OLIVE HILL, Ky. — The holiday season is just around the corner, and Olive Hill is preparing to celebrate with a lineup of Christmas traditions, festive entertainment, and opportunities for the community to come together.
From the annual Christmas parade and community tree lighting to a Festival of Trees, dinner and live entertainment, and a holiday comedy production, the Olive Hill Chamber of Commerce, Olive Hill Tourism, and the Olive Hill Center for Arts & Heritage are helping make the season merry and bright with four special events planned throughout November and December.
Fourth Annual Festival of Trees — November 22 through December 1
The Olive Hill Center for Arts & Heritage will once again welcome the community to its annual Festival of Trees, returning for its fourth year Nov. 22 through Dec. 1.
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the festival offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy an assortment of creatively decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, and other holiday displays. Admission is free, and guests are invited to stop by throughout the festival.
Businesses, organizations, families, individuals, and community groups are all welcome to participate by submitting a decorated tree, wreath, or other Christmas display.
Tree setup will take place November 20-21, and registration is available online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7NxsJOqSijZxtHXx8CQ15IqWXlplFpVlDqQtopt8rnXXwUA/viewform.
Visitors can also participate by voting for their favorite tree, adding a little friendly competition to the festivities.
At the conclusion of the festival, the decorated trees will be available through a silent auction.
Event proceeds will be divided equally, with half going to the Olive Hill Center for Arts & Heritage and the other half going to a charity of the winning tree participant's choice.
A donation jar will also be available to help offset the expenses associated with hosting the event.
“We want to do everything we can for the community,” said Linda Lowe, event organizer.
Lowe said the festival is part of the Center's broader effort to create opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the historic property while bringing people together during the holiday season.
“We are always looking for things for our community to be in and to get people on the Hill,” she said. “We want people to enjoy what we have preserved. We also want to make our Christmas season even more special, and events like these are our way of giving back to the community.”
Visitors are also encouraged to stop by The Shoppes during their open house on Nov. 27-28, adding another opportunity to shop, explore, and enjoy the holiday atmosphere while visiting the Center.
Christmas Parade and Community Festivities — November 28
Following the Festival of Trees is the Olive Hill Chamber of Commerce's annual Christmas Parade, featuring this year's theme, “A Picture-Perfect Hometown Christmas.”
The parade will begin at 6 p.m., with participant lineup starting at 4:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, located behind Dollar General.
This year, organizers have made a slight adjustment to the traditional parade route to shorten the distance for participants in consideration of colder temperatures.
The parade will travel through downtown Olive Hill, circle around Walkers, continue up Back Street, and return to First Christian Church, where it will conclude.
Downtown will remain part of the route, allowing families to continue enjoying the festivities from their favorite viewing locations.
Participation is free, and no registration is required. Businesses, churches, school groups, civic organizations, families, and individuals are all invited to participate.
Anyone interested in joining the parade can simply arrive at First Christian Church for lineup beginning at 4:30 p.m.
“We wanted a theme that captures everything we love about Christmas in a small town…the traditions, the decorations, the familiar faces, and the memories made with family and friends. There’s something truly special about Christmas in Olive Hill, and we hope this year’s celebration creates plenty of picture-perfect moments for everyone to enjoy,” said Crystal Branham, Olive Hill Chamber of Commerce president.
The celebration will also feature the return of the Gingerbread Man Scavenger Hunt, starring everyone's favorite runaway gingerbread man, George. The activity will give families another opportunity to explore Olive Hill and visit local businesses while enjoying the holiday atmosphere.
Temporary road closures and traffic interruptions are expected along the parade route. Families are encouraged to arrive early, dress warmly, and allow extra time for parking.
“Our Christmas parade is so much more than a line of decorated floats traveling through town. It’s a tradition that brings generations together and reminds us of what makes Olive Hill such a special place to call home,” Branham said.
The Chamber also encourages residents to support local businesses by shopping and dining locally throughout the Christmas season.
A community tree lighting ceremony, coordinated separately by Olive Hill Tourism, will also be part of the holiday festivities. Details regarding the location and time are still being finalized. Residents are encouraged to follow Olive Hill Tourism's social media channels for announcements.
Christmas on the Hill — December 4-5
One of the Olive Hill Center for Arts & Heritage’s longest-running holiday traditions, Christmas on the Hill, will return December 4-5 for its 19th year.
The annual celebration combines dinner and live holiday entertainment, featuring primarily local talent in an evening of Christmas songs and skits.
Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the Christmas show at 7 p.m. Dinner tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance by November 20. Seating for dinner is limited.
Those who wish to attend the show without dinner can do so free of charge. No ticket is required for show-only admission; guests can simply arrive before the performance.
Dinner tickets and additional information are available at https://ohcae.ludus.com/200467397.
Dr. Debbie Harman, vice president and performing arts director at the Olive Hill Center for Arts & Heritage, said the annual event has become a special way for the community to celebrate the season together.
She says the gymnasium is transformed with beautiful Christmas decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for the evening. Harman said patrons have shared reactions such as “This makes my Christmas” and “I can’t believe I’m in Olive Hill.”
“It’s a wonderful celebration of the season, featuring mainly local talent, and presents songs and skits for our audience,” Harman said.
Christmas Belles — December 11-12
For those who aren't quite ready to put away the Christmas festivities, the Olive Hill Center for Arts and Heritage has one more holiday treat planned.
The Center will present Christmas Belles, a festive comedy production, December 11-12 at 7 p.m. both evenings.
Promising holiday hijinks, small-town shenanigans, and plenty of Christmas cheer, the production offers audiences another opportunity to enjoy local performing arts and share a few laughs during the holiday season.
Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online at https://ohcae.ludus.com/200554414.
Harman said the production offers a timely reminder not to take the pursuit of a perfect holiday too seriously.
“The holiday season can be very stressful and some levity can brighten our spirits, help us not take the pursuit of ‘perfect decorations and gifts’ so seriously, but rather, laugh at our own imperfections and, most important, remember the reason for the season,” Harman said.
With plenty of humor and holiday misadventures, Christmas Belles invites audiences to embrace the imperfections that make the season memorable.
For additional information and updates about the Christmas parade, community tree lighting, and other holiday activities, follow the Olive Hill Chamber of Commerce, Olive Hill Tourism, and Olive Hill Center for Arts and Heritage on social media.
