The Jaycees Christmas Parade is 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, downtown. Fountain Square Park lights at 5:30 p.m. and the community tree at 6 p.m. Dec. 4.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year; the dates below are for the 2026 season. Schedule from Light Up BGKY and the City of Bowling Green’s events calendar. Questions: the city’s Citizen Information and Assistance line, 270-393-3444.

Bowling Green’s holiday season opens with Light Up BGKY, a week of lightings, markets and open houses from Monday, Nov. 30, to Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026. The two big public events are the downtown lighting on Friday, Dec. 4 and the Jaycees Christmas Parade at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

At a glance

  • Tree lighting: Friday, Dec. 4. Fountain Square Park lights at 5:30 p.m.; the community Christmas tree at SKyPAC and Circus Square Park lights at 6 p.m.
  • Christmas parade: Saturday, Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m., downtown Bowling Green
  • Kickoff: Tuesday, Dec. 1, Historic RailPark and Train Museum, lighting at 6 p.m., free
  • Free movies: “Elf” at 5 p.m. and “It’s a Wonderful Life” at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at The Capitol

The Christmas parade

The Bowling Green-Warren County Jaycees Christmas Parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, in downtown Bowling Green, according to the Light Up BGKY schedule. The route had not been published as of Oct. 12; we will add it here when the Jaycees release it. Questions about street closures on parade morning: Bowling Green Police non-emergency, 270-393-4000.

Tree lighting: Downtown BGKY Lights Up

Friday, Dec. 4, 5 to 8 p.m., downtown:

  • 5:30 p.m.: Fountain Square Park lighting
  • 6 p.m.: the community Christmas tree at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC) and Circus Square Park lights up

Earlier the same afternoon:

  • 2 to 4 p.m.: Warren County Holiday Open House, Warren County Courthouse, 429 E. 10th Ave. Free.
  • 3 to 5:30 p.m.: Christmas on College Street at City Hall, 1001 College St.
  • 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.: Storytime with the Grinch at The Capitol. Free.
  • 4 to 6 p.m.: BG Chamber Holiday Open House, across from Circus Square Park. Free.

The full Light Up BGKY week

All from the Light Up BGKY schedule unless noted:

Date Event Where and when
Monday, Nov. 30 Make the Season Bright Hospitality House, 501 High St., 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 1 Light Up BGKY kickoff and ribbon-cutting, hosted by the BG Chamber Historic RailPark and Train Museum, 401 Kentucky St.; doors 5 p.m., lighting 6 p.m.; free
Wednesday, Dec. 2 Christmas Holiday Market Riverview at Hobson Grove, 1100 W. Main Ave., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; free admission
Friday, Dec. 4 South Union Shaker Village Holiday Market South Union, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; a canned food item or donation
Friday, Dec. 4 Downtown BGKY Lights Up Downtown, 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5 Jaycees Christmas Parade Downtown, 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5 South Union Shaker Village Holiday Market South Union, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5 Free movies: “Elf” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” The Capitol, 416 E. Main Ave., 5 and 7 p.m.

The SoKY Ice Rink is also on the schedule for Dec. 3 and Dec. 6, with times to be set.

More holiday events

  • Candlelight Tour, Saturday, Dec. 12, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Riverview at Hobson Grove. City calendar.
  • “The Best Gift, A Christmas Carol Musical,” Ramsey Theatre Company, Dec. 5-6, SKyPAC.
  • “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” Dec. 11-13, The Phoenix Theatre, ptkbg.org.
  • Orchestra Kentucky: J.C. Kirby and Son Christmas, Saturday, Dec. 12, SKyPAC.
  • “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet,” Monday, Dec. 14, SKyPAC.
  • A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland, Saturday, Dec. 19, SKyPAC.

SKyPAC shows are listed on the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s 2026 calendar of events; buy tickets through SKyPAC.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Bowling Green Christmas parade in 2026?

The Bowling Green-Warren County Jaycees Christmas Parade is at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, in downtown Bowling Green, according to the Light Up BGKY schedule.

When is the Bowling Green Christmas tree lighting?

Downtown BGKY Lights Up is Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. Fountain Square Park lights at 5:30 p.m., and the community Christmas tree at SKyPAC and Circus Square Park lights at 6 p.m.

What is Light Up BGKY?

Light Up BGKY is a week of holiday events in Bowling Green, Nov. 30 to Dec. 6, 2026. It opens with a lighting at the Historic RailPark and Train Museum on Dec. 1 and includes the downtown lighting on Dec. 4 and the Jaycees parade on Dec. 5.