Maysville is a vibrant town perched on the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky that goes full-bore into the holiday season. The Downtown Twilight Christmas Parade features dozens of festive floats, live music, and the big man himself, Santa Claus. In addition to the parade, don’t miss the historic Frontier Christmas Festival in the Old Washington neighborhood. The Christmas Market features artisan crafts, farm fresh foods and live music -- all nestled amongst some of the region’s oldest buildings.  

Heading southwest to Bowling Green, you’ll find another Christmas treasure. Fountain Square Park, in the heart of downtown, becomes a winter wonderland during the first week of December. Sparkling with vibrant displays of lights, it will make an evening stroll a spectacular walk to remember. Stop by the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC) and delight in the 25-foot Christmas tree and lights draped around Circus Square Park.  

On the outskirts of Bowling Green is a farm dedicated to raising a multitude of Santa’s helpers, reindeer. Known simply as The Reindeer Farm, this holiday destination invites the public to meet reindeer in person. During December the farm features a petting zoo that includes reindeer and other assorted farm animals, an indoor playground and an entire calendar of Christmas activities. 

London is a bustling yet smaller city in the foothills of Appalachia, and every holiday season Londoners make their city noteworthy as they drape Christmas lights on as many rooftops, streetlamps, and trees as possible. Along with the decorations, London fills up its events schedule with a huge programmable Christmas tree, Christmas book walk, concerts and other festivities.  

In Henderson, situated in western Kentucky on the Ohio River, the city’s Central Park transforms into a Christmas village, complete with dazzling decorations and festive entertainment every Saturday in December. Don’t forget to take a walk on Colonial Court, just off Henderson’s Main Street. “Christmas Court,” features a charming cul-de-sac of six white cottages that come alive with coordinated decorations creating a magical, festive atmosphere that delights locals and visitors every year.

All throughout Kentucky you can find festivals of lights adorning picturesque streets, with plenty of locally made products just waiting to make perfect holiday gifts.   

This list of movie-like towns and cities barely scratches the surface of all the holiday cheer Kentucky has to offer. The entire commonwealth is a winter wonderland just waiting to be explored.