Christmas in Bardstown: Event Schedule, Traditions, & More
Christmas season in Bardstown KY is a month and a half long celebration consisting of traditions and holiday cheer! What better way to get in the spirit (literally) than at one of the “Most Beautiful Small Towns” in America. Bardstown, home to bourbon, and the infamous Kentucky Bourbon Festival been a bourbon lover’s bucket list town due to the recent American bourbon boom. Christmas ‘Round Bardstown (the official name) starts in mid November and goes all the way into January! We bring you everything you need to know about the spirit filled town, with a full Christmas Event Calendar. Our easy guide will tell you where to eat, sip, shop, stay, and explore in one of the most beautiful, historic cities of the Bluegrass State.
Christmas ‘Round Bardstown
The season kicks off with a tree lighting alongside Christmas songs, refreshments, shopping, and of course, the one and only Santa Claus. Additionally, My Old Kentucky Home opens its doors for guided candlelight tours, followed by delicious bourbon barrel cake, baked goods, and cider.
Being that Bardstown, Kentucky is known as the bourbon capital of the world, many distilleries participate in the Christmas Bardstown traditions. For example, Barton’s 1792 Distillery hosts a “Making Spirits Bright” tour, as do other distilleries in a similar fashion. At Maker’s Mark distillery, one can find beautiful decorations, decor, and even Christmas carolers. (Event Schedule Below.)
Importantly, every Saturday, Santa visits the Old Nelson County Courthouse. You can catch Santa at the Kentucky Railway Museum for one of it’s many excursions!
Shopping In Bardstown
Now more than ever, we encourage supporting our local business owners. The town is home to 29 local shop and boutique owners. Here, you can buy holiday gifts for everyone in your family. During the holiday season, shops stay open later (Event Schedule Below.)
Stay in Bardstown
A weekend in Bardstown is truly special. People from all around the world come to stay in this quaint, bourbon epicenter. Although Bardstown attracts tourism year round, it is particularly special during the holidays. There are countless hotels and motels in the area, however, there are also awesome bed and breakfast spots, and airbnb’s surrounding Nelson County.
One of the most talked about places to stay in Bardstown is known as The Old Talbott Tavern and The Jailer’s Inn. If historical/presumably haunted is not your thing, theres always the Beautiful Dreamer, a new Bourbon manor that overlooks My Old Kentucky home. When the weather is warm, you can even camp at the My Old Kentucky Home campground!
Christmas ‘Round Bardstown Event Lineup
MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME’S MERRY & BRIGHT TOUR
NOVEMBER 19th – JANUARY 2nd 2021
Perfect activity for the entire family! It is here that you will find guides dressed in traditional fashion of hoop skirts and tailcoats sing “My Old Kentucky Home.” The well known mansion is decorated with beautifully themed Christmas trees. Experience the Victorian Era and learn the origins of some of the most celebrated Christmas traditions such as the mistletoe, Christmas Pickle, alongside traditional stories of the past.
As you move forward to each room, you experience a different era of Christmas. Tours are held everyday, tours start on the hour from 9am to 4pm, daily.
*Regular Admission, $14 and various discounts for military, seniors, groups, and more!
More information & tickets >> HERE.
BARDSTOWN KIWANIS CLUB’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE
The annual Bardstown, KY Christmas Parade is a fun event that has became a family tradition in Nelson County. This year’s event will feature floats, bands, and tons of holiday spirit in one of the “Most Beautiful Small Town in America!”
- Date: December 2, 2021
- Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME’S AN OLD KENTUCKY CHRISTMAS CAROL
A talented musical cast performs Charles Dickens’ novel, “A Christmas Carol,” the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas performed in the mansion December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19. Enter the mansion’s decked halls where you’ll encounter My Old Kentucky Home’s original owner, John Rowan, reading “A Christmas Carol” to his wife and children in the mansion’s parlor by oil lamp. As you move onward from room to room, you’ll be transformed into the story as the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future lead you from scene to scene while singing songs of Christmas. Your tour will end with cookies and cider in the carriage house where you’ll meet Santa and make photos with his sleigh! Great for the entire family young and young at heart, you won’t want to miss this event!
Dates:
- DECEMBER 3, 2021 6:00PM – 9:00PM
- DECEMBER 4, 2021 6:00PM – 9:00PM
- DECEMBER 10, 2021 6:00PM – 9:00PM
- DECEMBER 11, 2021 6:00PM – 9:00PM
- DECEMBER 17, 2021 6:00PM – 9:00PM
- DECEMBER 18, 2021 6:00PM – 9:00PM
KENTUCKY FAMILY CHRISTMAS TSHIRT
LATE NIGHT DISTILLERY SHOPPING
Thursday & Friday Evenings – Black Friday through Christmas
Although other years, this may look a little different, select distilleries are still participating in this activity. The distillery gift shops have unique and wonderful gifts for all your bourbon loving friends and family.
>> SHOP: BOURBON GEAR COLLECTION.
Participating Distilleries:
Barton 1792 Distillery – Open until 8 pm on Thursdays & Fridays from Black Friday (11/27) until the week before Christmas
Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center – Open until 8 pm on Thursdays & Fridays from Black Friday (11/27) until the week before Christmas
>> READ MORE ON HEAVEN HILL: Heaven Hill Distillery Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon Celebrates 85 Years.
Lux Row Distillers – Open until 7 pm on these Fridays: 12/4, 12/11, & 12/18
KENTUCKY RAILWAY MUSEUM’S NORTH POLE EXPRESS
All aboard for an evening of fun and holiday cheer as we journey to the North Pole to pick up Santa. Enjoy Christmas goodie bags. Children are encouraged to wear pajamas! $27 adults; $22 children ages 2-12; under 2 free!
Dates:
- DECEMBER 4, 2021 @ 12:00PM – 2:00PM
- DECEMBER 5, 2021 @ 12:00PM – 2:00PM
- DECEMBER 11, 2021 @ 12:00PM – 2:00PM
- DECEMBER 12, 2021 @ 12:00PM – 2:00PM
- DECEMBER 18, 2021 @ 12:00PM – 2:00PM
Enjoy a Family Friendly Experience in your Pajamas on the Kentucky Railway Museum North Pole Express
KENTUCKY RAILWAY MUSEUM’S SANTA EXPRESS
Here you can visit with Santa and his helpers as they pass through the train handing out Christmas goodies bags. Wear your pajamas for pictures with Santa.
$27 adults; $22 children ages 2-12; under 2 free.
Dates:
- November 20, 2021 @ 11:30PM – 1:30PM
- November 21, 2021 @ 11:30PM – 1:30PM
- November 27, 2021 @ 11:30PM – 1:30PM
- November 28, 2021 @ 11:30PM – 1:30PM
- DECEMBER 4, 2021 @ 12:00PM – 2:00PM
- DECEMBER 5, 2021 @ 12:00PM – 2:00PM
- DECEMBER 11, 2021 @ 12:00PM – 2:00PM
- DECEMBER 12, 2021 @ 6:00PM – 9:00PM
- DECEMBER 18, 2021 @ 12:00PM – 2:00PM
43ND ANNUAL LIVE NATIVITY
Bardstown’s 42nd annual live nativity. It is here, that you can remember the real meaning behind Christmas. Importantly, this features live actors and animals. A beautiful, free activity!
Dates:
- DECEMBER 18, 2021 @ 6:00PM – 8:00PM
AND TO Y’ALL A GOODNIGHT TSHIRT
Santa On The Square
Saturday December 11, 2021 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Last year Springhill Winery hosted Christmas crafts, cookies, hot cocoa and a picture with Santa Clause! This year they will host a Sip and Shop while you can meet Santa on The Square.
