These festive Christmas light displays in Kentucky are a great way to get in the holiday spirit – mostly from the comfort of your own car! Most of the events are drive-through with some bonus festive activities at many of the locations.

For more festive events in Kentucky check out our Christmas Event Guide

Lexington: Southern Lights Holiday Festival 

This marks the 28th year for Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park. It’s one of our favorite family traditions. You’ll be able to enjoy more than 1 million lights spread over 3 miles of dazzling holiday light displays. After being closed last year, the Holiday Village is open this year and includes: visits with Santa, Animal Land, pony and camel rides, miniature train rides and a walk through the Bluegrass Miniature Train Exhibit. Santa’s last night is December 23rd before he returns back to the North Pole to get ready for his big day!  The park’s restaurant – Tootie’s Peppermint Cafe will be open.

When:     26 November – 31 December 2021, 5:30-10PM nightly (closed on Christmas Eve)
Where:    Kentucky Horse Park, 4075 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington
Tickets:  $25 for a personal car, Book Tickets Online in Advance for expedited entry or purchase at the gate

Louisville: Lights Under Louisville 

Each year, Louisville’s MEGA cavern is transformed into an underground holiday light display for the Christmas season – the only one of it’s kind in the world. You’ll drive your own vehicle through a 30 minute ride covering parts of their 17 miles of underground passageways. There, you’ll be able to enjoy more than 850 lit characters made from more than 3 million lights. It’s truly the only show of it’s kind. Since the show is underground, they also offer daytime showtimes, starting at 9:30, everyday except holidays. The Christmas Express is back this year after being cancelled last year. On the Christmas Express, you’ll sit back and relax as you enjoy a ride through the lights in an open top trailer.

When:     12 November 2021 – 2 January 2022 9:30-10am with special hours on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Where:    MEGA Cavern, 1841 Taylor Avenue, Louisville, KY 40213
Tickets:  $32.99 for a regular passenger vehicle, Book tickets and priority passes online in advance

Burnside: Christmas Island

Christmas Island holiday lights at Burnside Island State Resort Park was my own family’s Christmas lights tradition, and I’m so excited that it’s BACK! The beloved Christmas tradition has returned this year. The magical light display will feature thousands of Christmas lights and many other fun activities such as carolers, appearances by Santa and much more!

When:     18 November 2021 – 2 January 2022
Where:    Burnside Island State Resort Park, 8801 S. Hwy 27, Burnside, KY 42519
Tickets:  $20 for standard car weekdays, $25 weekends, Tickets at the gate, see the Visit Burnside Website for more info

Ashland: Winter Wonderland of Lights Festival 

Winter Wonderland of Lights Festival is a project of the Ashland Alliance, Chamber of Commerce. Since 1988, they’ve been decking out downtown Ashland and Central Park with an array of gorgeous holiday lights. The lights are up from the week before Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. They also typically host the largest Christmas Parade in Kentucky. Visit the park to stroll through 52 acres featuring 60 amazing holiday displays and make sure to drive through downtown to see more of the lights. The festival has a whole host of holiday activities. Visit their website for more information about everything that’s going on.

When:     15 November 2021- 3 January 2022
Where:    Ashland, KY Central Park and Downtown
For ore information:  Winter Wonderland of Lights Website

Frankfort: Holiday Lights at the Distillery 

See a kaleidoscope of beautiful sparkling lights and displays as you drive through the grounds of the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort. Santa will be joining in the fun on December 9-12. On these evenings, children can wave at Santa as you drive past and drop over their letter to Santa in his mailbox. A friendly elf will also gift your kids with a pre-packaged treat from one of Santa’s elves.

When:     2 December 2021 – 1 January 2022
Where:    113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY
Tickets:  Free entry, Buffalo Trace Distillery Website

Elizabethtown: Christmas in the Park

This holiday season, check out the brilliant light display at the City of Elizabethtown’s Christmas in the Park. This drive-through experience will feature more than 100 displays scattered along an illuminated roadway. Christmas in the Park is in it’s 31st year and has become a Christmas tradition for many Elizabethtown area residents. The lighting tour is completely FREE to drive through but donations are accepted. All donations go towards the electricity costs and the cost of adding in new displays and updates each year.

When:     24 November 2021 – 1 January 2022
Where:    Freeman Lake Park, Blue Heron Way entrance, Elizabethtown
Tickets:  FREE, visit the event website for more information

Millersburg: Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill

Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill is a spectacular holiday tradition just 30 minutes north of Lexington in the heart of Bourbon County. Stroll through a breath-taking light display, enjoy festive music, shop for gifts and don’t miss out the absolutely stunning gingerbread houses on display. There is a 3-acre Christmas light display with beautiful photo ops throughout.

When:     27 November 2021 – 1 January 2021 (Christmas lights run through January 1, the gingerbread house exhibit, artisans’ market and holiday cafe runs through December 23 only)
Where:    Mustard Seed Hill, 1122 Main Street, Millersburg, KY 40348
Tickets:  $5 per person, kids 7 and under free, additional $5 to visit the Allen House mansion and McIntyre Hall where the Gingerbread House display is located, Buy tickets online

Harrodsburg: Illuminated Evenings at Shaker Village 

During the holiday season, Shaker Village will host a number of fun Holiday festivities. Including, Illuminated Evenings which will feature holiday music, roaring fires, twinkling Christmas lights and an appearance by Mrs. Claus. There will be bonfires, complimentary hot chocolate and spiced cider and special holiday music by regional musicians.

When:     4,11,18 December 2021, 5:00-8:00 PM
Where:    Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg
Tickets:  $5, or a donation of winter clothing or canned goods, Event Website

Scottsville: Santa’s Lookout

The night begins with a drive through a festive display of lights, holiday scenes costume characters and beautiful LIVE reindeer. Then, you can step inside the Holiday pavilion to enjoy tasty treats and friendly encounters with Christmas characters. Santa will be available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and photos are FREE with your own phone or camera. You can also meet the Grinch with photo ops available for a fee. The Grinch is only available on Saturdays and Sundays.  New this year is the Santa’s Sleigh hayride where you ride through the lights on a festive hayride.

When:     3-26 December 2021 (only Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
Where:   48 Locketts Dream, Scottsville KY 42164
Tickets:  From $30 per vehicle, Grinch experience and hayride extra, Reserve online

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky: Light Up the Fair

Light Up the Fair takes over the Boone County Fairground each Christmas season to create a fantastic drive-through Christmas lights display. It’s a favorite Christmas tradition among Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky families. The display is made up of 1/2 million individually controlled LED Christmas lights. The lights are choreographed to holiday themed music which is broadcast live over 97.9 FM.

When:     12 November 2021 – 1 January 2022
Where:    Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington, KY
Tickets:  $7 per person, Light Up the Fair Website

Louisville: Winter Woods Spectacular

The majestic woods of Louisville’s historic Iroquois park will be decked out in millions of twinkling lights that you can view as you drive along a winding road. The show is produced by the same creative team that’s behind the popular Jack O’Lantern Spectacular which is held around Halloween and the funds raised benefit the Parks Alliance of Louisville. This event is Drive-Thru only and there will be no parking. Due to COVID-19, there will be no food or concessions served at this year’s Winter Woods Spectacular.

When:    Nightly, November 26 – December 26, 2021
Where:    Iroquois Park, 4800 New Cut Road, Louisville
Tickets:  From $35 for passenger vehicle, Event Website

Crestwood: Yuletide at Yew Dell

Get in the holiday spirit with dazzling light and decor displays and enjoy the model train village. Say hello to Santa and hear a story, enjoy snacks, beverages (of both the kid and adult varieties) and other surprises that all combine to make a wonderful family outing.

When:     Weekends, now through December 12
Where:    Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, Crestwood
Tickets:  Advance ticket sale only, no tickets at door, $10 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors, Under 6s free, Yew Dell Gardens Website