5 things to do this weekend in the Louisville area Dec. 13-15

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 Friday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024.

Winter Wonderland in Shawnee Park

Shawnee Park will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland for the weekend.

This is the third year for the drive-through holiday experience. Visitors will find 200,000 LED lights making up the festive displays.

The Winter Wonderland is put on by OneWest, a local nonprofit focused on bringing commercial development to west Louisville.

The free event runs from 6-10 p.m. nightly, starting Friday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 15.

Shawnee Park is located at 4500 West Broadway.

Organizers say car lines will form at 4501 West Broadway. The entire city is invited to partake in the holiday cheer. Beverages will also be available for purchase. Click here for info.

$20 Plus Art Show at the Kentucky Science Center

The $20 Art Show returns this weekend. From 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, at the Kentucky Science Center in downtown Louisville.

Organizers say the show "began as a challenge to create affordable, one-of-a-kind, high-quality art."

Over time, organizers say the event has changed and moved around various venues across Louisville, and attracts a dedicated community of artists and patrons.

The event continues to honor its roots while embracing change to support local artists and their craft. Click here for more info.

36th Annual Christmas Gift & Decor Show

Billed as the largest free Christmas show in the country, the 36th annual Christmas Gift & Decor Show returns to the Kentucky Expo Center this weekend.

Shop for gifts at over 700 booths coming from over 30 states. Santa will be on-hand all weekend to take photos with the kids.

The show runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, in South Wing C of the Kentucky Expo Center.

Click here for info.

Uofl vs. UK rivalry basketball game

Coaches Pat Kelsey and Mark Pope will meet for the first time for the latest edition of the Bluegrass basketball feud.

Four of the major college hoops predictive analytics formulas have made their forecasts for the Cards game against Kentucky at 5:15 p.m. Saturday at Rupp Arena in Lexington. All four are calling for a UK victory by 11-14 points.

According to WDRB's Rick Bozich, Kentucky ranks eighth in the nation in defending the three-point shot. The Wildcats' opponents have made only 26.3% of their attempts from distance.

Louisville's three-point shooting remains broken. The Cards have made only 27% of their 318 shots from distance.

To read more about what WDRB's sports team has to say ahead of the game, click here.

The game will be played on ESPN. There are some tickets left for the game, which can be purchased by clicking here.

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker

The Louisville Ballet's tradition of performing "The Nutcracker" kicks off Friday evening and runs through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at the Kentucky Center's Whitney Hall in downtown Louisville.

Choreographed by Val Caniparoli, with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the timeless holiday classic takes the audience from the Stahlbaum's Christmas Eve Party to a magical journey with Marie and her valiant Nutcracker prince to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

The Louisville Ballet has been putting on its production of "The Brown-Forman Nutcracker" for 15 years.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.

There will be a sensory-friendly performance on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m. Seating is general admission and is not sold to capacity, according to The Kentucky Center. That allows attendees to choose their own seats and have room to move. To read more about the sensory-friendly performance or purchase tickets, click here.

There will also be a "Nu Shush" performance. It's described as a full-length performance in a relaxed environment, allowing audience members to bring young children or adults who may need room to move and make noise. To learn more or purchase tickets, click here.

Bonus Events:

Holiday Events/For the Family:

Lights Under Louisville
- An annual holiday tradition in Louisville is underway. Lights Under Louisville runs through Jan. 4 at the Louisville Mega Caverns.
- The event features over 7 million points of light everywhere illuminating the cavern’s vast spaces underground wonderland with themed displays, some of your favorite characters, holiday music, lasers and more.
- Daily hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. There are special hours for Christmas Day, which are 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- A standard vehicle pass starts at $42.99. For information, click here.

Lights on Main
- Frazier History Museum, West Main Street in downtown Louisville
- Runs through Jan. 6
- Three floors of trees decorated by local schools, organizations, families and individuals
- Extended hours, holiday events and activities
- Accessible with museum admission, or museum membership starting at $20
- Runs Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays
- Free Family Day: Sunday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  - Admission to the museum will free. Includes activities, performances and special guests. Santa will also be there to take photos. There will also be food and a market. Click here for more info.
- To learn more, and look at a schedule of events as part of the exhibit, click here.

Polar Express Pajama Party
- Friday, Dec. 13
- 6-8 p.m.
- Southwest Regional Library, 9725 Dixie Highway in Louisville
- Kids can come dressed in their pajamas and enjoy free games, crafts, and more
- Includes a reading of "The Polar Express," followed by a screening of the movie.
- Mrs. Claus will be on hand, as well as Elsa from Frozen and the Polar Express conductor
- Cookies and hot chocolate available
- For more information about the family-friendly after-hours event, call (502) 933-0029.

Cookies with Captain Santa
- Saturday, Dec. 14
- Noon to 1:30 p.m.
- Adults 13-64 $39.99 | Children 3-12 $24.99
- Belle of Louisville Riverboats, 401 West River Road
- Board the Mary M. Miller as it transforms into a winter wonderland
- Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus
- Cookies, hot cocoa and more
- Click here for more info

Christmas on the Square
- Saturday, Dec. 14
- 5-7 p.m.
- Orleans Square, Orleans, Indiana
- Celebrate the season with a festive, family-friendly evening on the square
- Live nativity scene, visits with Santa, a children's train ride, the Santa Hat Run, horse and carriage rides and more
- Free to attend
- For a complete listing of events, click here

Louisville Zoo Kroger Wild Winter Days/Dare to Care Food Drive
- Nov. 1 through Feb. 28
- Visitors are encouraged to bring one canned food item or non-perishable food item per person for Dare to Care
- Those who bring items will be able to buy tickets for the Zoo for $10.50 per adult and $7.50 per child
- To learn more, click here

Santa's Wonderland returns to Bass Pro Shops

Starting Thursday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Bass Pro Shops, located on East Lewis & Clark Parkway in Clarksville, Indiana
To learn more or book your visit, click here

Winter Light Show & Twilight Safari Drive-Thru

Nov. 29 through Jan. 4 (select nights)
Wilstem Wildlife Park, 4229 US-150 West, Paoli, Indiana
Drive-through Christmas and winter-themed displays featuring traditional holiday favorites
Light show starts at dusk, around 6:30 p.m. and closes at 9:00 p.m.
$25 fee per vehicle to experience the light show only
The Twilight Drive-Thru Safari & Light Show also includes encounters with safari animals, including those in the Roos & Crew barn.
For schedules, tickets and more information, click here

Christmas Tree Lane
- Opening for the season on Friday, Nov. 22
- Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 301 Witherspoon Street - Waterfront Park
- A Louisville tradition of Christmas trees and holiday greenery by local vendor Book's Christmas Trees
- Click here for more information

Gardens Aglimmer
- Friday, Nov. 29 through Monday, Dec. 30
  - Wednesday, Dec. 11: Date Night (Ages 21+ only)
  - Monday, Dec. 16: Sensory Friendly Night
- Adult (13+): Member $12 | Non-Member $17
- Children (3 - 12): Member $8 | Non-Member $10
- Children (0 - 2): Free
- Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Ave
- For information and tickets, click here

Yuletide 2024
- Friday, Nov. 29 to Saturday, Dec. 21 (Fridays & Saturdays)
- Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, 6220 Old LaGrange Road, Crestwood
- A new display of holiday lights and horticulturally-inspired décor
- Fan-favorite train village, holiday trees, a craft for the kids, food and beverages for purchase, and a visit from Santa
- Click here for more information

Disco Blizzard Holiday Bar at Hotel Genevieve
- Nov. 20 through Jan. 4, 2025
- Every Wednesday through Saturday 5 p.m. to midnight
- Hotel Genevieve speakeasy, Lucky Penny, 730 East Market Street in Louisville
- Special drinks and snacks
- Reservations encouraged by clicking here

Merry at the Marriott pop-up holiday bar
- Nov. 22 through Dec. 29
- Open daily from 3 p.m. to midnight
- The Louisville Marriott Downtown, West Jefferson Street
- Open to the public
- Special holiday menu with unique cocktails and food options

These are just a handful of events happening this weekend. To look at a full calendar of events, including markets, concerts and more, click here.

For WDRB's guide to Christmas and Holiday events across Kentuckiana throughout the month, click here.

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