5 Things To Do This Weekend_Winter.jpg

(WDRB graphic) 

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. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. 

Light Up Louisville

An annual downtown Louisville tradition returns this Saturday. The big tree is here, the lights are up, the bleachers are going up, everyone is getting ready for Light up Louisville.

The corner of South Sixth Street and West Jefferson will transform into a winter wonderland for the 55th annual Light up Louisville.

The 40-foot tree arrived two weeks ago and since then, the city has been working with event producers to make it the best light up ever.

Starting at 3 p.m., families can take part in the mistletoe market featuring lots of vendors along with Frosty’s food court.

Following that will be the Lots of Lights parade at 6 p.m. featuring floats, two stages, and free events for the kids.

Show producers said there are some big high tech changes this year that are expected to be visually impressive.

The big guy Santa himself will arrive around 8 p.m. and flip the switch, launching the start of the show followed by the lighting of the famous downtown Tree.

The free event runs from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also during the event, check out the Downtown Holiday Market, at the Plaza on Fourth between Jefferson and Market Streets. The free event is held in partnership with Light Up Louisville, and consists of pop-up shopping, food vendors and more. Click here to learn more.

Click here for more info about Light Up Louisville. Click here to look at street closures.

Louisville Holiday Made Market 2024 

The twice annual Made Market is bringing its holiday edition back to Louisville this weekend. 

Starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, the Mellwood Art Center will fill with shoppers looking for the perfect unique gifts for the holidays.

Made Market features more than 90 local and regional vendors, offering handmade food, jewelry, clothing, homewares, personal care, pet items and much more.

Tickets for Saturday's market are $5 and can be purchased online by clicking here. They can also be purchased at the doors. Parking is free.

Made Market runs until 5 p.m. at the Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Road, in Louisville.

There will also be a Preview Night on Friday, in partnership with Maker's Mark. The event includes early shopping before the market opens Saturday, different classes, and more. To learn more, click here.

To learn more about Made Market, or to look at a list of vendors, click here.

Paristown's 6th Annual Fête de Noël

Paristown is bringing back its annual holiday event now through Jan. 5.

Check out an enlarged outdoor ice-skating rink in the heart of Paristown, or take a ride on Paristown's trackless train, the Kroger Fresh Express. 

Santa will be on-hand at Santa's House for photos. The Brent Street Holiday Market will also be open, with 20 local markets. There will also be a skillet curling competition, holiday music, food and drinks.

Fête de Noël takes place at 731 Brent Street in downtown Louisville.

For more information, a schedule, tickets and special events during the festival, click here. 

Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom

For the first time ever, Kentucky Kingdom will be open for the holiday season with its inaugural Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom event.

Guests can enjoy The Snow Zone, which includes a 175-foot snow tubing hill, more than a million Christmas lights, hundreds of Christmas trees, and a snow machine that cranks out 100 tons of snow every day.

Santa and Rudolph will also be on hand to spread some holiday cheer.

Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom is included with daily admission, or a season pass. It started Thanksgiving weekend and runs through Jan. 4.

To learn more, click here.

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 the upcoming holidays:

  • Christmas Day 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

A standard vehicle pass starts at $42.99. For information, click here. 

Bonus Events:

Holiday Events/For the Family: 

  • Downtown Holiday Market 
    • Saturday, Dec. 7
    • 3-9 p.m. 
    • Plaza on Fourth, between Jefferson and Market streets
    • Free
    • Held in collaboration with Light Up Louisville
    • Pop-up shopping and food vendor market
    • Gourmet hot chocolate and coffee bar
    • Click here to learn more
  • 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 
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
    • To learn more, and look at a schedule of events as part of the exhibit, click here.
  • 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. 
  • 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 dĂ©cor
    • 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
  • Falala on Frankfort 
    • Saturday, Dec. 7 
    • 8 a.m. 
    • Frankfort Avenue in Louisville's Clifton neighborhood
    • For a full list of events, click here. 
  • Light Up La Grange 
    • Saturday, Dec. 7 
    • 3-9 p.m. 
    • Light up from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
    • La Grange Kentucky, Main Street 
  • Light up Newburg 
    • Saturday, Dec. 7
    • 6-8 p.m.
    • Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Avenue in Louisville
    • Complimentary food, toy giveaways for the children, and games
    • Arrive before 7 p.m. to participate in the giveaway drawing 

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.

Related Stories: 

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.