Are you looking for the best holiday lights in Lexington and Central KY? Find the most beautiful Christmas lights and holiday decorations with the Lex Fun 4 Kids Holiday Lights Guide.
If you have an awesome display to add please complete the submission form at the end of this post.
Businesses
Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park
At the end of the route, we invite you to park and explore the Holiday Village (included in Southern Lights ticket price). The Holiday Village features photos with Santa, Santa’s North Pole Mailbox (where children can drop off their Christmas List), Animal Land, Mini-Train rides, a Bluegrass Miniature Train Display, and the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop. Grab a quick snack and hot drink in the village or sit down for dinner at Tootie’s Peppermint Café to complete your visit.
When: Nightly from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm November 27 – December 31, 2026 *Closed Christmas Day
Where: 4089 Iron Works Pike, Lexington 40511
Cost: $35 per carload in advance/$35 at the entrance
Lexington Fire Station # 20
The light show is FREE. However, please consider bringing a new and unwrapped toy with you to donate. The show starts daily at 5:30 p.m. and will run through the end of the year. Tune into 91.1 FM to access the choreographed music.
Remember, we ask you not to park in the grass and turn off your headlights. Additionally, suppose you see lights come on in the bay and firefighters moving quickly to the trucks. In that case, parents should gather their kids and move clear of the driveway because the crews are responding to an emergency.
When: Nightly (Typically starts around Thanksgiving)
Where: 3001 Arrowhead, Lexington 40514
Cost: Free (Drop a toy for the Toys for Tots program if you’d like!)
Legendary Festival of Lights
The Legendary Festival of Lights debuts with spectacular light displays, festive treats, and unforgettable memories for the whole family. Walk through our ballpark transformed into a winter wonderland featuring dazzling light installations, holiday music, and special themed nights throughout the season.
When: November 20, 2026 – January 2, 2027 (Select Nights)
Where: Legends Field, 207 Legends Lane, Lexington KY
Cost: Varies depending on date
Gatton Park Winter Village
Winter Village is Gatton Park’s signature three-week holiday celebration, transforming the park into a festive seasonal destination in the heart of Lexington. After welcoming more than 30,000 visitors to our inaugural Winter Village in 2025, we’re excited to build on that momentum and create an even more memorable experience in 2026.
Throughout the season, guests can enjoy an immersive 81-foot illuminated Christmas tree that visitors can walk beneath while experiencing synchronized lights and music, along with holiday décor and light displays, cozy igloos available to rent, live entertainment, food and beverage offerings, visits with Santa, and other special seasonal experiences.
When: December 4 – 5, 11 – 12, 2026, 5 – 10 pm
Where: Gatton Park on the Town Branch
Cost: FREE, Food and drinks available for purchase (Igloo rentals available for a fee)
Shaker Village Illuminated Evenings
During the holiday season, Shaker Village will bustle with light-hearted moments that remind us of long-ago winter days filled with wonder and laughter. Make time to delight in life’s simple gifts with family and friends, as lively music, merriment and candlelight illuminate the Village. Illuminated Evenings will feature holiday music, roaring fires and twinkling lights! Each Saturday evening will feature different performers, as well as programs and tours.
When: Saturday evenings in December 5, 12, 19, 2026. 4 pm – 8 pm
Where: 3501 Lexington Road, Harrodsburg KY 40330
Cost: Ages 3+: $10 (Early Bird) $12 (At the door)
Annual Passholders & Ages Under 2: Free
Spirited Nights at Buffalo Trace Distillery
When: Watch for 2026 dates
Reservations have a specified entry time. Please arrive at the time selected.
Where: 113 Great Buffalo Trace Frankfort, KY 40601
Cost: Free, Reservations required. Book online.
Festive fun returns this holiday season to Buffalo Trace Distillery. Immerse yourself in holiday décor, find perfect gifts for everyone on your list, and don’t miss our nighttime tradition, Spirited Nights: Light Trail Experience—a complimentary, family-friendly offering hosted on select December evenings. This festive, self-guided light experience features enchanting displays, photo opportunities, and more. Wander through enchanting light displays, snap photos with family and friends and soak in the holiday spirit with unforgettable moments around every corner. Those 21+ looking to upgrade their visit can select Spirited Nights: Cocktails and Cheer for a premium experience that includes three winter cocktails and take-home gifts. There’s something for everyone this holiday season at Buffalo Trace Distillery. Open to guests of all ages. ADA accessible.
Those 21+ can enhance their Spirited Nights reservation to include the Cocktails and Cheer experience during the checkout process below. A valid government issued ID must be presented for each 21+ guest that has purchased the Cocktail and Cheer experience.
Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill
Wander through a dazzling light display that transforms our historic Kentucky campus into a glowing spectacle. Your general admission grants you access to enchanting features like the magnificent Gingerbread Exhibits showcasing artistry from across the country. You can also explore the Artisans Market to find unique handcrafted gifts, enjoy the cheerful atmosphere of the Holiday Tent Cafe with live music, and grab a festive bite from our gourmet Food Trucks. It’s a place to slow down, share a cozy moment with loved ones, and immerse yourself in the warm spirit of Christmas.
When: Select Nights, November 27 – December 23, 2026, 5 – 9 pm
Where: 1122 Main Street, Millersburg, KY 40348
Cost: Online tickets – $18.50 per person, Kids 7 & Under – $1
Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights
The Cincinnati Zoo is shining bright for the 44th annual PNC Festival of Lights! Come early to see more animals and stay for the lights!
In addition to admiring the beauty of 5 million LED lights, visitors can find the 5 Fiona fairies in Fairyland, take in a blacklight puppet show, marvel at the spectacular Wild Lights on Swan Lake, or snack at one of our seasonal concessions.
When: November 19, 2026 – January 3, 2027 *Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas
Sunday – Thursday: 10am – 9pm
Friday – Saturday: 10am – 10pm
December 20-31: 10am-10pm
Where: 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45220
Cost: Prices vary – see online, PNC Festival of Lights is included in Zoo admission. Visit the Zoo early and stay for the lights!
Lights Under Louisville
Louisville Mega Cavern’s Lights Under Louisville returns with more than 40 themed displays, multiple projection areas, approximately 900 lit characters, new exciting themes, two laser locations, multiple light tunnels, holiday music and over 6,000,000 points of light that will immerse visitors in a megadose of holiday cheer. It’s the only underground light show of its kind on the planet!
When: November 13, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Where: 1841 Taylor Ave Louisville, KY 40213
Cost: Prices vary for vehicle type – find ticketing info online
Creation Museum
Tour the dazzling garden of lights, reflect on the true meaning of the season at the indoor nativity, watch a live drama, enjoy a special holiday dinner, do some unique gift shopping, and experience more during our free, annual ChristmasTown!
When: November 27, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Thursday – Saturday, 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: 2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd. Petersburg, KY 41080
Cost: Parking $15 standard, Lights and outdoor nativity experience are FREE. Additional activities are available for a fee or museum admission.
Ark Encounter
See Noah’s Ark and the gardens illuminated in a remarkable sea of rainbow-colored lights! This holiday season, bring the whole family out for an unforgettable evening.
When: November 27, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Thursday – Saturday, 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: 1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, KY 41097
Cost: FREE ChristmasTime event for only the cost of parking! Parking $15. Ark admission and special activities extra fee.
Private Homes
Mt. McKinley Lights
Enjoy this annual tradition with new things planned each year. They typically offer a food donation opportunity so be sure to check their Facebook page for updates on making a non-perishable donation while you are there!
When: Nightly from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm Thanksgiving through New Year’s eve.
Where: 2956 Mt. McKinley Way, Lexington KY 40517
Cost: FREE (Food donations encouraged)
Turner House
The Turner family has been decorating for the holidays for decades and their beautiful light display is always a favorite of families across Central KY!
When: Nightly during the holidays
Where: 1008 Chinoe Road, Lexington KY 40502
Cost: FREE
Toronto Road Holidays
If you’re a fan of the colorful, inflatable yard decorations or have kids who love these or want to see some favorite classic holiday and cartoon friends this is the stop for you! Enjoy a HUGE display of fun characters including Rudolph, Mickey, Snoopy, Spongebob and MORE!
When: Nightly from around Thanksgiving through New Year’s eve.
Where: 200 Toronto Road, Lexington 40515
Cost: FREE
Jones Family Christmas Light and Music Show
The Jones Family Christmas Light and Music Show is created and produced by Ryan Jones, who is legally blind. Thousands of Christmas lights combined with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra music and the Christmas Story narration come together to become a beautiful, synchronized display. Using specialized computer software and audio cues, Ryan designed and sequenced the show without sight — proving that creativity has no limits. The show exists for two reasons: To share the true story of Christmas through music, narration, and light. To inspire others by showing that a disability is not the end of a dream — in fact, it can be the beginning of something extraordinary. For more than a decade, this show has grown into a beloved Lexington tradition, bringing joy to families from across Central Kentucky each Christmas season. Tune your radio to 89.5FM for music and narration. For updates please visit, www.Facebook.com/JonesFamilyLights
When: Nightly from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm December 1st – December 31st. *Except in heavy rain
Where: 1748 Abbington Hill, Lexington 40514
Cost: FREE
Immanuel Baptist Church
Immanuel Baptist Church is the biggest Baptist church in the state and we are covering our campus with Christmas Lights this year and would love for people to take a look at it. We will also have music playing as they drive through.
When: Watch for 2026 Info
Where: 3100 Tates Creek Road, Lexington
Cost: FREE
Submit your lights HERE!
The Holiday Events Guide is UP!
Find Santa, Music, Train Rides, Trees and more!!
