When Mary Moseley was a little girl, her father, Al J. Schneider (who would ultimately build a hotel empire in Louisville, its crown jewel the Galt House) would take her downtown during the holidays, where she and her siblings got to experience the lights and sounds of the city’s holiday season while shopping for the new dresses and shoes that would be their Christmas gifts.
As years have gone by and Louisville has grown and changed, the magic of the holidays has gotten lost in the bustle of downtown business. Sadder still, previous years have forced the Galt House to let employees go just before the Christmas, as business slows and the hotel quiets for the season.
It’s the sweet memories of holidays past, along with the need to save jobs in the hotel, that urged Mary Moseley and the Galt House team to bring the holiday spirit back to the heart of Louisville.
What was previously a sole effort by the Galt House has become a community affair as they have teamed up with Louisville Metro to bring Christmas to Downtown.
At the Galt House this season will be the KaLightoscope Christmas Carol, an exhibit of steel and silk luminaries crafted by Chinese artisans. These artisans worked for more than 45 days on site to piece together the luminaries, many of which were originally crafted in China. The larger-than-life walkthrough takes visitors through a timeless Christmas classic. Recorded audio and live actors bring the story to life around you as you experience the life that Charles Dickens created.
At the end of the KaLightoscope experience is the English Village, a child’s dream. Kids and parents can meet snow fairies, take a ride in Santa’s sleigh, admire the giant gingerbread house, and meet the jolly old man himself (for free!). Children can also take a ride on the Peppermint Express Kiddie Train. The KaLightoscope and English Village experience will transport visitors to the North Pole and bring Christmas to life for kids and parents alike.
Prices for the KaLightoscope experience are $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 - 12. Military members are admitted for free with a military ID.
After the KaLightoscope experience, parents can take their children to Pam Tillis & Friends: A Kentucky Christmas Dinner Show. The performance features country music star Pam Tillis, along with a talented group of young actors who perform throughout a delicious three-course meal.
Christmas festivities have spread from the Galt House, down 4th Street, and onto Main as Louisville sets up Light Up Louisville and 40 Nights of Lights, a beautiful light show that will captivate audiences of all ages. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, parts of Downtown Louisville will be illuminated with over 1,100 LED lights, two Christmas trees and a light show that will shine “Happy Holidays” onto the buildings downtown in the nine languages of Louisville’s sister cities. In the Light Up Plaza (in front of the downtown Panera Bread), a music and lights show will play each night, everything 30 minutes from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., with extended hours on Friday and Saturday.
Even in the coldest weather, the exciting 15-minute show is worth the watch. An exciting catalogue of music - contemporary and humorous takes on classic holiday songs - sets the tone for a truly great night downtown.
In addition to these events, the Galt House festivities will include dancing bell men, a Thanksgiving brunch, two Thanksgiving dinners, breakfast with Santa, Christmas tea with the Snow Fairy Princess, a Dickens Dinner, RIVUE holiday lunches, a RIVUE Christmas Day brunch, and several New Year’s events. To find out more, take a look at .
Photos: Josh Lee
