As the holidays quickly approach, many Kentucky towns are gearing up for their annual celebrations and festivities. Beyond the typical bourbon and equestrian culture, many towns across the Bluegrass State offer holiday cheer through dazzling light displays, exciting parades, and beautifully decorated streetscapes. Here are some of the best Kentucky Christmas towns to visit this season — Elizabethtown, Barbourville, Bowling Green, Shelby County, and Frankfort.
ELIZABETHTOWN
For a small-town experience bursting with holiday cheer and festive events, Elizabethtown deserves a spot on your travel list this season. Plus, there are plenty of local shops and restaurants to visit before or after attending one of the local Christmas celebrations!
Festivities officially kick off on November 27 with Christmas in the Park. A beloved annual event, the 34th annual celebration offers over 100 spectacular light displays. Open nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., an illuminated path guides cars through Elizabethtown’s Freeman Lake Park.
Light Up Etown is another can’t-miss holiday event. Celebrations begin at 7 p.m. on December 6, starting with a Christmas parade that travels through Downtown Elizabethtown. In addition to the parade, you can enjoy live performances, snack vendors, and Christmas carols. The evening concludes with a countdown to the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting.
Downtown Elizabethtown is also home to a handful of charming boutiques and shops — perfect for any last-minute gifting needs! Denizen is a popular store offering gifts for the home or garden, while That Cute Little Shop offers on-trend apparel and accessories for women.
SB Tip: We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of exploring all the stores in Downtown Elizabethtown. To see a complete list of options, click HERE.
You’ll likely need to refuel after a day of holiday fun and shopping. Luckily, there are plenty of downtown dining options to choose from. From authentic Southern comfort food to an English-style pub, you can explore the plethora of restaurants HERE.
For a post-dinner sweet treat, The Dreamery specializes in Italian gelato. In addition to ice cream, you can find specialties like the Brioche Panini, Fudge Brownie Sundae, and Salted Caramel Brioche Sundae.
BARBOURVILLE
For a cozy holiday experience full of exciting holiday events and a handful of opportunities to wrap up any remaining gift shopping, add Barbourville to your travel list this winter. Plus, we’ve included a few restaurants to check out while visiting!
Held the first weekend in December every year, Christmas in Barbourville is the town’s premier holiday event. It offers stunning light displays throughout the city’s parks and downtown area. The celebration also includes the annual I Believe In Santa Claus Parade, a silent Christmas tree and wreath auction, a holiday market, and the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree.
Before or after the Christmas in Barbourville festivities, spend some time exploring the city’s local shopping scene. As one of the largest gift shops in Southeastern Kentucky, Blue Willow Gifts offers everything from home decor to fresh flowers and gifts for little ones or moms-to-be.
If there’s a fashionista or two on your list, Glitter & Glam Boutique and Golden Girls are both popular boutiques for women and children. Plus, they both offer custom monogramming, which will make any gift that much more memorable!
History buffs will love exploring Barbourville’s Civil War Interpretive Park. Open year-round, the attraction is the site of Kentucky’s first Civil War battle. As you stroll through the grounds, you’ll learn about the experiences of the men and women who lived in the area at the time of the war.
If you’ve worked up an appetite after a day full of holiday cheer and exploring, you’re in luck, as Barbourville offers a handful of delicious restaurants. For classic Kentucky BBQ, Grateful Ed’s BBQ serves slow-smoked favorites like turkey, ham, and beef tips.
Another beloved staple is The Oven Mitt, a casual eatery known for its comfort food specials, which include meatloaf, country-fried steak, and more.
BOWLING GREEN
Offering everything from reindeer encounters to over-the-top light displays and visits with Santa, Bowling Green offers holiday fun for the entire family. Here are a few of our favorite activities happening this season!
As the South’s only reindeer farm, it’s no wonder The Reindeer Farm is one of Bowling Green’s top attractions every holiday season. Open for guided tours through mid-January, the farm invites you to get up close and personal with its seven adorable reindeer. And don’t worry, photos are highly encouraged!
New this year to the farm, you and your family can also enjoy activities like Holiday HOOPS, a game of dodgeball, delicious fare from The Reindeer Farm food truck, and breakfast with Santa!
After spending the afternoon with some reindeer, make your way to Santa’s Lookout for more holiday fun. On select dates in December, you’re invited to take a scenic train ride to the North Pole, where you can visit with Santa and The Grinch, decorate Christmas cookies, ride Santa’s 150-foot Super Slide, and roast s’mores over a cozy fire pit.
Another highly anticipated annual event, Light Up BGKY is a holiday tradition among both locals and tourists. From December 2 through December 8, you can take a self-guided tour around the city to see some of the best holiday light displays. To get started, use the event’s interactive map to plan your route.
Light Up BGKY’s main event takes place in Downtown Bowling Green on December 6. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., stroll through Fountain Square Park to enjoy a Mistletoe Market, a hop-on, hop-off trolley tour, and delicious food trucks.
To round out your Bowling Green adventures, visit SoKY Ice Rink. Now in its eighth season, the 6,000-square-foot ice rink is open to the public on select dates through January. The rink also hosts special event nights, so watch its Facebook page for updates!
SHELBY COUNTY
Located less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY exudes holiday charm, thanks to its small-town atmosphere and exciting lineup of seasonal events — including everything from a festive parade to an afternoon tea service.
The start of the holiday season in ShelbyKY is usually marked by the annual Celebration of Lights. This year’s event, which takes place on November 9 along Main Street, includes a tree-lighting ceremony, arts and crafts vendors, live performances, visits with Santa, and delicious food.
There are also a few opportunities for holiday shopping throughout ShelbyKY. For a one-of-a-kind, handmade gift, make plans to attend the Once Upon A Christmas Show. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Shelbyville Conference Center, you can peruse goods from over 50 arts and crafts vendors.
To shop well-known brands like Coach, Under Armour, Vera Bradley, and more, The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass is another popular stop for gifts, as it’s Kentucky’s only designer outlet mall. The attraction also hosts its own lineup of holiday events, which you can view HERE.
Another unique shopping experience, Wakefield-Scearce Galleries hosts A Christmas Royal Tea on December 7. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., you can browse silent auction items, sip on specially crafted teas, and indulge in delicious holiday treats. General admission tickets are $75 and available via eventbrite.com.
For a festive parade, the Shelby County Fire Department hosts its annual Christmas parade on December 7 at 10 a.m. Every year, local businesses, civic groups, and schools come together to decorate floats and spread holiday cheer along Main Street.
After an afternoon of tea and holiday fun, head to Simpsonville Park to attend Light Up Simpsonville. Also taking place on December 7, the event includes a tree-lighting ceremony, visits with Santa, and a holiday market.
FRANKFORT
As the capital of Kentucky, Frankfort offers a blend of history and charm — especially during the holidays. From sparkling light displays to festive shopping, Frankfort’s holiday celebrations are well worth a visit this season.
Perhaps the city’s most anticipated holiday event, Candlelight Tradition runs through November 9 and transforms Downtown Frankfort into a winter wonderland. You can stroll through illuminated streetscapes, enjoy live music, and ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
Bourbon lovers will enjoy spending an afternoon at some of Frankfort’s local distilleries. In addition to traditional tastings and distillery tours, a few offer their own seasonal events!
On December 4, visit Castle & Key for a special wreath-making workshop. Led by an expert from local florist Blue Ribbon Blooms, you’ll learn how to make your own holiday wreath while sipping on handcrafted cocktails and snacking on a charcuterie cup. Tickets start at $96.86 HERE.
Buffalo Trace Distillery also hosts the launch of Spirited Nights, which takes place on select nights in December. As you stroll through the self-guided light display, you can also enjoy photo opportunities, a boozy hot chocolate bar, holiday craft demonstrations, and live music. Admission is free, but reservations are required via eventbrite.com.
For an evening full of laughter and holiday cheer, visit the Grand Theatre to see a performance of A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas. Starting at 7:30 p.m. on December 5, 6, and 7, the holiday-themed comedy show follows the Stewart family as they plan their Christmas party.
For a truly authentic Kentucky Christmas, plan your visit to Frankfort around the city’s annual holiday parade. Now in its 76th year, the December 7 event begins at 6:30 p.m. in Downtown Frankfort, and prizes are awarded to the best-decorated floats.
This article is sponsored by Elizabethtown Tourism & Convention Bureau and Barbourville Tourism in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Tourism.
