Holidays & Christmas in Bowling Green

Give your holiday spirit a jumpstart with tons of Christmas & other holiday activities in Bowling Green that will have your crew Geared for Cheer in no time. Keep reading for our idea of a perfect December weekend itinerary in BGKY!

2024 Holiday Season Weekend Itinerary

Friday

Dine in at one of our locally-owned restaurants or grab a delicious carryout dinner to enjoy in the comfort of your hotel or rental, then cruise to the heart of town — beautiful downtown Fountain Square Park — to admire the winter wonderland it becomes during Light Up BGKY the first week in December.  It's a festive spot to celebrate the season any night through the New Year. Be sure to do some window shopping while there, or you just may catch a few of the small businesses around the square open for extended hours.

While in the area, gaze at the 25-foot tree in front of SKyPAC, then stroll around the lights displays at Circus Square Park. Next, drive around and admire the many beautifully decorated, historic homes in downtown Bowling Green. Highlights from this year's Landmark Association Christmas Tour of Homes can be seen at 545 East Main Avenue, 1303 State Street, and 1318 Chestnut Street, but there are many more in the immediate area surrounding WKU, Fountain Square Park, Circus Square Park, and the Shake Rag District.

Saturday

It's definitely time to hit the shops on Saturday morning! For bargains or one-of-a-kind items, try the Fruit of the Loom Brand Shop, Flea Land or Rock Garden Farm. Head back downtown for charming shops including Barbara Stewart Interiors, Candle Makers on the Square, and the Pots Place Gallery & Studio. Nature lover on the list? Try Lost River Cave's Wildflower Gifts or the Wild Bird & Nature Store. Check out our holiday shopping blog for more ideas! 

We have several great restaurants offering specialty pizzas, a perfect, quick meal while shopping! Our local favorites include Lost River Pizza, Mellow Mushroom, and Double Dogs, but there's Blaze, Donato's and lots more from which to choose.

For a drive-through lights display, check out Santa's Lookout Holiday Lights, located 13 miles out Cemetery Road, where a "Christmas in the Country" experience awaits on weekend evenings in December and nightly December 16-25. After cruising through the glittery scenes and past costumed characters in your own vehicle or riding in the Lookout Express holiday train.

Sunday

If you need a wellness break while in town for the holidays (who doesn't these days?), treat yourself to a session inside the salt cave at Be Happy Yoga & Salt Cave. This small-business offers lots of great gift items while educating the community and visitors about the respiratory benefits of Himalayan salt.

Looking for other unique experiences? Wrap up your trip to BGKY with a visit to The Reindeer Farm!! But get ready for cuteness overload... this magical place is home to seven real reindeer plus other farm animals ready for posing. General admission tours are available weekends through mid-January with Sunday hours between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., but online ticket purchases are recommended in advance for the day you wish to visit. Additional family-friendly activities like games, a scavenger hunt, and story times are available plus food trucks and corn hole equal an afternoon of festive fun!

So what are you waiting for? Browse our hotels to find the perfect room or check out some of the area's vacation rentals to make memories in BGKY this year. Be sure to look for special events happening during your visit also!

These activities are perfect for a wintry day!

• Did you know caves stay the same temperature year-round? Take an underground boat ride in Lost River Cave or head to Mammoth Cave National Park to enjoy the mild 57˚ climate!

• The National Corvette Museum is open 7 days a week until 5 p.m. offering exhibits and interactive fun with their KidZone! Of course, don't miss their HUGE gift shop for that special car lover in your life!

• If you like Trains, then you won't want to miss the Historic Railpark & Train Museum. They have a two-story interactive museum, and out back you can climb aboard real railcars!

• Sampling — and hopefully purchasing — locally-produced wines! Warren County and neighboring Logan County have four small-farm wineries from which to choose or plan for a driver so you can safely visit all three and stock up on bottles for friends and family.

• Test your crew's teamwork skills with an escape game at Conundrum Workshop. This family-friendly activity is so much fun you may just book another reservation before you even leave!

Thanksgiving & Christmas Dining Openings

Looking for which restaurants are open this holiday season? Click the links to see the list of the available dining options open for business on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.