Every year, something magical happens in the Bluegrass State. Our largest cities and smallest locales transform into real-life winter wonderlands, with an abundance of good tidings of comfort and joy to go around! There are numerous Kentucky Christmas towns we wholly recommend visiting, but none shine quite as brightly as Bardstown. Beautiful all year round, Bardstown becomes something truly magical come November and December; a picture-perfect Kentucky Christmas town that's straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
Every year, a holiday miracle happens in Bardstown, Kentucky. In the blink of an eye, the downtown goes from this...
The whole of Bardstown puts its best foot forward during the holidays, with each and every small business and local shop *showing up* with dazzling and delightful decor!
Bardstown's myriad historic sites, too, are given the "holiday" treatment, with twinkle lights, Christmas trees, and red-bow wreaths making these sites extra enchanting.
At the end of November, the holiday season officially kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony and visit from Santa, and it's an exuberant event you simply must experience.
The tree trimmed and aglow, the rest of December is devoted to the "Christmas 'Round Bardstown" festivities, which include open houses, ice skating, Christmas trains, walking tours, and so much more.
There's no better place to celebrate Christmas in Kentucky than this beautiful and beguiling small town. Bardstown, Kentucky, welcomes all for a month and a half of good, old-fashioned Christmas cheer.
Winter is coming whether you like it or not but that doesn't mean we can't have fun, am I right? Between the holiday season, snow sports like tubing and snowboarding, ice skating, and more, it may be cold but we can still create memories during the winter that will last a lifetime. If you need some ideas for activities and places to visit during the upcoming cold months, here are the best things to do in Kentucky in winter:
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Holiday Events In Kentucky
Front view close up of a mature caucasian grandmother carrying her young boy while walking along a city street, they are Christmas shopping at the Christmas markets in the city centre, they’re wrapped up in warm clothing on a cold December night. They are looking at each other while laughing under the Christmas lights.Videos are also available similar to this scenario.
When the holidays are upon us, there's a whole new world of fun that opens up around Kentucky! From tree lighting to light displays to holiday festivities, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Be sure to swing by one of these winter attractions in Kentucky to experience the magic of the holiday season.
If Kentucky is known for one thing worldwide it's the Kentucky Derby. Horse racing is big around these parts so it's quite fitting that the state hosts its very own horse-themed holiday lights display each year. Welcome to the Southern Lights Holiday Festival at the Kentucky Horse Park! Enjoy a 3-mile-long drive-thru display of twinkling lights before getting out of your car to take photos with Santa at the Southern Lights Holiday Village. This event is one of the best family things to do in Kentucky in winter.
2. Downtown Lights Up -- Tree Lighting
Location: Downtown Bowling Green, KY
Popularity: Very popular so you may want to arrive early to get parking and a good spot to view the tree lighting.
Price: Free
If you're looking for free things to do in winter in Kentucky, here's one for you -- the annual Downtown Lights Up in Bowling Green. The Christmas season officially kicks off with the lighting of Fountain Square Park and Circus Square downtown as well as a Christmas tree at Burr Plaza of the Southern KY Performing Arts Center. Come one, come all to Bowling Green for some festive family-friendly fun!
3. Lights Under Louisville
Location: Louisville, KY
Popularity: Very popular. Be sure to purchase tickets ahead of time on the Lights Under Louisville website.
Price: Ticket prices start at $42.99 per carload.
If you only have time for one holiday event in Kentucky, Lights Under Louisville is unlike any other you've experienced. Drive through the Louisville Mega Cavern all decked out for the holiday season. There are over 40 themed displays as well as over 900 characters and 6.5 million lights, so you're in for a real treat. This event is certainly one of the best Kentucky winter activities the whole family can enjoy.
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4. Deck The Yalls Lightfest
Location: Florence, KY
Popularity: Very popular.
Price: Sunday-Thursday: $13/adults, $9/child (age 12 and under), and $11/military.senior. Friday-Saturday: $16/adults, $121/child (age 12 and under), and $14/military.senior.
Looking for a fun and festive light show this holiday season? Of all the fun things you can do here during the Christmas season in Kentucky, the Deck The Yalls Lightfest is top-notch. Featuring over 2.5 million lights, an ice skating rink, activities, food, drinks, and fireworks, there are so many family-friendly festivities to be had here.
Christmas Towns In Kentucky
A view of the city streets in small-town America (Somerset, KY) with the lights of vehicles passing streaked and the town tree lit off to the right.
What's more charming than a small town in Kentucky? How about a Christmas town in Kentucky? Many of Kentucky's towns go all out for the holidays, and spending a day strolling down the streets is one of the best things to do in the winter in Kentucky. Here are some of the most festive towns that really get into the holiday spirit:
5. Bardstown
Location: Bardstown, KY
Popularity: Very popular during the holiday season.
Price: There may be a charge for specific holiday events. However, seeing the lights around town is free.
Do you want to get into the holiday spirit? Well, a visit to Bardstown, Kentucky will get you into the spirit in no time! Stroll along Main Street to take in the sights of all the holiday lights and decorations, spend time at My Old Kentucky Home State Park which hosts its own holiday events at the mansion, and stop in at some of the distilleries to learn about bourbon -- after all, Bardstown is a stop along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail! You can even pick up some bourbon as a holiday gift while you're in town.
6. Frankfort
Location: Frankfort, KY
Popularity: Very popular during the holidays.
Price: There may be a charge for specific holiday events. However, seeing the lights around town is free.
There's no hiding the Christmas spirit in Frankfort! Between the annual Frankfort Christmas Parade in early December, holiday performances by the Bluegrass Theatre Guild, craft shows, holiday markets, etc., not to mention all the Christmas lights, you'll certainly feel the magic of the season. And don't forget to check out the festive tree outside the Old State Capitol Building.
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7. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Location: Shaker Village, Harrodsburg, KY
Popularity: This is a festive and popular place to visit during the holiday season.
Price: $16 for ages 13-61; $8 for ages 6-12; $12 for seniors, military veterans, and first responders; and free for children ages 5 and under.
If you're longing for a simpler life, spend some time at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill this holiday season. With historic buildings donned with red bows, simple greenery, and white twinkling lights, you'll be enchanted by the simplicity of it all. While you can visit during the day, nighttime is when the real magic occurs. You'll feel as though you've been transported back in time to simpler days.
Whether it's sledding, ice skating, or hiking, there are plenty of things to do in the winter in Kentucky to keep you active and entertained. Just make sure you bundle up before heading out! Here are some of our favorite outdoor winter attractions in Kentucky:
8. SoKY Ice Rink
Location: Bowling Green, KY
Popularity: Quite a popular outdoor winter activity.
Price: $12/adults; $10/child under 12; Free for children under 4. Skate rentals are included in admission. Seasonal passes are available.
SoKY Ice Rink is open from mid-November through the end of January. This South Kentucky ice skating rink in SoKY Marketplace Pavilion is 6,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 175 people each session. This is such a fun place to glide along the ice in the winter air. So refreshing!
9. Three Bridges Trail at Carter Caves State Resort Park
Location: Olive Hill, KY
Popularity: This is a moderately popular Kentucky state park but much quieter in the winter.
Price: N/A
If you're looking for a place to take a winter hike, look no further than the 3.1-mile Three Bridges Trail at Carter Caves State Resort Park. As one of the most incredible Kentucky state parks, Carter Caves turns into a stunning winter wonderland complete with frozen waterfalls. Covered in a layer of snow, the landscape here is absolutely enchanting!
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10. Explore a cave at Mammoth Cave National Park
Location: Mammoth Cave, KY
Popularity: Open year-round, this is a very popular national park to visit.
Price: $9-$22 per person
Come wintertime, Mammoth Cave National Park is one of the best winter attractions in Kentucky. The cave system here can be explored on a tour which is offered every day throughout the year except on Christmas Day. It's absolutely magical!
11. Explore Red River Gorge
Location: Stanton, KY
Popularity: This park is quiet during the winter months.
Price: N/A unless you are camping in the park.
With its sandstone arches, rock formations, and cliffs, Red River Gorge is beautiful any time of the year but takes on a whole new look come wintertime. Covered in a blanket of white, this park is absolutely worth exploring this time of year. In fact, you may want to take a weekend getaway here. Glamping and camping sites are available year-round at Red River Gorge where you can also do some winter hiking along one of the many trails.
Winter Getaways
Photo of a smiling, cheerful family who enjoy each others company during a prolonged weekend in front of a cabin house – their rental home for the weekend
Getaways aren't just for the summer. Winter getaways, especially after a hectic holiday season, give us the chance to relax and recenter ourselves. Perhaps a getaway in the new year is in order.
12. Wonderful "Ranch House" near the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum
Location: Petersburg, KY
Rating: 4.8/5 stars
Price: $140/night
Spending time in Petersburg in order to visit the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum? Make a getaway out of it by spending time at this wonderfully cozy Ranch House. Featuring two bedrooms and one bathroom, this home can house up to eight guests. It also features amenities like a full kitchen, an outdoor fire pit, games the whole family can enjoy, and so much more!
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13. The Manchester Hotel
Location: Lexington, KY
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Price: $169/night
If you're someone who prefers staying in a hotel, and an upscale hotel at that, consider booking The Manchester Hotel in Lexington. This hotel has two restaurants, two bars, a fire pit, and is pet-friendly. This northern Kentucky destination hotel is perfect for a romantic winter getaway and is close to some of the best of what Lexington has to offer.
14. Upscale Shipping Container Cabin in the Woods of Red River Gorge
Location: Stanton, KY
Rating: 5/5 stars
Price: $163/night
For one of the most unique winter getaways you could have, book a stay at this Upscale Shipping Container Cabin. Not only is it in the woods of Red River Gorge, where you can take a walk into Daniel Boone National Forest, but it's also a short driving distance to Natural Bridge State Park. This accommodation is ideal due to its location where you can explore the natural surroundings and then you can come back and soak in the hot tub. Doesn't that sound perfect?
15. Beautiful Cabin on Nolin Lake
Location: Cub Run, KY
Rating: 4.9/5 stars
Price: $210/night
If you're looking for romantic things to do this winter, have a getaway at a cozy cabin in a remote area like this beautiful cabin on Nolin Lake. This three-bedroom, two-bath home has both an indoor and outdoor fireplace, a screened-in porch, and lake views. You can also explore nearby Mammoth Cave National Park and Cub Run Cave.
So there you have it -- some of the best things to do in Kentucky in winter. What else would you add to this list? Let us know! And don't forget to bundle up this winter with a coat, snow boots, and other cold-weather gear from L.L. Bean.
Want to know what winter in Kentucky is going to be like this year? Check out Kentucky's upcoming winter forecast. Looks like we are in for a cold one!
There is no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day in the Bluegrass State. Communities host parades and families decked in red, white, and blue plan backyard barbecues. Some swim in pools or lakes, and others picnic in the park. Across the state, Kentuckians enjoy fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July. I enjoy finding out where to watch fireworks near me. If you like celebrating with the big booms and soaring whistles that accompany a fireworks show, check out these July 4 fireworks in Kentucky:
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1. Waterfront Park Fourth of July, Louisville
Louisville's Waterfront Park Fourth of July celebration begins on July 4 at 5 p.m. and is free. The event is at the city's Big Four Lawn, located on River Road on the banks of the Ohio River. Event highlights include a variety show called Waterfront Park's Most Talented, where local singers, dancers, musicians, and comedians will perform. The celebration will conclude with a fireworks show over the river. For more information, visit the event's website.
The Crescent Hill Community Center is hosting an all-day Fourth of July festival in 2024. The event starts at 10 a.m. with an opening flag ceremony presented by the Sons of the American Revolution. Throughout the day, there will be a pet contest, a cake contest, children's lawn games, and live band music. The festival will end with a fireworks show at 10 p.m. More details and a festival schedule are available at the Crescent Hill Community Council event website.
3. Paristown Fourth of July Celebration, Louisville
The Paristown Fourth of July Celebration features an artisan market on Brent Street, live music, and tasty food. A doughnut-eating contest will begin at 8 p.m. and a fireworks show will blast off at 9:45 p.m. For event details visit the Paristown event website.
Lexington Parks and Recreation will host a weeklong Fourth of July celebration. On Thursday, July 4, 2024, a 10K race, fun run, festival market, and parade are planned. At 10 a.m., the Declaration of Independence will be read at the city's historic courthouse. The day will end with a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Visit the event's website for more information and the week's detailed schedule.
The city of Richmond, Kentucky, will host a fantastic Fourth of July Celebration at Lake Reba Park. The event includes live music, swimming, and playing at Adventure Falls. Event-goers can also peruse craft, food, and wine vendors on site. A fireworks celebration will round out the event at 10 p.m. For more information, visit the event website.
6. Fourth of July Celebration, Independence
Where better to celebrate Independence Day than in Independence, Kentucky? The city hosts weekend festivities on July 5 and 6, 2024, including a parade, live music, rides, and fireworks. The city's event website has more details.
The Ameribration Celebration is a weeklong event in Calvert City, Kentucky. On July 4, 2024, the festivities will take place at Memorial Park from 12 to 9 p.m., including a parade, kids' activities, food trucks, and fireworks. For event details, visit the Ameribration Week Celebration 2024 website.
Now that I know where to watch fireworks near me on July 4, I cannot wait for the day to arrive!
Public fireworks displays in Kentucky are a safer alternative to shooting off fireworks yourself, which can be very dangerous. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 9,700 injuries and eight deaths from fireworks in 2023.
There are so many ways to celebrate the Fourth of July. If you plan to celebrate Independence Day with a hike, check out our ultimate hiking essentials.
