The Bluegrass Village

Motherhood. Community. Kentucky.

Guides

Kentucky Guide to Holiday Activities

Jennifer Crum
November 22, 2020
Kentucky holiday activities

It's that magical time of year when local businesses and organizations host an abundance of Christmas and holiday activities. Whether you want to catch some beautiful light displays or see a performance of The Nutcracker, this is your guide to holiday activities in Kentucky.

Things might look a little different for 2020 because of the coronavirus. This list will be updated as new information becomes available, so check back frequently!

See our Calendar to see all upcoming events!

Christmas Family Fun

These Kentucky venues have Christmas fun for the whole family throughout the holiday season.

Shaker Village - Harrodsburg, KY

Shaker Village kicks off its holiday events with a Holiday Greenery Helpers event in November where you can volunteer to help decorate the village and then take some Christmas greenery home for yourself. Through December they have Holiday Afternoon Teas. In the evenings, celebrate with music, lights, and crafts.

Kentucky Horse Park - Lexington, KY

The Kentucky Horse Park has its annual Southern Lights Holiday Festival from November 22 - December 31. You can drive through three miles of holiday lights displays in the evenings. There is also a North Pole mailbox where kiddos can drop off their wish-lists for Santa. After you see the lights you can head over to Animal Land for camel/pony rides and food trucks.

Hillenmeyer Christmas Shop - Lexington, KY

Pick out a Christmas tree, design some Christmas greenery, experience the live nativity (including animals), or visit with Santa.

Hamburg Pavilion - Lexington, KY

Every Sunday from 11/29 - 12/20 you can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides and photos with Santa at Hamburg Pavilion.

Waveland State Historical Site - Lexington, KY

Waveland is an antebellum historical house in Lexington. Santa will be visiting Saturdays and Sundays in December, though he will be social distancing behind a window. There is also Tea with Mrs. Claus on Saturday mornings.

Holly Day Market - Lexington, KY

The Junior League of Lexington's Holly Day Market is the must-attend shopping event of the holiday season, bringing together the best vendors from across the country- all for a great cause! UPDATE: Cancelled for 2020

The Bluegrass Railroad Museum Santa Trains - Versailles, KY

Enjoy a train ride through the Kentucky countryside with carol singing, candy canes, and of course, Santa (who will be observing social distancing and mask-wearing).

The Kentucky Railroad Museum - New Haven, KY

The Kentucky Railroad Museum has two Christmas features, the Santa Express and the North Pole Express. You can wear your PJs, take pictures with Santa and enjoy some cookies and hot chocolate packets to take home.

Holiday Junction at Cincinnati Museum Center - Cincinnati, OH

There are TONS of things to do at this holiday exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center. See the Duke Energy Holiday Trains, giant LEGO displays, and of course, meet Santa.

ChristmasTime at the Ark Encounter - Williamstown, KY

At the Ark Encounter you can see the lit up life-size ark and surrounding grounds, check out the zoo, and listen to Christmas carols.

Fête de Noël Winter Holiday Festival & Ice Skating Rink - Louisville, KY

The Fête de Noël Winter Holiday Festival is a 6-week winter village that includes an ice skating rink, food, shopping, karaoke, crafts, and more.

Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights - Cincinatti, OH

Check out the vast light display, Toyland Express train ride, Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, S’mores-n-More stands, Santa, and of course, the zoo animals!

Yuletide at Yew Dell - Louisville, KY

The Yew Dell Botanical Gardens will be hosting its Christmas event this year! Complete with light show, shopping opportunities, a take-home craft for kids, and Santa!

Blackacre Country Christmas - Louisville, KY

Visit the historic site and see Santa, Christmas carolers, two-handed sawing, wood splitting, crafts, and more!

Whitehall House & Gardens Tea for Two - Louisville, KY

Whitehall's Christmas tea for two is to go this year. Get your box full of treats and tea!

Holidays at the Behringer-Crawford Museum - Covington, KY

Visit the museum for Christmas-themed exhibits, lights, music, and crafts.

Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill - Millersburg, KY

Mustard Seed Hill is a special events venue with a very special Christmas celebration. They decorate with tons of lights, a huge tree, and a nativity scene. You can also check out local craft and food vendors on select weekends.

Scuba Santa at Newport Aquarium - Newport, KY

Santa will be scuba diving with sharks at the Newport Aquarium! The kids can tell Santa what they want for Christmas, meet Santa's elves, and enjoy the aquarium with festive lights and music.

A Wizard's Christmas - Louisville, KY

Experience Christmas Harry Potter style! Enjoy dinner, shopping, and a magical experience.

Krohn Holiday Show: A Very Merry Garden Holiday - Cincinnati, OH

The Krohn Conservatory Holiday Show features a floral showroom decorated with a Cincinnati theme.

The Reindeer Farm - Bowling Green, KY

The Reindeer Farm is a unique Kentucky Christmas experience. Meet live reindeer, along with story time, crafts, and food.

Dickens Christmas Festival - Eminence, KY (UPDATE: Cancelled for 2020)

Christmas Tree Farms

Kentucky offers many Christmas tree farms where you can pick your own live Christmas tree. Continue a family tradition or start a new one!

Live Performances

Many performances have to be virtual this year, but you still have opportunities to experience ballet, plays, or orchestras throughout Kentucky.

Santa Visits

Make sure your kids have their Christmas lists ready and head out to one of these venues where Santa will be available for meet and greets. Santa also has some virtual visits this year.

Light Displays, Tree Lightings, and Parades

If you want to see some stunning light displays, experience a tree-lighting ceremony, or watch a parade, Kentucky has a lot to offer. Many towns are doing drive-thru light displays and parades to ensure social distancing.

Ice Skating Rinks

Lace up those skates and head out to one of Kentucky's several ice skating rinks! Some are open year-round and some are seasonal only.

Does your business have Christmas family fun that you want us to promote? Work with us.

Still need to get those last-minute Christmas photos? No worries! See our list of photographers doing Christmas minis.

Christmas lights kentucky Covington holiday activities Family fun Holiday activities Kentucky guide Lexington holiday activities Louisville holiday activities Owensboro holiday activities