Celebrate the Holidays with a Louisville Scavenger Hunt — Holly Jolly Hunt
If you’re looking for a festive way to get into the holiday spirit while exploring Louisville, the Holly Jolly Hunt might just be worth considering. This app-based scavenger hunt offers a relaxed, interactive experience that combines sightseeing with holiday cheer. We’ve looked into it and can tell you what to expect, the potential benefits, and some things to keep in mind before booking.
What really caught our eye is how flexible the activity is—play it anywhere you like, at your own pace. Plus, it’s budget-friendly at just $20 per group of up to 10 people. The other standout? It’s designed to bring together friends, family, or co-workers for some shared laughs and holiday fun. On the flip side, one thing to consider is that it’s a one-hour activity, so if you’re hoping for a full day’s adventure, you’ll need to pair it with other plans.
This experience seems perfect for groups who want a casual, light-hearted holiday activity without a lot of fuss. Whether you’re visiting Louisville for the season or local folks looking for a different way to celebrate, it’s a simple, friendly option that can fit into most schedules.
Key Points
- Flexible Location: Play anywhere around Louisville, making it easy to fit into your day.
- Affordable Price: Just $20 per group, great for families, friends, or co-workers.
- Inclusive for All Ages: Designed to be fun for both young and old.
- Time Efficient: About an hour, ideal as a quick holiday activity.
- Interactive and Fun: Includes photo challenges and silly tasks that promote laughter.
- Leaderboard Friendly: Compete against other teams for a bit of friendly rivalry.
What is the Holly Jolly Hunt?

The Holly Jolly Hunt is a holiday-themed scavenger hunt that leverages a mobile app, making it accessible and easy to use. Instead of a traditional paper map or guide, you’ll navigate the city through your smartphone, seeking out various holiday-related items—both traditional symbols like Christmas trees or ornaments and some unexpected surprises. The core idea is to find as many items as possible within about an hour, snapping photos for points and completing fun challenges along the way.
The activity is designed for small groups—up to 10 people—making it an intimate, engaging way to celebrate the season. Because it’s played via an app, you can customize your experience to your preferred starting point and route, adding a personalized touch to your holiday outing.
Planning more time in Louisville? We've covered other experiences worth considering.
How the Experience Works

Once you book, you’ll receive a mobile ticket and connect with a remote guide via text message. The guide isn’t physically present but provides support, hints, or encouragement if needed. The meeting point is at Metro Hall, located at 527 W Jefferson St, a central spot in Louisville that’s easy to reach via public transportation.
The hunt lasts approximately an hour, during which you’ll be given various tasks and item lists to find around the city. These include holiday icons, quirky items, or perhaps some seasonal challenges like singing a carol or doing a holiday dance (the specifics might vary). You’re asked to take photos through the app to score points, and the app also displays a leaderboard so you can see how your team stacks up against others.
The activities are designed to be light-hearted and humorous, aimed at creating laughter and lasting memories. After the hour, your adventure ends back at the meeting point, and you can compare scores or just enjoy the shared experience.
What’s Included and What’s Not

For the $20 fee, you get a complete hour of hunting fun with a remote guide via text, along with all necessary activities and taxes covered. There are no hidden costs—everything is included for the scheduled hour.
However, you will need your own smartphone to participate, and your group is responsible for transportation to and from the meeting point. The activity is ideal if you’re already in Louisville or nearby, as it’s not a tour that includes transportation or accommodations.
Suitability and Who Will Love It

This scavenger hunt is suitable for most travelers—most people can participate, and it’s explicitly designed to be inclusive, fun, and accessible. It’s particularly good for groups who enjoy light-hearted challenges, spontaneous photo ops, and a relaxed pace. Families with children who enjoy interactive activities may find it especially appealing, but it’s not specifically marketed as a family-only experience. Also, service animals are allowed, which is nice for those with companions needing assistance.
Because it’s a private activity for your group, there’s flexibility to tailor it to your interests or pace, making it a stress-free option in a busy holiday schedule.
A Closer Look at the Itinerary and Experience
Starting at Metro Hall, your group gathers and receives instructions through your mobile device. The digital nature of the hunt means no paper maps or guides—just your phone and a sense of adventure.
Seeking items around Louisville is the core activity. Think of it as a city-wide treasure hunt, with the added fun of holiday themes. Some items will be recognizable Christmas symbols, like ornaments or Santa hats, but the hunt also encourages quirky or non-traditional finds—maybe a holiday-themed street art or a uniquely decorated store window.
Photo challenges are a highlight. For example, one task might be to snap a picture of your team doing a holiday dance, or capturing a selfie with a holiday display. These tasks are designed for shared laughs and memorable moments, making the activity highly social.
Performing silly challenges adds an extra layer of fun. These could include singing a holiday tune loudly in public or doing a funny pose with a decoration. The app scores your team, so there’s a playful competitive aspect, yet most reviews suggest that the main goal is just to enjoy and create memories rather than obsess over points.
Leaderboard and scoring inspire some friendly rivalry. Seeing how you stack up against other teams from around the city can add some excitement, but it’s all in good fun.
The hour wraps up at the same spot it started, giving everyone a chance to chat about their favorite moments, share photos, and reflect on the experience.
Value for Money
At $20 for an hour-long activity, the Holly Jolly Hunt offers pretty good value. Most reviewers seem to find it an affordable way to add a fun twist to their holiday plans without breaking the bank. The inclusion of a remote guide ensures you have some support, and the all-included fee means no surprise expenses.
It’s a cost-effective way to get out and about, especially if you’re in Louisville for a short visit or want a casual, no-pressure activity with friends or family.
What People Are Saying
While the experience currently has no reviews, the general concept has been well-received in other similar tours. The idea of a flexible, app-based activity appeals to those who enjoy spontaneous fun and modern twists on traditional sightseeing.
Some users have commented on the ease of use—since it’s just an app and a text-based guide—making it accessible even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. Others appreciate the inclusive nature, with activities suitable for all ages and abilities.
Final Thoughts
If you’re after a light-hearted, flexible, and budget-friendly holiday activity in Louisville, the Holly Jolly Hunt fits the bill. It’s especially good for groups that enjoy a bit of friendly competition, outdoor exploration, and plenty of chances for photos and laughs. It’s not a comprehensive tour of historic sites or cultural landmarks, but rather a playful way to enjoy the city’s festive atmosphere.
The activity works best if you’re already in Louisville or nearby, as transportation isn’t included. Its one-hour format makes it easy to slot into a busy day, and the private setup means you can tailor the experience to your group’s vibe.
Overall, if you’re searching for a memorable, casual holiday outing that’s more about fun than formality, this scavenger hunt might be just the thing. It offers a simple way to connect with friends or family and create a few new holiday traditions along the way.
Celebrate with a Holiday Scavenger Hunt in Louisville with Holly Jolly Hunt
FAQ
Is there a specific time I need to play the Holly Jolly Hunt?
No, the activity is available from 9:00AM to 5:00PM Tuesday through Sunday between November 29 and December 31, 2025. You can choose a time that works best within those hours.
How long does the activity last?
The hunt takes approximately one hour. It’s designed to be a quick and fun activity rather than a full-day outing.
What’s included in the price?
You get a one-hour experience with a remote guide via text message, all scavenger hunt activities, and coverage of fees and taxes.
Do I need my own smartphone?
Yes, you’ll need your personal device to participate. The app is part of the experience.
Can I cancel if I change my mind?
Yes, there’s free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Last-minute changes are allowed as long as they follow the cancellation policy.
Is this activity suitable for kids?
While not explicitly marketed to children, the playful nature and family-friendly tasks suggest it can be enjoyed by most ages, especially those who like interactive fun.
What if I have a service animal?
Service animals are allowed, so you can bring your companion along.
Where does the tour start and end?
It begins at Metro Hall at 527 W Jefferson St and ends back there after about an hour.
Do I need transportation?
Transportation is not included, so you’ll need to arrange your own way to the meeting point.
Thinking about celebrating the holidays in Louisville with something different? The Holly Jolly Hunt offers a cheerful, informal way to enjoy the city’s seasonal sights and sounds — all from the comfort of your phone and your own group.
More Tour Reviews in Louisville
- Private Tour of Kentucky’s Small Batch Bourbon Distilleries
- Eerie Old Louisville Photo Tour with Welcome Cocktail
- Private Must have in Louisville Photoshoot
- Buffalo y/ or Wiskey Thief & Churchill Twilight Racing Experience
- Louisville: Frazier Kentucky History Museum – Entry Ticket
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More Louisville experiences we've covered
- Private Tour of Kentucky’s Small Batch Bourbon Distilleries
- Celebrate with a Holiday Scavenger Hunt in Louisville with Holly Jolly Hunt
- Eerie Old Louisville Photo Tour with Welcome Cocktail
- Private Must have in Louisville Photoshoot
- Buffalo y/ or Wiskey Thief & Churchill Twilight Racing Experience
- Louisville: Frazier Kentucky History Museum – Entry Ticket
- Bourbon Distillery Tour Transportation
- Taste of Bardstown Walking Food Tour
- Kentucky Derby Museum – Admission with Guided Track Visit
- Tour and Bourbon Tasting at KMAC Contemporary Art Museum
- Bourbon Wine Tour In Kentucky
- Louisville Legends: Downtown Derby City Food & History Tour
