There's truly nothing like Christmas in Kentucky. The dazzle of holiday lights and all of the festive activities this time of year are some of the best things about the season. Many Kentucky towns transform throughout the month of November and are fully decked out in holiday cheer before Christmas arrives. One lakefront destination happens to be one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in the South, and it would make for a magical getaway this holiday season. Grand Rivers Festival of Lights offers plenty of sparkling lights and festive events, so consider a visit this year and find out what makes Patti's Christmas Lights so magical.
This year's Festival of Lights will take place from Nov. 4th through Jan. 31st, 2023, 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. nightly. And the best news of all? It's free!
There are so many bucket list-worthy cities in Kentucky, and Grand Rivers is definitely one of them.
Situated right along Kentucky Lake, this town is known for its summer fun on the water, but it also becomes Kentucky's city of lights during the holiday season. One of the most popular spots in the town, Patti's 1880's Settlement is the hub of all of this festive fun.
Patti's is a beloved destination in Grand Rivers that draws visitors from all over.
It is known for its extensive Christmas light display, which has continued despite continued construction on the property due to a previous fire. If you're wondering whether or not to wait to visit until construction is complete, the current photo of the lights, shown above, proves that now is as good a time as any.
All throughout the holiday season, Patti's hosts special holiday events where the lights are the stars of the show.
If you miss any of the events, don't worry; the lights continue to illuminate the buildings and walkways of the property through the holidays, so you have plenty of time to visit.
Spend time wandering along the sidewalks and going in and out of the charming local shops. Prepare to be enchanted by the beauty of the Bluegrass during the holidays!
Definitely make a point to try the delicious food that Patti's is known for. From flower pot bread and Bill's Boatsinker Pie, to fried catfish and pork chops, this is Southern cuisine at its finest!
Aside from Patti's, Grand Rivers is also famous for its lighthouse and lakefront location.
Lighthouse Landing is still a great spot to visit, even in the cold and snow. In fact, the snow makes the lights and festivities even more magical.
If you'd like to visit Grand Rivers and stay overnight, consider staying right at Lighthouse Landing.
You'll have great access to the lighthouse and walkways around the lake and there are rentals available year-round. Learn more about Lighthouse Landing.
As the holidays approach, you may even notice that the boats at the marina join in the festive fun.
There aren't many places in the Bluegrass State where you can walk along a marina that is illuminated with Christmas lights. But in Kentucky's City of Lights you can do just that, as well as witness one of the best light displays in the state at Patti's 1880's Settlement.
Patti's Christmas Lights is a wonderful experience to have during the holiday season. Definitely consider a visit to Grand Rivers during the holidays, as it is illuminated with so many lights and festive fun. Have you been to Grand Rivers at Christmas? Tell us about it in the comments!
Learn more about this year's Festival of Lights in Kentucky. And don't forget to wear your coziest winter jacket!
For another fantastic place to eat in Grand Rivers, check out a newer restaurant in this waterfront town.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
