Louisville, Kentucky, December 13, 2025
Downtown Louisville is fully embracing the holiday spirit this season with a wide array of festive events and pop-up bars. Local businesses and organizers are showcasing their resilience by creating exciting community activities, highlighting the importance of togetherness. From Christmas-themed pop-up bars to special community events, there are plenty of opportunities for residents and visitors to join in the celebration. This vibrant holiday atmosphere emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and a strong sense of community.
Louisville, Kentucky – Downtown Louisville is embracing the holiday season with a variety of festive events and pop-up bars, offering residents and visitors numerous opportunities to celebrate. The resilience of local organizers and businesses in creating engaging community activities is noteworthy, showcasing the strength of Louisville’s civic spirit during this festive time of year. This year’s events highlight the importance of community involvement and personal initiative in making the holidays a special time for all.
As the holiday season approaches, the minimal bureaucracy involved in permitting and coordinating such events allows for a richer, more diverse array of celebrations, while also fostering a culture of collaboration among local businesses. Here are the can’t-miss highlights in downtown Louisville this holiday season.
Holiday Pop-Up Bars
- Sippin’ Santa at One Fourteen Bar: Opens November 17, 2025, featuring tropical holiday drinks and festive décor.
- Miracle on Market at Galaxie: Running from November 18 to December 28, 2025, this pop-up offers creative cocktails in novelty mugs and a festive atmosphere.
- Merry at the Marriott at Louisville Marriott Downtown: Open from November 21, 2025, to January 3, 2026, transforming the hotel lobby into a winter wonderland with seasonal cocktails and themed décor.
- Tinsel Tavern at Pizza Bar: Available from November 21 to December 30, 2025, offering a festive food and drink menu with weekly events like holiday bingo and karaoke.
- Blitzen’s at Pin + Proof in Omni Louisville: Drenched in lights and tinsel, this vintage bowling alley speakeasy is open from November 28, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
- The Lodge at Trial + Error: A basement ski-lodge themed pop-up bar open from November 28, 2025, to January 3, 2026, offering bourbon coziness and winter-retreat vibes.
- Christmas on Story Avenue at Whirling Tiger: A vintage house-party feel with retro TVs, holiday movies, festive cocktails, live music, and weekend events.
- Secret Santa Speakeasy at Upstairs at Whirling Tiger: A hidden apartment-turned–Christmas speakeasy packed with props and glowing Santas.
- 8Up Rooftop Igloos: Heated rooftop igloos covered in lights, blankets, and panoramic city views. Reservations are required, and a food & drink minimum applies.
- Yuletide at Hell or High Water: A speakeasy-style winter wonderland with classics like mulled wine, eggnog, and hot buttered rum, open from December 2, 2025, to January 3, 2026.
- Whiskey Wonderland at Down One Bourbon Bar: A family-friendly bourbon takeover featuring mocktails, festive cocktails, twinkle-lit décor, and a lifesize Santa.
- Frost at Frankfort Avenue Liquors & Wine: A tiny tinsel-covered holiday den with dessert-inspired cocktails. Reservations are required.
- Candy Lane Holiday Pop-Up at The House of Marigold: A pink, candy-coated wonderland with holiday desserts, themed drinks, and full dinner service.
Additional Holiday Events
- Light Up Louisville: Held on December 6, 2025, at Jefferson Square Park, this event features a video-mapping holiday show, local holiday shopping, live entertainment, and a parade.
- Christmas Tree Lane at Waterfront Park: Open from November 21 to December 22, 2025, offering a variety of Christmas trees, wreaths, and seasonal greenery.
- Brent Street Holiday Market in Paristown: Open on select dates from November 28 to December 24, 2025, featuring local and regional artists at pop-up shops.
- Christmas Gift and Decor Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center: From December 12 to 14, 2025, showcasing over 700 booths of gifts, décor, and more.
- The Brown-Forman Nutcracker at the Kentucky Performing Arts Center: Running from December 13 to 22, 2025, this local tradition features choreography, sets, and costumes crafted for Kentucky.
- Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland at the Louisville Palace: On December 12, 2025, offering a new show filled with acrobats, aerialists, and holiday spirit.
- Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom: From November 22, 2025, to January 3, 2026, featuring over a million lights, snow tubing, Santa’s House, festive rides, and shows.
- Fête De Noël Winter Holiday Festival at Paristown: Opening November 28, 2025, with an outdoor ice rink, Santa photos, Brent Street Holiday Market, and train rides.
- Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour: The first full weekend in December, offering a rare glimpse inside historic Victorian mansions and townhouses stylishly dressed for the holidays.
- Lights Under Louisville: Mid-November through December, transforming Louisville MEGA Cavern’s passageways into an underground holiday lights spectacular that you can tour inside your own vehicle.
With these diverse events and pop-up bars, downtown Louisville offers a festive atmosphere for all to enjoy this holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the dates for the holiday pop-up bars in downtown Louisville?
The holiday pop-up bars in downtown Louisville are open on various dates throughout the holiday season. For example, Sippin’ Santa at One Fourteen Bar opens on November 17, 2025, and Blitzen’s at Pin + Proof in Omni Louisville is open from November 28, 2025, to January 4, 2026. It’s recommended to check the specific dates for each venue.
Are reservations required for the holiday pop-up bars?
Reservations are encouraged for many of the holiday pop-up bars. For instance, Tinsel Tavern at Pizza Bar offers online reservations and provides options to upgrade bookings with add-ons like a s’mores kit or a boozy hot chocolate bar. It’s advisable to check the reservation policies for each venue.
What other holiday events are taking place in downtown Louisville?
In addition to the pop-up bars, downtown Louisville hosts several holiday events, including Light Up Louisville on December 6, 2025, Christmas Tree Lane at Waterfront Park from November 21 to December 22, 2025, and the Christmas Gift and Decor Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center from December 12 to 14, 2025. For a comprehensive list of events, refer to the Louisville Downtown Partnership’s holiday events page.
Where can I find more information about these events?
For detailed information about each event, including dates, times, and ticketing, please visit the official websites or contact the event organizers directly. The Louisville Downtown Partnership’s holiday events page is a valuable resource for up-to-date information.
Key Features of Louisville’s Holiday Season
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Holiday Pop-Up Bars | Festive bars offering themed décor, special cocktails, and unique holiday experiences at various downtown locations. |
| Light Up Louisville | Annual event featuring a holiday show, local shopping, live entertainment, and a parade, held on December 6, 2025, at Jefferson Square Park. |
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