Christmas lights in Kentucky: 6 displays worth visiting in 2025
The dazzle and glimmer of an elaborate holiday light display is a sure way to elevate your spirit this season. The Louisville Zoo, Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom, Light up Louisville at Jefferson Square Park and the Mega Cavern's Lights Under Louisville all offer beautiful and unique displays to immerse your family in holiday delight.
But how about a few spots a bit off the beaten path, where the crowds may be smaller and the holiday lights just as bright?
Here are six holiday displays in Kentucky worth the road trip, including one that took top honors in HGTV's "Top 50 small towns to visit in America at Christmastime," and another that ranked as one of Kentucky’s Top 10 Winter/Holiday Festivals and Events by Kentucky Travel and Tourism.
Here are six locations, in alphabetical order, where you can see see Christmas lights around Kentucky:
Gardens Aglimmer at Waterfront Botanical Gardens
Waterfront Botanical Gardens celebrates the magic of the holiday season with an enchanting event that transforms the outdoor space into a dazzling display of festive lights and holiday cheer.
Now in its sixth year, Gardens Aglimmer invites guests to stroll through pathways illuminated with giant glowing flowers, shimmering snowflakes, twinkling archways, and sparkling deer. Kids can write a letter to Santa, create a festive craft, and even meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Warm drinks and sweet treats will be for sale at the outdoor Jingle All the Way Café, and Frosty’s Tinsel Tavern, a new bar inside the Graeser Family Education Center will offer beer, wine, and festive signature cocktails for purchase. New in 2025, Holiday Specs 3D glasses will be offered for sale to add more fun to your Gardens Aglimmer experience.
Gardens Aglimmer runs now through Dec. 30. Tickets and information are available on the Waterfront Botanical Garden website.
Paristown's Fête de Noël
Paristown’s Fête De Noël ("Festival of Christmas") is a six week, winter holiday festival featuring Louisville’s only authentic outdoor ice skating rink.
Visitors are encouraged to shop, eat, and drink through the Winter Holiday Village, enjoy special holiday movie nights, karaoke, a Drag Queens on Ice special performance, and ornament decorating at the historic Stoneware & Co.
The annual winter holiday festival also features photos with Santa, the Brent Street Holiday Market, trackless train rides and more. Fête de Noël is held now through Dec. 24 and is open daily from noon to 11 p.m.
Shaker Village Illuminated Evenings
The holiday season rings in the return of special evening events at Shaker Village in Harrodsburg. The annual celebration includes a festive atmosphere with lights and decorations throughout Shaker Village.
Shaker Village's signature event of the season is Illuminated Evenings which is all about the charm and twinkling lights of the holidays.
Stop by to take a picture with Santa in the Farm Deacon's shop, visit the Elf Shop to make homemade holiday crafts and ornaments, warm up around a fire pit as you roast marshmallows and sip on complimentary hot cocoa and spiced cider and stop by the Meeting House for special musical performances.
Plus, vote for your favorite gingerbread house in Shaker Village’s inaugural gingerbread contest. Also, donations of new gloves, hats, scarves and non-perishable food for the Shaker Village Giving Tree will be collected and given to local families in need.
The event is open Dec. 13 and 20 from 4-8 p.m. Tickets are $8 or free for annual passholders and those ages 2 and under.
Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park
Named one of Kentucky's Top 10 Winter/Holiday Festivals and Events by Kentucky Travel and Tourism, Southern Lights is a favorite holiday tradition throughout the Bluegrass.
Kentucky Horse Park, Southern Lights, presented by Friends of Coal, is a magical holiday tradition for thousands of families throughout the Bluegrass and beyond. See over a million twinkling lights from the comfort of your vehicle.
Celebrating its 31st year at the Kentucky Horse Park, Southern Lights presented by Friends of Coal is a three-mile driving tour of lights and displays. Visitors will see over a million twinkling lights and take part in the Holiday Village which features photos with Santa, Animal Land, model trains.
Drive through the lights nightly, now through Dec. 31 from 5:30-10 p.m. It is closed Christmas Day. Avoid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and check this item off your list by pre-purchasing your tickets.
The Southern Lights Holiday Festival invites residents to the Kentucky Horse Park for a magical winter celebration for all ages.
Additionally, Thursdays through Sundays are very popular nights at Southern Lights, and long lines and wait times are common, so plan ahead for a less crowded day. Tickets, which are $35 per carload, can be purchased online or at the gate. Cash, credit, and debit cards will be accepted at the gate.
Spirited Nights at Buffalo Trace Distillery
This holiday season, Buffalo Trace Distillery 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky, welcomes guests its 27th annual Holidays at the Trace and its signature event, Spirited Nights, a complimentary event designed for guests to go beyond the Buffalo Trace Distillery’s annual drive-through light display for a more immersive, on-foot experience.
Buffalo Trace Distillery is excited to welcome guests to Spirited Nights, the Distillery's holiday visitor experience.
The distillery transforms into a holiday destination featuring a 35-foot-tall Christmas tree with more than 400 ornaments and more than 70 unique light installations throughout the grounds. The walk-through Light Trail Experience include a 60-foot-long light tunnel and themed lights scenes including elves testing toys in Santa’s workshop and more.
Spirited Nights will be held now through Dec. 14, plus Dec.18-21 and features food and beverage options such as a Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream Hot Chocolate Bar, complimentary bourbon tastings, classic winter cocktails and extended gift shop hours for holiday gifting.
Guests may also enjoy the distillery’s historic grounds illuminated with holiday lights from the comfort of their car. This drive-through experience is complimentary and open nightly from 5:30-8:30 p.m. now through Dec. 31.
The Ultimate Christmas Town, Bardstown, Kentucky
Between the highly decorated town square, and multiple special events, including the Stephen Foster Music Club’s annual Candlelight Christmas Home Tour, the Christmas Parade, musical performances and more, Bardstown has become a must-visit location for all who love Christmas.
Small town charm at the Bardstown,Kentucky Christmas Parade
In fact, Bardstown is so devoted to the happiest season of the year that it has dubbed itself the “North Pole of Kentucky," even if it does come with a healthy dose of Southern hospitality. It’s not just a self-appointed title — HGTV has included Bardstown in its roundup of “50 Favorite Small Towns to Visit for Christmas.”
Special events include the 44th annual Live Nativity Scene at the Bardstown Baptist Church, held this year Dec. 16-18. Church members, along with live animals, will recreate the tableau of Jesus’ birth in the manger.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].
