Looking for a unique experience around the holidays?
Kentucky has several unique holiday adventures throughout the state that are perfect for making memories with friends and family.
I’m sharing places to add to your Kentucky Holiday Bucket List this year.
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1. Take A Tour of Kentucky’s Most Famous Home
501 E Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY
Learn about the Christmas customs of the Victorian era at My Old Kentucky Home in Bardstown.
Tours are available daily, starting on the hour from 9am to 4pm, from Friday, November 15- December 30, 2024.
(Closed November 28, December 24 & 25)
You can also reserve tickets to an evening performance of “An Old Kentucky Christmas Carol,” from December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21.
2. Visit Scuba Santa at Newport Aquarium
1 Levee Way, Newport, KY
Scuba Santa has been a Newport Aquarium holiday tradition for over 20 years. Aquarium members and guests look forward to his visit each year from November 29 – December 24, 2024.
Kids can get a unique photo with Santa and talk back and forth with Santa with a special microphone while he is in the shark tank.
And don’t worry about Santa’s safety because the scuba elves are making sure that the sharks don’t get too close.
Purchase discounted tickets here.
3. View Christmas Lights Underground at Mega Cavern
1841 Taylor Avenue, Louisville, KY
Lights Under Louisville takes guests through 17 miles of underground passageways to view over 7 million points of light.
This is the only completely underground light show of its kind which makes for a unique holiday experience.
With over 900 different displays, Lights Under Louisville is an unforgettable holiday drive-thru experience.
Lights Under Louisville at Mega Cavern is open from November 8, 2024 – January 4th, 2025.
4. Take a Distillery Holiday Tour at Maker’s Mark
3350 Burks Spring Rd, Loretto, KY
Celebrate the holidays and your love of bourbon by taking one of several tours offered at Marker’s Mark Distillery.
Holiday tours run on select dates throughout November and December, including Holiday Cookies & Cocktails Experience, Maker’s Mark Holiday Sip N’ Stroll and the Star Hill Farm Tour.
Be sure to reserve your tickets in advance.
5. Walk Through a Beautiful Display of Lights
Creation Museum – 2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd. Petersburg, KY
Ark Encounter – 1 Ark Encounter Dr, Williamstown, KY
ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum and ChristmasTown at the Ark Encounter are available for guests to enjoy for only the cost of parking.
ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter will be from 5 PM to 8:30 PM on November 29, 2024–January 4, 2025, Tuesday through Saturday on select days.
You can view dazzling lights on the garden trail, see a live nativity, and enjoy other holiday activities on-site (there may be additional costs for activities outside of the light show).
6. Discover Holiday Simplicity at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg, KY
At one point the 3,000-acre former Shaker community was the third largest Shaker community in the country, between the years 1805-1910.
Enjoy a special admission price to view the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill during Illuminated Evenings on select Saturdays in December.
Other offerings include Holiday Lunch at the Trustees’ Table, a Candlelight Tour, Tea Time with Mrs. Claus, and Holiday Afternoon Tea times.
7. Deck The Y’alls Lightfest
Thomas More Stadium (where the Florence Y’alls baseball team plays)
7950 Freedom Way, Florence, KY
November 22nd, 2024 – January 1st, 2025
Experience more than 2 million lights, themed areas, holiday shopping, great food, Santa Claus, ice skating, carnival, and more!
Save on your visit with a Pogo Pass using the 50% off discount code “ADVMOM.”
8. A Reindeer Encounter at The Reindeer Farm
2541 Old Union Church Rd, Bowling Green, KY
Guests visiting The Reindeer Farm have two options to choose from:
- A Day pass to enjoy the farm activities and view the reindeer
- A Day Pass + 30 minute Reindeer Encounter
The Reindeer Farm offers 30 Reindeer Encounters where guests can learn more about reindeer and get close enough to pet a reindeer.
Read more about The Reindeer Farm here.
There are also plenty of opportunities for a holiday-themed photo with a reindeer.
Find More Holiday Lights Around Kentucky
You can find more holiday events around the state below:
Share more about your favorite Kentucky holiday events in the comments below.
I’ve lived in Kentucky nearly all my life and I had no idea about any of these!