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

Matt Wickstrom
·5 min read

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, theatre shows, musicals and plays, kid-friendly events, craft fairs, vintage clothing sales, circus performances, comedy shows, dance performances, 5K charity runs, improv performances and St. Patrick’s Day events and parties.

KHSAA Boys Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament at Rupp Arena

The KHSAA Boys Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament will continue through March 18 at Rupp Arena. Remaining game times are on March 17 at 11 a.m., 1:30, 6 and 8 p.m. and March 18 at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $17. 430 W Vine St. RuppArena.com.

The Great Pages Circus at the Madison County Fairgrounds

There will be aerial, juggling and clown acts plus motorcycle stunts in Earhart’s Globe of Death from The Great Pages Circus at the Madison County Fairgrounds. Performances, which will also include liberty ponies, horses, and camels, are March 17 at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. and March 18 at 3 and 6 p.m. Adult tickets are $20 and include admission for up to two children ages 14 and below. 3237 Old Irvine Rd, Richmond. PagesCircus.com.

Comedian Josh Blue at Comedy Off Broadway

Comedian and 2006 winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” Josh Blue, will perform at Comedy Off Broadway four times through March 18. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.

Comedy skits and improv at The Spotlight Playhouse in Berea

Enjoy an evening of comedy skits and improv at The Spotlight Playhouse in Berea on March 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. and March 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6-16. 214 Richmond Rd N, Berea. TheSpotlightPlayhouse.com.

Jonathan Grunert as Professor Henry Higgins, Madeline Powell as Eliza Doolittle and John Adkison as Colonel Pickering in The National Tour of “My Fair Lady.”
Jonathan Grunert as Professor Henry Higgins, Madeline Powell as Eliza Doolittle and John Adkison as Colonel Pickering in The National Tour of “My Fair Lady.”

Broadway Live musical: ‘My Fair Lady’ at the Lexington Opera House

The 2022-2023 season of Broadway Live at the Lexington Opera House will continue with performances of “My Fair Lady” on March 17 at 7:30 p.m., March 18 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and March 19 at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Boasting such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “On the Street Where You Live,” the musical tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed? Tickets start at $60. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com.

St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Rock House Brewing

There will be a St. Patrick’s Day Ceili at Rock House Brewing, 119 Luigart Court, March 17 starting at 8 p.m. featuring the McTeggart Irish Dancers and musicians of the Kentucky Irish Music Academy. Tickets are $20 and comes with two drinks. facebook.com/events/2746139035536204

St. Patrick’s Day is coming. Here’s your playlist from the Emerald Isle and far beyond.

Willi Carlisle concert at The Burl

Arkansas based folk artist and poet Willi Carlisle will perform at The Burl with support from Willy Tea Taylor on March 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

Fayette County Farm Bureau auction at the Kentucky Horse Park

Fayette County Farm Bureau is holding its 40th annual Farm Equipment Consignment Auction at the Kentucky Horse Park on March 18 at 8:30 a.m. The event is free to attend. 4089 Iron Works Pkwy. FayetteCoFarmBureau.com/EquipmentAuction.

Shamrock Shuffle 3K at Fasig-Tipton

The 17th annual Shamrock Shuffle 3K will take place at Fasig-Tipton on March 18 at 8 a.m. Tickets are $20-30. 2400 Newtown Pike. ShamrockShuffle3k.com.

Irishfest at the Gateway Regional Arts Center

The Gateway Regional Arts Center, 101 E. Main St. in Mt. Sterling, will host an Irishfest celebration March 18 at 1 p.m. At the Main Street Park Stage there will be Irish dancers followed by a cash bar, a baked potato bar, Irish music and games at the arts center. The event is free to attend. facebook.com/events/707809867643012

Play: ‘Charlie and The Chocolate Factory’ at the Lexington Children’s Theatre

The Lexington Children’s Theatre will present a production of the Roald Dahl classic “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” on March 18 at 2 and 7 p.m. (the latter show is “pay what you will”) and March 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15-20. 418 W Short St. LctOnStage.org.

‘The Reigning Belle of the Bluegrass Region’ at the Lexington Public Library

Actress, playwright, oral historian and teacher Rose Buckner will present a performed reading of her solo play “The Reigning Belle of the Bluegrass Region” at Meeting Room B the Lexington Public Library’s Central Library on March 18 from 2-4 p.m. The event is free to attend but does require pre-registration online. 140 E Main St. LexPubLib.org.

Vintage clothing market: Kentucky Vintage Festival at the Central Bank Center

Over 60 vintage clothing vendors will gather at the Central Bank Center for the inaugural Kentucky Vintage Festival on March 19 from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $5-15. 430 W Vine St. Eventbrite.com.

Spring Renewal Market at Rock House Brewing

Jump into spring with a maker’s market featuring live music, food and more at Rock House Brewing on March 19 from 2-6 p.m. The event is free to attend. 119 Luigart Ct. facebook.com/events/1570634266743672.

‘1971: The Greatest Year In Music’ at The Burl

Celebrate the music of 1971 with a special tribute concert at The Burl on March 19 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites .