Department of Parks
Kentucky State Park Holiday Events in December
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky State Parks will be ready for the winter holidays this year with special meals, decorations, candlelight tours, entertainment and other special events planned.
State parks are a great place for holiday gatherings in December. All 17 resort parks have restaurants, meeting areas and gift shops that offer unique gift ideas. That includes Kentucky Unbridled Spirit gift cards that are valid at Kentucky State Parks, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.
Many state resort parks will also be holding New Year’s Eve parties and dinners on Dec. 31. For more information about these and other events, visit www.parks.ky.gov
Here is a listing of holiday events at Kentucky State Parks:
Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas
Dec. 3 and 10
Santa’s House and Breakfast with the Grinch
Have you ever wondered what Santa’s house looked like? Here is your chance to take a tour of this magical villa decorated for the holiday season at Barren River Lake State Resort Park on Dec. 3 and 10, from 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. CST. During your tour, visit with Santa to give him your wish list. Don’t forget to bring your camera if you would like to have your picture made with him. Have green eggs and ham with the Grinch on Dec. 10 at 9 a.m. CST. Don’t worry, this Grinch won’t try to ruin your holiday, and he’s brought his favorite story for us to read to you, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” After breakfast, make a holiday craft to remember your visit. Registration fee is $5 per person. Contact Jamie Avery at jamie.avery@ky.gov or 1-800-325-0057 or 270-646-2151.
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet
Dec. 16-17
Golden Girls Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Laugh in the holidays with the players from Fantastical Theatricals as they perform a holiday whodunit. As Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia are planning a holiday party, Dorothy is making plans of her own to announce her engagement to smooth-talker Arthur Walters, but poor Arthur is murdered. All are invited to celebrate the holiday with us and solve the mystery with Lt. Caramba. Overnight packages are available for $129 per couple, which include two tickets for the show, one night’s lodge room and meals. The show is $34.95 per person for the show and dinner the night of the play. For more information call 800-443-7008.
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn
Dec. 3
Holiday in the Park
Bring your children for holiday-themed crafts at 1 p.m. CST. Adults can make holiday-themed crafts at 3 p.m. Santa will arrive with reindeer at 4 p.m. From 5-8 p.m. in the lodge dining room, the park will have its annual holiday dinner buffet. Entrees include ham, catfish, fried chicken, and turkey and dressing with sides of buttered corn, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole and green beans. On the dessert bar, there will be banana pudding, fruit cobbler and cheesecake. All of this will be offered for $12.99 for adults, not including tax and gratuity. (Children 5 and under eat free.) Another opportunity to see Santa will occur during the buffet. Gather around our cozy fireplace in the lodge lobby as we share a reading of the famous “The Night Before Christmas” at 8 p.m. Call 1-800-325-0058 or 1-606-398-7510 for information.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin
Dec. 3, 10, 17
Holiday Hayride
Bring the family to enjoy a holiday hayride through the park to visit Santa Claus. The cost is $3 per person, and hayrides are available 6-9 p.m. EST. Come early and enjoy dinner at the Riverview Restaurant inside Dupont Lodge. Call 1-800-325-0063.
Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville
Dec. 12, 14
Christmas Open House
Join Dale Hollow for its open house on Dec. 12 and 14 from noon to 2 p.m. All are invited to come out and see Santa and enjoy the holiday decorations throughout the Mary Ray Oaken Lodge. Call 1-800-325-2282.
Fort Boonesborough State Resort Park, Richmond
Dec. 9-10
Christmas on the Frontier
The fort will be lit with candle lanterns and bonfires, and decorated with natural materials from the Cantuckee wilderness from 6-8 p.m. EST. Learn how some of our present-day customs originated and how some have been lost to our past. See how cultures blended on the frontier and different traditions were observed. Enjoy the music, sample the tastes of holiday fare and experience a frontier Christmas. Tickets for adults are $5; children ages 6-12 are $3; under 5 are free. Call 859-527-3131.
General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton
Dec. 3
Festival of Trees & Winter Wonderfest Day
Christmas trees decorated by local schools, churches, organizations and businesses will adorn the Butler Lodge to help ring in the holiday season. Winter Wonderfest Day is full of surprises for the young and young at heart! Santa will be featured for breakfast on Saturday morning, along with morning activities in the Lodge lounge and an evening holiday concert. Call 1-866-462-8853.
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup
Dec. 3-4
Holiday Open House
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park and the Greenup County Homemakers present “Country Christmas Memories.” This marks the 26th year that the Greenup County Homemakers have decorated The Jesse Stuart Lodge. There will be plenty of holiday decorations and treats to view and sample. Join the park for a festive time and joyous occasion for the entire family. Call the park at 606-473-7324 for more information.
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg
Dec. 17, 18
Breakfast with Santa and Frosty
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park invites you to come celebrate the Christmas season with a breakfast buffet to remember. While you enjoy your breakfast, you and your children can visit with Santa Claus and Frosty as they have made a special trip from the North Pole to visit everyone at Jenny Wiley. Have your picture made with both of our wintertime friends. Santa will have a special treat for each child. Adult buffet is $7.49 plus tax and children ages 6–12 are $5.49; children age 5 and under eat free. Contact Park Naturalist Trinity Shepherd at 1-800-325-0142 or email at tshepherd@suddenlinkmail.com for more information.
John James Audubon State Park, Henderson
Dec. 10 10:30-noon
Santa’s at the Park
Come join the elves at the annual “Santa’s at the Park,” Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10:30-noon CST, for children ages 3-7 and their families. Share the holiday activities: art, storytelling and treats with Santa. Class fee will be $7. Photos with Santa will be optional for an extra fee. Pre-registration required. Staff Contact: Kim McGrew-Liggett, Audubon Museum, 270-827-1893 or kim.mcgrew@ky.gov.
Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora
Dec. 11
Christmas in the Park
Stop by the park from 2-4 p.m. CST and let the children spend some time with Santa and make a great Christmas craft. Refreshments will be provided. Please bring a canned food item to donate. Help someone else along the way! Lunch will be available beginning at noon. For more information call 1-800-325-0143.
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville
Dec. 10
Breakfast with Santa and Frosty
Come visit Santa as he stops by for breakfast with all the boys and girls in the Harbor Lights Restaurant from 8-11 a.m. CST. Frosty will join us in all the fun! You can have your picture made with Santa and Frosty and let Santa know what you would like under the tree on Christmas morning. All children will receive a small gift from Santa and a Christmas sugar cookie to decorate. Adult breakfast is $6.99 and children ages 6-12 are $4.99. Under 6 are free. Call 1-800-325-0146.
My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown
Nov. 25-26; Dec. 2-3; Dec. 9-10
Christmas Candlelight Tours
Sample the elegant past during “My Old Kentucky Home” annual Christmas candlelight tours 5:30-8:30 p.m. EST. The glow of candlelight will adorn the mansion in splendid 1800’s fashion. Elaborate period holiday costumes, music and traditional refreshments nightly. The park’s gift shop offers unique Kentucky handmade crafts, foods and holiday gifts. Adults are $5.50, seniors are $5 and children ages 6-12 are $3.50. Children under 6 are free. Call 502-348-3502.
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs
Dec. 3
Visit Santa and Enjoy a Buffet Dinner
The park is decorated beautifully for the holiday season. Come enjoy the festive atmosphere inside and out. You may take your own photos or have us email you a copy of photos we take of your family with Santa from 5-7 p.m. CST in the lodge lobby. A buffet dinner will be served from 5-8 p.m. at Clifty Creek Restaurant. For information, call 1-800-325-1711.
Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls of Rough
Dec. 3 Supper With Santa
Dec. 14 and 16 Holiday Buffet
Supper with Santa will include children’s activities, holiday crafts and a visit from the big guy himself. Grayson’s Landing Restaurant will host a special buffet from 4:30 to 8 p.m. CST with adults at $7.99 and children at $4.99 (plus tax). The festivities begin at 4:30 p.m.
Grayson’s Landing also will host a Holiday Luncheon Buffet on Dec. 14 and a Holiday Dinner Buffet on Dec. 16. Small businesses and the general public are invited to attend and enjoy the special holiday menu. Pricing is $7.99 for lunch and $12.99 for dinner (plus drink and tax). Call 1-800-325-1713.
Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington
Dec. 10-11
Christmas Candlelight Tour
Waveland State Historic Site will host its Christmas Candlelight Tour on Dec. 10-11 from 6-9 p.m. EST. The tour is a beloved holiday tradition. Waveland mansion will be decorated in the style of the 1840s, along with period entertainment. Refreshments will be served in the plantation’s 200-year-old log cabin. The cost is $7 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $4 for students of any age. Children under 6 are given free admission. Call 859-272-3611.
White Hall State Historic Site, Richmond
Dec. 2-3, 9-10
Victorian Christmas
Visit White Hall to learn about holiday practices from the past and how they are still used today. The historic home will feature holiday lights and other seasonal decorations, open 6-8 p.m. EST. Tickets for adults are $7 and children ages 6-12 are $4. Group rates for 10 or more. Bring a canned item for a food drive. Call 859-623-9178 for information.
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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 51 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our website at http://www.parks.ky.gov