There is still time to enjoy the holiday festivities around the city! Light Up Louisville is currently celebrating its 34th anniversary and back again this year is the 40 Nights of Lights, which is a nightly light show set to music along 4th Street.

Don't miss the final Saturday with Santa from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. this Saturday at the Light Up Plaza (located at 4th & Jefferson) where kids can get their picture taken with Santa! Be sure to bring a donation of canned goods. 

The ice skating rink is also still open at 4th Street Live through Friday December 26th. Bringing three donations for Dare to Care earns you free skate rentals! Click here for more details and pricing.  

For a complete list of events and activities, click here.  

You still have time to check out the YMCA for free!

Anyone shopping for a fitness center that will help them stick to their New Year’s Resolution can come and try the YMCA of Greater Louisville on Fridays during December. Visitors can sample our state-of-the-art exercise equipment, top-notch basketball and racquetball courts, swimming pools and hundreds of options for group exercise like Zumba and yoga...all in a supportive community of health seekers! We have activities for the whole family. Stop by December 19th or 26th to see for yourself.

Group class schedules, branch hours and amenities offered at our 11 community-wide facilities are available here. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. A photo ID is required. The Southwest YMCA is located at 7800 Fordhaven Rd. with a satellite location at 6801 Dixie Hwy. 

Gallopalooza is coming back, and this time they brought bourbon! 

 The 2015 project theme will be Bridles & Bourbon! It will feature three different statues: a full-sized Standing Horse, a Miniature Horse standing on a Bourbon Barrel, and a Mint Julep Cup. The proceeds from the auction at the end of the display will benefit Brightside's 9th Street "gateway" beautification project and Waterfront Development Corporation's Big Four Bridge lighting project.

Call for Artists: The deadline for artist submissions into the design pool is this Friday, December 19th. 

Artist Training Sessions will be January 15: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. OR 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center, 1860 Mellwood Avenue. For more information and to submit designs, please click here. 

The Southwest Regional Library still has holiday events for the family to enjoy! Check out the library's website here for a complete schedule and be sure not to miss...

- Frozen storytime and crafts starting at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday December 20

- Gingerbread building competition starting at 2:00 p.m. on Monday December 22

The library is located at 9725 Dixie Hwy. 

The "Horse Play" exhibit showcases equine toys and games in a hands-on experience for kids and adults alike. Taking the form of an interactive game, visitors are immersed in the sights and sounds around them progressing from a history of horse toys and games to over-sized versions of the artifacts themselves.

"Horse Play" is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. until January 4th. General admission for adults is $11, $6 for ages 5-13 and free for children under 5. Come explore more about the Derby at 704 Central Ave. For more information about this exhibit, click here.   

Just out of prison and taken in by his brother, Oshoosi Size is ready to start his life anew. When his former cellmate appears at the garage where the brothers fix cars, Oshoosi finds himself struggling with conflicting loyalties that could dramatically impact his future. Pulsing with the rhythms of the Louisiana Bayou, this lyrical tale of brotherly love explores the tension between fear and desire on the elusive road to freedom. 

Join Actors Theatre on Thursday, January 15th at 7:30 p.m. for a production of the play followed by a community conversation. Tickets are only $20 and are expected to sell very quickly! Due to language and content, recommended for ages 17 and over. For more information, click here. You can also reach the box office at 502-584-1205 for tickets and questions. We are very proud to support the work of Actors Theatre!

Serving on a board or commission is a great way to utilize your talents. We hope you will consider volunteering your time with us and encourage you to browse the openings regularly for opportunities that would best utilize your experience and knowledge. We have approximately 100 boards and commissions with many areas of interest, including business and economic development, land planning, parks and recreation, public health and public safety. Please click here for more information. Be sure to alert the District 12 office once you have applied. Thank you for your interest! 

Sun Valley will be hosting their Jingle Bell Adventure during the holiday break, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for ages 5-12. Parents must provide snack and lunch but field trips, arts and crafts, games and other activities are included. Be sure to call the Center to sign up for a space if interested. The cost is $60. 

Sun Valley is always in need of the time and talents of dedicated volunteers. Check with center staff on current volunteer opportunities at 502-937-8802 or find other opportunities here.

Sun Valley is located at 6505 Bethany Ln. 

Help us keep kids warm this winter by dropping off donations of any new gloves, coats, caps or scarves in infant to teen sizes. All items collected will go to Southwest Community Ministries for distribution to children in need beginning January 2nd.

Donations can be dropped off at any Forcht Bank and will be accepted until December 31st. Forcht Bank will also donate $10 to purchase more new winter coats for any checking account opened during the donation period. For more information about the campaign, click here. 

Your local bank is located at 8492 Dixie Hwy. 

Celebrate the holidays by visiting Christmas Tree Lane and purchasing your tree and holiday greenery at Waterfront Park.

Trees and greenery selections will include Scotch Pine, White Pine, Frazier Fir, Balsam Fir, Douglass Fir, and Spruce varieties from North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nova Scotia and Vermont. Other items include wreaths, door charms, small trees, and garland.

Christmas Tree Lane is located on both sides of Witherspoon Street between Preston and Floyd Street. Free parking is available for customers along Witherspoon Street, in the Green Parking Lot at Waterfront Park (underneath 1-64 overpass near corner of River Road  & Preston), and in the surface parking lot across from the Great Lawn. The market is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. until Christmas Eve. Click here for contact information. 

The Louisville Zoo is teaming up with Kroger and Dare to Care Food Bank offering a special discounted Zoo admission through February 28th for guests who participate in a canned food drive.

To receive a 50% off regular adult and child General Admission, visitors must bring one canned good per person and present it at the Zoo’s ticket window. Adults & seniors can enter for $8 and children under 11 for $5.75! Some of Dare to Care Food Bank’s most needed items are peanut butter, soup, canned fruit, beans, rice, tuna, cereal, fruit juice, pasta and canned vegetables. 

For an added bonus, show your Kroger Plus Card and receive a free carousel ride ticket good for Spring 2015. One ticket per card. Please note the Zoo carousel is closed for the season and will reopen around March 14, 2015, weather permitting.

The Zoo is open daily year round. Fall/winter hours continue through March 13, 2015, 10:00 a.m. ─ 4:00 p.m. (stay until 5:00 p.m.). The Zoo is closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Please visit their website for more information here.