The holidays are shining bright in Louisville! From dazzling light displays and heartwarming stage productions to concerts that bring the spirit of the season to life, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this season. Whether you’re laughing along with Elf at Derby Dinner Playhouse, taking in the timeless beauty of The Nutcracker, or rocking out with JD McPherson and Sara Evans, Louisville’s stages are bursting with seasonal joy.
So grab your coat, gather your friends and family, and experience the magic of the holidays all across the city — because there’s no place like Louisville for the holidays!
November 12-December 31
Derby Dinner Playhouse: Elf
Get ready for nonstop holiday cheer with Elf: The Musical, a jolly, candy-coated comedy that follows Buddy, a human raised by elves, on his quest to find his real father. Bursting with laughter, heart, and toe-tapping tunes, this festive favorite reminds us that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!
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November 15
NuLu Jingle Fest
NuLu District
Kick off the holiday season at NuLu Jingle Fest with live music, festive drinks, shopping, and street-side cheer.
The NuLu District transforms into a winter wonderland for one joyful night.
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November 19
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show
Brown Theatre
Join award-winning comedy icons, writers, actors, and drag queen powerhouses BenDeLaCreme & Jinkx Monsoon are coming back to town with the wildly successful “The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show.” Throughout the show’s 8-year history, Jinkx and DeLa have traveled through time a la ‘A Christmas Carol’ with a wacky multiversal twist, defeated AI overlords trying to replace them, battled it out to define the meaning of Christmas, and led a harrowing rescue mission in the Nutcracker’s Land of Sweets.
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November 28
‘Twas a Girls Night Before Christmas (Musical Comedy)
Bomhard Theater, The Kentucky Center
From the Producers of the box office smash Girls Night: The musical comes the new must-see holiday show ‘Twas A Girls night Before Christmas: The Musical. This new Christmas sequel will feature the five ladies we have all come to know and love gathering for a night in the town to laugh cry, gossip, and just let their hair down during the craziest of times, the holidays! Don’t miss ‘Twas A Girls Night before Christmas: The Musical!
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December 4
JD McPherson – Socks: A Rock N’ Roll Christmas Tour
Headliners Music Hall
JD McPherson, acclaimed for his modern take on rockabilly and roots rock, brings infectious energy and retro flair to the stage. Fans can expect holiday tunes mixed with a high-octane guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and a danceable, electrifying performance that celebrates classic Americana with a contemporary twist.
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December 4-21
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Scrooge is back in all of his humbug glory! His disdain for Christmas is no match for visits from enchanting ghosts, a lively ensemble of characters, and the music of the season. Honoring Dickens’ classic tale, this acclaimed adaptation embraces generosity, community, and second chances. Bring your friends and family to Actors Theatre of Louisville for a new production celebrating this beloved tradition.
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December 6
Light Up Louisville powered by LG&E
Jefferson Square Park (Downtown Louisville)
A festive kickoff to the holiday season featuring a video‑mapping show on Metro Hall, a drone “light show”, live entertainment, holiday shopping at the Mistletoe Market and food at Frosty’s Food Court.
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December 6-21
StageOne Family Theatre: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Bomhard Theatre, The Kentucky Center
When the rambunctious Herdman children descend on the annual Christmas pageant, will it be a disaster as everyone expects, or will the spirit of the season change the hearts and minds of the whole town?
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December 7
Sara Evans: Holiday Road Tour
Louisville Palace
Get ready for a festive night with Sara Evans: Holiday Road Tour at the Louisville Palace. Expect soulful vocals, country classics, seasonal favorites, and dazzling stage décor that turns the historic theater into a holiday wonderland.
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December 9
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (Dance)
Louisville Palace
Experience the magic of the season with Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Louisville Palace. This enchanting holiday performance blends classical ballet with festive storytelling, stunning costumes, and live music, delighting audiences of all ages with wonder and joy.
December 10
Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Creole Christmas
Bomhard Theater
Celebrate the season as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band returns with the Creole Christmas concert series. Join as the band performs New Orleans classics as well as some of our best-loved holiday selections with a twist.
December 12
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
Louisville Palace
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland at Louisville Palace promises a dazzling evening of festive spectacle: think soaring aerialists, acrobats, jugglers and dancers all backed by a full symphony orchestra. Expect beloved holiday tunes, magical visuals, and family-friendly wonder to ignite the season.
December 12
Jon McLaughlin & Friends: Home for the Holidays
Bomhard Theater, The Kentucky Center
Ring in the season with Jon McLaughlin & Friends: Home for the Holidays, an evening of music, stories, and holiday cheer. Jon returns to the stage with his signature blend of heartfelt songwriting, masterful piano playing, and soaring vocals — this time joined by a few very special guests for a festive, one-of-a-kind concert. McLaughlin will perform a mix of original holiday songs, classic Christmas favorites, and fan-favorite hits from his celebrated career. which began with his 2007 major-label debut Indiana and has since included chart-topping.
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December 12-22
Louisville Ballet: The Brown-Forman Nutcracker
Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center
Discover unbelievable
magic and unforgettable memories this holiday season with The Brown-Forman Nutcracker, a Kentucky-crafted tradition. Journey with Marie and her valiant Nutcracker prince to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy to experience a classic story with distinctly local flair. Choreographed by Val Caniparoli, with magic and illusion design by Marshall Magoon, and featuring Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The Brown-Forman Nutcracker is the holiday tradition you don’t want to miss.
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December 14
Under the Streetlamp: Hip to the Holidays
Brown Theatre
Streetlamp’s signature show includes a bevy of hits by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and other classic artists such as The Beach Boys, The Drifters, Dion, Elvis, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, The Supremes, Bobby Darin, and The Beatles. Featuring former stars of the hit show Jersey Boys, Under the Streetlamp is an electrifying ensemble of Broadway luminaries and world-class musicians who light up the night with an unforgettable blend of classic doo-wop, Motown and rock ’n’ roll hits. Their holiday show has a mix of these hits and a range of popular classics that delight audiences throughout the season. Both shows have full orchestral arrangements that propel an acclaimed symphonic experience.
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December 17
An Evening w. Peter Bilingsley & A Christmas Story Screening
Brown Theatre
Celebrate the holidays with a screening of the timeless classic A Christmas Story, followed by an intimate moderated interview and fan Q&A with Peter Billingsley—Ralphie himself. Enjoy his behind‑the‑scenes anecdotes, memorable stories, and a rare interactive appearance perfect for all generations.
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December 20
Christmastime with Trisha Yearwood: 12 Days of Christmas Tour
Louisville Palace
Experience the magic of the season with Trisha Yearwood’s “Christmastime: 12 Days of Christmas Tour” in a festive evening filled with classic holiday songs, heartwarming stories, and the warmth of Yearwood’s renowned vocals. Expect a cozy, joyful atmosphere perfect for ringing in the holidays.
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This article appears in Nov. 1-30, 2025.