Christmas in the Country

There are a ton of family-friendly holiday events happening on the outskirts of Owensboro city limits this year, so we put together a list of some of the best ways to spend Christmas in the Country. From Christmas light displays to parades to fresh-cut trees, Daviess County is throwing down this holiday season, and we are here for it! 

 

Christmas at Panther Creek

“Christmas at Panther Creek” has become one of Daviess County’s long-honored traditions, and there are plenty of good reasons for that. This driving tour features more than 700,000 lights across more than 50 holiday-themed displays, and it also serves a meaningful purpose.

Located at Panther Creek Park (5160 Wayne Bridge Road), the cost to enter Christmas at Panther Creek is $5 per vehicle, and half of the total proceeds will go to five local nonprofits across Daviess County. This year’s nonprofits include Kentucky State Police Professional Association, Right to Life of Owensboro, St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter, 90.3 WKWC Kentucky Wesleyan College and United Way of the Ohio Valley.

2020 was a record year for “Christmas at Panther Creek,” with the event bringing in around 10,000 vehicles and nearly $50,000.

The lighted driving tour is 1.15 miles long and, yes, you can stop and get out of your car along the way. So don’t worry about not getting holiday pictures because there will be plenty of chances for that along the drive!

Partnering up with Independence Bank, Daviess County Fiscal Court and Daviess County Parks & Recreation will also be holding an “Indy the Eagle Holiday Scavenger Hunt” for the chance to win an Apple iPad Air! You can download the scavenger hunt map at 1776bank.com or daviessky.org.

Christmas at Panther Creek will kick off November 26 and will run from 6-9 p.m. each day through January 3.

 

Whitesville Christmas Parade

On December 11, the City of Whitesville will hold its annual Christmas Parade. The parade will start at 10 a.m. at Whitesville Lumber and will finish up at Whitesville City Park.

The parade will be full of holiday spirit, featuring a variety of floats, classic cars, horses, bands and, of course, Santa Claus as the grand finale.

The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office and Whitesville Fire Department will lead this year’s parade. The event is sponsored by the Whitesville Lions Club.

 

Owensboro Christmas Lights

Along with Christmas at Panther Creek, this annual holiday event is one that makes a lasting impression in the form of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights.

The Stonegate neighborhood has become known for its huge holiday spectacle, boasting one of the biggest drive-thru Christmas lights adventures in the entire county. From November 27 to December 26, visitors and locals alike can check out the “Owensboro Christmas Lights” at Stonegate, located off Highway 54 in east Daviess County.

You can drive or walk through the neighborhood-wide lights display at this event via sidewalks and custom-made walking paths. Each household in the neighborhood strings its own lights and sets up its own unique Christmas displays that, together, turn Stonegate into its very own winter wonderland.

The Owensboro Christmas Lights will feature a central display made up of more than 300,000 individual bulbs. Within the display is a nativity scene, penguin playground, snowman family and tons of other holiday themes you’ll enjoy seeing.

The display will also feature two 30-foot Christmas trees, one that’s decorated with over 12,000 lights!

Lines for this event can get a little long, so visiting the Owensboro Christmas Lights during the week is recommended for those hoping to avoid long wait times. You can visit the lights from 5-10 p.m. every day.

Fresh Christmas Trees

For those who love a freshly cut Christmas tree, Trunnell’s Farm Market is the place to be. You can head out to the Utica location with your friends or family and make an entire day out of it while choosing your Christmas tree.

Trunnell’s already has their trees ready for the picking, so enjoy some FREE hot chocolate and spiced apple cider while searching for your specially selected Christmas tree. With at least three varieties to choose from, you can’t go wrong finding that perfect tree (or trees!) for your home.

 

Christmas Treats at The Cottage

Whether it’s hot cocoa bombs, delicious cupcakes or specialty holiday coffees, The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co. has you covered this holiday season.

The Cottage has officially rolled out its holiday-themed desserts and treats, and we are pumped to start trying them out! The venue sells customized hot chocolate bombs with edible sugar logos, gingerbread man baking kits, mini muffins, Christmas cookies and white chocolate peppermint mochas.

Even more, The Cottage has stocked up on Christmas inventory, so there’s tons of products you can purchase as gifts for your family and friends.