Here are 12 Christmas tree lighting events taking place around Louisville in 2025

The holidays are all about tradition and nothing says "celebrate" quite like a traditional Christmas tree lighting event.

From Light Up Louisville, which takes in downtown Louisville on Dec. 6, to smaller light-up events around the community, here are numerous events in Louisville and Southern Indiana, in date order, to get you in the holiday spirit.

Christmas tree light up events in Louisville

Light Up Jeffersonville

WHAT: The city of Jeffersonville kicks off the holiday season with the North Pole Party on Court Avenue (Market Street to Seventh Avenue) which includes rides, games visits with Santa, live entertainment, treats, and more. The Holiday Lights Parade makes its way up Spring Street (Market Street to Seventh Avenue) at 6 p.m.

Following the parade, join Mayor Mike Moore as he flips the switch on this year’s light display at Warder Park (109 E. Court Ave., Jeffersonville).

WHERE: Warder Park, 109 E. Court Ave., Jeffersonville, Ind.

WHEN: Nov. 22, 4-8 p.m.

Light Up Charlestown

WHAT: The holiday season in Charlestown begins at Charlestown Christmas City. Enjoy holiday music, food trucks, Santa and the Grinch and the flipping of the switch to turn on the lights on the tree (Greenway Park, 6 p.m.). The City of Charlestown will glow with lights at Greenway Park, Family Activities Park, and the City Square.

• Greenway Park: The park will glow with Hallmark-card-worthy lights (beginning at 6 p.m. Nov. 28); Santa and The Grinch will make an appearance, concessions and food trucks and live reindeer (Dec. 22, 6-10 p.m.). The concession stand will be open on Thursdays and Sundays, 6-10 p.m. Nov. 28 through Dec. 20 and Dec. 22.
• Family Activities Park: Open Thursdays through Sundays, 6-10 p.m. Nov. 28 through Dec. 20. Winter Holiday Market with holiday décor, gift items, hand-made crafts, and more. Charlestown Express train rides with an opportunity to play mini-golf. Visit with Santa: Nov. 28, Dec. 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 22; the Grinch, Nov. 29, Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22. Children’s activities are hosted by the Charlestown Parks Department in the party rooms. The concession stand will be open to sell snacks.
• City Square. Light show nightly 6-10 p.m. Nov. 29 through Jan. 1. The 20-minute show plays on a loop with a short break between the end and the start.
• Special Events. Music at the Depot with Marshall Sandborn Band (Nov. 28, 6:30-8 p.m., Family Activities Park); holiday cookie decorating (Nov. 29, 5:30 p.m., Family Activities Park); holiday music showcase (Nov. 29, 6-9 p.m., Arts & Enrichment Center); Pancakes with Chris Cakes (Nov. 30, 8-11 a.m., Arts & Enrichment Center); Christmas ornament painting party (Dec. 5, 5 p.m., Family Activities Park); Music at the Depot with Amilia and Eli (Dec. 5, 6:30-8 p.m., Family Activities Park); Jingle Bell 1K Run/Walk (Dec. 6, 5 p.m., Greenway Park); Movie night "The Polar Express" (Dec. 7, 6 p.m., Arts & Enrichment Center); Trivia Night (Dec. 12, 7-9 p.m., Family Activities Park); costume contest and movie night 'Christmas Vacation (Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m., Family Activities Park); Charlestown Paints with Mrs. Claus (Dec 14, 3-5 p.m., Arts & Enrichment Center); Music at the Depot with John Hogan (Dec. 19, 6:30-8 p.m., Family Activities Park); gift wrapping (Dc. 19, 20, 6-8 p.m., Family Activities Park); live reindeer visit and characters (Dec. 22, 6-10 p.m., Greenway Park).

WHERE: Greenway Park, 400 Market St.; Family Activities Park, 1000 Park St., and City Square, downtown, all in Charlestown, Indiana

WHEN: Nov. 28 through Jan. 1. Greenway Park, Nov. 28 to Dec. 20 and 22; Family Activities Park, Thursdays-Sundays, 6-10 p.m. Nov. 28 through Dec. 20 and 22; City Square, nightly 6-10 p.m. Nov. 29 through Jan. 1.

COST: $8 for train ride, mini golf, $5

Light Up Corydon

WHAT: Kick off the Christmas holiday season in downtown Corydon with a special appearance by the Grinch, live entertainment, a parade, unique shopping opportunities, food trucks, vendors, and the arrival of Santa. Presented by Main Street Corydon.

WHERE: On the square, downtown Corydon, Indiana

WHEN: Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Light Up New Albany

WHAT: Join the kickoff to the holiday season in downtown New Albany with the lighting of the tree, Santa, crafts, cookies, face painting, hot chocolate, and a photo booth.

WHERE: Bicentennial Park, 118 E. Spring St., New Albany, Indiana

WHEN: Nov. 29, 5-8 p.m.

5th Annual Light Up Maples Park

WHAT: Countdown to illuminate the Deibel Barn and tree, while enjoying caroling, decorate holiday ornaments, cookies, and cocoa. Take an ornament home for your tree and leave one at the park tree.

WHERE: Maples Park, 6431 Railroad Ave., Crestwood, Kentucky

WHEN: Nov. 30, 5-7 p.m. Light-up ceremony, 6 p.m.

40th Annual Maker's Mark Bardstown Road Aglow

WHAT: Boutiques, eateries and businesses will offer discounts at shops along Bardstown Road, Baxter and Barret Avenues, and Douglass Loop; entertainment, food, and drinks in the Highlands. Free trolley rides up and down the corridor (thanks to Trolley de 'Ville), Wendy’s Holiday Tree Lighting (6 p.m., Wendy’s, Bardstown Road and Grinstead Drive) with host WHAS-TV's Connie Leonard, Kentucky bourbon specialty cocktails at participating restaurants, and live music at several pop-up locations along Bardstown Road thanks to the Louisville Music Federation. Sponsored by Maker's Mark. Proceeds from Aglow's specialty holiday glassware sales at participating restaurants and bars will support Gilda's Club of Kentuckiana.

Bardstown Road Aglow

WHERE: Along Bardstown Road, Baxter and Barret Avenues and Douglass Loop and from Breckinridge Street to Winter Ave.

WHEN: Dec. 6, noon to 10 p.m.

Light Up Louisville

WHAT: Light Up Louisville kicks off the holiday season in the city and welcomes Santa as he passes through Louisville. Holiday lights and a brightly lit Christmas Tree will light up Jefferson Square and Metro Hall lawns in downtown Louisville. The Lots of Lights parade will march down Jefferson Street with more than 70 units, 200 drone holiday show, live entertainment, free photos with Santa and friends, trackless train rides aboard the Jolly Jingles Express, activities for children, holiday shopping along Mistletoe Market, pictures with Santa and friends and more. Light Up Louisville 2025 is presented by LG&E and sponsored by Ford Motor Co., AT&T, Humana, Centerwell, Louisville Downtown Partnership, 840 WHAS, 100.5 FM, 98.9 KISS, McCain, Outfront Media.

WHERE: Outside of Metro Hall at Jefferson and Sixth streets in downtown Louisville

WHEN: Dec. 6. Holiday Market, 3-9 p.m. Light up, 3-9 p.m. Lots of lights parade, 6 p.m.

Light Up St. Matthews

WHAT: This annual holiday event features the lighting of the park with Santa (6 p.m.), pictures with Santa, musical entertainment, letters to Santa, activities for children, train rides, and free cookies and hot chocolate. The seasonal lights will stay lit nightly until after the New Year.

WHERE: Brown Park, at the corner of Kresge Way and Browns Lane, next to Baptist Health Hospital

WHEN: Dec. 6, 3-6 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Free parking for the event is across from Baptist Health Louisville at 4007 and 4003 Kresge Way, with easy access to the park via a signaled crosswalk. stmatthewschamber.com/light-up.

Light Up La Grange

WHAT: Kick off the season with the lighting ceremony with Santa (6 p.m.), winter market, candy cane making, food trucks, live nativity, cookie decorating, crafts, reindeer food making, and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

WHERE: Main Street, 208 E. Main St., La Grange, Kentucky

WHEN: Dec. 6, 3-9 p.m.

Light Up Valley Station

WHAT: Valley Station will light up the holidays with the tree lighting with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch, live music, vendors, food trucks, giveaways, bouncy house, kid's crafts and more.

WHERE: Corner of 10300 Deering Road and 5301 Valley Station Road

WHEN: Dec. 7, 2-6 p.m.

Light Up Shively

WHAT: Santa is coming to town for Light Up Shively. In addition to a tree lighting, there will be entertainment, refreshments, and more.

WHERE: Heritage Building, 1901 Park Road

WHEN: Dec. 11, 6 p.m.

Winter Wonderland in Shawnee Park

WHAT: OneWest and community partners will transform Shawnee Park into a magical drive-thru festival featuring more than 200,000 twinkling lights, musical performances, festive tunes, Christmas characters, step teams, and holiday displays. Picture Santa on Dec. 6 and 13 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Shawnee Park, 4501 W. Broadway

WHEN: Dec. 19-21, 6-10 p.m.

Reach Features Clerk Gege Reed at [email protected].