LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville is about to light up for the Christmas season.

Light Up Louisville festivities begin Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. The event will feature thousands of Christmas lights, along with a fireworks show, live music and much more.

Santa himself will even make an appearance.

"Santa Claus' work shop is open, there's a train riding around for the kids to take a ride on, there's all kinds of activities for the kids," said Wayne Hettinger, producer of Light Up Louisville.

The lights show is designed to surround the many visitors of the show. Hettinger said organizers produce it so that guests are in the center of the action.

This year, organizers say it's bigger and better.

"Everything has been enhanced. Not only the stage talent, but the fireworks and the entire production has taken a big step forward," Hettinger said. "We're pretty excited about it."

The schedule is jam packed from 3-10:30 p.m.

  • 3:10 p.m.: Sunflight
  • 3:30 p.m.: Dancensation Showbiz Kids
  • 4:25 p.m.: Envision Dance Company
  • 4:50 p.m.: Cheryl Price and Dave Seely of the band, Most Wanted
  • 5:15 p.m.: Made New Acapella
  • 5:35 p.m.: Sheryl Crawford
  • 6 p.m.: Lauren Eid & Kevin Cummings
  • 6:25 p.m.: Classic Melodies "Top Note"
  • 7 p.m.: Lots of Lights Parade
  • 8 p.m.: Special Louisville Music Performance by MERF
  • 8:30 p.m.: Santa's Arrival!
  • Following the Light Up Moment: J.D. Shelburne & Soul Circus

"We're looking forward to getting people in the spirit and just being home," said country music artist J.D. Shelburne.

Shelburne is a Taylorsville native and knows how special the Light Up Louisville event is to the community. Friday, he'll perform three songs: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Run, Run Rudolph" and "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy."

"I've performed at many of these through my career in different cities, and like I say, I put Louisville at the very top," he said.

As of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jefferson Street is closed between South 5th Street and South 6th Street. It is scheduled to remain closed until 6 a.m. Saturday.

South 6th Street is also closed between West Market Street and West Liberty Street. 

Additional roads will close on Friday from 12 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. They include:

  • West Jefferson Street, from South 3rd Street to South 8th Street
  • West Liberty Street, from South 4th Street to South 9th Street
  • South 4th Street, from West Market Street to West Muhammad Ali Boulevard
  • South 5th Street, from West Muhammad Ali Boulevard to West Market Street
  • South 6th Street, from West Market Street to Cedar Street
  • South 7th Street, from Cedar Street to West Jefferson Street
  • South 8th Street, from West Market Street to West Liberty Street
  • Armory Place, from West Muhammad Ali Boulevard to West Liberty Street
  • Congress Alley, from South 6th Street to South 8th Street
  • Court Place, from South 5th Street to South 6th Street

Additionally, restricted access will be provided to the Baird Tower Parking Garage along West Jefferson Street, from South 5th Street until 2:30 p.m. Exiting from the garage to South 5th Street will only be allowed from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Restricted access will be provided Hyatt Regency.

Restricted access will be provided to the 4th Street Parking Garage along South 5th Street from Muhammad Ali Boulevard to the parking garage.

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