Anyone looking for a fun Christmas lights activity in Kentucky doesn’t have to look too far. About this time of year, it feels like we stop being the Bluegrass State and transform into the LED lights state!
There are a bunch of holiday light displays to choose from, from the underground passages of Lights Under Louisville, camel rides at the Southern Lights Holiday Festival, or the beloved Christmas traditions at Mustard Seed Hill.
We aren’t including a complete list here, but here are some of our favorites that come around every holiday season. We chose them because we especially love that you can see them without spending a penny.
And when you get home? Warm up with a cup of cheer by whipping up a mug of our signature bourbon hot chocolate (or take a bourbon-free version right along with you on your drive).
Either way you drink it, you won’t regret it.
Our Favorite Lexington Christmas Lights
The “Great White Christmas House”
Talk about a holiday light spectacular. Everyone knows the affectionately nicknamed “Great White Christmas House” for good reason. The Turner family delights visitors young and old every year with a magnificent display of gorgeous colors and festive holiday lights. The place is such a celebrated destination that people have even been known to propose to their significant others there. (Is anyone else hearing Santa Baby playing in their head??? You know, that part about a ring… she doesn’t mean on the phone?)
Check out this display at 1008 Chinoe Road.
LFD Station 20
LFD Station 20 tops our list because… well... holy moly. Can anyone say dancing lights!? This is one of those light displays that will not only illuminate your night, but it’ll delight your ears too. They’ve synced the lights to everything from Trans-Siberian Orchestra to Feliz Navidad to Willie Nelson’s version of “Frosty the Snowman” in previous years. As soon as we’re done rolling up our chef-ly sleeves and cooking holiday feasts inside the warmth of the La Bonne Vie kitchen, we plan on taking a look for ourselves to find out what’s on the playlist this year!
Jones Family Christmas Lights
This is another one of our favorite picks for Lexington Christmas lights, and you can find it right on Abbington Hill. The show includes a narration of the story of Christmas and runs nightly from 6:30-9 pm until January 1. Tune your radios to 89.5 when you get there!
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Holiday Lights at Buffalo Trace Distillery is one of those rare activities that is equally enjoyable for adults and children alike. This year’s free event will showcase lights as a drive-thru event, which you can catch nightly from 5:30 - 9:30 until January 1st. Usually, they do a “lighting of the trace,” but they have opted instead for a personal appearance from Santa along the holiday light route this year. Check the website for details on when he’ll be there. He is a busy fellow, after all! Your kiddos can wave to him or even leave their letters to him, and they’ll receive a treat in return.
Want to visit the distillery itself? Be sure to get there before 4 pm, when it closes (and advance reservations are recommended). And if you do stop by, be sure to pick up a bottle of Bourbon Trace, which is the perfect mixer for our signature bourbon hot chocolate recipe.
Speaking of which… you ready to get toasting to some holiday cheer?
Add This Cocktail To Your Christmas Bucket List: Bourbon Hot Chocolate
All of those breathtaking lights are going to leave you exhausted and craving a warm, toasty beverage when you get home. And while we wouldn’t recommend taking this recipe on the road (it does have bourbon in it, after all!), it is the perfect cocktail to drink up when you get home. Want to include your kids in the deliciousness? Simply remove the bourbon. It doesn’t need it to taste good.
This recipe is enough for two people + a little extra, so scale the ingredients accordingly. We know those coffee cups are HUGE nowadays!
La Bonne Vie’s Signature Bourbon Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
1/4 cup maple syrup or coconut sugar
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips (use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips if you need an allergy-friendly option)
1/8 teaspoon sea or Himalayan salt
4 cups whole milk (You can also use a refrigerated nut beverage like Milkadamia. I don't recommend skim milk as it can easily curdle if heated for too long.)
1 teaspoon real deal vanilla extract (no fake stuff, please and thank you!)
6 ounces bourbon - but ya know, don't worry about measuring this one... measure with your heart.
Optional: a dash of cayenne and cinnamon powder as desired.
Optional: toasted cocoa nibs and freshly whipped cream or dairy-free whipped cream
Instructions
Stir together maple syrup, chocolate, milk, and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking occasionally to melt the chocolate completely.
Cook for 5 minutes until the milk is hot; be sure not to boil.
Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract.
Pour bourbon (2ish ounces each) into mugs. Stir in hot chocolate and serve.
Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
As chefs, we are all about specific flavor profiles when it comes to combining ingredients, and this is especially true when it comes to Kentucky bourbon. Our favorite bourbon for mixing is the classic Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Their bourbon cream is also delightful in coffee, over ice cream (you could make a killer affogato with this as well), and in hot chocolate!
I also love Skrewball’s Peanut Butter Whiskey, but you need to have a sweet tooth if you add it to this bourbon hot chocolate recipe for SURE!
If using coconut milk, almond milk, or oat milk, you might need to increase the maple syrup to 2 tablespoons per serving instead of one.
Snag one of our Night Before Christmas boxes to add even more sweetness and delight to your holiday sipping experience!