Top Towns for Christmas in Kentucky
The 5 Most Festive

Don't let the cold weather stop you from traveling! Winter, and Christmas time especially, is a great time to visit Kentucky.

The air is cold, but Kentucky hospitality is warm. You'll love visiting some of the most festive places in the state. There are plenty of inns full of Christmas magic waiting to welcome you during this special time of year!

Bardstown

Bardstown doesn't hold back when it comes to Christmas decorations.

This Kentucky town starts the Christmas season with ‘Light Up Bardstown,' an activity which involves decorating the town's lampposts and lighting the town Christmas tree and putting up other town decorations.

My Old Kentucky Home is also located in Bardstown, an historic building offering candlelight tours, 12-foot Christmas trees, and explanations of Christmas traditions of the past, including hoop skirts and a performance of "A Christmas Carol" followed by warm drinks and plenty of Christmas treats!

Carrollton

The aptly named Carrollton comes alive at Christmas time.

The town puts on a Christmas celebration on Main Street featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, a chance for kids to visit with Santa, and even a Sugar Plums baking contest. They also have a wonderful living nativity.

At the nearby General Butler State Park, local businesses, clubs, church groups and other organizations decorate Christmas trees in the park.

There are also celebrations including breakfast with santa, other children's activities with fun and festive characters, and much more.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is a recreated Shaker village based on the ancient buildings that used to make up this historic village.

The 3000-acre restored shaker village transforms into a magical old-time Christmas village in the winter with beautiful decorations and Christmas treats.

Each weekend in December Shaker Village holds what they call Illuminated Evenings where visitors can tour buildings by candlelight, warm their bodies by roaring fires, enjoy twinkling lights and hot beverages while taking in musical performances.

Visitors can also enjoy the jingle bell shuttle, holiday caroling, and of course, lots of tasty holiday food and treats.

Lexington

There's a lot of Christmas cheer in Lexington, Kentucky!

Lexington is home to the state's largest animated light display, but you can also visit a historic house and bask in warm candlelight as you enjoy Christmas like your ancestors of the past.

Embracing its title of the "horse capital of the world," Lexington has a unique display where horses of light "race" around the track before cheering crowds, clear a steeplechase fence, and end up grazing in pastures of bluegrass. It's certainly one of the most distinct light displays.

There's still plenty of traditional Christmas activities such as parades, visits with Santa and his elves and reindeer, and even holiday markets, which makes your holiday shopping fun and easy.

Louisville

Though far from a quaint little Christmas town, Louisville is still brimming with Christmas spirit.

Because Louisville is so large, you'll find a city full of Christmas lights and decorations, several companies that put on Christmas plays and ballets, and plenty of santas running around!

Some of the most spectacular Christmas events in Louisville include Lights Under Louisville, the world's only underground lights display. During Christmas, the Louisville Mega Cavern is illuminated with over 3 million lights, making it a truly unique display of holiday cheer.

If you're in town, don't miss Christmas at the Galt House, especially if you have young children. There are beautiful Christmas displays, scavenger hunts, food, and plenty of Christmas characters to enjoy!

We hope you'll choose to stay with us during your Kentucky Christmas adventure! Our inns our beautifully decorated and there'll be plenty of hot chocolate and cookies.

Top Towns for Christmas in KentuckyThe 5 Most Festive