LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s the most wonderful time of the year and the city’s biggest, brightest holiday celebration is back. Mayor Greg Fischer announced that Light Up Louisville officially returns on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. 

What You Need To Know

  • Light Up Louisville returns on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022

  • The festival will be at Metro Hall at Jefferson and Sixth streets

  • The Lots of Lights Parade starts at 7 p.m. at Seventh and Jefferson streets

  • A Zambelli fireworks show will begin after the parade and tree lighting ceremony

“For generations, families from across Louisville have kicked off the holiday season the best way possible — together — because of Light Up Louisville,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “I’m grateful to be a part of keeping this cherished community tradition going strong for a 12th and final time as Mayor, and I look forward to seeing all the smiling faces downtown, celebrating the start of this magical time of year in Louisville.”

Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) will provide the electric power for Light Up Louisville, and the event, always held the Friday after Thanksgiving, begins at 3 p.m. Children and families are welcome to visit Santa’s Workshop on Sixth Street. At the workshop, children will enjoy holiday crafts such as cookie decorating. They can also write letters to Santa and veterans through the Honor Flight program. And of course they can pose for a free photo with Santa.

A Holiday Vendor Market will be open from 3 to 10 p.m. at Sixth and Jefferson streets, offering treats, holiday crafts and decorations for purchase. Also, starting at 3 p.m., the Light Up Louisville stage on the west lawn of Metro Hall will feature live entertainment.

MERF, Musicians Emergency Resource Foundation will organize the stage. Performances include some of Louisville’s most talented groups, including DJ Jay Campbell, Made New, JD Shelburne, and closing out the night, The Louisville Crashers.

The Lots of Lights Parade starts at 7 p.m. at Seventh and Jefferson, led by Frosty the Snowman as Grand Marshal. The parade will move down Jefferson Street to Fourth Street, where it will turn and pass through Fourth Street Live! Anyone interested in participating in the parade can sign up at LightUpLouisville.org.

Around 8:30 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive and make his way to the entertainment stage to help Mayor Fischer officially “Light Up Louisville” by turning on tens of thousands of lights, including the city Christmas tree. A Zambelli Fireworks show will follow soon after.

The Kaelin family from the Parkway Village neighborhood donated the Light Up tree, a 35-foot-tall Norway Spruce.

“We have mixed emotions about giving up this gorgeous tree. We hate to see any tree cut down, but this beauty was getting far too big for us and living on a corner was making it hazardous to drivers,” said Greg Kaelin. “We are, however, overjoyed and delighted to share our tree with the citizens of Louisville. We are homegrown Louisvillians and could not be prouder to have been selected. Thank You, City of Louisville, City that we Love.”

“The holidays are a special time for everyone to take time out and come together to enjoy their families, friends and our community festivities,” said LG&E President John Crockett.

Mayor Fischer also noted that the holidays are a perfect time to spread compassion, and he asked residents to get involved in this year’s community-wide Toys for Tots drive.

From 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, there will be a special drive-thru lane in front of Metro Hall for an easy drop-off, as part of a Mayor’s challenge, along with drop-off boxes at all Louisville Fire Department stations.

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