LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Christmas traditions are returning to Louisville this weekend.
Light Up Louisville is downtown Saturday, an annual event being held a week later than in years' past. The city announced the date change earlier this year, saying the later date allows employees more time to enjoy Thanksgiving with their families.
Crews make final preparations for Light Up Louisville downtown. Dec. 1, 2023. (WDRB Photo)
"It's a sea of people. It's awesome to see," said Emily Martin, marketing coordinator for special events in Mayor Craig Greenberg's Office. "My favorite spot is being down on the ground looking back at the crowd when all the lights come on, because everyone's face just lights up. It's amazing."
On Friday afternoon, people were downtown making final preparations, including setting up all the tents and signs.
Herbert Reese, owner of Herb and Smoke BBQ, brought his food truck to get ready for a busy day Saturday.
"I'm well known for the rib tips," he said. "I also have the brisket and pulled pork sandwiches. They melt in your mouth."
This will be Reese's fourth year to be part of Light Up Louisville, an event he said he looks forward to annually.
"Being on a Saturday this year, not right after Thanksgiving, more people are at home," he said. "And I just expect a bigger crowd than there was last year, although last year was great."
This year's Light Up Louisville event is from 4-9 p.m. There will be food and craft vendors, a chance for kids to make ornaments and send letters to Santa, the Lots of Lights Parade, two stages with music and dancing and a Downtown Holiday Market presented by the Louisville Downtown Partnership.
Of course, there will be a tree lighting as well. The tree stands in the middle of Jefferson Square Park. Santa Claus will be there to help Mayor Craig Greenberg light the tree.
The parade begins at 6 p.m., and the tree-lighting will be held at 8 p.m.
There will be road closures Saturday because of the event. Louisville Metro Police said roads will be closed from noon until 11:30 p.m. and there will be no stopping at:
- West Jefferson Street from South 3rd Street to South 8th Street
- West Liberty Street from South 3rd Street to South 8th Street
- South 4th Street from West Market 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 West Market Street to West Muhammad Ali Boulevard
- South 7th Street from Cedar Street to West Jefferson Street
- South 8th Street from West Jefferson 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
Those attending Light Up Louisville are encouraged to bring a toy for the 2023 Toys for Tots toy drive. There will be drop off areas in the Children's Winter Wonderland and Vendor Village, as well as the parade assembly area.
For a list of toy suggestions, as well as more details about Light Up Louisville, click here.
The annual Bardstown Road Aglow is also being held this Saturday. It's from noon until 10 p.m. in an area of town filled with local shops, bars and restaurants.
"Lots of fun and festivities and just an opportunity to kick off the shopping season for the Highlands," said Nick Morris, vice president of the Highlands Commerce Guild, which is the group that organizes the event.
Bardstown Road Aglow includes live holiday music, trolley rides and a tree lighting cermony. The tree is at Wendy's at the corner of Grinstead Drive and Bardstown Road. The lighting will be at 6 p.m.
Morris said with the tree lightings at different times for Light Up Louisville and Bardstown Road Algow, people will have the opportunity to celebrate both events.
For more details about Bardstown Road Aglow, click here.
Several other Kentuckiana communities have already held "light up" events, including Jeffersontown, Kentucky and Charlestown and Madison, Indiana.
Elizabethtown will hold its light up event at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Light Up La Grange is scheduled for 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.
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