Are you looking for the BEST Christmas lights in Kentucky?
I’m sharing a list of the best Christmas light displays throughout the Bluegrass state guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!
These Christmas light displays and winter illuminations are a great way to experience the holiday season with family or friends.
Use these helpful tips for viewing holiday lights before you go.
This article contains affiliate links.
Lights Under Louisville Underground Drive-thru Christmas Light Display
Louisville MEGA Cavern isn’t just the ONLY underground holiday light show in the United States… it’s the ONLY underground light show in the world!
This 30-minute drive through 17 miles of underground passageways, features over 850 light-up characters with over 7,000,000 points of light!
When: November 8, 2024 – January 4, 2025
Hours:
Opening Day: 6 PM to 10 PM
Daily Hours: 9 AM to 10 PM
Thanksgiving Day: 5:30 PM to 10 PM
Christmas Day: 5:30 PM to 10 PM
Christmas Express: 10 AM to 4 PM
*Monday through Thursday is the best time to avoid crowds.
Lights Under Louisville Admission Prices:
Standard Vehicle (Includes SUV, Truck, Minivan) $42.99
Full-Size Van/Limo/RV/Small School Bus $79.99
Priority Pass Standard Vehicle $89.99
Christmas Express $21.99/per person
*Additional fees may apply when using a credit card.
Deck The Y’alls Lightfest
Thomas More Stadium (where the Florence Y’alls baseball team plays)
7950 Freedom Way, Florence, KY
Guests can experience more than 2.5 million lights, themed areas, holiday shopping, great food, Santa Claus, ice skating, carnival, and more!
When: November 22nd, 2024 – January 1st, 2025
Tickets are General Admission ONLY.
- Kids: $11 (4-12-year-olds)
- Kids 3 and under free admission/ice skating*
- Adults: $15
- Seniors/Military: $11 only available at Box Office (seniors 55+)
**$2 fee when the ticket is purchased at the box office, on the day of the event
*Ice skating and picture packages with Santa are additional costs.
Consider purchasing a Cincinnati Pogo Pass for your family or as an experience gift for additional savings.
The pass includes 15 local attractions including Deck the Y’alls Lightfest.
Use the “ADVMOM” discount code for 50% off your purchase.
Ice Skating Tickets (Skate Rental Included)
- Tuesday: Kids Skate FREE | Sunday-Thursday: $5
- Friday & Saturday: $7
- Kids 3 and under are FREE
For the best value, consider a family bundle.
*Family Bundle (4 people):
4 – $72. For more than 4 people add $18 per person
Includes admission tickets, ice skating, and 1 hot chocolate per person
Winter Nights, River Lights in Newport, KY on the Purple People Bridge
425 York St, Newport, KY
When: Nov. 22, 2024 – Jan. 05, 2025
Enjoy a beautifully lit holiday walk across the Purple People Bridge along the Ohio River at the Levee.
Complete your visit by stopping at the Wish Tree to make someone’s holiday wish come true!
While you are at Newport on the Levee, you may want to plan a visit to see “Scuba Santa” at Newport Aquarium. You can save on admission to Newport Aquarium with discount tickets here.
Admission: There is no admission fee to walk across the bridge.
Park in Newport at the Levee Parking Garage.
1 Levee Way, Newport, KY
Valet parking is accessible via the 3rd Street entrance. – Monday – Sunday 11AM – 11PM
Light Up the Fair at the Boone County Fairgrounds
5819 Idlewild Rd Burlington, KY
There are nearly 1 MILLION Christmas lights at this drive-thru display at the Boone County Fairgrounds.
The LED Christmas lights along the 2-mile drive are individually controlled, creating a spectacular display.
Articulately choreographed to holiday music, you can listen to the live show by tuning into the radio station 97.9 FM in your own vehicle.
This magical holiday tradition is something the whole family is bound to enjoy.
When: November 15 to December 28, 2024
Gates Are Open from 5:30 PM to 10 PM, Nightly
*Also open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day!
Admission:
- $7 per person (1-3 people), $25 carload (4- 8 people)
- Active Military, First Responders, Kids 3 and under: Free
You can order tickets in advance online or pay with cash or a credit card at the gate.
Southern Lights Holiday Festival at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington
4089 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY
Visitors can see over a million twinkling lights adorning 3 miles of illuminated roadways from the comfort of their vehicle car.
Guests can explore the Holiday Village (included in admission) after the drive-thru lights.
The Holiday Village features photos with Santa, Santa’s North Pole Mailbox (where children can drop off their Christmas List), Animal Land, Mini-Train rides, a Bluegrass Miniature Train Display, and the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop.
When: November 29-December 31, 2024 (Closed Christmas Day) from 5:30-10:00 PM
*Thursdays and Sundays are popular nights at Southern Lights.
During these nights, long lines and wait times should be expected. Guests can purchase tickets online which will help expedite their entry.
Admission:
- Tickets purchased online in advance are $35 per carload (plus the processing fee).
- Tickets purchased at the ticket booth are $35 per carload. Cash or Credit Card accepted.
ChristmasTime at the Ark
1 Ark Encounter Dr, Williamstown, KY
At this winter wonderland, you’ll enjoy a life-size ark and gardens illuminated in colorful lights, the Ararat Ridge Zoo, tasty treats (like hot chocolate!), traditional Christmas music and carols, a massive fair-trade market and gift shop for Christmas shopping, plus so much more.
Bring the family for an unforgettable evening of musical performances, holiday decorations, gift shopping, and more at this life-size Noah’s Ark.
When: ChristmasTime at the Ark will be from 5 – 8:30 PM on November 29, 2024–January 4, 2025, Tuesday through Saturday on select days
*Open Tuesday through Saturday
Admission: FREE
Parking: $10 per vehicle
*Additional fees apply for the Ark Encounter tour, camel rides, the virtual reality experience, and Christmas meal.
ChristmasTime at the Creation Museum
(888) 582-4253
2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd, Petersburg, KY
ChristmasTime at the Creation Museum has become a spectacular holiday tradition for many, many families in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Stroll through the museum’s botanical gardens amid the breathtaking display of thousands of multi-colored lights.
Each year, they add new designs and more color throughout the garden trails, so your walking tour experience is never the same!
Enjoy a live nativity, a petting zoo, festive treats, shopping, and more!
When: ChristmasTime at the Creation Museum will be from 5- 8:30 PM on November 29, 2024–January 4, 2025, Tuesday through Saturday on select days
*Open Tuesday through Saturday.
Admission: Free
Parking: $10 per vehicle
*Additional fees apply to tour the Creation Museum and attend THE CHRISTMAS STAR planetarium show.
Illuminated Evenings and Candlelight Tours at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
(859) 734-5411
3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg, KY
During the holiday season, Shaker Village will bustle with light-hearted moments that remind us of long-ago winter days filled with wonder and laughter. Make time to delight in life’s simple gifts with family and friends, as lively music, merriment, and candlelight illuminate the Village.
In addition to their regular Holiday festivities, Illuminated Evenings will feature holiday music, roaring fires, and twinkling lights!
Guests taking the Candlelight Tour will trace the evolution of Christmas celebrations in Shaker communities like Pleasant Hill and compare them to the contemporary interpretations of the holiday season.
When:
Illuminated Evenings: Saturday, December 4, 11 & 18, 2024 (5 – 8 PM)
Candlelight Tours: December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 2024
Admission:
Illuminated Evenings: Donations of new gloves, hats, scarves, and non-perishable food for the Shaker Village Giving Tree are encouraged in place of regular $5 admission and will be given to local families in need.
Candlelight Tours: Annual Passholder: $5; Non-Annual Passholder: $10
Additional Light Displays in Kentucky
I haven’t had a chance to visit these holiday light displays yet, but I hope to see them soon!
- Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill 1122 Main Street, Millersburg, KY
- Christmas in the Park at Bob Noble Park (presented by Paducah Power System) 2915 Park Avenue, Paducah, KY
- Christmas in the Park at Freeman Lake Park (Blue Heron Way Entrance) 212 Freeman Lake Park Rd, Elizabethtown, KY
- Grand Rivers’ Festival of Lights 1858 JH O’Bryan Ave, Grand Rivers, KY
- Spirited Nights at Buffalo Trace Distillery 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY
- Light up St. Matthews 1000 Browns Ln, St Matthews, KY 40207
- Winter Wonderland of Lights throughout Downtown Ashland and Central Park Ashland, KY
- Lights Around London free drive-thru light display around London, Kentucky
Looking for More Holiday-Themed Adventures this Holiday Season?
Check out these unique holiday-themed adventures in Kentucky.
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Free Christmas lights driving tour in London KY