The Southern Lights holiday lights event, put on annually by the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation as a fundraiser in support of the Kentucky Horse Park, is in its final weeks.

From 5:30 until 10:00 pm each evening, visitors will be awed by the dazzling display of majestic lights. The drive will begin at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground, and will proceed through an enhanced dreamland of dazzling lighted and often animated figures. While many displays represent the holiday season, favorites are customized to represent the Bluegrass state.

Inside the park, visitors will be able to leave their cars behind to see a multitude of holiday happenings including seasonal entertainment, the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop and holiday craft vendors, Santa Claus and Frosty, an exotic petting zoo, pony rides, camel rides, the Mini-Train Express and model trains, dollhouses, the International Museum of the Horse, and the Bit & Bridle Restaurant serving dinner and seasonal goodies.

The lights are on each night through December 31, and the additional attractions inside the park will be open each night through December 23.

For more info -

www.SouthernLightsKy.org or www.KHPFoundation.org or call 859/255-5727

Admission -

Personal Vehicle -       Sunday – Thursday      $15.00

    Friday and Saturday     $20.00

Extended Van              $30.00

Limousine                    $30.00

Mini-Bus                      $50.00

School Bus                  $75.00

Motorcoach                 $125.00

Additional Attractions (through December 23 only) -

Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop

Holiday Craft Fair

Pony Rides and Camel Rides ($)

Exotic Petting Zoo

Santa Claus w/visits from Frosty, pictures with Santa by Lexington Rotary Club ($)

Mini-Train Express

Live Entertainment and Children’s Activities

Bluegrass Railroad Club Model Trains

The Bluegrass Miniature Society Dollhouses

International Museum of the Horse, a Smithsonian Affiliate

Bit & Bridle Restaurant, home of Santa’s Workshop

Location and Parking-

Enter at KHP Campground entrance, drive through lights,

Park in Main Visitor Parking to go to additional attractions inside park (thru Dec. 23)

Directions* to the Kentucky Horse Park: http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=610&Itemid=336

*Southern Lights Travel Tip: Come early and avoid I-75, exit 120, and Georgetown Road. Approach the Southern Lights entrance (KHP Campground) from the east, heading north from Newtown Pike or I-75, exit 115.

Dates and Times –

November 16 through December 31, 2012

5:30 to 10:00 pm each evening

Driving tour only December 24-31**

**(The additional Southern Lights attractions such as the KHP Gift Shop, craft vendors, Santa Claus, Mini-Train Express and model trains, Bit & Bridle Restaurant, International Museum of the Horse, dollhouses, pony rides, camel rides, and exotic petting zoo are open nightly through December 23.)

Prices and dates are subject to change without notice.

Military Night at Southern Lights is Tuesday, December 18. All military members who show their military ID will get free admission for one personal vehicle (up to 7 people) at the gate. So, we hope that all current and former members of the military bring out their families and enjoy Southern Lights, courtesy of the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. With 3-miles of spectacular light displays, family activities, holiday shopping, museum, food and Santa Claus, it will be a fun evening to remember!

The lights are on each night, from 5:30 to 10:00 pm, through December 31, and the additional attractions inside the park will be open each night through December 23.

For more info -

www.SouthernLightsKy.org or www.KHPFoundation.org or call 859/255-5727

Southern Lights

Regular Admission -

Personal Vehicle -       Sunday – Thursday                  $15.00

Friday and Saturday    $20.00

Extended Van              $30.00

Limousine                    $30.00

Mini-Bus                      $50.00

School Bus                   $75.00

Motorcoach                $125.00

NOTE: Military Night with one free vehicle admission per legitimate military ID is December 18 only, there are no other military discounts

Additional Attractions -

Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop

Holiday Craft Fair

Pony Rides and Camel Rides ($)

Exotic Petting Zoo

Santa Claus with visits from Frosty, pictures with Santa by Lexington Rotary Club ($)

Mini-Train Express

Live Entertainment and Children’s Activities

Bluegrass Railroad Club Model Trains

The Bluegrass Miniature Society Dollhouses

International Museum of the Horse, a Smithsonian Affiliate

Bit & Bridle Restaurant, home of Santa’s Workshop

Location and Parking-

Enter at KHP Campground entrance, drive through lights,

Park in Main Visitor Parking to go to additional attractions inside park

Directions* to the Kentucky Horse Park: http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=610&Itemid=336

Travel tip: if you come from I-75 or from Lexington, you might find the wait a little shorter if you approach the Southern Lights entrance (KHP Campground) from Newtown Pike or Exit 115.

The Kentucky Horse Council will host the Kentucky Round-Up, a new family event featuring horse fun, learning and interaction on February 2, 2013 at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.  Kentucky Round-Up also includes an evening concert by country music star John Michael Montgomery.

The event has been designed to provide families with no horse involvement to be around horses, learn about their personalities, grooming, safety, and horse sports that kids can be involved with.  In addition, those who already ride horses will find advanced speakers, clinicians, vendors and demonstrations for their interest. Also taking place at the Kentucky Round-Upis the 4th Annual International Safety Symposium, sponsored by riders4helmets.com, attracting attendees and speakers from around the world.

In the evening, well-known Kentucky country music artist John Michael Montgomery will be in concert in the arena, with the Danny Frazier Band as the opening act.

Between the daytime activities and the concert, the Kentucky Horse Council will hold its annual Members' Awards Banquet to recognize outstanding industry contributors and volunteers.

"Kentucky Round-Up is a way for the Horse Council to address an issue which all of agriculture faces," commented Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council board.  "Less young people today are comfortable around horses and other livestock because the family farms are disappearing.  Getting the kids 'off the couch and into the barn' not only introduces them to the wonder of horses, but also has tremendous character and health benefits."

"We also hope to take these same families out to horse activities and farms throughout the year," said Ginny Grulke, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Council.  "This is not just a one-day experience, but a continuing pathway to the horse."

For more information about Kentucky Round-Up, visit www.kentuckyroundup.com.

Admission:     Adults - $10.00 in advance, $15.00 day of show

                        Kids 12 and under - Free

                        (Complimentary tickets for youth and community groups is available by contacting the Kentucky Horse Council office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Concert:          Adults/Kids - $25.00 in advance, $30.00 at the door

Location and Parking:           Alltech Arena

Dates:              Saturday, February 2, 2013

Times:            Demos, Clinics and Speakers – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

                        Concert – 7:00 pm

Make plans to visit the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop Holiday Open House on December 7 and 8, from 9 am to 5 pm, and enjoy a leisurely shopping experience with free parking, refreshments and samples, door prizes, store-wide discounts and park admission discounts both days to customers who show their gift shop receipts.

The gift shop carries a unique selection of equine gifts and Kentucky-made products from crafts to Kentucky Proud, equine-themed jewelry, home decor, books, videos, toys, Breyer, clothing, artwork and much more!

You can also shop at the KHP Gift Shop any time in-store Wednesday through Sunday this holiday season and enjoy free parking; shop at nights during the Southern Lights holiday event; or, shop on-line from this link: http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_rokecwid&;view=ecwid&Itemid=495

For more information, call the KHP Gift Shop at 859/259-4234.

Location and Parking-

Visitor Information Center, park in the Main Visitor Parking Lot

Directions to the Kentucky Horse Park: http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_content&;view=article&id=610&Itemid=336

Dates and Times –

December 7 & 8, 2012

9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day

Also from the Kentucky Horse Park –

The Kentucky Horse Park Visitor Center is offering discounts on 2013 park admission tickets and Unique Horse Farm Tour certificates for stocking stuffers.

Call 859-259-4200 for more information.

Make plans to visit the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop Holiday Open House on December 7 and 8, from 9 am to 5 pm, and enjoy a leisurely shopping experience with free parking, refreshments and samples, door prizes, store-wide discounts and park admission discounts both days to customers who show their gift shop receipts. 

The gift shop carries a unique selection of equine gifts and Kentucky-made products from crafts to Kentucky Proud, equine-themed jewelry, home decor, books, videos, toys, Breyer, clothing, artwork and much more!

You can also shop at the KHP Gift Shop any time in-store Wednesday through Sunday this holiday season and enjoy free parking; shop at nights during the Southern Lights holiday event; or, shop on-line from this link:  http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_rokecwid&view=ecwid&Itemid=495

For more information, call the KHP Gift Shop at 859/259-4234.

Location and Parking-

Visitor Information Center, park in the Main Visitor Parking Lot

Directions to the Kentucky Horse Park:  http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=610&Itemid=336

Dates and Times –

December 7 & 8, 2012

9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day

Also from the Kentucky Horse Park –

The Kentucky Horse Park Visitor Center is offering discounts on 2013 park admission tickets and Unique Horse Farm Tour certificates for stocking stuffers.

Call 859-259-4200 for more information.

Avoid the malls and do your holiday shopping at the KHP Gift Shop on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday! 

As an incentive to our shoppers, all fine jewelry will be 20% off both days, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Original equine-themed creations by Jane Heart, Bow River, Cindy Wolf and others won’t be found at the mall. 

You can shop in-store and enjoy free parking, or shop on-line from this link:  http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_rokecwid&view=ecwid&Itemid=495#!/~/category/id=2505945&offset=0&sort=normal.

For more information, call the KHP Gift Shop at 859/259-4234.

Location and Parking-

Visitor Information Center, park in the Main Visitor Parking Lot

Directions to the Kentucky Horse Park:  http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=610&Itemid=336

Dates and Times –

November 23 and 24, 2012

9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day

Watch For Upcoming Event –

The KHP Gift Shop Open House –

December 7 and 8, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

The Southern Lights, presented by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc., has returned to the Kentucky Horse Park!  The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation presents Southern Lights annually as a fundraiser in support of the Kentucky Horse Park for the enjoyment of the public.

From 5:30 until 10:00 pm each evening, visitors will be awed by the dazzling display of majestic lights.  The drive will begin at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground, and will proceed through an enhanced dreamland of dazzling lighted and often animated figures.  While many displays represent the holiday season, favorites are customized to represent the Bluegrass state.

Inside the park, visitors will be able to leave their cars behind to see a multitude of holiday happenings including seasonal entertainment, the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop and holiday craft vendors, Santa Claus and Frosty, an exotic petting zoo, pony rides, camel rides, the Mini-Train Express and model trains, dollhouses, the International Museum of the Horse, and the Bit & Bridle Restaurant serving dinner and seasonal goodies. 

The lights are on each night through December 31, and the additional attractions inside the park will be open each night, with the exception of November 22 (Thanksgiving) and December 24 to 31. 

Special weekends or events will add to the holiday excitement throughout Southern Lights and include Breyer Weekend, November 30 – December 1, Frosty’s Family Fun Weekend, December 7 – 8, Kentucky Proud Weekend, December 14 – 15, and Military Night, December 18.

For more info -

www.SouthernLightsKy.org or www.KHPFoundation.org or call 859/255-5727

Admission -

Personal Vehicle -  Sunday – Thursday - $15.00

Friday and Saturday - $20.00

Extended Van - $30.00

Limousine - $30.00

Mini-Bus - $50.00

School Bus - $75.00

Motorcoach - $125.00

NOTE:  Complimentary Passes will be accepted Sunday – Thursday ONLY

Additional Attractions -

Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop

Holiday Craft Fair

Pony Rides and Camel Rides ($)

Exotic Petting Zoo

Santa Claus with visits from Frosty, pictures with Santa by Rotary Club ($)

Mini-Train Express

Live Entertainment and Children’s Activities

Bluegrass Railroad Club Model Trains

The Bluegrass Miniature Society Dollhouses

International Museum of the Horse, a Smithsonian Affiliate

Bit & Bridle Restaurant, home of Santa’s Workshop

Location and Parking-

Enter at KHP Campground entrance, drive through lights,

Park in Main Visitor Parking to go to additional attractions inside park

Directions to the Kentucky Horse Park*:  http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=610&Itemid=336

*Travel Tip:  Avoid Interstate-75, exit 120, and Georgetown Road as traffic can get really backed up the last weeks before Christmas.  Instead, approach the Southern Lights gate (KHP Campground entrance) on Iron Works Pike from the east, from I-75, exit 115, and Newtown Pike.

Dates and Times –

November 16 through December 31, 2012

5:30 to 10:00 pm each evening

Driving tour only on Thanksgiving night, November 22, and December 24-31*

Breyer Weekend, November 30-December 1

Frosty’s Family Fun Weekend, December 7-8

Kentucky Proud Weekend, December 14-15

Military Night, December 18 - Free Admission per personal vehicle with military ID

*(The additional Southern Lights attractions such as the KHP Gift Shop, craft vendors, Santa Claus, Mini-Train Express and model trains, Bit & Bridle Restaurant, International Museum of the Horse, dollhouses, pony rides, camel rides, and exotic petting zoo are open nightly through December 23, with the exception of Thanksgiving night, November 22.)

Prices and dates are subject to change without notice.

The much-anticipated, annual Holly Day Market presented by the Junior League of Lexington is this weekend at the KHP’s Alltech Arena, November 9-11, with a preview party on November 8. 

Merchants, most not normally seen in our area, will be set along the arena concourse selling everything from jewelry, clothing, toys, books, art, food, and, of course, holiday decorations.  There is also a packed schedule of special events each day, prize drawings, and visits by Santa.  Get all the details at www.hollydaymarket.com.

Download a schedule of events at http://www.hollydaymarket.com/schedule-of-events/

Admission -

Thursday, November 8, Preview Party $35.00

Friday – Sunday, November 9 – 11, $8.00 per day

Location and Parking -

Alltech Arena

Dates and Times –

            Thursday, November 8, 7:00 – 10:00 pm

            Friday, November 9, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

            Saturday, November 10, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

            Sunday, November 11, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

With the return of the Southern Lights holiday festival, presented by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc., the Southern Lights Stroll once again debuts as its opening night on Thursday, November 15.  The only evening of the entire event when the public is allowed to experience a major portion of the lighted route on foot, visitors may choose to run, walk or stroll their way through thousands of dazzling holiday lights in the heart of horse country, on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park.

Now in its’ eleventh season, the Southern Lights Stroll has proven popular with casual walkers and families who bring out their children and pets to get photos and see the lights outside of a car, and with serious runners who come to compete in the 5K portion of the “stroll.” 

John’s Run/Walk Shop has donated their services to the competitive 5K race, and awards will be given to winners.  Additional activities include complimentary Mini Train Express rides, refreshments, prize drawings and more.  A food drive for God’s Pantry and local animal shelters will be held in conjunction with this event.  All participants are asked to bring non-perishable items to help the needy families of Central Kentucky and local animal shelters.

Pre-registration through November 10 is $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for kids 7-12.  Registration after November 10 is $20.00 for adults and $15.00 for kids 7-12. Walk-up registration on November 15 begins at 5:00 pm, and the stroll begins at 6:45 pm.  Check-in is at the park’s Visitor Information Center.  The first 500 registered adults receive a free souvenir t-shirt and the first 200 registered kids receive a free holiday ornament compliments of Breyer.

All proceeds of Southern Lights and Southern Lights Stroll support the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.  The 2012 Shining Star Presenting Sponsor is Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. and the Holly and Ivy Sponsors are Kerr Brothers Funeral Home and Café Press Inc.  Additional sponsors are Pepsi, Breyer, Kentucky Utilities, SafetyTec, John’s Run/Walk Shop and the Mini Train Express Company.  In September, the American Bus Association (ABA) selected Southern Lights a Top 100 event for 2013, which is an annual compendium of the best events for group travel in the United States and Canada. 

Southern Lights is open from 5:30 pm to 10 pm nightly from November 16 to December 31, 2012.  Indoor attractions will be open every night except November 22 and December 24 - 31. The cost is $15.00 per car Sunday through Thursday and $20.00 per car on Friday and Saturday.  Contact the KHP Foundation for more information at (859) 255-5727, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or www.khpfoundation.org.

The registration form is downloadable here:  http://khpfoundation.org/southern-lights-stroll.html.

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The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, fulfills its mission to enhance, expand and improve the Kentucky Horse Park by fundraising within the private sector.  This partnership between private donors and the support of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is what has enabled the incredible success of the Kentucky Horse Park.  Since its inception in 1985, the KHP Foundation has raised more than $25 million, which has funded critical improvements such as new facilities, research projects, new horses, landscaping ventures, and much more.