Your family’s guide to festive Fridays and magical Saturdays all December long!
Downtown Owensboro shines brightest in December — with twinkling lights, outdoor skating, cocoa in hand, and holiday music drifting through the air. Whether you’re planning a full day of fun or a short evening adventure, these weekend itineraries make it easy to celebrate the season with your family.
Weekend 1
December 5–7
The ultimate kickoff to Owensboro’s holiday magic!
Friday
Dinner
Start your weekend with dinner at Fetta Specialty Pizza — perfect for families looking for something easy, warm, and delicious before exploring downtown. Grab the crowd favorite Mashed Potato Pizza or try their December special, Pepperoni, Spinach, Ricotta, and Hot Honey Pizza that makes festive colors perfect for Christmas. Side note: Fetta is known for its unique pizzas with fresh ingredients, but did you know they have floats and ice cream sandwiches too?
Evening
After dinner, lace up your skates for Energy on Ice at the Owensboro Convention Center (open Fridays 5–9 p.m.). The Kentucky Legend Pier transforms into a twinkling skating wonderland right on the river. When you’re done, head across to Smothers Park to enjoy the Dancing Lights (5–9 p.m. nightly). Every 15 minutes, the lights “dance” to your favorite Christmas songs — the perfect ending to a festive Friday night.
Saturday
Morning
Get moving early with the Care Net Reindeer Run/Walk 5K (8–10 a.m.) — a fun run for the whole family that kicks off the holiday weekend in style. Dress festive — costumes and jingle bells encouraged! Then, reward yourselves with breakfast or coffee at Gramps Coffee & Donuts! Our recommendation: the Winter Wonderland donut with creamy cookie butter and biscoff crumbles and the Lil’ Snickerdoodle Latte or Peppermint Mocha.
Lunch + Afternoon
Downtown Owensboro comes alive for the Holiday Stroll (hours vary for each business)! Explore shops,enjoy live music, join the downtown gnome scavenger hunt, and sip your way through the coffee and cocktail crawl. The kids will love Kids’ Day at Anderson’s at the Owensboro Museum of Science & History
(11 a.m.–4 p.m.), where they can shop with “elves,”
make cards, and meet Santa.
Snack
Take a mid-day break at Kahawa Java (open from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.), and grab a seasonal festive drink and sweet treat to keep you fueled for more fun.
Dinner + Evening
Close out the day with a holiday classic — The German
American Bank Nutcracker (Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m.) at the RiverPark Center. Owensboro Dance Theatre’s magical production is a perfect family night out and a beautiful way to welcome the season.
Weekend 2
December 12–14
A weekend of cocoa, carols, and family traditions.
Friday
Snack + Stroll
Kick off the weekend with the Hot Chocolate Hop! Local coffee shops and restaurants downtown are serving up creative spins on the classic holiday drink — think peppermint, caramel, or even white chocolate. Try a few and pick your favorite as a family!
Dinner
Grab dinner at Mellow Mushroom, then stroll over to Smothers Park to see the Dancing Lights (5–9 p.m.).
Saturday
Morning
Start your morning slow with breakfast at The Crème Coffee House (opens at 8 a.m.). We recommend the Mistletoe Melt Biscuit or the French Toast Sticks! They also have great holiday coffees like the Dirty Snowman or Christmas Morning or non-coffee drinks like the Snow Creme or Santa’s Cookie Chiller. Then continue your Hot Chocolate Hop adventure — perfect for warming up between stops at downtown boutiques.
Lunch + Afternoon
Grab a quick bite to eat at Don Mario’s and then head to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum for Randy Lanham & Friends Christmas Jam (3 p.m.). Expect fiddles, clogging, and heartwarming fun for all ages.
Dinner + Evening
Make it a double feature with Owensboro Symphony’s Home for the Holidays (7 p.m., RiverPark Center). Enjoy classic carols and the full symphony experience — one of Owensboro’s most beloved holiday traditions. Enjoy a family dinner at Colby’s or City Walk before the show!
Weekend 3
December 19–21
Santa, nostalgia, and the perfect pre-Christmas weekend.
Friday
Dinner + Nostalgia
Start the night with dinner downtown and then step back in time at Voices of Andersons (6–8:30 p.m., Owensboro Museum of Science & History). Enjoy live music, shop from local vendors, and take in stories of Owensboro Christmases past.
Evening Lights
After the event, head over to Smothers Park to watch the Dancing Lights one last time before Christmas week.
Saturday
Morning
Wake up early for the 8th Annual Breakfast with Santa at the Owensboro Convention Center (7:30–10 a.m.). Enjoy a hot breakfast, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and snap a few photos before he heads back to the North Pole.
Lunch + Afternoon
Finish up your holiday shopping at local boutiques. Have you visited the newly opened Magnolia Mercantile? Then visit the Holiday Forest Festival of Trees (1–4 p.m., Owensboro Museum of Fine Art) to see stunning Christmas tree displays designed by local artists and schools.
Snack
Grab a peppermint latte or holiday cocoa from The Crème Coffee House to warm up and keep the festive energy going.
Dinner + Evening
Grab a quick bite and then wrap up your evening with one final skate at Energy on Ice (4–9 p.m.). The sparkling rink on the river is the perfect way to celebrate the last Saturday before Christmas.