Lights Under Louisville is an immersive experience where you can drive-thru the cave lit up for the holidays. | Photo by LOUtoday
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we’re here to freeze the day.
While the winter solstice is still a ways away on Wednesday, Dec. 21, there’s snow shortage of festivals celebrating the chilly season. Speaking of chilly, check out our guide to Louisville chili to warm you up after reading about these 5 winter fests.
❄️ Lights Under Louisville | Friday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Jan. 1 | Various times | Mega Cavern, 1841 Taylor Ave. | $19.99-$349.99 | Load the car up and head underground for an immersive drive-thru experience with 40+ holiday-themed displays, projection mapping, and lasers.
❄️ Fête de Noël Winter Holiday Festival | Saturday, Nov. 19-Sunday, Jan. 1 | Multiple times | Paristown, 731 Brent St. | $0-$15 | Fête De Noël (Festival of Christmas) features an outdoor ice skating rink, photos with Santa, holiday market, Spirits of Scrooge escape room, and new this year, a trackless train ride + festival cocktails and eats from four bars and five restaurants.
❄️ Yuletide | Friday, Nov. 25-Sunday, Dec. 11 | Multiple times | Yew Dell Gardens, 6220 Old Lagrange Rd., Crestwood | $5-$12 | Be dazzled by light displays, a model train, and snap a family photo with Santa + Martha Lee’s Kitchen will be open to warm you up with soup, hot apple cider, cocoa, and more.
❄️ Winter Woods Spectacular | Friday, Nov. 25-Sunday, Jan. 1 | 6-10 p.m. | Iroquois Park, 1080 Amphitheater Rd. | $10-$15 | Walk through this historic park illuminated by millions of twinkling lights integrated into holiday displays set to music.
❄️ Gardens Aglimmer | Thursday, Dec. 1-Friday, Dec. 30 | 6:15-8:15 p.m. | Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Ave. | $5-$10 | Wander through the gardens transformed into a winter wonderland filled with icicle arches, tunnels of lights, oversized flowers. Plus, enjoy holiday beverages at the Jingle All the Way Cafe and visit Mrs. Claus’ Cottage where Santa will be in town through Friday, Dec. 23.
Short Film Slam | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 7-9 p.m. | Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. 3rd St. | $8-$12 | Watch locally made films that are 15 minutes or less followed by questions + comments from the audience.
Louisville Pizza Week | Thursday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 20 | Various locations | Various times | $9 | Dig into specialty pizzas from local restaurants.
Friday, Nov. 18
20th Anniversary Brain Ball | Friday, Nov. 18 | 6:30 p.m. | The Olmsted, 3701 Frankfort Ave. | $250 | Support the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky with a cocktail reception, dinner + afterparty.
Liquor Lab Cocktail Class | Friday, Nov. 18 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Liquor Lab, 823 E. Market St., Ste. 103 | $65 | Mix up three cocktails with drink experts during this hands on class + bites from local restaurants.
Saturday, Nov. 19
First Mate’s Market | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Belle of Louisville | Free to attend | Shop from 30+ vendors at this dockside market with a Santa and Mrs. Claus meet-and-greet, food trucks, and giveaways.
Same As It Ever Was: A Talking Heads Tribute | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 7 p.m. | Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St. | $15 | Burn down the house with this seven-piece Knoxville tribute band.
Wednesday, Nov. 23
4th Annual T. Hanks Giving | Wednesday, Nov. 23 | 6-11:45 p.m. | The Merryweather, 1101 Lydia St. | Free to attend | Give thanks for Tom Hanks with themed food, trivia + his films played on the big screen all night.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Former president and CEO of the Louisville Urban League, Sadiqa Reynolds,is the new CEO of the New York-based Perception Institute, which works on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. During her seven-year tenure, she increased the league’s budget by about $7 million + spearheaded the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center. (Louisville Business First)
Seasonal
Pass the dressing, LOU. According to Rent.com, Kentucky’s most beloved Thanksgiving side dish is dressing, which differs from stuffing in that it is cooked inside of the turkey. Results were based on Google search results of 15 different side dishes from November 2021. What do you think?Stuffing or dressing.
Black Friday is happening next week on Nov. 25, and Logan Street Market is hosting The Flea Off Market so that you can keep things local. The indoor + outdoor shopping event will take place Friday and Saturday — aka Small Business Saturday — and feature artists, vintage sellers + handmade items. (LEO Weekly)
Eat
Tacos + vegan and vegetarian options are the latest additions to Hauck’s Corner’s menu. The Germantown bar and grill opened in the former historic Hauck’s Handy Store at 1000 Goss Ave. back in September. Stop by any day of the week 11-2 a.m. — the late night food menu runs until 1 a.m. 🌮
Plan Ahead
Le Moo is hosting a Country Divas Christmas drag brunch showcasing holiday favorites by Reba McEntire + Dolly Parton — which is “The Greatest Gift of All” — on Saturday, Dec. 3. The cost is $40 per person and includes a brunch buffet. Reserve your table for 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
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The holiday season is just around the corner and we have the perfect wine chiller to keep your bottle of sparkly cool when hosting guests. Not only is it stainless steel and vacuum insulated, but its three different styles — teakwood, black marble, and calacatta gold — are sure to pop against your holiday decor. 🍾*
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The new Big Bad Breakfast is located in the former Corbett’s: An American Place. | Photo by LOUtoday
Regional breakfast chain Big Bad Breakfast opened a second location in Derby Cityand it’s just as big and bad as the first one on Barrett Avenue.
The southern-style eatery specializes in scratch-made dishes created by James Beard award-winning chef, author, and owner John Currence — think biscuits and gravy, po boys, creole-style omelets + more.
The first Big Bad Breakfast opened in February in the iconic Lynn’s Paradise Cafe at 984 Barrett Ave. The second iteration is also located in a former restaurant legend, Corbett’s: An American Place at 5050 Norton Healthcare Blvd.
The same menu items will be available alongside a new specialty dish that pays homage to Corbett’s owner Dean Corbett called “Deano’s Scramble” — which is made with mushroom scrambled eggs, bourbon glazed onions, deep fried oysters, truffle aioli, sherry vinaigrette dressed arugula + goat cheese crumbles.
Editor’s pick: I had the chance to sample menu items at the new Big Bad Breakfast and my favorite thing was the bruleed grapefruit — small, but mighty delicious.
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