Oktoberfest, UK football and soccer: Best things to do in Lexington this weekend

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 local festivals, fairs, live music concerts, comedy shows, free events, University of Kentucky games,foodie events, art shows, Broadway musical performances, family-friendly events and more.

Christ the King Oktoberfest

Central Kentucky’s Oktoberfest celebrations will kick off with the Cathedral of Christ the King’s Oktoberfest on Sept. 20 and 21. For over three decades the Lexington parish has hosted the event that pairs national touring bands with German food, carnival games, a cake wheel, a raffle and more. This year’s big prize: A 2025 Buick Encore GX or $25,000. Festival will include performances by country music singer Tyler Farr and Zack Attack, a throwback cover band. Free. 299 Colony Blvd. CTKOktoberfest.com.

Art On The Town at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park

Art On The Town returns for its last installment of 2024 with local art, live music and food trucks at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park on Sept. 20 from 5-9 p.m. Free. 251 W Main St. LexingtonKy.gov.

Night Market on The Warehouse Block

Void Sake Co. will host a family-friendly and pet-friendly Night Market with local artisans and craftspeople, Sept. 20 from 5-10 p.m. Free. 819 National Ave. Suite 120.

LexArts Gallery Hop

LexArts’ monthly Gallery Hop features open nights at dozens of galleries, museums, artists’ studios and creative spaces around Lexington. Sept. 20, 5-8 p.m. Gallery guides available at LexArts, 161 N. Mill. Free. lexarts.org

Exhibition Opening at Hockensmith’s Fine Arts Editions

Hockensmith’s Fine Arts Editions will host “Variations of Observations” — an intuitive abstract art exhibition featuring the works of Anne Kindl and Patti Edmon — Sept. 19-Oct. 31. Gallery open Tuesday-Saturday 1-5:30 p.m. Free. 190 Jefferson St. FineArtEditions.net.

Tick Town Hoedown at the Jeffersonville Community Center

The Gateway Regional Arts Center will present its third annual Tick Town Hoedown at the Jeffersonville Community Center featuring line dances, clogging, square dancing and more on Sept. 20 from 6-8 p.m. Free. 225 KY-213, Mt. Sterling. GRACKentucky.org.

Cheesecake and Wine Pairing Course at Harkness Edwards Vineyards

Harkness Edwards Vineyards will host a cheesecake and wine pairing course on Sept. 20 from 6-7 p.m. $41.95. 5199 Combs Ferry Rd, Winchester. Harkness-Edwards-Vineyards.Ticketleap.com.

D*** Yankees Fifty at Richmond Raceway

Dust will be flying around the dirt oval of Richmond Raceway all weekend long with the Prelude to the D*** Yankees Fifty on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. followed by the 7th annual D*** Yankees Fifty and 5th annual Lonnie Centers Memorial races on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. 328 Greens Crossing Rd, Richmond. Richmond-Raceway.net.

Comedian ISMO at Comedy Off Broadway

ISMO, coined “the most insightful comic in Finland,” will bring his stand-up routine to Comedy Off Broadway on Sept. 20 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Sept. 21 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. $25-$35. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.

Cirque Us Stories at the Norton Center

Contemporary circus company Cirque Us will perform at the Norton Center for the Arts on Sept. 20 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. $24-$61. 600 W Walnut St, Danville. NortonCenter.com.

UK Men’s Soccer vs. Georgia Southern at The Bell

The UK men’s soccer team will face off against the Georgia Southern Eagles at the Bell Soccer Complex on Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. $7-$10. 556 Wildcat Ct. UKAthletics.com.

‘Into The Woods’ at the Woodford Theatre

The Woodford Theatre will host recreations of the iconic Stephen Sondheim musical “Into The Woods” on Sept. 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. $18-$26. 275 Beasley Rd, Versailles. WoodfordTheatre.com.

‘The Book Of Mormon’ at the Lexington Opera House

The Lexington Opera House will be home to performances of musical comedy “The Book Of Mormon” on Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 21 at 1 and 7:30 p.m. From $78. 401 W Short St. CentralBankCenter.com.

Shrek Rave at Manchester Music Hall

Hit the dance floor with Princess Fiona, Donkey and Lord Farquaad when a Shrek-themed rave takes over Manchester Music Hall on Sept. 20 at 9 p.m. $15-$125. 899 Manchester St. ManchesterMusicHall.com.

Lexington Farmers Market Downtown, on Southland

Lexington Farmers Market will have pumpkins, mums, plants, bread, cheeses, seasonal fruits and vegetables downtown in Tandy Centennial Park on Main Street Sept. 21 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Southland Drive Sept. 22 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Lexingtonfarmersmarket.com

‘Fresh, local, garden varieties:’ Why Lexington Farmers Market is Kentucky’s biggest

Midway Fall Festival

The 50th annual Midway Fall Festival will bring vendors, sorghum and pottery demonstrations, live music, children’s activities and more to the streets of the quaint town on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sept. 22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Downtown Midway. MidwayFallFestival.com.

Oktoberfest at Ethereal Brewing

Ethereal Brewing will host its maiden Oktoberfest celebration with beer poking, a stein hoisting competition, food from Salt & Vinegar, and more on Sept. 21 from 12-6 p.m. 1224 Manchester St. Facebook.com/events/2344265535913375/.

UK Football vs. Ohio at Kroger Field

UK football will look to get its season back on track against the Ohio University Bobcats at Kroger Field on Sept. 20 at 12:45 p.m. The game will be televised on the SEC Network. From $40. 1540 University Dr. UKAthletics.com.

What can you eat at Kroger Field this season? We tried ice cream, nachos and more food.

‘Old Dry Frye’ at the Lexington Children’s Theatre

The Lexington Children’s Theatre will host performances of “Old Dry Frye” — a story about a preacher man who bites off more than he can chew — on Sept. 21 at 2:30 p.m. (sensory friendly), Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. (pay what you will) and Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. $10-$15. 418 W Short St. LCTOnStage.org.

The Ultimate Elvis Show at the Leeds Center

Tyler Christopher and The Roustabout Show Band will perform a tribute to the music of Elvis Presley at the Leeds Center for the Arts on Sept. 21 from 7-9 p.m. $30. 37 N Main St, Winchester. Eventbrite.com.

Vinyl Richie Concert at The Burl

Vinyl Richie will conduct a battle of the decades between ’80s and ’90s music during an outdoor concert at The Burl on Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. $20. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

Fall Cocktail Class at Chenault Vineyards

Learn how to make a Cinnamon Roll Shot, Pear Vanilla Gin Fizz, Blackberry Smash Margarita, and Pumpkin Pie Bourbon Sour during a Fall Cocktail Class at Chenault Vineyards on Sept. 22 from 2-4 p.m. $65. 2284 Barnes Mill Rd, Richmond. Eventbrite.com.

Monarch Fest at Raven Run

Celebrate all things related to the monarch butterfly when Monarch Fest returns to Raven Run Nature Sanctuary with monarch tagging, build-your-own seed mix, crafts for kids, and more on Sept. 22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 3885 Raven Run Way. LexingtonKy.gov.

UK Softball vs. EKU at Gertrude Hood Field

The UK softball team will start its abbreviated fall season with a bout against the defending Atlantic Sun Conference champion Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Gertrude Hood Field on Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. Free. 521 Lancaster Ave, Richmond. UKAthletics.com.

Lexington SC vs. Fort Lauderdale SC at Lexington SC Stadium

Lexington SC will look to move up the women’s USL Super League standings when they go to battle against Fort Lauderdale SC at Lexington SC Stadium on Sept. 22 at 4 p.m. 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 .