LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Season's Greetings! Kentuckiana is full of fun, festive events for the holidays.
Check out the list of attractions below. Don't see your favorite event in the list? Email webteam@wdrb.com with all the details, and we'll add it. If you'd like to see the full WDRB Events Calendar, click here.
DECEMBER
The Brown Hotel Christmas Day Brunch
- Thursday, Dec. 25
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The Brown Hotel, 335 W. Broadway, Louisville, Ky 40202
The Brown Hotel at Christmas time will make you feel like you have walked into a Hallmark movie. The hotel’s Christmas brunch buffet will feature an array of classic favorites including an omelet station, meat carving station, soups, salads, shrimp cocktail, an elaborate dessert display and more. To make a reservation, visit OpenTable.
Holiday season ongoing events
Louisville Mega Cavern’s Lights Under Louisville
- Nov. 14 to Jan. 3, 2026
- Opening Day: November 14, 6 to 10 p.m.
- Daily Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Thanksgiving Day: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Christmas Day: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Christmas Express: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
A beloved holiday tradition for 17 years, is back and bolder, bigger and brighter than ever! Presented by Fifth Third Bank, Lights Under Louisville is a drive through the 30-minute illuminated wonderland! Featuring 40+ themed displays, nearly 1,000 illuminated characters, new projections and more than 7 million points of light. Beginning at $42.99 per vehicle and $49.99 on select Saturdays, tickets are available online at lightsunderlouisville.com.
- Opens Friday, Nov. 21 at Waterfront Park, 231 E. Witherspoon St.
- Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Nov. 21 until inventory is gone
A beloved holiday tradition at Louisville's Waterfront Park with Book's Christmas Trees offering a variety of trees, wreaths and seasonal greenery.
- Friday, Dec. 12 through Monday, Dec. 22
- Kentucky Center
Since 2009, the Louisville ballet has been performing this full-length production of Tchaikovsky’s classic and has since become a local holiday tradition. The performance features lavish sets with nods to Louisville, inventive costumes and choreography, and live music by the Louisville Orchestra. Info and tickets here.
- Runs on select days from Nov. 29 to Jan. 3, 2025
Get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of the season among dazzling displays of over 1.5 MILLION lights, over 300 Christmas trees and holiday decor as far as the eye can see. Take your experience to new heights on the LARGEST snow tubing hill in Kentucky, racing down a 175-foot-long hill covered in real snow. Create family memories, including meeting the Most Famous Reindeer of all and SO much more! For tickets and more information, KentuckyKingdom.com.
- Nov. 25 through Jan. 4
- Frazier History Museum, 829 W. Main Street, Louisville
Enjoy the museum's three floors decorated in holiday cheer, including nearly 100 decorated trees, included in museum admission. For tickets or more information, FrazierMuseum.org.
- Runs from Nov. 28 to Jan. 4
- Paristown
- 731 Brent Street, Louisville Ky. 40204
Experience the magic of the season at Paristown’s 7th annual Fête De Noël (“Festival of Christmas”) Winter Holiday Festival. Over six festive weeks, enjoy Louisville’s only authentic outdoor ice skating rink, photos with Santa, the Brent Street Holiday Market, trackless train rides, and more. Embrace the spirit of tradition as you skate, shop, and celebrate in the heart of Paristown. For more information, click here.
6th annual Gardens Aglimmer at Waterfront Botanical Gardens
- Runs Nov. 28-Dec. 30 on select days at Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Ave.
- Tickets: adults 13 or older - $17 for nonmembers and $12 for members; children 3-12 - $10 for nonmembers and $8 for members; children 0-2 - free
Stroll through pathways illuminated with giant glowing flowers, shimmering snowflakes, twinkling archways, and sparkling deer. There will be lots of children's activities like writing a letter to Santa, crafts and meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will also be warm drinks and sweat treats with beer, wine and festive signature cocktails to choose from.
- Runs Nov. 28-Dec 20 on Fridays and Saturdays at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, 6220 Old Lagrange Rd., Crestwood, Kentucky.
- Explore lighting displays, a model train village and the Community Partner Tree Display and enjoy hot cocoa and festive music and seasonal snacks.
- Ticketed time blocks for 5-7 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- To learn more and purchase tickets, click here.
Holiday Market weekends at Logan Street Market
- Runs every weekend through Dec. 21.
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Logan Street Market, 1001 Logan St., Louisville
- Explore locally-made gifts, crafts and treats.
- Live entertainment and seasonal bites.
- Activities for the family
- Dec. 4 through 31
- Buffalo Trace Distillery
- 113 Great Buffalo Trace
- Frankfort, KY 40601
Guests can enjoy festive holiday lights and decor, shop for brand–new retail holiday offerings and experience the excitement of the Distillery's signature evening event – Spirited Nights. There is also a drive-through Light Show and holiday shopping. More info here.
- Opens Friday, Nov. 28 with Light Up Charlestown
- Held in Greenway Park through Dec. 22
- Family Activities Park open Thursdays through Sundays from 6-10 p.m. until Dec. 20
- Character visits on certain days until Dec. 22
- Animated lights show in Charlestown City Square takes place nightly from Nov. 29 - Jan. 1 from 6-10 p.m., 20-minute show played on loop
- Opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21 for the 2024-2025 season
- Located at 2798 W. County Road 25 S in Paoli, Indiana
- Skiers and riders can enjoy 7 trails
- For more information, click here.
Ring in 2026
- Wednesday, Dec. 31
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Family friendly
- Free with general admission
- Center open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Kentucky Science Center, 727 West Main Street, Louisville, Ky 40202
Programming includes a morning story time at 10:30 a.m. featuring A Second Is a Hiccup by Hazel Hutchins in the Science in Play Mirror Maze area. From 11:45 a.m. to noon, guests can experience a dramatic, large-scale chemistry demonstration in the Atrium that is visible from every floor and culminates in a countdown to noon, marking the “New Year” moment for families. At 1:30 p.m., a Music & Timekeeping Show in the second-floor Tech Forum explores how rhythm and sound help humans keep time. Click here for more info.
Kentucky Kingdom New Year's Eve Fireworks
- Dec. 31 at 7:50 p.m.
Kentucky Kingdom rings in the New Year with your family, without staying up too late. Celebrate 2026 with an amazing New Year's Eve Fireworks Spectacular set to music. Fireworks will launch up to 350 feet in the air and can be seen from anywhere in the park! Enjoy a 15-minute long show and a choreographed music track. Fireworks viewing is included with park admission. Info here.
- Mary M. Miller Riverboat
- Ages 21+
- 3 hours
- Tickets: $104.99
- 131 W. River Road, Louisville, Ky. 40202
Climb aboard the Mary M. Miller riverboat and cruise into 2026 in style on our annual New Year’s Bash cruise. Champagne, DJ and complimentary favors. Cocktail attire is encouraged but not required. Info here.
- Fourth Street Live! in downtown Louisville
- Dec. 31
- 8 p.m.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the heart of it all at NYE Live! Experience the ultimate party with live music, a midnight ball drop, all-inclusive drink packages, and access to 5 incredible venues—all under one roof. Ring in 2026 with nonstop energy and unforgettable moments! Info here.
New Year's Eve Celebration Excursion
- My Old Kentucky Home Dinner Train
- 602 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, Ky. 40004
- Dec. 31
- 6 p.m. (3 hour excursion)
- Ages 21+
Enjoy four courses of decadent and festive cuisine prepared onboard by our culinary team amidst live music in our 1940s dining cars during your three-hour ride. No party is complete without a band, so enjoy live music in both the depot building and aboard your train car. The entire New Year’s train will ring in the new year all together with a “mock midnight” countdown with our train horn and champagne toast. Come dressed to the nines for a chance to win a prize in our BEST DRESSED CONTEST! Info here.
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