Best Places to See Holiday Lights in Southern Indiana

Nov 01, 2024

October 31, 2024 by Christa Ritchie

There’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than to experience enchanting lights and dazzling decorations designed for this special time of year. So, pack up the car, turn on holiday music, and get ready for some spectacular sights! You’ll find these stunning displays all around Southern Indiana and Louisville.

Charlestown: Christmas City

Charlestown: Christmas City is one of the Southern Indiana region’s most festive light displays with multiple locations lighting up to transform Charlestown into a “Christmas City.” To ring in the holidays, Light Up Charlestown begins at 5 p.m. Friday, November 29, at Greenway Park–the town’s central park. Enjoy holiday music, food trucks and the flipping of the light switch at 6 p.m., which sets Charlestown aglow with holiday lights. While there, take a stroll through the park to see a beautiful, fully lit 55-foot tree. Live reindeer will be on site from 6 - 10 p.m. on December 23!

Just a few blocks away on Market Street, holiday lights will also be shining bright on the miniature golf course at the Charlestown Family Activities Park. Play a round of put-put golf then hop aboard the Charlestown Express. Train rides are available Thursdays through Saturdays and on December 23, costing $8/person. Purchase tickets at the admission window. If you have little ones, make sure you leave time for visits with Santa or the Grinch (on select dates), children’s activities and a concession stand selling hot chocolate, apple cider and snacks.

And don't miss the Winter Holiday Market, also at the Family Activities Park! Check off your holiday shopping list by visiting vendors selling holiday décor, gifts, handmade crafts and more. The market will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 6 to 10 p.m. from Nov. 29 through Dec. 21.

An animated light show takes place at the Charlestown City Square every night from 6 to 10 p.m. from November 29 until January 1. The official light up is set for 5 p.m. on November 29! Set your radio to 87.9 FM to hear music synced to the light show.

This year's festivities include additional special events, including a murder mystery dinner party, Jingle Bell 1K run/walk, a gingerbread & PJ's event and a community painting party.

Light Up Jeff and Holiday Parade

Source: www.facebook.com/jeffersonville.indiana

The City of Jeffersonville comes aglow during Light Up Jeff, presented by Republic Bank, on Saturday, November 30 at Warder Park. Make a night out of this event filled with fun activities for the whole family.

The North Pole Party begins at 4 p.m. on Court Avenue with games, rides, live entertainment, treats, visits with Santa Claus and more.

The Holiday Light Up Parade gets rolling at 6 p.m. Find a great viewing spot on Spring Street (between Market and 7th) and watch as the floats, bands, unique vehicles and other participants ride by. Immediately after the parade ends, Mayor Mike Moore flips the switch to light up Warder Park.

While you’re in Jeffersonville, be sure and take a stroll through the glowing light displays in downtown Jeffersonville, including at Big Four Station Park and on the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge. Head downtown early, before the light up festivities, to do some holiday shopping. If you arrive early enough, you might even catch holiday candy making at Schimpff's Confectionery!

Light Up New Albany

Kick-off the holiday season with Light Up New Albany at 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, in Bicentennial Park.

Packed with yuletide fun for the entire family, City of New Albany presents an evening of crafts, cookies, hot cocoa, face painting, a photo booth, and visits with Santa. Like Jeffersonville, Downtown New Albany is packed with great shops and restaurants to begin checking off your list while ringing in the season.

Minion House

For a unique and quirky holiday light experience, take a drive to 2032 Indiana Avenue in New Albany where minion mania is on full display.

Around 70 of the zany, yellow inflatable characters made famous by the movie, “Despicable Me,” have taken over the home’s front yard. Decked out for the holidays, the minions come in all shapes and sizes, including two that stand 11-feet tall.

This Southern Indiana display has gone viral and caught the attention of millions worldwide. Weather permitting, the display usually goes up Thanksgiving weekend.

Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom

Don’t miss the all-new Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom event! Experience the magic of the season with Rudolph meet-and-greets, a visit to Santa’s house, and much more, all illuminated by over ONE MILLION holiday lights. This event runs from November 29 to January 4.

Lights Under Louisville

Head across the bridge to Louisville to drive your car through Lights Under Louisville, “the only underground light show in the world.” Roll down the windows and enjoy a 30-minute contactless drive through portions of Louisville Mega Cavern—17 miles of underground passageways. With more than 900 lit characters and 4 million points of light, you’ll be treated to an underground winter wonderland of lights aglow for the season.

Take a driving tour through the attraction November 8 through January 4, 2025. Cost is $42.99 for a standard vehicle.

Gardens Aglimmer

Reserve your tickets for Gardens Aglimmer at Waterfront Botanical Gardens in Louisville! Starting December 1, enjoy a sparkling wonderland of giant flowers, snowflakes, glistening deer and twinkling archways. Come indoors to create a craft, write a letter to the North Pole and for a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus!


Ticket prices for Gardens Aglimmer vary by age, ranging from $10 - $17 per person. Children 2 and under attend for free. Members of the Garden receive a discount.

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Christa Ritchie is a freelance writer, editor, public relations and marketing professional, and also serves as the editor of The Journal, a travel and tourism publication produced by the Kentucky Travel Industry Association. She is a former features reporter & columnist for The Courier Journal and a marketing communications manager at Louisville Tourism. In her free time, Christa enjoys fitness, fashion and home decor (shopping at Anthropologie and especially supporting the local retail scene), riding her mint green bike around the neighborhood, reading multiple books at once (one of her current fun faves is "Rumple Buttercup: A Story of Bananas, Belonging and Being Yourself" by her favorite actor Matthew Gray Gubler), and she also touts herself as the number one fan of David and Moira on "Schitt's Creek." Her lifelong dream is to someday write a children's book and spend a summer in the South of France.