Lexington gets scary this weekend with ScareFest, Thriller dance & Halloween parade
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 ScareFest, Halloween Thriller parade, local festivals, fairs, food classes, live music concerts, comedy shows, free events, classical music performances, Lexington Tree Week,foodie events, art shows, concert series, 5K benefit races, theatre plays, and musicals,family-friendly events and the 2024 Keeneland Fall Meet.
ScareFest Weekend at the Central Bank Center
ScareFest Weekend will bring the sinister side of Comic Con to the Central Bank Center with a film festival, speakers, tattoo expo, mystical market, and more Oct. 18 from 4-9 p.m., Oct. 19 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Oct. 20 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. From $30. 430 W Vine St. CentralBankCenter.com/events/detail/scarefest-weekend-1.
“Art By Nature” Opening Reception at the Living Arts And Science Center
“Art By Nature” will host an opening reception of its 2024 gallery — inspired by one of the 20 featured Monarch Waystations in Fayette County — on Oct. 18 from 6-8 p.m. The event is part of Tree Week Lexington, a week-long celebration dedicated to enhancing and appreciating the city’s tree canopy. A full list of events can be found at TreeWeekLexington.com/events. Free. 362 N Martin Luther King Blvd. TreeWeekLexington.com/event/art-by-nature-opening-reception/.
Janis Ian Archives opening in Berea
Berea College will celebrate the opening of the Janis Ian Archives with special activities Oct. 17-20, including a tribute concert, “Breaking Silence,” on Oct. 19 7 p.m., Phelps Stocks Chapel, $20-$300. berea.edu/janisian
FreakyFlicks: “Corpse Bride” at Moondance Amphitheater
The City’s Freaky Flicks film series will continue with a showing of Tim Burton’s 2005 animated dark fantasy “Corpse Bride” at Moondance Amphitheater on Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Free. 1152 Monarch St. LexingtonKy.gov/events/24722/freaky-flicks-corpse-bride-2005.
Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church 185th Anniversary Pre-Celebration
Celebrate the journey of Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church, established in 1839, during a pre-anniversary celebration featuring Dr. Kathy Bullock, Berea College Professor Emeritus, on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. 210 Clinton St, Frankfort. SJFAME.com.
Comedian Raanan Hershberg at Comedy Off Broadway
Comedian Raanan Hershberg will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on Oct. 18 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Oct. 19 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. $15-$18. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com/events/100625.
“cullud wattah” at the Briggs Theatre
The UK Department of Theatre and Dance will host performances of Erika Dickerson-Despenza’s Afro-surrealist play “cullud wattah” at the Briggs Theatre on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 19 and 20 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. $14.40-$20.59. 465 Rose St. FineArts.uky.edu/theatre-dance/events/cullud-wattah-erika-dickerson-despenza.
UK Women’s Soccer vs. Auburn at the Bell
The UK Women’s soccer team will look to continue its hot streak when the Auburn Lady Tigers come to town for a match at the Bell Soccer Complex on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. $7-$10 with children under 5 free. 556 Wildcat Ct. UKathletics.com/sports/wsoc/.
UK Opera’s “The Marriage of Figaro” at the Lexington Opera House
The UK Opera Theatre will present Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” at the Lexington Opera House on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 19 at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. From $33. 401 W Short St. CentralBankCenter.com/events/detail/uk-opera-the-marriage-of-figaro.
Ella Langley Concert at The Burl
Country singer Ella Langley, currently riding high from her debut single “You Look Like You Love Me” peaking at no. 13 on the music charts earlier this summer, will perform at The Burl with support from Maggie Antone on Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. $20. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.
Lexington Farmers Market
The Lexington Farmers Market will convene at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park on Oct. 19 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and on Southland Drive on Oct. 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 251 W Main St. LexingtonFarmersMarket.com.
Paper Shred at the Old Landfill Pad
Safely get rid of unneeded sensitive documents during a paper shred event at the Old Landfill Pad on Oct. 19 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 1631 Old Frankfort Pike. LexingtonKy.gov/events/24857/paper-shred.
Halloween 5K at Shaker Village
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill will host a Halloween 5K benefiting the Harrodsburg Kiwanis Club on Oct. 19 at 9:30 a.m. $30. 3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg. RunSignUp.com/Race/KY/Harrodsburg/KiwanisClubOfHarrodsburgHalloweenKRunWalk.
Fall Bazaar at Country Boy Brewing
Country Boy Brewing will host a Fall Bazaar with over 60 boutique vendors at its Georgetown taproom on Oct. 19 from 1-6 p.m. Free. 101 Innovation Way, Georgetown. Facebook.com/events/1586482572303246/.
Pumpkin Carve ‘n Chip ‘n at McConnell Springs Park
Show off your pumpkin Picasso skills and help add jack-o-lanterns to this year’s trail (taking place Oct. 24-27) at McConnell Springs Park during a carve ‘n chip ‘n event on Oct. 19 from 1-5 p.m. Free. 416 Rebmann Ln. LexingtonKy.gov/events/24781/carve-n-chip-n.
Trunk or Treat at the Whitaker Family YMCA
Dress up and get into the Halloween spirit when the YMCA of Central Kentucky’s Trunk or Treat event returns to the Whitaker Family YMCA on Oct. 19 from 2-4 p.m. with inflatables, costume contests, decorated trunks, and more. Free. 2681 Old Rosebud Rd. YMCAky.org/events/trunk-or-treat.
“Charlotte’s Web” at the Lexington Children’s Theatre
The Lexington Children’s Theatre will host productions of E.B. White’s timeless “Charlotte’s Web” on Oct. 19 at 2 and 7 p.m. (pay what you will) and Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. $15-$20. 418 W Short St. LCTonstage.org/event/charlottes-web/.
Comedian Jeff Dunham at Rupp Arena
Renowned comedian and puppeteer Jeff Dunham will bring his “Artificial Intelligence” tour to Rupp Arena on Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. $64.50. 430 W Vine St. CentralBankCenter.com/events/detail/jeff-dunham-artificial-intelligence.
Lexington SC vs. Charlotte Independence at Lexington SC Stadium
Lexington SC’s USL League One squad will go to battle with the Charlotte Independence at Lexington SC Stadium on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. From $20. 200 Shives Dr. LexSporting.com.
Benefit Concert at the Lyric Theatre
The Lyric Theatre will host a concert featuring GRAMMY-winning gospel artist Hezekiah Walker and Christian comedian Mattie J. benefiting the Theatre’s art scholarship fund on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. $50-$100. 300 E Third St. HistoricLyricTheatre.com/event/concert-with-a-cause-featuring-grammy-winning-gospel-artist-hezekiah-walker-and-the-hilarious-christian-comedian-mattie-j/.
Dave Meder Trio Concert at the WUKY Studios
NYC-based pianist Dave Meder will perform with his trio during an Origins Jazz Series concert at the WUKY Studios on Oct. 19 at 7 and 9 p.m. $10-$25. 2640 Spurr Rd. OriginsJazz.org/shows/dave-meder-trio.
Hocus Pocus Brunch at the Kentucky Castle
Enjoy a specialty food menu, cocktails and mocktails, and more alongside the Sanderson sisters during a “Hocus Pocus” themed brunch at the Kentucky Castle on Oct. 20 at 10:30 a.m. $70. 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles. TheKentuckyCastle.com/experience#!/event/1a1f561a-d76d-4d85-8380-035d720d52c9?preselectedDate=2024-10-20.
Heroes Day at Keeneland
Join Keeneland as it honors current and past members of the military, first responders, and healthcare workers during its Heroes Day at the races all day on Oct. 20. 4201 Versailles Rd. Keeneland.com/racing/heroes-day.
Fall Soap Making & Wine Class at Harkness Edwards Vineyards
Learn to make pumpkin, leaf, and other fall-themed soaps during a workshop and wine pairing course at Harkness Edwards Vineyards on Oct. 20 at 2:30 p.m. $57. 5199 Combs Ferry Rd, Winchester. Facebook.com/events/884066629839144/.
UK Softball vs. Tennessee at John Cropp Stadium
The UK Softball team will host the Tennessee Lady Vols for the fourth edition of Big Blue Boo during its penultimate fall tilt at John Cropp Stadium on Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. Free. 570 Wildcat Ct. UKathletics.com/sports/softball/.
Halloween Festival & Thriller Parade
The City of Lexington’s Halloween Festival and variety show featuring performances from local art groups like Mecca, Dance Attack, Traci Stone Dance Studio will take place at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza on Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. Following it hundreds of zombies will take to the streets for a Halloween parade and Thriller reenactment beginning at 6:30 p.m. Free. 120-150 N Limestone and 200 Main St. LexingtonKy.gov/events/24786/thriller-halloween-parade.
This story was originally published October 16, 2024 at 4:55 AM.
