Birds of the Palisades

Date: May 2, 2025

Time: 1:55 pm to 4:55 pm

2025 Birds Of The Palisades

Friday, May 2, 2025 | 1-3:30 p.m.

Join our Preserve Team to learn how to identify grassland songbirds by sight, sound, behavior and habitat. This program takes place during peak migration in our converted native prairie and adjoining forest edges. Participants will gain training for Global Big Day and other citizen science birding programs. For this program, we are partnering with our friends at Floracliff Nature Sanctuary to highlight birds of the Kentucky River Palisades region. Join us from 8-10:30 a.m. for a morning birding hike at Floracliff (purchase tickets here) that will feature woodland songbirds and migrating warblers, then head out to Shaker Village for the 1-3:30 p.m. program.

Price: $15

sales closed

Please dress for a day of warm-weather hiking with sturdy shoes. We encourage you to bring sun protection, water, light snacks and binoculars. Participants should meet at the Welcome Center 15 minutes before the start of the program. Adult supervision is required for anyone under 18.

Questions? Call 859.734.5411 or email [email protected] for more information.

Hand-Tied Turkey Wing Brooms

Date: July 26, 2025

Time: 10:55 am to 1:30 pm

2025 Hand-Tied Turkey Wing Brooms

Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Historically, the Pleasant Hill Shakers were known for their quality flat brooms, manufactured by the thousand and sold across the midwestern United States. In this workshop, we're returning to the folk art tradition of broommaking that originally inspired the Shakers, making our own hand-tied brooms without special machinery or equipment. Our "turkey wing" brooms, made of hemp cord and natural broomcorn, are as decorative as they are useful.

Annual Passholder: $45
General Admission: $50

registration closed

No experience necessary. Guests should be aware that this workshop involves visual acuity, fine-motor control, and the ability to securely hold and grip materials. This workshop is recommended for ages 14+. All minors must be accompanied by a ticketed adult.

Program fee includes one complimentary admission to Shaker Village and one voucher for 20% off dining at The Trustees’ Table (excluding alcoholic beverages). Dining reservations recommended: call 859.734.5411.

All tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Questions? Call 859.734.5411 or email [email protected] for more information. Shaker Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Introduction to Essential Oils

Date: May 10, 2025

Time: 1:55 pm to 5:55 pm

2025 Introduction to Essential Oils

Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Shakers cultivated extensive herb gardens, processing the bounty of their land into dried herbs, hydrosols, and essential oils, and using these ingredients in a variety of all-natural products. In this introduction to essential oils, we'll learn about the basics of distilling hydrosols and essential oils from fresh herbs and flowers. Then, we'll make several essential oil-inspired products, including a natural cleaner, lip salve, and moisturizing hand moisturizer.

Annual Passholder: $60
General Admission: $65

registration closed

This workshop is intended for participants aged 16+. All minors must be accompanied by a ticketed adult.

Program fee includes one complimentary admission to Shaker Village and one voucher for 20% off dining at the Trustees’ Table (excluding alcoholic beverages). Dining reservation recommended: call 859.734.5411.

All tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Questions? Call 859.734.5411 or email [email protected] for more information.

Illuminated Evenings

Starts December 6, 2025 then every Saturday until December 20, 2025

Time: 4:55 pm to 8:55 pm

2025 Illuminated Evenings

Saturday, December 6, 13 & 20, 2025 | 4-8:00 p.m.

During the holiday season, Shaker Village will bustle with light-hearted moments that remind us of long-ago winter days filled with wonder and laughter. Make time to delight in life’s simple gifts with family and friends, as lively music, merriment and candlelight illuminate the Village.

Ages 3+: $8
Annual Passholders & Ages Under 2: Free

Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus - Take a picture with Santa in the cozy Farm Deacon's Shop. He'll be available and ready to pose at no additional charge from 4-8:00 p.m. You can also catch his No. 1 helper, Mrs. Claus, sharing some of her favorite holiday tales during storytime at 4:30p.m., 5:00p.m. and 5:30p.m.

The Elf Shop – Stop by this special maker space to create your own homemade holiday crafts and ornaments.

Bonfires & Hot Drink Stations – Warm up around our fire pits while you roast marshmallows and enjoy delicious, complimentary hot chocolate and spiced cider.

Music in the Meeting House – Enjoy special performances from regional musicians in the 1820 Meeting House.

December 6:
4:30 p.m. Centre Singers
5:30 p.m. Centre Jazz
7:00 p.m. Berea Country Dancers

December 13:
4:30 p.m. Bluegrass Dulcimer Club
5:30 p.m. Will Lovell and Davis Jones
7:00 p.m. The Overtones

December 20:
4:30 p.m. The Merry Maggots
7:00 p.m. Les Jongleurs

Shaker Music & Christmas Carols – Join one of Shaker Village’s musicians for a performance of Shaker holiday music and caroling sing-along at 5pm and 6pm.

Gingerbread Showcase – Vote for your favorite gingerbread house in Shaker Village’s inaugural gingerbread contest. Gingerbread houses will be on display in the Centre Family Dwelling from December 6-20. Learn more HERE.

Jingle Bell Shuttle – Enjoy an evening drive around the historic Village on a "decked out" hay wagon as you learn about Kentucky's largest National Historic Landmark.

Tree Lighting - Gather with your family and friends around our outdoor Christmas Tree at 6:30pm for the lighting of the tree.

Donations – Donations of new gloves, hats, scarves and non-perishable food for the Shaker Village Giving Tree will be collected and given to local families in need.

The Shops Extended Hours – The Shops have been filled to the brim with new merchandise brought in to celebrate the holiday season. Enjoy 10% off your purchases from 4-8:00 p.m.

Night Hikes

Date: October 6, 2025

Time: 7:55 pm to 10:55 pm

2025 night hikes

Three Night Hikes in 2025

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harvest moon hike

Monday, October 6 | 7:30-9:00 p.m.

What better time to enjoy a nighttime hike than in the light of the full moon? Traditionally, the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox has always been known as the "Harvest Moon" - a time for farmers to finish gathering their summer crops and begin preparing for winter. Rising just after sunset, and appearing particularly large and bright, this year's Harvest Moon, which is also a "supermoon," will be the perfect illumination for an evening stroll on the Preserve. Along the way, we'll share some harvest folklore and discuss the science behind supermoons.

Annual Passholder: $15
General Admission: $25

Sold Out

The Harvest Moon Hike is intended for ages 5+. All minors must be
accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets required for all attendees.

Going Batty!

Friday, October 31 | 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Bats are fascinating creatures and an essential part of our ecosystem, and yet they remain one of our most misunderstood mammals. Join us for a nighttime stroll through the fields and forests of Pleasant Hill as we dispel myths and learn about their habitat and food needs. We'll even have special acoustic "bat boxes" to listen in on the local bat population as they use ultrasonic squeaks to navigate their environment.

Annual Passholder: $15
General Admission: $25

sold out

Going Batty! is intended for ages 8+. All minors must be
accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets required for all attendees.

owl prowl

Saturday, November 22 | 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Whoo's out on the Preserve tonight? Multiple different species of owls call Kentucky home, and Shaker Village's mixed woodland and prairie ecology is perfect habitat for these winged predators. We'll be using our senses as we search for these elusive creatures on this evening hike, listening closely to see if any owls are vocalizing nearby.

Annual Passholder: $15
General Admission: $25

sold out

Owl Prowl is intended for ages 12+. All minors must be
accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets required for all attendees.

Additional Information:

All night hikes will take place outdoors, rain or shine. Participants will traverse gravel, grass, and dirt pathways on a 1.5-3.0 mile loop along Shaker Village's trails. Participants should be comfortable walking in low light/semi-dark conditions.

All tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Questions? Call 859.734.5411 or email [email protected] for more information. Shaker Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Shaker Christmas by Candlelight

Date: December 7, 2025

Time: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

2025 Shaker Christmas by Candlelight

November 28 & 29, December 5, 7, 12, 19, 21, 26, 27 & 28 2025 | 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Did you know that the Shakers were some of the first Protestant Christians in America to celebrate Christmas? For nearly 200 years, the Shakers have observed Christmas as a day of great spiritual importance. Many of their traditions have evolved over time - from fasting and prayers in the 1700s to festive decorations and scrumptious feasts in the 1900s.

Join us for a candlelit tour through several of our historic buildings while they are festively decorated for the holidays. Together we'll trace the progression of the Shakers' beliefs and practices, gaining a deeper understanding of the history of Christmas in America.

Annual Passholder: $10
General Admission: $15
Ticket Insurance: $5

Christmas by Candlelight is intended for ages 12+. All minors must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets required for guests aged 5+.

This program will traverse approximately 0.5 mile of graveled, level terrain and will climb and descend several flights of stairs. Participants should be comfortable walking and navigating stairs in low light/semi-dark conditions. The program will proceed rain or shine, although the route may be modified in case of inclement weather.

Worried about the weather? Looking for additional flexibility? Our ticket insurance lets you reschedule your experience to any other night with available tickets as long as Shaker Village is notified 24 hours in advance. This add-on is required for each ticket, not per transaction. All tickets are non-refundable.

Questions? Call 859.734.5411 or email [email protected] for more information.