LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, announced the city’s largest and most beloved holiday event, Light Up Louisville, is returning Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, outside of Metro Hall.

“I am thrilled to continue the great city tradition of Light Up Louisville, the Lots of Lights Parade and all the wonderful fun that is part of this holiday event. The new date will only add to the magic of the holidays as city employees will be given the opportunity to spend quality time with their loved ones,” said Greenberg, “I encourage everyone to join us as we welcome Santa Claus to help light the beautiful Light Up tree on Saturday, December 2nd.”

Light Up Louisville kicks off at 4 p.m. Children and families are invited to visit the Winter Wonderland activity area on Sixth Street, where children can enjoy holiday crafts such as cookie decorating and ornament making, and write letters to Santa and veterans through the Honor Flight program. They can also get a free photo with Santa following the Light Up moment. 

The Vendor Village will be located at Sixth and Jefferson streets, offering treats, holiday crafts and decorations for purchase. The Light Up Louisville stage on the west lawn of Metro Hall will feature live entertainment.

Performances include some of Louisville’s most talented groups including Classic Melodies, Olivia Henken & Josh Logan, and Soul Circus closing out the night.

A community favorite, the Lots of Lights Parade starts at 6 p.m. at Seventh and Jefferson, with 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 online.

Around 7:45 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive to help Greenberg and WLKY’s Rick Van Hoose officially “Light Up Louisville” by turning on tens of thousands of lights, including the city Christmas tree. A Zambelli fireworks show will follow.

The Light Up tree, a 45-foot-tall Norway Spruce, is being donated this year by the Forum at Brookside.

Greenberg also encouraged Light Up Louisville attendees to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to Toys for Tots. There will be drop-off boxes in the Children’s Winter Wonderland, the Vendor Village, as well as at the parade assembly area.