Cirque du Soleil, new Memorial Coliseum & festivals: Lexington’s best weekend events
Have an upcoming weekend event to list? Please send details a week in advance to Bsimms@herald-leader.com and jpatton1@herald-leader.com . Or list your event at kentucky.com/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 festivals, , live music concerts, comedy shows, free events, University of Kentucky games,foodie events, concert series, 5K benefit races,theatre plays, family-friendly events and more including the popular Cirque du Soleil at Rupp Arena.
Bourbon Market at The Kentucky Castle
Enjoy bourbon tastings, live music and more during the Kentucky Castle’s third annual bourbon market on Aug. 30 from 2-8 p.m. and Aug. 31 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. From $75. 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles. TheKentuckyCastle.com.
UK Volleyball at Newly Renovated Memorial Coliseum
The UK women’s volleyball team will open up the newly renovated Memorial Coliseum with a Bluegrass Battle against the Northern Kentucky Norse on Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m., the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Aug. 31 at 5:30 p.m. (free admission) and the Morehead State Eagles on Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. $8-$12. Ave of Champions. UKAthletics.com.
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Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the Farish Theatre
The Kentucky Conservation Commission’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival will take place at the Farish Theatre on Aug. 30 from 7-9:30 p.m. The event includes eleven outdoor adventure films along with door prizes, an online auction, and more. $15-$20. 140 E Main St. Eventbrite.com.
Theatre Play: ‘Shrek JR The Musical’ at the Spotlight Playhouse
The Spotlight Playhouse in Berea will host performances of “Shrek JR The Musical” on Aug. 30 and 31 at 6:30 p.m. and Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. More shows will take place at the same times Sept. 6-8. $9-$19. 214 Richmond Rd N, Berea. TheSpotlightPlayhouse.com.
Comedian Maddy Smith at Comedy Off Broadway
Comedian Maddy Smith will bring jokes she’s honed on MTV’s “Wild N Out” to Comedy Off Broadway on Aug. 30 at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Aug. 31 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. and Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. $15-$23. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.
80’s Night and more at Legends Field
The Lexington Legends will return home for a series against Southern Maryland at Legends Field on Aug. 30 (80’s night), Aug. 31 (Kentucky Office of Highway Safety night) and Sept. 1 (Family Fun Sunday) at 7 p.m. The Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 shows will also feature post-game fireworks. $10-$25. 207 Legends Ln. LexingtonLegends.com.
Cirque du Soleil’s “OVO” at Rupp Arena
Cirque du Soleil will take a look inside a day in the life of insects with performances of “OVO” at Rupp Arena on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., Aug. 31 at 3 and 7 p.m., and Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. From $25. 430 W Vine St. CentralBankCenter.com.
Summer Nights In Suburbia Concert Series at Moondance Amphitheater
Vinyl Richie will perform during the final installment of the Summer Nights In Suburbia concert series at Moondance Amphitheater on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. Free. 1152 Monarch St. LexingtonKy.gov.
Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival in Downtown Winchester
The 45th Annual Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival will feature more than 130 arts and crafts booths, live music, food and more on Main Street in Downtown Winchester Aug. 31-Sept. 1. There will be a 5K run/walk and a free children’s area. danielboonepioneerfestival.com
Last Call at Pivot Brewing
Pivot Brewing, which announced its plans to close earlier this month after briefly going up for sale, will hold its last call on Aug. 31 from 12-11 p.m. 1400 Delaware Ave. Facebook.com/events/1331514891158218.
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India Day in Lexington
The Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society presents India Day, with food for sale, dance, music, clothing, face painting, henna art, cooking demo/recipes, games and more, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 31. Free. Moondance Amphitheatre, 1152 Monarch St., Beaumont Center Circle. biacs. org
Swifty Tap Takeover & Trivia at Mirror Twin Brewing
Test your knowledge with Taylor Swift trivia, make your own friendship bracelets, sip on specially-themed ciders and more during a Swifty tap takeover at Mirror Twin Brewing all day on Aug. 31. 725 National Ave. Facebook.com/events/520327320372168.
Lexington SC vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC at Toyota Stadium
Lexington SC will go up against the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in the USL Jägermeister Cup at Toyota Stadium in Georgetown on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. From $7. 108 Crawford Dr, Georgetown. LexSporting.com.
Whisker Wars at Manchester Music Hall
Celebrate facial hair in all its glory when Whisker Wars brings a variety of vendors, on-site cuts, tattoos and more to Manchester Music Hall on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. $5-$20. 899 Manchester St. ManchesterMusicHall.com.
Season Opener: UK Football vs. Southern Mississippi at Kroger Field
Brock Vandagriff and the UK football team will take the field for the first time in 2024 against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles at Kroger Field on Aug. 31 at 7:45 p.m. The game will also be televised on the SEC Network. From $35. 1540 University Dr. UKAthletics.com.
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Ernie Johnson From Detroit Concert at The Burl
Cincinnati-based big band Ernie Johnson From Detroit will perform at The Burl with support from Laid Back Country Picker on Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. $12. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.
Bite Club at the Lexington Public Library - Northside Branch
Craft luscious filled treats both savory and sweet during the “Get Stuffed Edition” of Bite Club, a cookbook club for food lovers, at the Lexington Public Library’s Northside Branch on Sept. 1 from 2-3:30 p.m. 1733 Russell Cave Rd. Events.LexPubLib.org.
Jazz On The Lawn at Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate
Lee Carroll’s C The Beat will perform during Jazz On The Lawn at Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate on Sept. 1 at 5:30 p.m. 120 Sycamore Rd. HenryClay.org.
Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites .
