Are you looking for the BEST Christmas lights in Kentucky?
I’m sharing a list of the best Christmas light displays to see throughout the Bluegrass state that are guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!
These holiday displays and winter illuminations are a great way to experience the Christmas season with family or friends.
Use these tips for viewing holiday lights before you go.
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, featuring over 850 light-up characters with over 3,000,000 points of light, is sure to become a spectacular holiday tradition for you and yours!
When: Open November 11, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Hours:
Opening Day: 6pm to 10pm
Daily Hours: 9:30am to 10pm
Thanksgiving Day: 5:30pm to 10pm
Christmas Day: 5:30pm to 10pm
Christmas Express: 10am to 4pm
*Monday through Thursday is the best time to avoid crowds.
Lights Under Louisville Admission Prices:
Standard Vehicle (Includes SUV, Truck, Minivan) $34.99
Full-Size Van/Limo/RV/Small School Bus $79.99
Full-Size School Bus $149.99
Motor Coach $349.99
Priority Pass Standard Vehicle $79.99
Christmas Express $19.99/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
Experince more than 2 million lights, themed areas, holiday shopping, great food, Santa Claus, ice skating, carnival and more!
When: November 25, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Ticket prices will vary depending which date you attend.
Tickets are general admission ONLY.
*Ice skating, carnival and pictures with Santa are additional costs.
General Lightfest Admission:
- Kids: $10-$18 (4-12-year-olds)
- Kids 3 and under free admission/ice skating*
- Adults: $14-$22
- Seniors/Military: $12-$18 (seniors 55+)
*Family Bundle (4-7 people):
4 – $76, 5 – $95, 6 – $114, 7- $133
Includes admission tickets, ice skating and 1 hot chocolate per person – *SUNDAY-THURSDAY ONLY
There is a $1 ticketing fee for tickets bought at the box office.
Winter Nights, River Lights in Newport, KY on the Purple People Bridge
425 York St, Newport, KY
When: Nov 18, 2022 – Jan 08, 2023
Enjoy a beautifully lit holiday walk across the Purple People Bridge along the Ohio river at the Levee.
Be sure to 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, schedule a visit to see Scuba Santa at the Newport Aquarium.
Admission: There is no admission fee to walk across the bridge.
Park in Newport at the Levee Parking Garage.
1 Levee Way, Newport, KY
Parking Garage Rates :
- 0-1 hour stay – Free
- 1-5 hour stay – $6
- 5 to 24 hours – $12
- Lost ticket – $25
Valet Parking:
Valet parking is accessible via the 3rd Street entrance.
Monday – Sunday 11AM – 11PM
Light Up the Fair at the Boone County Fairgrounds
859-568-4046
5819 Idlewild Rd Burlington, KY
Updated in 2021, there are nearly 1 MILLION Christmas lights at this drive-thru display at the Boone County Fairgrounds.
Each and every one of the LED Christmas lights along the 2-mile drive is 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: Starting November 11 -December 31st, 2022
- Sunday – Thursday 5:30-9pm
- Friday and Saturday 5:30-10pm
- Open all holidays including Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day
Admission:
- $7 per person (1-3 people)
- $25 carload of 4- 8 people
- Active Military and First Responders: 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
See over a million twinkling lights adorning illuminated roadways from the comfort and safety of your personal car.
Featuring visits with Santa Claus (and maybe even Mrs. Claus!), Animal Land, model trains, and so much more, the Southern Lights Holiday Village is sure to delight guests of all ages.
When: November 25-December 31 (Closed Christmas Day) from 5:30-10:00 pm
*Thursdays-Sundays are very 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 $30 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: 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on select days from November 25 through December 30, 2022 *Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Admission: FREE
Parking: $15 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
ChristmasTown 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, skating on their Glice® (synthetic ice) rink, festive treats, and shopping, plus so much more!
When: 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on select days from November 25 through December 30,2022.
*Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Admission: Free
Parking: $15 per vehicle
*Additional fees apply to tour the Creation Museum, go ice skating, 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: December 4, 11, & 18 from 5 pm- 8pm
Candlelight Tours: December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, & 18
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 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
- Lighting of the Trace 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