By Ali Turner
For BG Magazine – A publication of The Lane Report
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Dec. 26, 2012) – There  are few things that ring in the holiday season better than the glow of a city lighted in red and green. And in Louisville, there are twinkling lights (and then some) in spades.
Light Up Louisville has been the flagship event of the Derby City winter season for more than 30 years. This year, the celebration moved to Fourth Street and expanded to get the whole family in the holiday spirit. The move created a four-block festival of lights set to music between the Galt House and Fourth Street Live.
This year’s event began Nov. 23, when Santa delivered the “magic plug” to turn on the lights. The festival continues through Jan. 2.
“There are a lot of activities that people can participate in,” said Amanda Clephas Lambert, event coordinator for Light Up Louisville.
Each year, Light Up Louisville puts even the brightest of city lights to shame. But, this year, the celebration is so much more than lights. The city channeled one of the most iconic holiday spots known worldwide, the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center. At the city’s most popular party spot, Fourth Street Live, lives a skating rink, perfect for family enjoyment. Open through Friday, Dec. 28, the rink is filled with synthetic ice, which makes this attraction available throughout the holidays even if outdoor temperatures tip above freezing.
And with a $5 price tag for adults ($3 for children), ice skating fun is only a short drive and a few dollars away. All of this, plus the signature 50-foot Holiday Tree decking the downtown landscape.
But the 4th Street fun isn’t the only change during this year’s Light Up Louisville event. This year, the show will be bigger, better and longer than ever before. Not only is the event spanning from Main Street to the higher traffic Fourth Street district, but Louisville’s 40 Nights of Lights includes a nightly show from Main Street to the Fourth Street Live corridor. Coupled with a festive holiday soundtrack, lights along the streets and projected in displays on buildings will bring the city to life this season.
To cap off the season, Light Up Louisville will conclude with a New Year’s Eve fireworks show, ringing in 2013 with a flair that will fill the “kaboom” void until the much awaited Thunder Over Louisville show in April.
So whether you are ready to don your skates or take in some twinkling sites, Light Up Louisville adds a new and improved excitement to the city this holiday season, all in your favorite Downtown District.
For more information on Light Up Louisville, visit lightuplouisville.org.
Ali Turner is a writer for BG Louisville. She may be reached at [email protected].
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