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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 local festivals, fairs, food classes, live music concerts, comedy shows, free events, classical music performances, University of Kentucky games,foodie events, art shows, concert series, 5K benefit races, theatre plays, and musicals,family-friendly events and the 2024 Keeneland Fall Meet.
2024 Keeneland Fall Meet
Friday is the opening day of the 2024 Fall Meet at Keeneland, which will feature 17 days of horse racing at the famed Lexington racetrack. This year’s meet will run from Friday 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.
Opening weekend has so much going on, the track bills is as Fall Stars Weekend. The weekend has 11 stakes races with eight being part of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.
Watch out for continued construction at the track as Keeneland continues its largest construction project since the facility opened 88 years ago. The construction project began in January, and centers around a new three-level Paddock Building that will run the length of Keeneland’s Paddock and Walking Ring. The project is scheduled to be completed in September 2025.
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. Tickt prices are $7-$150
The Fall Meet at Keeneland is back. Here’s what you need to know for horse racing’s return.
Black Mountain Jamboree Music Festival at Hidden Ridge Camping
The fourth annual Black Mountain Jamboree Music Festival will bring bands like The Heavy Heavy, DeeOhGee, Brother Smith, Bee Taylor, and Nat Myers to Hidden Ridge Camping on Oct. 4 and 5. From $25. 122 Cedar Lane Farm, Monticello. BlackMountainJamboree.com.
‘Sun Boxes’ at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate
Witness and hear an immersive art piece unlike anything you’ve ever seen when “Sun Boxes,” a solar-powered sound installation by acclaimed artist Craig Colorusso, comes to Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate from Oct. 4 and 5 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Oct. 6 from 1-4 p.m. Free. 120 Sycamore Rd. HenryClay.org/event/sun-boxes-a-sound-bath-installation.
What’s that sound coming from Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate?
Deana Carter Concert at Chenault Vineyards
Savor some strawberry wine while listening to the writer of the hit song by the same name perform when Deana Carter comes to Chenault Vineyards for a concert on Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. From $30. 2187 Barnes Mill Rd, Richmond. Facebook.com/events/1418039555528923.
Free Freaky Flicks: ‘Hocus Pocus’ at Masterson Station Park
The City of Lexington’s Free Freaky Flicks outdoor film series returns to Masterson Station Park with a showing of “Hocus Pocus” on Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Free. 3051 Leestown Rd. LexingtonKY.gov/events/24720/freaky-flicks-hocus-pocus-1993.
Comedian Josh Wolf at Comedy Off Broadway
Comedian Josh Wolf will bring his “High On Life” tour to Comedy Off Broadway on Oct. 4 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Oct. 5 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. $29-$69. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com/events/98462.
Benefit: NEON Night Run/Walk in Downtown Richmond
The inaugural NEON Night Run/Walk 5K benefiting cancer awareness and support in Madison County will light up downtown Richmond in pink on Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. $35. Water and Second St, Richmond. RunSignUp.com/Race/KY/Richmond/NEONNightRunWalkAPainttheTownPinkEvent.
Musical Theatre: ‘Cabaret’ at the EKU Center
The Black Box Theatre will perform the Nazi-era Germany set “Cabaret” at the EKU Center for the Arts on Oct. 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. $10-$15. 822 Hall Dr, Richmond. EKUCenter.com/events/category/series/cabaret/eku-center-for-the-arts.
Kindred Valley Concert at The Burl
West Virginia folk band Kindred Valley will perform at The Burl with support from Middlesboro’s Jordan Lee King on Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. $15. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.
Lego Convention, Festival: BrickFest Live at the Central Bank Center
Explore over 65,000 feet of life-size LEGO models and displays, meet LEGO Masters contestants, and more when BrickFest Live comes to the Central Bank Center on Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. and Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. 430 W Vine St. BrickFestLive.com.
Pumpkin Fest at Wildside Winery
Browse local vendors, pick the perfect pumpkin, sip on pumpkin-spiced wine, listen to live music, and more during Wildside Winery’s Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 5 from 12-7 p.m. and Oct. 6 from 12-5 p.m. Free entry and parking. 5500 Troy Pike, Versailles. facebook.com/events/391116077332698.
Ricky Skaggs Concert at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Ricky Skaggs, the Kentucky native Bluegrass singer and musician, returns home for a 7 p.m. Oct. 5 concert at the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center – New Barn, 2380 Richmond St. in Mt. Vernon. Tickets are $29.99-$89.99. renfrovalley.com
Ricky Skaggs has his place in Bluegrass music history. Now he’s shaping its future.
Amadeus Lex Concert Series
The Amadeus Lex Concert Series will host an Autumn Memorial concert at First Christian Church in Berea on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. and Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington on Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. Free. 206 Chestnut St, Berea, and 180 E Maxwell St, Lexington. AmadeusLex.com.
Choral music, Barbershop quartets, Comedy at the Leeds Center
Enjoy an evening of choral music, barbershop quartets, and comedy at the eighth annual Chords for Clark concert benefiting the choirs of George Rogers Clark High School at the Leeds Center for the Arts on Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. $10-$15. 37 N Main St, Winchester. Eventbrite.com/e/chords-for-clark-tickets-1009542507817?aff=oddtdtcreator.
ZZ Top Concert at the Norton Center
Iconic Texas rock band ZZ Top will perform at the Norton Center for the Arts on Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. $101-$121. 600 W Walnut St, Danville. NortonCenter.com/event/zz-top/.
Lexington Philharmonic Concert at the Singletary Center
The Lexington Philharmonic will open its 2024-25 season with a performance at the Singletary Center for the Arts on Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. $11-$78. 405 Rose St. LexPhil.org/Titans.
Comedian Leanne Morgan at Rupp Arena
Comedian Leanne Morgan will bring her “Just Getting Started” tour to Rupp Arena on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. From $29.75. 430 W Vine St. CentralBankCenter.com/events/detail/leanne-morgan-just-getting-started.
HYPERGLOW Glow Party at Manchester Music Hall
HYPERGLOW, America’s largest glow party, will bring ultraviolet performances, body painting, and more to Manchester Music Hall on Oct. 5 at 9 p.m. $15. 899 Manchester St. ManchesterMusicHall.com.
Bridgerton-Themed Tea at The Kentucky Castle
Sip on and learn all about proper tea etiquette during a party with expert Polly Singer at The Kentucky Castle on Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. $75-$90. 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles. TheKentuckyCastle.com.
Pink Match: UK Volleyball vs. Missouri at Memorial Coliseum
The UK Volleyball team will face off against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Coliseum in their annual Pink Match benefiting cancer research and awareness on Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. The game will also be televised by the SEC Network. $10-$15. Ave of Champions. UKAthletics.com.
Fall Mini Pies & Wine Class at Harkness Edwards Vineyards
Learn the art of making fall-themed mini pies during a workshop and wine pairing course at Harkness Edwards Vineyards on Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. $57. 5199 Combs Ferry Rd, Winchester. Facebook.com/events/813256074300496.
Lexington SC vs. Carolina Ascent FC at Lexington SC Stadium
It will be Oktoberfest at the Pitch as the Lexington SC’s USL Super League women’s squad will go to battle against Carolina Ascent FC at Lexington SC Stadium on Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. There will be pregame festivities starting at 2:30 p.m. like stein hoisting, beer specials including West Sixth commemorative steins, giveaways and more. Tickets from $20. 200 Shives Dr. LexSporting.com.
Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites .
