UK Homecoming, Big Blue Madness and Lexington Tree Week: Best weekend events
Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best weekend events and happenings around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need fun things to do including Lexington Tree Week, local festivals, fairs, food classes, live music concerts, comedy shows, free events, classical music performances, University of Kentucky Homecoming, Big Blue Madness, foodie events, art shows, concert series, 5K benefit races, theatre plays, and musicals,family-friendly events and the 2024 Keeneland Fall Meet.
Lexington Tree Week kicks off
The seventh annual Lexington Tree Week, Oct. 11-20, kick off at Mary Todd Park at 525 Rogers Rd. will feature food trucks, live music, tree plantings and giveaways. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Activities continue all weekend, various locations. Free. treeweeklexington.com
2024 Keeneland Fall Meet
The 2024 Fall Meet at Keeneland continues through Oct. 26, with no racing on Mondays or Tuesdays. First post will be 1 p.m. each day, with Keeneland gates opening at 11 a.m. Oct. 11 is Big Blue Day in honor of Homecoming Weekend, with appearances by UK celebrities. Oct. 12 will feature the Grade One $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup; Oct. 13 is Kids Club Family Day with free admission for Kids Club members and their families, free children’s activities. Sunrise Trackside is every Saturday at 8 a.m.
You can get free digital programs and you can count on The Hill being popular for tailgating on the weekends. No ticket or reservation is required for The Hill, which is located next to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center and accessible by Gate 1 (at Man o’ War Blvd.) or Gate 4 (off Van Meter Road on the east side of Keeneland).
The only free parking at Keeneland is at The Hill and The Meadow lots. Shuttles are available to the track. All other lots are paid parking.
Tickets for the Fall Meet must be bought in advance at at tickets.Keeneland.com/racing. Ticket prices are $7-$150
Big Blue Madness
Mark Pope’s first University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball team debuts at Big Blue Madness 7 p.m. Oct. 11, Rupp Arena, 430 Vine St. Sold out.
The Moonshiner’s Ball Music Festival at Rockcastle Riverside
S.G. Goodman, John Craigie, Abby Hamilton, Daniel Donato, and others will perform during the 10th annual Moonshiner’s Ball Music Festival at Rockcastle Riverside from Oct. 10-13. From $25. 4211 Lower River Rd, Livingston. TheMoonshinersBall.com.
Freaky Flicks: “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” at Moondance Amphitheater
Grab your blankets and lawn chairs for a night under the stars watching “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” during the latest installment of the City of Lexington’s Freaky Flicks film series at Moondance Amphitheater on Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Free. 1152 Monarch St. LexingtonKy.gov.
Dixon’s Violin Live at Farish Theater
Visionary violinist Dixon will perform his improvisational looping music on his 5-string electric violin to create a one-man symphony. Doors open 7:30 p.m., concert starts 8 p.m. $25 online at eventbrite.com, $30 at door, Farish Theater at Central Library, 140 E. Main St. dixonsviolin.com
Comedian April Macie at Comedy Off Broadway
Comedian April Macie will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on Oct. 11 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Oct. 12 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. $13-$16. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.
UK Men’s Soccer vs. Old Dominion at The Bell
The UK Men’s Soccer team will take the pitch against Sun Belt Conference foe Old Dominion at The Bell on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. $7-$10 or free for children 5 and under. 556 Wildcat Ct. UKAthletics.com.
Jason Vieaux Concert at First Presbyterian Church
Guitar virtuoso Jason Vieaux will perform as part of the Chamber Music Society of Central Kentucky’s 2024-25 season at First Presbyterian Church on Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Free. 171 Market St. CMSCK.org.
Cirque Kalabanté at the Norton Center
Celebrate the music and dance of Guinea with a performance from Cirque Kalabanté at the Norton Center for the Arts on Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. $24-$91. 600 W Walnut St, Danville. NortonCenter.com.
PRHBTN 13 Opening
The 13th annual PRHBTN Gallery Opening will feature more than 200 Kentucky artists, live music, interactive exhibits, more, runs through Nov. 22. Free, with full bar and food truck items for purchase. 209 Castlewood Dr. Oct. 11 at 6-11 p.m. Lexingtonartleague.org
Silent Disco at Wise Bird Cider
Get down and boogie to 2000-era alternative rock, hip hop, dance music, and more during a silent disco at Wise Bird Cider on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. $10. 1170 Manchester St. SilentDiscoExperiences.com.
Lexington Farmers Market downtown, on Southland Drive
Lexington Farmers Market will have seasonal vegetables, fruits, flowers, greens, plants, bread, cheeses and much more downtown in Tandy Centennial Park on Main Street Oct. 12 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Southland Drive Oct. 13 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Lexingtonfarmersmarket.com
Yes, Mamm! Yes, Cerv! 5K at RJ Corman
The ninth annual Yes Mamm! Yes, Cerv! 5K benefiting the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation’s Yes, Mamm! Yes, Cerv! Program will take place at the RJ Corman Railroad Group on Oct. 12 at 9 a.m. 101 RJ Corman Dr, Nicholasville. RunSignUp.com.
The Drunken Flea at The Burl
The Drunken Flea vintage clothing market returns to The Burl for an afternoon of shopping on Oct. 12 from 12-8 p.m. $3 or free for kids 15 and under. 375 Thompson Rd. Facebook.com.
Harvest Festival at Wildside Winery
Browse a variety of farmers, handcrafted artisans, and food vendors, listen to live music, and more during Wildside Winery’s Harvest Festival on Oct. 12 from 12-7 p.m. and Oct. 13 from 12-5 p.m. Free. 5500 Troy Pike, Versailles. Facebook.com.
Authors In The Bluegrass at the Central Bank Center
Get up close and personal with your favorite novelists, creative writers, and more when the third annual Authors In The Bluegrass comes to the Central Bank Center on Oct. 12 from 1-6 p.m. From $65. 430 W Vine St. CentralBankCenter.com.
Paul “Butterball” Wooldridge Memorial at Richmond Raceway
Richmond Raceway’s season-ending event, the 37th Annual $12,059 to win Paul “Butterball” Wooldridge Memorial, will take place on Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. 328 Greens Crossing Rd, Richmond. Richmond-Raceway.net.
Fark 25th anniversary party at the Lyric
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Drew Curtis’ Fark.com, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 12. $25, Lyric Theater, 300 E. 3rd St., eventbrite.com
Homecoming: UK Football vs. Vanderbilt at Kroger Field
University of Kentucky will celebrate Homecoming as Mark Stoops and the UK Football team face off against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Kroger Field on Oct. 12 at 7:45 p.m. on the SEC Network. From $45. 1540 University Dr. UKAthletics.com.
#IMomSoHard Live! at the Lexington Opera House
Have a laugh about womanhood, motherhood, friendship, and more when Jen and Kristin of #IMomSoHard brings their comedy tour to the Lexington Opera House on Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. From $37.60. 401 W Short St. CentralBankCenter.com.
UK Volleyball vs. Texas at Memorial Coliseum
The UK Volleyball team will welcome the defending national champion Texas Longhorns to Memorial Coliseum for a tilt on Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. on ESPN. $10-$15. Ave of Champions. UKAthletics.com.
Uniting Voices Lexington Concert at Calvary Baptist Church
Uniting Voices Lexington, an organization with the goal of empowering and uniting the next generation of global leaders through music, will host a concert at Calvary Baptist Church on Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. Free. 150 E High St. UnitingVoicesLexington.org.
Hogwarts Cooking Class at Harkness Edwards Vineyards
Get transported to the world of Harry Potter during a Hogwarts-themed cooking and wine class at Harkness Edwards Vineyards on Oct. 13 from 4-6 p.m. $75. 5199 Combs Ferry Rd, Winchester. Facebook.com.
Lexington Chamber Chorale Concert at Second Presbyterian Church
The Lexington Chamber Chorale will display the “soft power” of music during a concert at Second Presbyterian Church on Oct. 13 at 5 p.m. $25. 460 E Main St. LexingtonChamberChorale.org.
Vandaveer Concert at The Burl
Louisville-based folk band Vandaveer will reunite for a special trio of shows ending in a concert at The Burl with support from Kathryn Brooks on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. $15. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.
