It’s time to get those Christmas sweaters out of the closet because Owensboro is about to light up the streets and turn the holiday music on! The return of the City of Owensboro’s Hometown Christmas is chock full of family-friendly activities you can enjoy all the through the upcoming holiday season.
To kick things off, the inaugural Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at Smothers Park in downtown Owensboro on November 17 at 5 p.m. This magical experience will include CDancing Lightshristmas carols sung by the Kentucky Youth Chorale.
This event will also kick off the spectacle, where holiday lights will transform the center portion of Smothers Park into an interactive light show. Every 15 minutes, the lights will dance to a different classic Christmas song. Even better, you can enjoy the Dancing Lights in downtown Owensboro from November 17-December 31 from 5-9 p.m. each night. How cool is that?
A new riverfront holiday decoration is hitting the pavement this year too! You can check out a Bourbon Barrel Christmas Tree that will light up McConnell Plaza, courtesy of Green River Distilling Co.
The holiday spirit will continue into the next day with the famous Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade on November 18! The theme for our city’s 85th Christmas Parade is “The Gift of Christmas” and the parade route runs along Second Street from Pearl Street to Locust Street. It begins at 4:30 p.m.
On December 2, bring your family downtown to McConnell Plaza for FREE professional photos taken by Wonder Boy Media. You’ll get a digital download straight to your phone and there’s no registration required. Photos will be offered from 5-8 p.m.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a prettier view as you skate alongside the Ohio River at Energy on Ice. Head over to the Kentucky Legend Pier behind the Owensboro Convention Center to rent a pair of skates and skate on a synthetic ice rink. Energy on Ice is open November 25-December 30 on Fridays (5-9 p.m.), Saturdays (4-9 p.m.) and Sundays (4-7 p.m.)
On November 25, the Greater Owensboro of Chamber’s Shop Owensboro event is turning Small Business Saturday into an all-day shopping event centered around the city’s amazing boutique scene.
For those missing Friday After 5 weekends, we’ve got ya covered! Christmas at the Inn is run by the FA5 team, where you can enjoy live music, pictures and story time with Santa! Check out the majestic outdoor igloo and score some free hot chocolate and candy canes at the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront’s very own winter wonderland! Christmas at the Inn runs on Fridays from 6-8 p.m. December 1-15.
If you’re looking for a chill night on the town, the Holiday Stroll is right up your alley. You’ll get all the warm, holiday feels with a scavenger hunt, live music, downtown shopping, warm coffee and even a cocktail crawl! Just head to downtown Owensboro on December 2 to enjoy this all-day event from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
What’s more magical than getting to meet a real reindeer?? You can do that very thing at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History’s Live Reindeer Experience on December 2. Get a keepsake photo with Santa, Mrs. Claus and their reindeer friends and, at 4 p.m., enjoy a concert by the Owensboro Community Band. You can see the reindeer from 10 a.m.-noon and from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. and the cost is only $5.
Take the entire family to the RiverPark Center to see “The German American Bank Nutcracker” put on by Owensboro Dance Theatre. Amazing ballet, a timeless story and all the Christmas vibes you could ask for, in one single place. Performances will be held December 2 and 3, and you can click here for more info on tickets and times.
On December 7, we’ve got The Perfect Gift Christmas Tour 2023: Mary Rocked Her Baby Show at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum! This Christmas Special features the Fairfield Four with special guest the Becky Buller Band! And on December 9, the Lanham Brothers Christmas Jamboree will bring you a night of live holiday music with a bluegrass twist.
For two days on December 8 and 9, head to downtown Owensboro for the 4th annual Hot Chocolate Hop, where you can spend the weekend sipping a variety of specialty hot chocolate drinks from local businesses. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more info!
The amazing Owensboro Symphony will present its Home for the Holidays concert at RiverPark Center on December 9. Hear music from The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, Sleigh Ride and more!
And on December 11, you’ll be dazzled by world-class entertainers performing to your favorite holiday tunes at Magical Cirque Christmas: A Holiday Variety Show.
Everyone needs to experience breakfast with Santa! And he’s coming to town on December 16 for a pancake breakfast at the Owensboro Convention Center. You can get photos and all the fun holiday feels from 7:30-10 am.
And finally, take the kiddos to the Owensboro Museum of Science and History for a week of fun activities with their Winter Break Blast, held December 19-22. Events are included with the $5 price of admission each day.