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Mayor Greg Fischer announced today that the city’s largest and most beloved holiday event, Light Up Louisville, returns for the 38th year on Nov. 23, outside of Metro Hall in Jefferson Square.
Light Up Louisville is the official starting point for the holiday season in Louisville. This event has become a holiday tradition for scores of residents and their visiting friends and family. It is a day full of excitement, entertainment and community.
“Light Up Louisville is the perfect way for our city to usher in the holidays,” said Mayor Fischer. “After a big Thanksgiving meal the day before, grab your kids and relatives and join us outside for some fresh air, fun and fireworks!”
Light Up Louisville, always held the Friday after Thanksgiving, begins at 4 p.m., with children and families invited to take part in Santa’s Workshop, located this year in decorated chalets on Fifth and Jefferson streets. There, children can decorate cookies, write letters to Santa and send holiday cards to our troops, courtesy of Ford/UAW 862.
There will be a vendor village at Sixth and Jefferson streets, with holiday crafts, treats and gifts for sale. And the Louisville Visitor Center on Fourth and Jefferson will be open during Light Up Louisville, offering giveaways, treats and activities.
There will not be an outdoor ice rink this year, but Light Up has added a 15-passenger train that children can ride around the block from Fifth and Jefferson to Market at no cost.
The main Light Up Louisville stage on the west lawn of Metro Hall will feature live entertainment beginning at 4 p.m. until the start of the Lots of Lights parade at 6:30 p.m. Performances include some of Louisville’s most talented groups, including Six Steps to Heaven, Envy Dance Team, Classic Melodies “Top Note” and Motown Christmas. Stephen Gould will headline the stage before the start of the parade.
The Lots of Lights Parade starts at Fourth and Liberty streets and turns onto Jefferson Street and disperses at Seventh and Jefferson streets. Jesse and MJ from 106.9 Play!, Louisville’s official Christmas radio station, will emcee the parade announcements. Various units, including floats, bands, carolers, car clubs, children’s groups and civic organizations, will march through downtown and disperse at Seventh and Jefferson streets. The parade will end with the arrival of a special guest from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
Around 8 p.m., Mayor Fischer and Santa will gather on stage to illuminate the city Christmas tree located in Jefferson Square. The tree was donated by Christ Church United Methodist. The official Light Up moment will feature Zambelli fireworks, lasers and thousands of Christmas lights throughout downtown.
Following the Light Up moment, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., entertainment on the main stage will resume with a performance from Eight Inch Elvis. Children and families are invited to get a free picture with Santa Claus inside Santa’s House on Fifth and Jefferson streets.
For over 14 years, Light Up Louisville has been made possible through the support of Louisville’s largest utility company, LG&E.
“Light Up Louisville is a wonderful holiday tradition. We are proud and excited to help bring this free family event to our community,” said Paul W. Thompson, chairman, CEO and president of LG&E and KU Energy. “Light Up Louisville is a memory-maker for everyone, and it is another terrific opportunity to showcase all Louisville has to offer.”
“Louisville is known across the world for its unique festivals and events. As the city continues to grow its offerings as a regional destination for the holidays, Light Up Louisville is a great kickoff to the season,” says Karen Williams, President & CEO of Louisville Tourism, silver sponsor of this year’s Light Up Louisville. “This one-of-a-kind, free, family-friendly celebration serves as a great anchor for families to plan a visit around the arts, museums and other local attractions featuring holiday events.”
The holidays are a perfect time to spread a little more compassion. Mayor Fischer asks residents to get involved in this year’s community-wide Toys for Tots drive a week after Light Up, on Friday, November 30. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day, a special drive-thru lane will be set up in front of Metro Hall for an easy drop-off. Marines will be on site to assist.
Light Up Louisville sponsors include: LG&E, Louisville Tourism, Amazon, AT&T, Ford/UAW 862, Hyatt Regency, MetroPCS, Papa Murphy’s, 106.9 Play!, Louisville Magazine, Outfront Media, and WLKY.
Special thanks to ABCO Bramer Crane Services, Bob Ray Tree Company, Costco, Electrical Maintenance, Heine Brothers Metro Parks and Recreation and Sunbelt Rentals.
Mayor Fischer urges people to share their photos from Light Up Louisville on social media using the hashtag #AroundLou.
For more information, go to: www.lightuplouisville.org.
Louisville Metro is looking for someone to donate the large Christmas tree that will stand in Jefferson Square Park through the holidays.
“Just like most families preparing for the holidays, we’re looking for the perfect Christmas tree,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “This is the main attraction at Light Up Louisville and it will stay up throughout the holiday season.”
The tree should be a spruce or fir, about 40 feet tall and well-shaped. The city will cut and transport the tree to its prominent spot across from Metro Hall at Sixth and Jefferson streets. Anyone interested in donating a tree should call Metro 311. The tree donor will attend the Light Up Louisville sponsor reception as a featured guest of Mayor Fischer for the Light Up celebration.
Light Up Louisville is held annually on the day after Thanksgiving. This year, the event, in its 38th year, will be held on Friday, Nov. 23.
The tree will be moved with the support of LG&E, Bob Ray Company and Louisville Parks and Recreation.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Louisville Metro is looking for someone to donate the large Christmas tree that will stand in Jefferson Square Park through the holidays.
“It is always the main attraction of our Light Up celebration,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “We hope someone will come forward with just the right tree.” The tree should be a spruce or fir, about 40 feet tall and well-shaped.
The city will cut and transport the tree to its prominent spot in Jefferson Square Park. Anyone interested in donating a tree should call MetroCall 311. The tree donor will attend the Light Up Louisville sponsor reception and be a featured guest of Mayor Fischer for the Light Up celebration.
Light Up Louisville is held annually on the day after Thanksgiving. This year, the event, in its 37th year, will be held on Friday, Nov. 24. The tree will be moved with the support of Bob Ray Company and LG&E.
Mayor Greg Fischer announced today that Light Up Louisville, which kicks off the month-long celebration of Louisville’s Holiday in the City, is returning to its roots at Jefferson Square and Metro Hall.
Now in its 37th year, Light Up, the official starting point for the holiday season in Louisville, brings together people from all over the city, along with family, friends and visitors, to enjoy a day full of excitement, entertainment and community.
“For so many of us, the holidays mean ‘coming home,’ gathering with family and friends in traditional ways and comfortable spaces,” the Mayor said. “So it’s great that this year’s Light Up Louisville is also coming home, to Jefferson Square Park, where it first began.”
And the festivities continue through New Year’s Day, as Holiday in the City, a gift from MainSource Bank and powered by LG&E, provides family-friendly fun with a pop-up ice skating rink at Holiday Square at Fourth and Jefferson streets.
Light Up Louisville, always held the Friday after Thanksgiving, begins at 4 p.m. that day, as children are encouraged to visit Santa’s Workshop on the first floor of Metro Hall, and create holiday crafts. The first 250 people will receive a discount coupon to be used at the nearby Holiday in the City ice skating rink.
There will be a vendor village at Sixth and Jefferson streets, with holiday crafts, treats and gifts for sale. And the Louisville Visitor Center located near the ice skating rink will be open during Light Up Louisville, offering giveaways, treats and activities.
The main Light Up Louisville stage on the west lawn of Metro Hall will feature live entertainment beginning at 4 p.m. until the start of the Lots of Lights parade at 6:30 p.m. The parade will start at Seventh and Jefferson streets and proceed east on Jefferson to Fourth, where it will travel through Fourth Street Live! before dispersing at Muhammad Ali.
The parade, featuring floats, bands, carolers, car clubs, children’s groups and civic organizations, will end with the arrival of Santa Claus, as he and Mayor Fischer illuminate the city Christmas tree in Jefferson Square, along with much of the rest of downtown Louisville, as the sky is lit by Zambelli fireworks.
Following the Light Up moment, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., entertainment on the main stage will resume and children are invited to go back inside Metro Hall and get a free picture with Santa Claus.
At Holiday Square, located at Fourth and Jefferson streets, visitors can enjoy the full-size ice skating rink, featuring real ice. A 60-minute skating session with skate rentals is $12 per person; it’s $9 if you bring your own skates. The rink will be open November 23 – January 1.
Holiday in the City visitors are reminded that Fourth Street Live! plans a Winter Wonderland experience, including free pictures with Santa, Friday through Sunday until December 23.
Mike Gleeson, Regional President for MainSource Bank, says, “We are honored to be part of such a great event. Our commitment to the Louisville area and all the local communities we serve is a top priority at MainSource Bank. We’re excited for a great Holiday season, with the hope that many residents and visitors enjoy this incredible event.”
“It’s great to be back again this year, helping our community sparkle throughout the holiday season, as we continue our long-standing partnership with the city,” said Victor A. Staffieri, Chairman and CEO of LG&E and KU Energy. “Bringing Light Up Louisville festivities back to Metro Hall while maintaining the ice skating venue is a great opportunity for people to get out, walk around downtown and enjoy everything it has to offer.”
Besides MainSource Bank and LG&E, the holiday festivities’ sponsors include: Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fourth Street Live!, Ford/UAW, Hines Management, MetroPCS, 106.9 Play!, Louisville Magazine, Outfront Media, and WLKY.
Mayor Fischer urges people to share their photos from Light Up Louisville and Holiday in the City on social media using the hashtag #AroundLou.
For more information, go to: www.specialeventslouisville.com