40th annual Bardstown Road Aglow will feature holiday light up festivities in the Highlands of Louisville, Kentucky
We hope you'll join us for the 40th annual Bardstown Road Aglow on Saturday, December 6, 2025, beginning at noon until 10 p.m. This festive and fun event supports local businesses by boosting holiday sales at Highlands restaurants and shops.
Bardstown Road Aglow is organized by the Highland Commerce Guild and is traditionally the largest night of commerce of the year for Highlands-area merchants. Aglow has been on the first Saturday in December since 1985--we hope you all will come celebrate 40 years in the Highlands of Louisville.
The full list of event sponsors is listed below along with lots of event information! More updates soon!
Holiday Shopping
Special discounts on food, drinks, and merchandise at participating restaurants and shops along Bardstown Road, Baxter & Barret Avenues, and Douglass Loop.
Festive holiday Drinks
Maker's Mark will be featured in festive holiday cocktails at participating restaurants for Aglow. A portion of the proceeds will go to Gilda's Club Kentuckiana.
other updates for aglow on Saturday, december 6, 2025
Expanded hours from noon to 10:00 p.m.
The Highland Commerce Guild has again extended the hours for Aglow due the popularity of the holiday shopping event.
Live holiday music & Free trolley rides
- Thanks to the Louisville Federation of Musicians, live music will take place at several pop-up locations along Bardstown Road as well as free Trolley rides. (locations will be announced soon)
- There will be Free Trolley Rides thanks to Trolley de 'Ville along Douglass Loop and Bardstown Road to Baxter Ave.
Wendy's Holiday Tree Lighting
The annual Wendy’s Holiday Tree Lighting will take place at 6:00 p.m. along with jolly ole Santa Claus and festive music thanks to the Voices of Kentuckiana.
- WHAS-TV's Connie Leonard will host the Tree Lighting Countdown at 6:00 p.m.
- Festivities start at 5:30 p.m. Free Hot Chocolate provided by Wendy's.
- The holiday tree is located outside Wendy's restaurant, 1108 Bardstown Road (corner of Grinstead Drive), Louisville, KY 40204.
- Pedal Pub (formerly Thirsty Pedaler) will also be on site with the Highlands' Reindeers and take Santa Claus down Bardstown Road after the Tree Lighting.
maker's mark will be featured in festive holiday cocktails
All proceeds from Aglow's specialty holiday glassware sales at participating restaurants & bars will support Gilda's Club of Kentuckiana.
Additional Security
Additional security for the holiday event will be provided by Louisville Metro Police, Fifth Division.
Social Media Photo Contests
The public is invited to take photos of shops and businesses with the best holiday decorations and post them to Instagram. Be sure and tag @HighlandCommerce Guild for the Instagram Photo Contest for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd best Aglow themed photos is sponsored by Murphy’s Camera. We can't wait to see your photos! The contest ends at midnight on December 7, 2025.
participating Restaurants and shops offer special discounts
Bardstown Road Aglow is organized by the Highland Commerce Guild and is the largest night of commerce for Highlands-area merchants.
gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
1741 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY 40205
502- 916-5051
Check out their Facebook Page
Website: Purrfect Day
The cafe will be decorated for our Whisker Wonderland to be voted on for Aglow.
Our outdoor stand will be open from noon-9:
Cocoa and Cookies! (We will also be selling Bardstown AGlow-Wine inside!!)
Paris Banh Mi Cafe Bakery Louisville
1237 Bardstown Road,
Louisville, KY 40205
502-384-9676
Check out their website
Parkside Bikes
1377 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
Parkside Bikes now has a full service coffee and espresso bar! Stop in for drinks, snacks, and sign up for free raffle prizes!
Bronze Sponsors
1355 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
French cakes + pastries for the Holiday Season.
Website: Louisvillepastryshop.com
1553 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
Facebook page here
Instagram @wheatedlouisville
sourdough crust pizzas, handcrafted cocktails, bourbon.
Two locations in the Highlands:
2757 Bardstown Road & 1401 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204/40205
Website: highland cleaners.com
Check out their Facebook Page
Website: Murphy's Camera
2234 Dundee Rd
Louisville, KY 40205
(516) 410-7500
website: https://www.stix-n-stonz.com
For Aglow: Large selection of Labubu Dolls & Key Chains, Crystals, and more. Buy a $100 Gift card, and receive a free $10 gift card.
Otaku Manga Lounge
2525 Bardstown Rd Ste 108
Louisville, KY 40205
502-333-0100
website here
Otaku Manga Lounge is a dual-purpose community and retail space. This unique store offers hourly/daily passes that grant access to a vast library of manga for visitors to browse and read on-site, alongside board games and comfortable spaces for socializing.
Bronze Sponsors
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1440 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
502-485-1500
Check out their Facebook Page
Website: Murphy's Camera
The Outlook Inn
916 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, KY 40204
502-583-4661
1429 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
502-479-1621
Check out their Facebook Page
J Shepherd is a one of a kind brick and mortar tobacconist in the Highlands!
Bronze Sponsors
The Sweet Spot Candy Shoppe
& Dundee Candies
1583 Bardstown Rd.
Louisville, KY 40205
502-365-4385
Website: thesweetspotcandyshoppe.com
1572 Bardstown Road
Louisville Ky 40205
502-690-5152
Check out their Facebook Page
Website: Shopheytiger.com
1058 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
502-584-5222
Check out their Facebook Page
Website: Highland Tap Room
St. James Catholic Church
1826 Edenside Ave
Louisville, KY 40204
502-451-1420
Check out their Facebook Page
Website: https://www.sbsjlou.org
1381 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
502-454-2711
Check out their Facebook Page
Website - Impellizzeri's
Bronze Sponsors
1398 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
502-456-2891
Check out their Facebook Page
Webstite: Kizito Cookies
1579 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205
502-459-4647
Check out their Facebook Page
Website: Dreams with Wings
1285 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY 40204
Website here
Derby Dogs - Skip the ordinary—bite into the wild! Derby Dogs is rolling out its soft opening with gourmet hot dogs that race past tradition for Bardstown Road Aglow. Think bold toppings, vintage comfort, and a vibe that’s all Highlands swagger. Whether you’re holiday shopping or just hungry for something fun, we’ve got your next obsession. Come taste the thrill.
Bronze Sponsors
1433 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
1415 Bardstown Road, Suite 11
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 417-7610
Surprise Lily Boutique
1386 Bardstown Raod
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 821-7506
website: http://www.shopsurpriselily.com/
Bronze Sponsors
907 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, KY 40204
502-690-7243
Check out their Facebook Page
Website: Prophacy Ink
1341 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY
(502) 456-5536
Website: clayandcotton.com
2214 Dundee Rd, Suite A
Louisville, KY 40205
Call or Text (502)585-5023
Louisville, KY 40205
Website here
Bronze Sponsors
Big Bad Breakfast
984 Barret Avenue
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 289-1922
website: https://bigbadbreakfast.com/locations/louisville-barret/
The Monarch Music & Arts Community
1318 Bardstown Rd. Louisville, KY. 40204
www.themonarchmac.org
Bronze Sponsors
1765 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205
Website: darlings bar.com
Join us for a cup of cheer this Holiday Season at the Highlands neighborhood cocktail bar.
