5 things to do in the Louisville area the weekend of Dec. 19-21

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The weekend is upon us, and there are plenty of things to do and see across Kentuckiana.

Here are a selection of events, markets, concerts and more happening the weekend of Friday, Dec 19 to Sunday, Dec. 21.

Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom

Kentucky Kingdom kicks off the Christmas season this weekend with the start of its Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom event.

On select days starting Saturday, Nov. 22 through Jan. 3, general admission or season pass admission includes access to the celebration.

Guests can take in displays of more than 1.5 million lights and holiday decor, including over 300 Christmas trees.

You can also take a ride down the largest snow tubing hill in Kentucky, a 175-foot long hill covered in real snow. The "Most Famous Reindeer of All" will also make an appearance.

For more information, click here

6th annual Gardens Aglimmer at Waterfront Botanical Gardens

The Waterfront Botanical Gardens comes to life with a dazzling display of sparkling lights and holiday music.

The 6th annual “Gardens Aglimmer continues this weekend and runs through Dec. 30.

Make lasting holiday memories this December at Louisville's Loveliest Holiday Tradition as you take a magical stroll through the Gardens' festive lights and illuminated displays, including giant flowers, snowflakes, glistening deer, and twinkling archways.

Write a letter to Santa, create a festive craft, and even meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

New this year - Holiday Specs 3D glasses will be for sale to add more fun to your Gardens Aglimmer experience.

Expect warm drinks and sweet treats on sale at the outdoor Jingle All the Way Café. Frosty’s Tinsel Tavern, a new bar inside the Graeser Family Education Center will offer beer, wine, and festive signature cocktails for purchase.

2025 Ticket Prices:

$17 Nonmember Adults | $12 Member Adults

$10 Nonmembers ages 3 – 12 | $8 Members ages 3 – 12

All children ages 2 and under are free.

Advanced registration is required. Admission is not available at the door.

Click here to purchase tickets in advance.

Fête de Noël

Paristown's seventh annual Fête De Noël winter festival is underway, offering six weeks of holiday activities through Jan. 4.

The festival, located at 731 Brent St., features an authentic outdoor ice skating rink, photos with Santa, the Brent Street Holiday Market, trackless train rides and more.

The Crystal Ice Skating Rink at 720 Brent St. is a 100-by-50-foot sheet of ice with holiday music, skate rentals and concessions. General admission includes 60 minutes of ice time and complimentary skate rental.

The Brent Street Holiday Market is free and open to the public, with about 20 pop-up shops offering gifts from local and regional makers. Photos with Santa are available at his new Louisville workshop on Brent Street.

Visitors can also take a ride on the Kroger Fresh Express trackless train through the Paristown Arts District.

Food and drinks will be available from four bars, five restaurants and Jeff’s Donuts inside The Village Market Food Hall. Guests can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner before or after skating, or sip hot cocoa while browsing the holiday market.

To learn more, click here.

Lights On Main

The Frazier History Museum in downtown Louisville is in the holiday spirit, inviting guests to step into a magical winter wonderland with its annual "Lights On Main" event.

Three floors of the museum have transformed into a holiday forest, with trees decorated in holiday cheer by local schools, organizations, families and individuals.

The special exhibition hosted in partnership with the nonprofit I Would Rather be Reading runs through Jan. 4 and is included with museum admission.

The exhibition also features an opening party on Dec. 4, a homeschool day, winter camp, a free family day, a late night Thursday, holiday activities with Santa and the Grinch, live music, Bearno’s pizza and much more.

Free and discounted admission will also be available on special days.

To learn more or purchase tickets, click here.

Lights Under Louisville

Louisville’s underground holiday light show is back and brighter than ever.

Lights Under Louisville runs through Jan. 3 at the Louisville Mega Cavern. Now in its 17th year, the drive-through display lasts about 30 minutes with more than 7 million lights, new projections and nearly 1,000 illuminated characters across 40 themed scenes.

"Lights Under Louisville is overjoyed to welcome guests back to the holiday tradition we look forward to every year," Charles Park, executive vice president of Louisville Mega Cavern, said in a news release Monday.

The free event will feature more than 55 vendors, including food trucks and local artists.

"As the world's only drive-through underground holiday light show, we can't wait for guests to witness this year’s unforgettable adventure," Park said.

Tickets start at $42.99 per vehicle and must be purchased online.

More Holiday Events

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever with Stage One

Saturday, Dec. 20 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Kentucky Center for the Arts
501 W Main Street, Louisville, KY
Tickets: Price Range from $26.91 - $32.76

When the rambunctious Herdman children descend on the annual Christmas pageant, will it be a disaster as everyone expects, or will the spirit of the season change the hearts and minds of the whole town? For Grades K-5 • Estimated Running Time: 60 minutes Tickets and info here.

For Grades K-5 • Estimated Running Time: 60 minutes

Christmastime with Trisha Yearwood

2 Days of Christmas Tour
Saturday, Dec. 20,
8:00 p.m.
Louisville Palace
625 S. 4th Street, Louisville, KY

Experience the magic of the holiday season with the incomparable Trisha Yearwood accompanied by a symphony of local musicians, featuring songs from her brand-new holiday album Christmastime! Tickets and info here.

Holly-Jolly Breakfast with Santa

Sunday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 21
Buffet 9 a.m. to noon
Photos 9 a.m. to 2 p.m
$32.5 adults | $13 children 6 to 12 | Kids under 5 eat free
Walker's Exchange at The Galt House
140 N. Fourth Street, Louisville, Ky 40202

Price includes photo opportunities by the fireplace with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Plus, a delicious breakfast buffet featuring everyone’s favorites. Reservations here.

Krampusnacht

Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20
7:00 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Tickets $18
Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site
914 East Main Street, New Albany, Indiana

Join Krampus and his minions for a new tradition of holiday fear! Krampusnacht is a Christmas-themed haunted house event at House of Anguish. For just one weekend, his sinister elves, malicious toys, and other monsters will claim the Carriage House as their own. Info and tickets here.

Christmas Tree Lane

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.

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker

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.

Yuletide 2025

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