difference for neighbors in need.

Apartment Christmas Decor Ideas for the Season

Decorating your apartment helps bring the joy of the holidays right into your living space. You can create a warm, festive atmosphere in your apartment with seasonal accents that are easy to box up after the holidays and complement your layout without feeling excessive.

Try adding a few of these apartment holiday decorating ideas:

• Soft String Lights. Battery-Powered Strands of Lights are an Easy Way To Brighten Shelves, Windows, or Balcony Railings. They Add Warmth Without Taking Up Outlets or Requiring a Complicated Setup.
• Miniature Trees and Tabletops. Apartment-Sized Christmas Trees or Tabletop Arrangements Make Great Centerpieces if You Prefer a More Compact Holiday Look. They Also Fit Nicely on Counters, End Tables, or Console Tables.
• Wreaths and Garlands. Removable, Surface-Safe Hooks Allow You To Hang Wreaths and Other Greenery Without Damaging Your Walls or Doors. It’s an Effortless Way To Bring a Classic Festive Touch in Without Adding Too Much Clutter.
• A Cozy Beverage Station. Creating a Hot Cocoa or Coffee Station Adds Both Charm and Function to Your Kitchen or Dining Nook. It’s a Simple Upgrade That Guests Will Always Appreciate During the Season.
• Seasonal Textiles and Scents. Pillows, Throws, and Gentle Holiday Fragrances Can Refresh Your Living Room With Minimal Effort. These Accents Help Your Apartment Feel Warm and Welcoming All Winter Long.

Find Comfortable Living in Louisville With HILLS Properties

Everything the city has to offer is available at your fingertips when you live at one of HILLS Properties’ beautiful apartment communities in Louisville. Our homes offer spacious apartment layouts, modern amenities, and a warm atmosphere that lets you enjoy the holidays and every season that follows.

With apartments available throughout the Louisville area, you can find a home that fits your lifestyle and gives you convenient access to the best events, dining, and entertainment around. Explore our Louisville apartment communities below:

• Shadow Ridge Apartments
• Rialto Hurstbourne Apartments
• Meridian on Shelbyville
• Kendal on Taylorsville

---

Author