2024 Hometown Christmas

Smothers Park Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Join us at 5:00 PM for the annual lighting of the Smothers Park Christmas tree! Enjoy Christmas carols from the Kentucky Youth Chorale, a preview of Owensboro Dance Theatre’s “Nutrcracker,” and the Dancing Lights spectacle.

Dancing Lights

Holiday Lights will transform the center portion of Smothers Park in downtown Owensboro into an interactive holiday lightshow. Every 15 minutes, lights will dance to a different classic Christmas carol. It is a spectacle that you won’t want to miss!

Dancing Lights is presented by Big Rivers Electric Corp. and Visit Owensboro.

Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade

Where Kentucky starts Christmas! The theme for the 86th Christmas Parade is “A Vintage Christmas.” The parade route runs along Second Street in downtown Owensboro, starting at Pearl Street and ending at Locust Street.

Energy on Ice

Energy on Ice is an outdoor skating experience on the Kentucky Legend Pier at the Owensboro Convention Center. Sponsored by Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Atmos Energy, Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, and the Staton Family Foundation. For more information, visit owensborocenter.com

Holiday Hustle 5K

CASA of Ohio Valley is bringing back the Holiday Hustle 5K for the third year! For more information, visit here

Chamber’s Shop Owensboro Powered by Independence Bank

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and Independence Bank united to turn Small Business Saturday into Shop Owensboro – an all-day shopping event centered around the city’s booming boutique scene. For more information, visit https://chamber.owensboro.com/programs/shop-owensboro/

SantaCon 2024

SantaCon is an epic bar crawl featuring downtown Owensboro’s finest establishments! With a $10 entry fee benefiting WBKR’s Christmas Wish, participants will enjoy exclusive drink specials and prizes along the way.

Rhonda Vincent Christmas Show at Bluegrass Hall of Fame

Celebrate the holidays with us on December 5th, 2024 with the Rhonda Vincent Christmas Show! Rhonda Vincent is a firecracker of talent that powers one of the hottest bands in any genre of music today. Bar and concessions available. For more information, visit https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/rhonda-vincent-christmas/

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus at Theatre Workshop of Owensboro Empress Theatre

L. Frank Baum tells the story of Saint Nicholas and Necile, the nymph who found him and raised him in the world of Knooks, Faeries, and Ryls. See how Santa Claus made the first toy, why he climbs down chimneys, and how he learned to laugh with a hearty HO, HO, HO! For more information, visit https://theatreworkshop.org/event/the-life-and-adventures-of-santa-claus/2024-12-08/

Care Net Reindeer Run 5K

The 10th Annual Care Net Reindeer Run/Walk is a family-fun event open to runners and walkers of all types so grab your family members, friends, or co-workers and join the fun to kick off the Holiday Season! For more information, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/Owensboro/CareNetReindeerRun5K

Holiday Stroll

Join all of us in Downtown Owensboro this Saturday, December 7 for the Annual Holiday Stroll! Enjoy a gnome scavenger hunt, live music, downtown shopping, coffee and cocktail crawl, and more!

Reindeer Experience at Owensboro Museum of Science and History

Visitors will have the opportunity to have pictures made with Santa and meet live reindeer. Fun for the whole family! The event is included with $5 museum admission, FREE for OMSH members. For more information, visit https://owensboromuseum.org/event/reindeer-experience/

The German American Bank Nutcracker at RiverPark Center

Children of all ages will find the joy of Christmas through the beauty of music and dance with Owensboro Dance Theatre’s “The German American Bank Nutcracker.” This timeless production fills the stage with movement and imagination, generating enthusiasm for all students. For more information, visit https://www.riverparkcenter.org/events/the-german-american-bank-nutcracker

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage at the RiverPark Center

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage is a present the whole family can enjoy! There’s no better way for both among children and adults to discover the magic of the season! For more information, visit https://www.riverparkcenter.org/items-2/a-charlie-brown-christmas%3A-live-on-stage

Hot Chocolate Hop

Join us in Downtown Owensboro for the third annual Hot Chocolate Hop! All weekend long, various local downtown businesses will be selling different specialty hot chocolate drinks. Full list of participating businesses coming soon!

Lanham Brothers Christmas Jamboree at Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Hosted by brothers Barry and Randy Lanham and recorded for broadcast on KET. Guests include Kaleb Lee, Erin Rouse, The Blue Bridge Boys, and The Footstompin Express Cloggers! For more information, visit https://www.bluegrasshall.org/event/lanham-brothers-jamboree-5/

Owensboro Symphony’s Home for the Holidays at RiverPark Center

Create lasting memories with this holiday tradition! Tony-nominated singer, Liz Callaway, joins Troy Quinn and the Owensboro Symphony, along with the Owensboro Symphony Chorus and the Owensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra to light up the stage and fill your heart with the joyous spirit of the holiday season! For more information, visit https://owensborosymphony.org/event/home-for-the-holidays-2/

7th Annual Breakfast with Santa Presented by German American Bank at Owensboro Convention Center

He's coming to town! Come enjoy a delicious breakfast and take your own photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus! For more information, visit owensborocenter.com

Voices of Andersons at Owensboro Museum of Science & History

For more information, visit https://owensboromuseum.org/event/voices-of-andersons/

Noon Year's Eve Family Celebration at Owensboro Museum of Science & Historyy

This event takes place on December 31st and will include a variety of activities and our annual balloon drop. Festivities are included with $5 museum admission, FREE for OMSH members.

For more information, visit owensboromuseum.org.