2025 Lexington Holiday Lights Guide: 7 dazzling displays to see this Christmas season
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Guide compiles seven Lexington-area holiday light events, free and ticketed.
- Gatton Park debuts 80-foot digital tree experience, free nightly, igloos reservable.
- Local drive-thru and walk-thru shows run December into early January, ticketed.
Free or ticketed, over-the-top or down-to-earth, every December brings several holiday light shows and displays to the Lexingto area, and there’s generally something for everyone.
If you love lights, but dread planning another outing during an already jam-packed holiday season, worry not. We’ve gathered the details of some long-standing light shows in and around Fayette County.
There are some old favorites here, along with a new holiday event at Gatton Park. We’ve curated a mix of free and ticketed light shows and displays for you to choose from. Here’s our guide to holiday light events in the Lexington area.
Did we miss your favorite local holiday light display? Send the address, the details and a photo we can publish to amudd@herald-leader.com or fill out our Google form.
Free holiday light shows and displays in the Lexington area
Winter Village at Gatton Park
New this year with the park’s opening, the Winter Village at Gatton Park will bring hundreds of thousands of holiday lights, festive games and crafts, along with a glowing winter playground.
The big draw though is the 80-foot digital Christmas tree. That’s even taller than the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City. The conical structure at Gatton Park allows visitors to step inside for a 360-degree, LED light show complete with holiday music.
The tree lighting ceremony is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. It’s also the kick-off of the park’s Winter Village festival. Audrey Belle Adams will perform at the ceremony.
The Winter Village runs nightly 5 to 10 p.m. through Tuesday, Dec. 23. It’s free, but visitors can reserve an igloo for $250 for two hours. On-site food and drinks are for sale.
Location: Gatton Park is located in downtown Lexington at 795 Manchester St.
The Jones Family Christmas Light and Music Show
All month long, the Jones family is telling the story of Christmas with a light and music show. It runs nightly from 6 to 9 p.m., except during heavy rain.
Visitors can tune their radios to 89.5 FM to hear a narration of the story of Christmas.
Location: 1748 Abbington Hill, Lexington
Mt. McKinley Lights
This light show lets visitors jam to their favorite holiday tunes nightly from 5 to 11 p.m. Along with animated lights set to music, the display has featured large inflatables, including of the Grinch and the Heat Miser from classic Christmas movies.
Location: 2956 Mt. McKinley Way, Lexington
The Turner Home on Chinoe Road
Perhaps Lexington’s most popular holiday light display, thousands of Christmas lights and decorations light up the home of Ron and Linda Turner every December.
If you drive by for a look, make sure to slow down and stay alert to people crossing the street.
Location: 1008 Chinoe Road, Lexington
Lexington holiday light shows that charge admission
Several venues in the Lexington area offer holiday light shows visitors can walk or drive through after paying admission. They include:
- Lexington Legends Festival of Lights: Tickets start at $9 to this light show at Legends Field that runs through Sunday, Jan. 4. This is a walk-thru event includes on-site concessions and visits with Santa. The address is 207 Legends Lane.
- Southern Lights: During this drive-thru light show at the Kentucky Horse Park, visitors can see more than 1 million twinkling lights and enjoy a holiday village. Tickets are $35 per car. Enter through the park’s campground entrance at is 3785 Campground Road. See the event’s website for driving details.
- Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill: In addition to Christmas light displays, there’s a gingerbread exhibit, a holiday market with artisan crafts, live music, a tent cafe and food trucks. There’s a $15 entry fee with the option to purchase extras, such as a carriage ride. Mustard Seed Hill is located at 1122 Main St. in Millersburg, Bourbon County.
Do you have a question about life in Lexington or Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.