KENTUCKY — Nothing warms up the holiday spirit quite like piling into a car with a hot thermos full of hot chocolate and taking in the magical twinkle of Christmas lights!
There’s no shortage of venues in Kentucky where you can catch some amazing lights. Or you can even take a short drive out of state for even more holiday fun. Here are some of the best places for holiday fun in Kentucky:
Louisville
- Location: Louisville Mega Cavern
- Cost: $34.99 for a standard vehicle (There’s also an option for a priority pass for $79.99)
- Dates: Nov. 11, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2023
- Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Christmas day: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
- Purchase tickets and learn more on their website.
Head over to Louisville Mega Cavern to experience the only underground holiday light show in the world! Lights Under Louisville features over 40 themed displays, approximately 900 lit characters, holiday music and over 6,000,000 points of light that will “immerse visitors in a megadose of holiday cheer.” This is a drive-through experience, and they charge by the vehicle.
- Location: Iroquois Park
- Cost: $15 for adults, $14 for seniors, $10 for children 3-12, and children 2 and under are free
- Dates: Nov. 25, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2023
- Hours: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Purchase tickets and learn more on their website.
Just about everyone knows about the annual Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular hosted by Iroqouis Park. But did you know they also now host a Winter Woods Spectacular? Presented by the Parks Alliance of Louisville, this is a ⅓ mile walkthrough event in Louisville’s south end. It features millions of twinkling lights integrated into dazzling holiday displays set to music. Proceeds benefit the Parks Alliance of Louisville.
- Location: Waterfront Botanical Gardens
- Cost: $7.50 for WBG members, $10 for non-members, $5 for ages 7-12, free for children 6 and under (prices are higher on peak nights)
- Dates: Dec. 1 to Dec. 30, peak nights are Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 14-23
- Hours: 5:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Visit length is 45 minutes)
- Advanced tickets are required. Purchase tickets and learn more on their website.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens is hosting Gardens Aglimmer, a “sparkling winter wonderland of swans, snowflakes, deer, Moravian stars, light bursts and a multicolor tunnel of lights.” From Dec. 1-23, you can visit Santa and his sleigh in the Graeser Family Education Center and Mrs. Claus’ Cottage in the Ellen T. Leslie Botanical Classrooms. They also offer holiday beverages for purchase in the Jingle All the Way Cafe.
Lexington
Southern Lights Holiday Festival
- Location: Kentucky Horse Park
- Cost: $30 per car in advance, $35 per car at the door
- Dates: Nov. 25 to Dec. 31 (closed Christmas Day)
- Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Purchase tickets and learn more on their website.
Celebrating its 29th year at the Kentucky Horse Park, the Southern Lights Holiday Festival is a “magical holiday tradition for thousands of families throughout the Bluegrass and beyond.” The festival boasts more than a million twinkling lights you can see from the safety of your car. The event also includes photos with Santa, Animal Land, model trains and more in the Southern Lights Holiday Village.
Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill
- Location: Millersburg, Ky.
- Cost: $15 per person (extra costs for special programming, refreshments and items from vendors)
- Dates: Dec. 1 to Jan. 1 (special programming runs Thursday-Sunday)
- Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Purchase tickets and learn more on their website.
Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill is a spectacular holiday tradition in Millersburg, just 30 minutes north of Lexington in the heart of Bourbon County. You can stroll the breathtaking lights, enjoy music and shop for the perfect gift. The venue boasts a 3-acre Christmas light display, highlighted by a magnificent 30-foot ribbon tree and a 32-foot glowing ribbon arch. Special programming includes their Gingerbread House Exhibit, Artisan’s Market & Holiday Cafe and Christmas Campfire experience. You can purchase advanced tickets on their site and a few walk up tickets are available each day.
Northern Kentucky
ChristmasTime at Ark Encounter
- Location: Ark Encounter (Williamstown, Ky.)
- Cost: Free ($15 for parking, food and other programming for additional cost)
- Dates: Nov. 25 to Dec. 30 (check calendar for a few dates when it will be closed)
- Hours: 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Learn more on their website.
Looking for a light show of biblical proportions? Take in festive lights, live music, holiday dining, gift shopping and more at the life-size Noah’s Ark in Williamstown. ChristmasTime features a brilliant lights display, the Ararat Ridge Zoo and Amazing Animals program. The event is free, but parking is $15 and there are other rides and experiences for an additional cost.
Indiana
- Location: Charleston City Square, Greenway Park and Family Activities Park
- Cost: Free (There are activities, concessions and vendors that cost money)
- Dates: Nov. 1 to Jan. 1
- Hours: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (special event times and activities vary)
- Learn more on their website.
Just a short drive across the river will find you in the enchanted Charlestown Christmas City. Christmas city features three hubs of activity: Greenway Park, Family Activities Park and the City Square. Greenway Park will glow with “Hallmark-card worthy lights” and include a 55-foot tree. Live reindeer will be at the park on Wednesday, Dec. 21. The Family Activities Park will feature a Winter Holiday Market, with vendors selling holiday decor, gift items and handmade crafts. You can also take a ride on the Charlestown Express, visit Santa, and meet the Grinch! At the City Square, enjoy an animated light show every night through Jan. 1. Be sure to check their website, as times and dates for many activities vary.
Ohio
- Location: Mason, Ohio
- Cost: $29.99 online, $45 at the gate
- Dates: Weekends now through Dec. 17, Dec. 18-23 and Dec. 26-31
- Hours: Fridays and weekdays 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., New Year’s Eve 4 p.m. to midnight.
- Learn more on their website.
If you’re up for a bit of a drive, Kings Island (just outside of Cincinnati) hosts its annual WinterFest. It is an “unforgettable holiday experience” where Kings Island transforms into 11 enchanting winter wonderlands, and was voted in 2021 as one of the top theme park events in the country. The annual event features ice skating on the Royal Fountain, the Eiffel Tower turned into a magical Christmas tree, the WinterFest Wonderland Parade, and over five million lights throughout the park. The park is open Friday-Sunday through Dec. 17, and then open every day Dec. 18-23 and Dec. 26-31.