LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Last year, Louisville’s Paristown kicked off its first Christmas festival, Fête de Noël. It’s back for the 2020 holiday season seven days a week until Jan. 3, 2021 with a new Christmas market, and, of course, restrictions in place due to COVID-19.

“We have 14 different chalets out here. They are filled with local businesses, and there will be change over almost every week, so there’s always new, fresh merchandise,” Paristown Director of Business Development Jeanne Hilt said.

One of those vendors is Louisville-based artist, Emma Puckett, who said, with many art shows canceled this year due to the pandemic, business has been tough. However, Puckett received the opportunity to sell her artwork at the festival by Fleur de Flea, an indoor flea market nearby that curated Fête de Noël’s vendors. Even though the opportunity was last minute, it was right on time for Puckett for Black Friday weekend.

“It’s one of the best times of the year for art sales so I’m really excited to have found this show, have the opportunity to hop in at the last minute and hopefully all goes well,” Puckett said.

In addition to the new Christmas market, festival-goers can still enjoy ice skating on Christy’s Garden’s outdoor ice rink. This year, due to the pandemic, there is a reduced capacity of 50 percent on the outdoor rink. Each session lasts 60 minutes and tickets cost $13 per person, which includes the skate rental. If you bring your own skates, then you can save $3. An unlimited season pass is $50.

Hilt said there are also plans for special programming, as long as safety precautions can be taken. Some events include holiday movies with some special character appearances (Hilt hinted that Frozen may be one of those movies), karaoke on ice, and the possibility to bring back Drag Queens on Ice and hockey clinics for kids. 

“We really want people come out and have some sense of normalcy this holiday season and still create some great memories,” Hilt said.

All employees have their temperatures taken prior to starting work and everyone must wear a mask and stay social distanced. Fête de Noël is open seven days a week until Jan. 3, 2021. The Café restaurant and ice rink’s concession stand offer beverages and food for sale, and there is outdoor seating available.

The festival is located at 720 Brent St, Louisville, KY 40204. For the latest on the festival’s special programming, visit the Paristown website or follow on Instagram.

Public Skate Hours:

• Monday–Thursday: 4–9 p.m.
• Friday: 4–11 p.m.
• Saturday: 12–11 p.m.
• Sunday: 12–9 p.m.

Holiday Skate Hours:

• Christmas Eve: 12–6 p.m.
• Christmas Day: 12–9 p.m.
• New Years Eve: 12–9 p.m.
• New Years Day: 12–6 p.m.