Christmas is right around the corner, and 2025 will be here before you know it. Whenever you have a little time between holiday work parties and family get-togethers, there’s lots of other festive fun to be had around town. Here are some of our favorite December events happening in and around Louisville!
Through January 4, 2025: Lights Under Louisville
Take a drive through the Mega Cavern to experience the only underground holiday light show in the world! The annual event boasts more than 900 light displays, numerous light tunnels, holiday music, and more than seven million points of light — plus popular Christmas music. Tickets start at $42.99 per vehicle. lightsunderlouisville.com
Through January 5, 2025: Fête de Noël Winter Holiday Festival
Go ice skating, take photos with Santa, or shop in the holiday market at Paristown’s Winter Holiday Festival. There is also a trackless train ride and themed movie nights. Festival goers can also expect lots to eat and drink from The Village Market’s bars and restaurants. Admission to this all-ages event is free and open to the public. paristown.com
December 3 – 8, 2024: Mamma Mia!
Part of this season’s PNC Broadway Louisville lineup, this decades-old story is set in a Greek paradise and tells the tale of love, friendship, and identity. Showtimes vary, and remaining tickets start at $81.90. louisville.broadway.com
December 1, 5 – 8 & 18 – 23, 2024: Holiday Tea at Hermitage Farm
Treat your family like royalty this holiday season with a tea service in Hermitage Farm’s historic main house. Each $75 ticket includes live holiday music, an assortment of savory and sweet bites, as well as handcrafted herbal teas. (Note: Many of the dates are already sold out, so be sure to book your spot ASAP!) exploretock.com
December 5 – 8, 11 – 23 & 26 – 30, 2024: Gardens Aglimmer at Waterfront Botanical Gardens
Wander through Waterfront Botanical Gardens as it’s transformed into a winter wonderland. Visitors can enjoy festive lights and illuminated displays, including giant flowers, snowflakes, deer, and archways. There are also holiday beverages available at the Jingle All the Way Café. New this year is date night on December 11 for ages 21 and older only and sensory-friendly night on December 16. Tickets start at $8; children ages 2 and younger get in free. waterfrontgardens.org
December 6, 2024: hoLOUdays Shopping Tour
Start the morning with festive drinks and a light breakfast at Falls City Brewing, then board the bus to begin a full day of shopping. Until 5 p.m., participants visit numerous shops in several Louisville neighborhoods, receiving special discounts along the way. The $49 registration fee includes an opening reception, an end-of-day pizza party, door prizes, and tour bus transportation to Butchertown, NuLu, and Bardstown Road. keeplouisvilleweird.com
December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21, 2024: Yuletide at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens
View dazzling light and decor displays, capture family photos, check out model trains, and visit with Santa during this annual celebration at one of the Kentucky Garden Trail locations. Times vary by date, and tickets must be purchased in advance. yewdellgardens.org
December 7, 2024: Holiday Open House at Bernheim
Enjoy a festive day of shopping at Bernheim’s Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event offers a selection of gifts, locally made crafts, Kentucky Proud goods, and other unique presents for nature lovers. The event also features hot mulled cider and refreshments, gingerbread cookie decorating, hourly door prize drawings, holiday specials, and a 30% discount for all Bernheim members in the gift shop. There are also live music performances by Silver Strings and Bardstown Bellas. Admission is free, but donations are accepted upon entry. bernheim.org
December 7, 2024: 39th Annual Bardstown Road Aglow
Support local businesses from noon to 10 p.m. by taking advantage of special discounts on food, drinks, and merchandise at participating shops and restaurants along Bardstown Road, Baxter and Barret Avenues, and Douglass Loop. The free event includes holiday music, trolley rides, a tree lighting, Instagram photo contests, and more. Kentucky bourbon is also featured in festive holiday cocktails at participating restaurants, and a portion of the proceeds benefit Gilda’s Club. bardstownroadaglow.org
December 7 & 8, 2024: Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour
Get a rare glimpse inside historic Victorian mansions and townhouses that have been stylishly dressed for the holidays at this annual holiday home tour. The self-guided walking tour showcases both residences and historic commercial buildings from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $30 online or $35 at the door. Admission for children ages 17 and younger is free when accompanying their family. oldlouisville.org
December 10, 2024: Chef’s Dinner featuring Jeptha Creed Distillery
Join Jeptha Creed and Chef Kathryn Fink for an intimate plated dining experience at High Stakes Grill. Guests are walked through each dish and bourbon pairing, which explores Chef Fink’s heritage and culinary background with Scandinavian recipes and French-inspired techniques. Tickets are $125. opentable.com
December 10, 2024: Pentatonix: Hallelujah! It’s A Christmas Tour
See Pentatonix’s on their biggest Christmas tour yet. The three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning and Daytime EMMY® Award-nominated quintet returns to the KFC Yum! Center on to celebrate this year’s holiday season for one night only. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50. kfcyumcenter.com
December 13 – 15 & 19 – 24: The Brown-Forman Nutcracker at Whitney Hall
Let the Louisville Ballet bring the joy of the season to life in this holiday classic, where Marie and her Nutcracker Prince travel to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The show features choreography by Val Caniparoli, music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and magic/illusion design by Marshall Magoon. Show times vary by day, and tickets can be purchased at louisvilleballet.org.
December 17, 2024: Holiday Wreath Workshop at Whitehall
Join the owner of Susan’s Florist, Amy Streeter, to create a beautiful holiday wreath to adorn your front door. Amy provides the grapevine wreath, mixed greens, pine cones, ribbon, and other fun textures to inspire creativity. Participants also learn how to make a festive bow for all gift-giving, as well as design tips on using holiday greens throughout the home. The workshop begins at 6 p.m., and tickets are $75. historicwhitehall.org
Have a dashing December, Louisville!
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