The 15 best things to do in and around Lexington this weekend

By Matt Wickstrom Contributing writer

Updated June 24, 2022 2:11 PM

Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best weekend events around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need things to do from live music concerts, Pride Festivals, duck derby, Free Friday Flicks at Jacobson Park, concert series like Northside Nights at Castlewood, “Suessical Jr.” and New Kids on the Block MixTape Concert.

Lexington Pride Festival at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza

Lexington’s Pride Festival will return for the 14th time, and first since 2019, to the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza on June 25 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Activities include various forms of live entertainment spearheaded by the sixth annual “Voice of Pride” Karaoke Contest; vendors, food trucks, information booths and other activities. The event is free to attend. 120 N Limestone. LexPrideFest.org.

Festival Of The Red in Slade

The region’s best musicians including The Josephines, Eric Bolander, Chelsea Nolan, Luna & The Mountain Jets, Sydney Adams and others will converge on the Red River Gorge’s Natural Bridge Campground to perform at Festival Of The Red from June 23-25. Tickets are $90. 90 L&E Railroad Pl, Slade. FestivalOfTheRed.com.

Arty Party: Picnic in the Park at the Loudoun House

Join LexArts President/CEO Ame Sweetall and husband, Dave, for an elegant, white-themed picnic during the “Arty Party” at Castlewood Park on June 24 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 and include one complimentary drink along with roaming art performances on the park lawn. 209 Castlewood Dr. Facebook.com.

Warren Byrom Concert at Shaker Village

Singer-songwriter Warren Byrom will perform at Shaker Village’s summer concert series in Harrodsburg on June 24 at 6:30 p.m. The event is free to attend. 3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg. ShakerVillageKy.org/Events/Music-On-The-Lawn-12/.

Northside Nights at Castlewood Park with Special Sessions

Lexington Park & Recreation’s “Northside Nights” summer concert series will reconvene at Castlewood Park at 7 p.m. on June 24 with a performance from Special Sessions. Free. 201 Castlewood Dr. LexingtonKy.gov/Northside-Nights.

“Encanto” will be shown at Jacobson Park on Friday night.

Friday Flicks at Jacobson Park

The last of the city’s “Friday Flicks” movie series will take place at Jacobson Park on June 24 at 7 p.m. with a showing of “Encanto.” Free, with food for purchase. 4001 Athens Boonesboro Rd. LexingtonKy.gov/Friday-Flicks.

Suessical Jr. at Moondance Amphitheater

ACTivate: Artists With Purpose will present “Seussical Jr.” at Moondance Amphitheater June 24-26. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. on June 24 and 25 and 2 p.m. on June 26. Tickets are $10-15, with Saturday’s performance being a pay-what-you-can event. 1152 Monarch St. VoicesAmplified.net/.

Paint The Town in Downtown Lexington

Lexington’s 11th annual “Paint The Town” event will take place on June 25 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at various locations around downtown Lexington followed by the opening reception of a corresponding exhibit at the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center from 6:30-9 p.m. Registration for artists is $50 and tickets to the opening reception are $30. ArtsConnectLex.org/Paint-The-Town.html.

Ducks for the Lexington Duck Derby will be placed into the pond at Lexington Green. Savannah Allen

Lexington Duck Derby at Lexington Green

The second annual Lexington Duck Derby benefiting the Kiwanis Club of Lexington will take place at Lexington Green on June 25 at noon. Attendees can adopt a rubber duck for $5 or up to 24 for $100 that will race across the pond. Prizes will be given to the “owners” of the top 25 finishers and include gift cards, an iPad and cash prizes up to $5,000. 161 Lexington Green Cir. DuckRace.com/Lexington.

Living History Weekend at Camp Nelson

A special Living History Weekend will be held at Camp Nelson in Jessamine County on June 25 and 26. Activities include artillery, infantry, and dismounted cavalry demonstrations; NPS Ranger-led tours; living history presentations of refugees, USCT soldiers, Victorian clothing, Civil War medicine; and a portrayal of Reverend John G. Fee and more. Event hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 25 and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on June 26. Free. 6614 Old Danville Rd. Facebook.com.

The Oliver Perry House also known as White House, the only surviving building from the Civil War at Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park in Nicholasville. Lexington Herald-Leader

Dude Perfect at Rupp Arena

YouTube trick shot kings Dude Perfect will bring their outrageous sports stunts to Rupp Arena on June 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $32.50. 430 W Vine St. RuppArena.com.

Soulful Sunday Gospel Brunch at Infinity: Rooftop Restaurant + Bar

Enjoy soul food like blackened chicken and grits, chicken and waffles, shrimp and crawfish etouffee, vegan gumbo and more while enjoying live gospel music during Soulfeast Week’s “Soulful Sunday Gospel Brunch” at Infinity: Rooftop Restaurant + Bar on June 26 at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $65 plus fees. 150 W Main St. SoulfeastWeek.com.

ABBA The Concert at the Lexington Opera House

Enjoy the music of Swedish group ABBA during “ABBA The Concert” at the Lexington Opera House on June 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com.

New Kids on the Block will be in concert at Rupp Arena. Jason Kempin

New Kids On The Block Concert at Rupp Arena

New Kids On The Block will bring their “The MixTape” tour to Rupp Arena on June 26 at 7:30 p.m. with support from Salt-N-Pepa, Rick Astley and En Vogue. Tickets start at $25. 430 W Vine St. RuppArena.com.

The Nude Party Concert at The Burl

North Carolina and New York based rock group The Nude Party will perform at The Burl on June 26 at 8 p.m. with support from Ceramic Animal. Tickets are $18. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

This story was originally published June 24, 2022 at 6:00 AM.