Christmas is always just around the corner in Pulaski County, Kentucky. From Burnside to Somerset, these charming small towns go BIG on holiday fun year after year. Whether you like outdoor ice skating and old-fashioned tree farms, or festivals that light up the night, you’re sure to find your next holiday tradition here!
Christmas Island: Burnside, KY
Pile into the family car for a cruise through Burnside’s own winter wonderland. From mid-November through New Year’s Eve, General Burnside Island State Park becomes Christmas Island, a festive scene of glowing lights and holiday cheer.
First, drive through the light display, with dozens of holiday scenes rendered in colorful Christmas lights. Some are up to 100 feet long! After your drive, visit the Vendor Village to shop for Christmas gifts by local vendors, sip hot cocoa, and take photos with the man in red himself. And it’s all for a good cause—proceeds benefit local nonprofits.
For more information, check out Visit Burnside or the Burnside Tourism Facebook page. Get tickets upon arrival or online!
Jingle Bell Run 5K at Christmas Island: Burnside, KY
Driving through Christmas Island is one way to see the colorful lights…but you can run through them, too!
Join the annual Jingle Bell Run 5K on the second Saturday of December to see the lights without your car. Run (or walk) through the glowing display at this festive nighttime race, sure to make the miles pass in a flash. You even have the chance to win an award!
And if you’re not the fastest runner or walker, you can still leave the event with a prize through the individual and group costume contests. Dress up in your silliest Santa outfit, or do a group costume with all eight of Santa’s reindeer to take home the prize.
Proceeds from this event benefit local Burnside youth athletic programs. Get more information and sign up here.
Heffelfinger Tree Farm: Somerset, KY
No Christmas celebration is complete without a trip to Heffelfinger Tree Farm. This live tree farm offers pre-cut trees in various sizes. Or you can head out into the fields to choose and cut your own!
After you’ve found the perfect tree, take a hayride through the tree field and warm up with a cup of hot cocoa or warm cider. Be sure to shop for festive home decor, homemade goodies and more at the general store. The farm also hosts seasonal workshops like wreath-making and decor crafting!
Check their website or Facebook page for event availability and updates on tree stock.
Tiki’s Winter Wonderland at SomerSplash Waterpark: Somerset, KY
A summertime favorite becomes a wintertime delight in Somerset, KY. From November to early February, SomerSplash WaterPark transforms into Tiki’s Winter Wonderland, complete with an outdoor ice skating pond and cheerful Christmas lights for cold-weather fun.
Between bouts on the ice, visit the concession stand for hot chocolate or coffee, plus tasty eats like burgers, chicken strips, and fries. Gather around the fire pits or patio heaters to keep warm while you eat. And shop with local vendors for holiday gifts like clothes, jewelry, and even baked goods.
Skating is available in 90-minute sessions, so check their website and Facebook page for schedules.
The Virginia: Somerset, KY
Renovated to keep its timeless charm, The Virginia (founded in 1922) is a beloved theater in downtown Somerset. Today, you can watch classic films, enjoy live music, and laugh along with acclaimed comedians at this meticulously restored boutique theater.
During the holidays, visitors can enjoy popular Christmas movies like It’s a Wonderful Life, live seasonal concerts and other events to celebrate the season!
Check their website for upcoming holiday programming!
Somerset & Burnside Christmas Parades
Experience the joy of two holiday parades in one weekend! During the first weekend of December, both Somerset and Burnside host unique holiday parades full of fun and frivolity.
On Friday evening, kick off the weekend with the Burnside Christmas Parade. This community event is free to join, so you may see creative floats by small businesses and private citizens, with participants throwing out plenty of candy to excited kids in the crowd. Past parade themes include “Run Rudolph Run,” a special homage to Santa’s favorite reindeer, and “Christmas Traditions.”
The celebration continues on Saturday evening, with the Somerset Christmas Parade just a few minutes up the road. Watch colorful floats make their way through the historic downtown and around Fountain Square as they compete for awards like most creative floats, best use of lights, and more. Parade themes have included “A Christmas in Whoville” and “Christmas Movies on Parade!”
Keep an eye on the Burnside and Somerset event websites for annual updates!
Bear Wallow Farm’s Christmas Fest: Nancy, KY
Brighten up your holiday at Bear Wallow Farm’s Christmas Fest, a family celebration packed with fun, food, and festivities.
Explore their beautiful light displays on foot and on a hayride to explore lighted tunnels, fields of luminous trees, and all the symbols of the season. Kids will have a ball with attractions like the Bear Ridge Mountain Tube Slide, Trike Track, Bee Train, Apple Blasters, and a petting zoo. And, of course, Santa will be there for photo ops.
Feast on festival food like waffle fries smothered in pulled pork and cheese sauce. And holiday-themed Peppermint Bark and S’mores milkshakes make a decadent sweet treat.
Visit on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas and select weekdays. Get more information and purchase your tickets at Bear Wallow Farms’ website.
The Polar Express Train Ride: Stearns, KY
Step into the pages of an iconic holiday storybook with The Polar Express Train Ride. You’ll ride an actual train on the historic Big South Fork Scenic Railway, a remnant of the area’s coal and lumber-producing past.
Sip hot chocolate and nibble sweet cookies while the conductor reads from The Polar Express children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. Your destination is the “North Pole,” where Santa himself is waiting! He’ll take the train back with you, visiting everyone and handing out the first gift of Christmas to each passenger. Pajamas encouraged!
Visit their website to book this one-of-a-kind experience.
Kentucky Mercantile Christmas Market: Somerset, KY
Impress your family and friends with gifts from the Kentucky Mercantile Christmas Market. This upscale one-weekend market every November is both a shopping destination and an experience in itself.
Over 25 local shops, boutiques, and artisans gather at 5th Quarter KY, a beautiful private estate-turned-venue, to share premium goods like jewelry, clothes, candles, wine, and home goods. Pick up gifts for your fanciest friends, enjoy elegant hors d’oeuvres, and sip festive cocktails while live music sets the scene.
Check their Facebook page for more information!
