We found three Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Louisville with 2026 dates: three tree lightings and lighting nights, one free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Tree lighting · 3–8 p.m.28NovSatLight Up JeffersontownTree lighting · 3–6:30 p.m.5DecSatLight Up LouisvilleTree lighting · 3–9 p.m.Nothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
No 2026 Christmas parade posted here yet. We check parade organizers every week through early December.
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Downtown Shelbyville · Shelbyville
Good to know: Many people in Shelbyville still call it Light Up Shelbyville. Downtown fills with music and family activities, there’s hot cocoa, and the evening ends with the tree lighting.
Downtown Jeffersontown · Jeffersontown
Good to know: Hosted by the City of Jeffersontown.
Jefferson Square Park · Jefferson Square Park, Louisville, KY
Good to know: Lots of Lights Parade at 6 p.m.
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s addedBefore you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Louisville
Keep planning
November: things to do in LouisvilleEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in LouisvilleEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in LouisvilleFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in LouisvilleIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in LouisvilleBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in LouisvilleHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in LouisvilleParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in LouisvilleKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas trains in LouisvillePolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in LouisvilleBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in LouisvilleChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in LouisvilleWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in LouisvilleStarting prices, ages and what’s included
This week in LouisvilleDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Celebration of Lights at Downtown Shelbyville: Sat, Nov 14, 2026, 3–8 p.m. Light Up Jeffersontown at Downtown Jeffersontown: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 3–6:30 p.m. Light Up Louisville at Jefferson Square Park: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 3–9 p.m.
One of the three we list are free to watch: Light Up Louisville. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Celebration of Lights, Light Up Jeffersontown and Light Up Louisville. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Louisville that weekend, parades included.
Celebration of Lights