(This article first appeared in the December print edition of the Hendersonian.)
Of all the cherished Christmas traditions we observe over the holiday season, taking in a display of glittering, festive lights is probably one of the most universally popular.
There’s just something nostalgic and cheerful about twinkling, colorful lights. At home base, you can certainly get everyone in their PJs, pack a supply of snacks and hot chocolate and head out in your vehicle to explore favorite local neighborhoods. There are some great ones in Henderson.
But sometimes you might want just a little bit more. Here are eight destinations that can be reached with just a bit more effort, and perhaps travel, but the extra holiday magic could be worth it.
Evansville
Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights to benefit Easterseals Rehabilitation Center. Location: Garvin Park adjacent to Bosse Field, features light displays (many animated) along the drive around the lake. Dates: Nightly from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. Hours: 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Car traffic should enter North Main Street entrance. Those interested in carriage rides should enter the Bosse Field parking lot from Heidelberg. Admission: Vehicle with up to six people: $7; 7-14 passengers, $10; 15 or. more passengers, $25. Special event, Wednesday, Dec. 4: Open only to runners, walkers and those with wheelchairs/other mobility equipment for “Bright Lights for Easterseals,” a 5K timed run and one-mile family-fun walk. 5K registration: $30; Walk, $5. Information: RitzysFantasyOfLights.com
Grand Rivers
Festival of Lights. This western Kentucky community on Kentucky Lake has more than 3 million lights at the Patti’s 1880’s Settlement Festival of Lights, Little Lake Park and the town of Grand Rivers. The lights come on at 4 p.m. You can stroll through and take it all in or take a Victorian Carriage Ride (by reservation at 270-243-4365.) Dates: Nov. 3 -Jan. 15. The Festival of Lights in Grand Rivers started in the 1970s.
Owensboro
Christmas at Panther Creek. This outdoor driving tour winding through Panther Creek Park offers 50 displays and more than 700,000 lights. Dates: Friday after Thanksgiving through Jan. 1. Location: 5160 Wayne Bridge Road. Admission: $5 per car.
French Lick, Ind.
50 Days of Lights. French Lick offers a 500,000 lights, dazzling decorations and holiday activities inside and outside the French Lick Resort and West Baden Springs Hotel. Dates: Nightly, Nov. 16 through Jan. 6. At nearby Wilstem Wildlife Park, a Winter Light Show has winter Christmas-themed displays with traditional favorites, reindeer, Santa and more. The light show starts at dusk on Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13–23, Dec. 26-30 and Jan. 2-4. Admission: $25 per vehicle. Location: 4229 U.S. 150-W, Paoli.
Louisville
Lights Under Louisville at Mega Caverns. The underground light show and drive-through of holiday displays in the Mega Caverns offers 7 million lights in various themed configurations, holiday music, lasers and more. It’s a busy and popular place, so be prepared to stay awhile or pay extra for faster access if you’re on a timetable. Dates: Daily, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Nov. 8 through Jan. 4 (except Christmas Day, 5:30-10 p.m.) Admission: A standard vehicle starts at $42.99; visit lightsunderlouisville.com for other options.
Madisonville
Deck the Park. Location: City Park, 755 Park Ave. Dates: Nov. 28-Jan. 1, daily from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. This free nightly Christmas attraction offers a winter wonderland of lights, rides and holiday festivities. Highlights: Both drive-through and walking light displays with 123,000 lights, Candy Cane Lane, costumed characters, Nativity scene.
Elizabethtown
Christmas in the Park. More than 100 light displays in the City of Elizabethtown’s Freeman Lake Park for this 34th-annual drive-through event. Dates: Nov. 27 through Jan. 1. Hours: 6-11 p.m. nightly. Admission: Free, but donations are appreciated for the upkeep and expansion of the displays.
Shaker Village
Shaker Christmas By Candlelight. For something a bit more serene, there’s this event at Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill. On Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, guided candlelight walking tours of this historic site and its building will be offered at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Fun fact: The Shakers were some of the first Protestant Christians in America to celebrate Christmas. Information, tickets: 859-734-5411 or info@shakervillageky.org.
