We’re getting closer and closer to Christmas, and holiday festivities are in full swing. We made a road trip that will take you to the most magical Christmas towns in Kentucky to get you into the holiday spirit. Check out our previous article that includes even more enchanting Christmas towns in case you want to add any onto the trip.
The map is below, but feel free to adjust it anyway you’d like!
Google Maps
- Ashland
Facebook/Winter Wonderland of Lights Festival-Ashland, KY The Winter Wonderland of Lights in Central Park and downtown Ashland is well underway, but you can experience the magic of this town until January 11. You also have one more full weekend to take the Winter Wonderland Express Train Ride on December 16-18 from 6-9 PM. The train is located at Central Park and 22nd Street and costs $3 per person.
- Newport
Facebook/Newport on the Levee The trip takes us up to northern Kentucky now, right across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Newport on the Levee is located on the banks of the river, and offers stunning views of the Cincinnati skyline. Get your Christmas shopping done at the many stores located on the Levee while enjoying their abundance of holiday decor. Enjoy being around a 50 foot tall tree while lights dance to Christmas songs. The free light show happens every evening until January 1, starting at 5:10 PM and ending at 11:50 PM, with shows every 20 minutes.
- Petersburg
Facebook/Creation Museum Not far from Newport is Petersburg, home of the Creation Museum. Every year they create Christmas Town, and the entry is free. Christmas Town includes a walk through the Botanical Gardens, which are completely decked out in Christmas lights. You can even zip line over them for a more unique experience.
- Lexington
Facebook/Kentucky Horse Park Head to Lexington for the Southern Lights Holiday Festival at the Kentucky Horse Park. This driving tour around the park includes breathtaking light displays. After seeing the lights, stop for a visit with Santa, train rides, or the petting zoo. Southern Lights will remain open until December 31. Their hours are 5:30 PM until 10:00 PM, and tickets are $15 per car Monday through Thursday, and $25 per car Friday through Sunday. Keep in mind that the non-driving festival activities will be closed December 24-31.
- Harrodsburg
Facebook/Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill is absolutely breathtaking around Christmas time. Step back into a simpler time as you explore this old village. Try to make it to Shaker Village on a Friday or Saturday so you can partake in an Illuminated Evening. Enjoy sparkling lights and sitting by a fire with hot cocoa. The last Illuminated Evening will be December 17. The event lasts from 4 PM until 8 PM, and costs $5 for ages 5 and over.
- Louisville
Facebook/Light Up Louisville Kentucky’s largest city has several holiday activities for you to enjoy. Louisville’s Holiday in the City will continue until December 23 with a holiday market and other festive activities at 4th Street Live. There’s also a pop up ice skating rink at 4th and Jefferson Street that will remain open until January 15. It costs $10 per person for a 60 minute skating session.
You still have a couple of weeks before the big holiday, so now is the prime time to take this road trip!
Google Maps
Facebook/Winter Wonderland of Lights Festival-Ashland, KY
The Winter Wonderland of Lights in Central Park and downtown Ashland is well underway, but you can experience the magic of this town until January 11. You also have one more full weekend to take the Winter Wonderland Express Train Ride on December 16-18 from 6-9 PM. The train is located at Central Park and 22nd Street and costs $3 per person.
Facebook/Newport on the Levee
The trip takes us up to northern Kentucky now, right across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Newport on the Levee is located on the banks of the river, and offers stunning views of the Cincinnati skyline. Get your Christmas shopping done at the many stores located on the Levee while enjoying their abundance of holiday decor. Enjoy being around a 50 foot tall tree while lights dance to Christmas songs. The free light show happens every evening until January 1, starting at 5:10 PM and ending at 11:50 PM, with shows every 20 minutes.
Facebook/Creation Museum
Not far from Newport is Petersburg, home of the Creation Museum. Every year they create Christmas Town, and the entry is free. Christmas Town includes a walk through the Botanical Gardens, which are completely decked out in Christmas lights. You can even zip line over them for a more unique experience.
Facebook/Kentucky Horse Park
Head to Lexington for the Southern Lights Holiday Festival at the Kentucky Horse Park. This driving tour around the park includes breathtaking light displays. After seeing the lights, stop for a visit with Santa, train rides, or the petting zoo. Southern Lights will remain open until December 31. Their hours are 5:30 PM until 10:00 PM, and tickets are $15 per car Monday through Thursday, and $25 per car Friday through Sunday. Keep in mind that the non-driving festival activities will be closed December 24-31.
Facebook/Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill
Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill is absolutely breathtaking around Christmas time. Step back into a simpler time as you explore this old village. Try to make it to Shaker Village on a Friday or Saturday so you can partake in an Illuminated Evening. Enjoy sparkling lights and sitting by a fire with hot cocoa. The last Illuminated Evening will be December 17. The event lasts from 4 PM until 8 PM, and costs $5 for ages 5 and over.
Facebook/Light Up Louisville
Kentucky’s largest city has several holiday activities for you to enjoy. Louisville’s Holiday in the City will continue until December 23 with a holiday market and other festive activities at 4th Street Live. There’s also a pop up ice skating rink at 4th and Jefferson Street that will remain open until January 15. It costs $10 per person for a 60 minute skating session.
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