Louisville lights up for Christmas

Several established festive holiday events are returning to Louisville this yuletide season, alongside new Yuletide themed happening.

From historic home tours and holiday pop-up bars to ice skating and igloos, it’s easy to see why Louisville has been named one of WalletHub’s ;2021 Best Winter Holiday Destinations.’

Some of the festive events to light up the holidays include:

Fete de Noel | ends January 2

Fete de Noel transforms Paristown into a winter village featuring Louisville’s only authentic outdoor ice-skating rink. Guests are invited to skate, shop, eat and drink in the heart of Paristown at the Brent Street Holiday Market, Santa’s Paristown Workshop and the Spirits of Scrooge Escape Room Experience. Don’t miss Drag Queens on Ice December 5.

Iglous at 8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen | Through end of winter

Cosy up and get toasty in a heated igloo at 8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen. The downtown rooftop bar located at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown has created a winter wonderland featuring eight themed, all-weather igloos. Sip champagne in the elegant Diamonds & Fur igloo or get comfy in the flannel bedecked Winter Lodge.

Lights Under Louisville | ends January 2

At this holiday favourite, Louisville Mega Cavern is transformed into a festive underground light spectacular. Enjoy a 30-minute ride through part of 17 miles of underground passageways.

Miracle on Market Pop-Up Holiday Bar | ends December 31

This holiday themed pop-up experience in NuLu will have you feeling festive with creative cocktails, specialty mugs, and holiday music and movies.

Winter Woods Spectacular | ends December 26

From the producers of the popular Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular, experience the twinkling of millions of lights along a winding road through Louisville’s scenic Iroquois Park. It features a half-mile magical drive of lighting.

Venardos Circus | December 2-12

This classic red-and-white striped circus tent will return to Waterfront Park with over a dozen shows to choose from this December. Founded by previous Barnum and Bailey performer, Venardos is now reinventing the circus theme with new elements for families to enjoy along with the classics like trapeze, stunts, artists and costumes.

Gardens Aglimmer at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens | December 2-30

Wander the new Beargrass Creek Pathway under icicle arches and a view a waterfall stream during a self-guided walking experience through an illuminated outdoor wonderland of swans, snowflakes, deer, Moravian stars, oversized flowers. Visit Santa and his sleigh in the Graeser Family Education Center and Mrs. Claus’ Cottage in the new Ellen T Leslie Botanical Classrooms.

Winter Illuminations Trail Walk | December 3 – January 2

The Parklands of Floyds Fork is igniting an illuminated trail walk through Beckley Creek Park. Designed to be Louisville’s premiere winter tradition, the one-mile outdoor trail features more than 10 light installations harmonising light, music and nature. New for this year are larger than life reindeer, giant sparkling emojis, swans, and other favourites.

Historic Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour | December 4 & 5

For one weekend only guests can get a rare glimpse inside some of Old Louisville’s grandest mansions and historic houses dressed in holiday finery. This year the self-paced tour will showcase iconic St. James Court and South Fourth Street mansions with homes clustered within two blocks. Upon arrival at a house, a guide will describe the home and its history and then allow guests to tour the rest at their leisure. There will be special premium bourbon tasting at the Louisville Bourbon Inn as part of each admission ticket.

Winter Wonderland at Shawnee Park | December 17-19

For three nights during this inaugural holiday event, the park will be transformed for a drive-thru community celebration featuring more than 200,000 lights, festive tunes and holiday displays. Visitors are welcome to this free community event from 5pm-9pm, courtesy of the nonprofit group OneWest.

Catch one of the many holiday performances under way, including "A Christmas Carol: Ghost Story" live in the Bingham Theater at Actors Theatre of Louisville as well as two seasonal options at Derby Dinner Playhouse, just across the river in Southern Indiana.

Through December 30, you can catch ‘A Christmas Story the Musical’ which features memorable scenes from the iconic holiday movie, while kids will love ‘Once Upon a Snowflake,’ a heart-warming musical about a small snowgirl with big dreams, through December 20.

Additionally, Pentatonix: The Evergreen Christmas Tour will feature the three-time Grammy winning artist at KFC Yum! Center this holiday season. The cappella group is known for their viral versions of Christmas classics like Hallelujah, Mary, Did You Know? and The Little Drummer Boy.

The December 11 Louisville stop will be one of sixteen cities that the quintet visits on their US only holiday tour.

Guests can use the Louisville Tourism’s annual Visitor Guide to help plan a tour around Louisville to see the city’s top attractions and bourbon distilleries. Visitors also can get additional city attraction, lodging and dining assistance at gotolouisville.com along with information on the state’s current Covid-mitigation guidelines.