Tips: Best day for Southern Lights holiday display, now ‘brighter than ever before’
After 30 years lighting Central Kentucky with holiday cheer, the 2024 Southern Lights Holiday Festival will be “brighter than ever before.”
That’s because the popular holiday drive-thru light display at the Kentucky Horse Park has replaced or refurbished 95% of the lights, Elizabeth Bartlett, director of development at the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, said.
“We made just a significant investment in the lighting. And we’re completely LED now, and we’re hoping this will take us into the future for the next 30 years,” Bartlett said.
How much are tickets to Southern Lights? Are there discounts?
Tickets are $35 per carload, cash or credit card, paid at the gate or online. Proceeds go to the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.
Since it is a fundraiser for the Horse Park, there are no discounts but there is a Military, First responders and Keeneland Kids Club Night.
Military and First responders Night: Dec. 3 and Dec. 11 there is free admission for military and first responders who show valid ID at the gate. All active-duty service members and veterans are eligible for one car free, along with nurses, doctors, EMTs, policemen and firemen.
Keeneland Kids Club Night: Dec. 12 Keeneland’s Bucky the mascot will be at the park for photos and giveaways.
Should you buy tickets online?
Yes. Buying your ticket in advance online at khpfoundation.org/southern-lights moves the line faster by not having cars pay at the gate but instead scan barcodes. Bartlett says even if you try to buy online and it says they are sold out, you can still come and pay in person.
“It won’t be sold out. It’ll just be really busy,” Bartlett said.
There is no difference in price if you buy online or in person.
What’s the best way to get to the Southern Lights entrance?
The entrance to the light display is the Kentucky Horse Park’s campground entrance, 3785 Campground Road. The campground’s entrance is just east of the main entrance to the Kentucky Horse Park. It is located 3 miles south of Georgetown on Iron Works Pike, at exit 120 off I-75, about 4 miles north of New Circle Road and 9 miles from downtown Lexington.
If using GPS, use “Iron Works Pike” not “Iron Works Parkway.” This will take you to the park’s main entrance and the campground is just a half-mile down the road from there.
What is at the Holiday Village at the end of Southern Lights?
The 3-mile driving tour will once again feature more than 1 million lights from 5:30 to 10 pm. Nov. 29 to Dec. 31 (and closed Christmas Day). Bartlett says there are several tips to follow to get the most out of the $35 fee.
“The driving tour, obviously, is kind of the focal point of Southern Lights, but you would be remiss if you didn’t park and join us in the Holiday Village, because you truly can make an entire night of it once you park and do the Holiday Village on foot.”
The Holiday Village, included with driving tour admission, is at the end and includes:
- Free photos with Santa where children can drop off a wish list at a North Pole mailbox
- A model train display
- Train rides for children
- An animal petting zoo that includes feeding the animals
“There are tons of animals that you don’t normally get to see and pet, and that’s always really fun. If you’ve never ridden a camel, that is like, you need to do it once, at least once. So that is fun,” Bartlett said.
Is there holiday shopping at Southern Lights?
Yes, there is a holiday market. There will be a rotation of vendors on select nights and the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop will be open. There’s also food, including the park’s cafe, Tootie’s Peppermint Café, plus Original Kettle Korn, Mack’s Candy Shack and The Holiday Nut Hut.
When is the best day, time to go to Southern Lights?
If you are truly in the festive spirit and want to see every attraction included with admission to Southern Lights, Bartlett says the best time to go is Monday through Thursday, early in the holiday season.
“Also, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is a great time to come, because all the attractions are open, except for Santa, who’s gone back home,” Bartlett said. “But otherwise you can do every single thing, and the crowds are much lighter, and it’s just kind of fun when you don’t have school the next day.”
Historically, the busiest times are from the second week in December through Christmas with Thursdays through Sundays being the very popular nights. Long lines and wait times should be expected at this holiday tradition — it has been know to be as long as three hours to get through the display.
If it’s a long line at Southern Lights, what can I do?
There is a radio station to listen to holiday music as you drive through the display at 88.3 FM.
If you’re going on the weekend, plan ahead. But know there are porta-lets at the beginning of the route and restrooms at the visitor center and restaurant and gate house located near parking lot.
“We really suggest that if you are going to be here on a busy night, to bring a movie for the kids to watch, like a Christmas movie to watch in the car, and pizza to share on the way,” Bartlett said. “Make the most of your time in the line. We try to have light displays all along before you even get to the gate. So there’s things to look at even before you pay your admission.”
This story was originally published November 29, 2024 at 7:00 AM.
