Lexington Holiday Guide 2024

Happy holidays y’all! I’m sharing all the holiday markets, festivals and can’t miss activities in Lexington through the season. Make sure to also check out my Local Gift Guide here and my favorite Lexington shops and boutiques here.

Holiday Markets

Lexington Mercantile Co Mixmas Holiday Market

November 22-23 at Manchester Music Hall. A market comprising of local vendors, handmade makers + boutiques. Sip while you shop or grab some food from a local food truck. 

Holly Day Market

November 23-24 at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Holly Day Market brings vendors from across the country together in Lexington for a weekend to give shoppers the opportunity to buy holiday gifts in one spectacular location. Vendors sell jewelry, clothes for women, men, and children, toys, books, holiday decorations, ornaments, art, food, and much more. $15 tickets.

Winter Market

December 6-7 at the Greyline Station. The Crafted Social Winter Market in Lexington, Kentucky brings together the best traditional and contemporary artists, craftspeople, and functional designers for a two-day, indoor market inside the main atrium of the historic Greyline Station in Lexington, Kentucky. Free and open to the public.

Woodland Triangle Shop Hop

December 7-8. Shopping event in the neighborhood by Woodland Park. It’s simple and FREE – Scan the QR codes at each Shop Hop location for a chance to win. The more locations you visit, the more entries you get!  Many stores are offering discounts as well.

Michler’s Christmas Market

December 7-8 at Michler’s Florist & Greenhouse (outdoors). This market features diverse vendors including locally made ceramics, jewelry, cards, jams, soaps, ornaments and more. Michler’s florists will be crafting wreaths and decorating boxwood trees all day. Enjoy hot mulled wine, pastries and live music. Free to the public.

Lexington Makers Market

December 14 from 9am-1pm at Cheapside Park (at the Farmer’s Market.) This market features more craft-type vendors and all local makers.

Holiday Classes & Workshops

Holly Dolly Candle Making

December 19. An evening where creativity meets melody, and let your imagination shine as bright as Dolly’s rhinestones. In this unique workshop, you’ll craft your own stunning candle while enjoying the timeless tunes of Dolly’s greatest hits. $65 tickets.

Springhouse Gardens Take Home Wreath Workshop

Springhouse Gardens is keeping their wreath workshop tradition alive with a take-home kit complete with everything you’ll need (including a video tutorial) to craft a beautiful wreath with friends and family in the comfort of your home! I made one last week and it was so fun and surprisingly easy. Kits start at $92 per person. You can also book a private workshop starting at $1950.

Wilsons Wreath Workshop

11/30, 12/5 and 12/7 at Wilsons Nurseries (in Lexington and Frankfort). You’ll create a hand-built holiday wreath as big as you can imagine using fresh-cut evergreens, a distinctive collection of berries & pine cones, and finish with a hand-tied bow for your own unique holiday wreath. Bring a friend, enjoy a mimosa, let your creative juices flow, and enjoy some quality time & creativity together. $75 tickets.

Cookie Decorating Workshop at Shaker Village

December 7 and 14 at 3pm. In this two-hour class, you’ll learn the basics of decorating pre-baked sugar cookies and receive Jillian’s royal icing and cookie recipe, while enjoying hot cocoa and cider in one of Shaker Village’s beautifully restored historic buildings. Everything you need is provided in the class, and each participant will receive personal instruction from Jillian. You’ll leave class with a great understanding of the basics of decorating sugar cookies, plus a few cool techniques you’ll be sure to use for every special occasion! $65 ticket also gets you access to Illuminated Evenings event and 20% off dining.

Eco-Ornaments Workshop at Shaker Village

12/7, 1-4pm, In this workshop you’ll learn to make beautiful, simple and even scented decorations using non-harmful materials you can find around your house and in your neighborhood. $25-$35 tickets include access to Illuminated Evenings and 20% off dining.

Holiday Reed Stars Workshop at Shaker Village

12/14, 2-4:30pm, Try your hand at weaving an intricate star pattern using reed, which can be replicated at home in a variety of sizes and materials. All materials are provided, and no experience is necessary. $50-$60 tickets include access to Illuminated Evenings and 20% off dining.

Sugar Cookie Decorating Class

12/12 & 12/20, 6:30pm at Local Lex Market. In this 1.5 hour long class, we’ll cover the basics to sugar cookies, you’ll get our royal icing and cookie recipe, and we’ll talk about how to strategize the best ways to decorate sugar cookies! Everything you’ll need is provided at class along with live in-person instructors. $55 tickets.

Family Friendly Events & Activities

Gathered Play + Create Holiday Themes

Gathered Play + Create is a new kids play space connected to the Amsden coffee shop in downtown Versailles. It is a one of a kind space where you can enjoy a magical world of imagination, creativity, and old-fashioned charm. Their goal is to provide a comfortable and safe place for parents or relax, enjoy some coffee, or work, while their children play, create, and imagine with us! During their special holiday weeks they’ll have story times, special crafts, + more during every play session each day!

Christmas Tree Lighting at the Summit

November 22 from 6-8:30pm. Join as Santa arrives to help with the Christmas Tree lighting! He will be making his grand entrance in a helicopter! There will be sweet treats, and popcorn and face painters! Also enjoy live music, and have hot chocolate on the Green outside Brewster’s Christmas. The delightful atmosphere is sure to put young and old alike in the holiday mood!

Santa at the Summit

November 21 through December 24. Santa is back at The Summit, with Cherry Hill Photography. Visits and photos may be booked ahead of time below and walk-ins are more than welcome! There are also sensory friendly photo events.

Travis Clark Photography Santa Photos

November 23 through December 24. You can get photos with Santa at Lexington Green! Appointments available, but you can also walk-in.

Shaker Village Blessing of the Hounds

November 30 at 9am at Shaker Village. Join Shaker Village and the Long Run Woodford Hounds fox hunters for this grand, traditional event featuring a blessing of the hounds, riders, and horses, followed by the first meet of the formal hunting season. Arrive at 9:00 a.m. and warm up with winter breakfast foods and beverages alongside roaring outdoor fire pits. Riders and hounds will make their ceremonial approach with music and the blessing at 10:00 a.m. This event is included with your general admission to Shaker Village, granting you access to historic tours, exhibits and other experiences across the property.

Downtown Lexington Holiday Lighting

December 1, 3-7pm. Head to Triangle Park on December 1st for the annual Holiday Lighting Festival presented by Baird! Lexington’s Christmas Tree will be lit with beautiful bright lights, and Lexington’s Hanukkah Menorah will shine ahead of the festival. Plus, community choirs will sing festive songs which are sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit!

Santa Train

November 30, December 7, 8, 14 & 15 at the Bluegrass Railroad Museum in Versailles. Enjoy a 90 minute train ride and visit with Santa! There’s also a North Pole train available.

Ice Skating at Triangle Park

Open through January 20. Triangle Park is transformed into a winter wonderland from mid-November through the beginning of January. Perfect for a family outing or date night. After skating, guests can enjoy hot beverages and snacks at Triangle Park Café.

Southern Lights

November 29-December 31 at the Horse Park. Enjoy a driving tour of holiday lights. This year visits with Santa will be via your car and all indoor attractions are closed, but there is an outdoor ‘animal land’ and food truck. $35 per carload.

The Nutcracker

December 13-22 at the Lexington Opera House. Catch the Christmas classic! My grandmother took me every year growing up and I loved it. 

Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill

December 7-23 Thursday through Sunday. Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill is a spectacular holiday tradition in Millersburg, Kentucky; just 30 minutes north of Lexington in the heart of Bourbon County. This year’s programming includes our breathtaking Light Display, Gingerbread House Exhibit, Artisan’s Market, Holiday Tent and Cafe, Christmas Campfire Reservations, Live Music, and more! Stroll through the breath-taking lights, enjoy live music, gather with friends, shop for the perfect handmade gift and don’t miss the most stunning gingerbread house displays in Kentucky. $15 entry.

Downtown Lexington Christmas Parade

December 7 at 11am down Main St. between Midland and Mill St. The parade will feature a variety of organizations, bands, floats, and of course, Santa himself! 

Friday Flurries at the Summit

November 29-December 20 on Fridays 6-8pm. On the Green of the Summit, enjoy faux snow, the picture-perfect holiday set-up and meet and greet with Santa and Elsa! This event is FREE to attend and a photographer will be provided.

Adult Events & Activities 

A Christmas Story at The Opera House

November 21-24. Get in the holiday spirit with the stage adaptation of the film favorite, “A Christmas Story”.

Holiday Lunch at The Trustees’ Table at Shaker Village

Dec. 1-31. Holiday Lunch at The Trustees’ Table is a traditional holiday lunch. The menu will feature a three-course meal of soup or salad, a choice of five different entrées, homemade desserts and non-alcoholic beverages. Bakery breads and coleslaw will also be served. $32 tickets, Reservations recommended. 

Afternoon Tea at Shaker Village

7, 8, 14, 15, 21 & 24 at 3pm. Enjoy an afternoon with friends and family sipping seasonal teas and eating freshly-baked scones, assorted homemade sweets and savory bites. The 1839 Trustees’ Office provides the perfect holiday setting! $30 tickets.

Local Open Houses

Lots of local stores are hosting “open houses” or special shopping events with discounts etc. Will update these as more are posted.

Shaker Village Open House

December 7, 10am-7pm. 20% off all merchandise.

Paxton Home Warehouse Sale

December 7-8. Paxton Home has the such cool furniture, home decor and gifts at a great value. They only do these sales once a month! They also have such cute holiday decor. 

Hope that gives you a few fun ideas for the holidays! If I’ve left any can’t miss events out, please share them in the comments below. Stay tuned for allll the holiday content coming soon!

Biscuits & blessings,

Leels