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. 

Charlestown: Christmas City

Light display at 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 6 p.m. Friday, November 25, at Greenway Park–the town’s central park. Enjoy holiday music and the flipping of the light switch at 6:30 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.

Christmas tree light display at the Charlestown Christmas City event

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. Cost of the train ride is $5 per person. Purchase tickets at the admission window. If you have little ones, make sure you leave time for visits with Santa, children’s activities and a concession stand selling hot chocolate, apple cider and snacks.

Charlestown Christmas 2022

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 Thursdays through Saturdays from 6 to 10 p.m.

An animated light show takes place at the Charlestown City Square every night from 6 to 10 p.m. from November 25 until January 1. On some evenings, guests will be surprised with appearances by favorite holiday characters.

 

Light Up Jeff and Holiday Parade

Light Up Jeffersonville Christmas Holiday at Warder Park
Source: www.facebook.com/jeffersonville.indiana

The City of Jeffersonville comes aglow during Light Up Jeff, presented by Republic Bank, on Saturday, November 26 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. with games, music, rides, vendors, and visits with Santa Claus.

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, and other participants ride by. After the parade, Mayor Mike Moore flips the switch to light up Warder Park at 7 p.m.

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.

Downtown Jeffersonville Holiday Street View

While you’re in Jeffersonville, be sure and take a stroll through the festive light displays in downtown Jeffersonville, including at Big Four Station Park and on the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge.

 

Light Up New Albany 

Aerial view of Bicentennial Park lit up by Christmas Lights in New Albany

Kick-off the holiday season with Light Up New Albany at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 26, in Bicentennial Park.

Packed with yuletide fun for the entire family, Mayor Jeff Gahan and the City of New Albany present an evening of crafts, cookies, hot cocoa, face painting, live entertainment, and visits with Santa. Like Jeffersonville, Downtown New Albany offers lots of great shopping and restaurants to begin checking off your list while ringing in the season.

Minion House 

Minion House light display on Indiana Avenue in New Albany

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. 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.

 

Lights Under Louisville

Cars driving through underground light show, 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 11 through January 2, 2023. Cost is $34.99 for a standard vehicle.

 

Winter Woods Spectacular 

Louisville Winter Holiday Christmas Lights

Winter Woods Spectacular features millions of twinkling lights integrated into dazzling holiday displays set to music. Guests weave their way through the magical woods of historic Iroquois Park in Louisville, just across the bridge from Southern Indiana. This immersive holiday experience is like no other and is great family fun.

New in 2022: You can now get out and enjoy this WALK-THROUGH event at Iroquois Park on foot!

Enjoy this magical stroll through Iroquois Park any night from November 25, 2022 – January 1, 2023. Ticket prices are $10 - $15 per person. Special sensory-friendly hours are available.

 

Waterfront Botanical Gardens Aglimmer

Waterfront Botanical Gardens Aglimmer

Gardens Aglimmer
Reserve your tickets for Gardens Aglimmer at Waterfront Botanical Gardens! From December 1 – 30, enjoy a sparkling wonderland of swans, snowflakes, deer, Moravian stars, oversized flowers, light bursts, candles and a multicolor tunnel of lights. Wander the Gardens under icicle arches and over a waterfall stream aglow. Visit Santa and his sleigh in the Graeser Family Education Center and Mrs. Claus’ cottage in the Ellen T. Leslie Botanical Classrooms. Santa is available December 1 – 23.

Ticket prices for Gardens Aglimmer vary by date, ranging from $7.50 - $15 per person. Children 6 and under attend for free. Members of the Garden receive a discount.