Local Festivities to Check Out This Year to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
Don’t just sit at home this holiday season. Get out and enjoy the festivities going on right here in Lexington. Our city is home to some of the best holiday celebrations around, so go out and explore with your family or friends.
The best part is that you won’t have to break the bank on gas to enjoy these local activities. All of them are in pretty close proximity to campus, and walking or carpooling is highly encouraged to cut down on costs.
Check out one or all of these and you’ll be sure to be in the holiday spirit after your experience:
The Annual City Tree Lighting
Since 1913, Lexington has kicked off the holiday season with a local tradition, the lighting of the city tree. This year, the festivities will start on Saturday, Nov. 24, at Triangle Park. The celebration will begin at 3 p.m. and continue on until the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. when Santa Claus will flip the switch to light up the city tree. Visitors can enjoy food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, and live music throughout the day. This is the perfect activity to get you in the mood for Christmas. There’s something almost magical about watching a Christmas tree being lit for the first time of the season.
Ice Skating at Triangle Park
Make it a night of fun out at Triangle Park and go ice skating after the city tree lighting. The tree is just a short walking distance from the rink. The rink opens this year in mid-November and will be open through the beginning of January, so plan a trip anytime. You can bring your own skates, but skate rentals are included in the price, which is just $12 for 90 minutes on the ice. Ice skating is open for the public from 4-10 p.m. during the week, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. This winter wonderland is the perfect group activity, and it could also be a romantic setting for a fun holiday date.
Barker’s Christmas Tree Farm
Feel like decorating a tree with your roommates or family at home? Head on over to one of Lexington’s many Christmas tree farms. At Barker’s, they have a great selection of white pine, canaan firs, norway spruce, concolor fir, and douglas firs out in the field that you can go cut down yourself for the ultimate tree picking experience. They also have pre-cut Fraser Firs for sale if sawing down a tree is not your thing. All trees are individually priced starting at $33 and up. Be sure to take cash or your checkbook with you because Barker’s doesn’t accept card. The farm will open on Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. After that, they will be open Mondays through Fridays from 3:30-6 p.m, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 12-6 p.m. Barker’s is located at 1500 Deer Haven Lane, Lexington, KY 40509. Take your decorating game to the next level this year with a real Christmas tree that you personally selected.
Southern Lights
Kentucky’s largest light show is right here in Lexington at the Kentucky Horse Park. Southern Lights includes a 3-mile long light show with scenes that highlight our beloved horse culture. The show also features a walking portion where visitors can enjoy hot chocolate, Christmas music, and local vendors selling the perfect Christmas gifts. The driving route is open nightly starting Nov. 17 through Dec. 31 from 5:30-10 p.m. Tickets are $15 per car Mondays through Thursdays and $25 per car Fridays through Sundays. Christmas lights almost always get anyone in the Christmas spirit. Be sure to check out this year’s show at Southern Lights.
ELF The Musical
This year, Keeneland and Central Bank are bringing ELF The Musical to the Lexington Opera House and you won’t want to miss it. If you haven’t seen the movie Elf, then you haven’t fully experienced all that the Christmas season has to offer. Watch the movie, and then plan an outing with your friends or family to see the show performed live. The show premieres on Friday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Sunday, Nov. 18. The full schedule of dates and times can be found on the Lexington Opera House website. Tickets are on sale now on the website, but prices are subject to change. Buddy the Elf will be sure to give you some Christmas cheer this holiday season to get you ready for winter.
