Barbecue & beer cheese: The 30 best things to do in and around Lexington this weekend

Matt Wickstrom
·9 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, classical music performances, kid-friendly events, comedy shows and festivals.

LexArts Hop

LexArts hosts its every-other-month hop through dozens of galleries, museums, artists’ studios and creative spaces May 19, 5-8 p.m. Free. LexArts.org/HOP for locations.

Food Truck Fridays at Shillito Park

Food Truck Friday will return to Shillito Park on May 19 from 6-9 p.m. with food and refreshments from Pasta Garage, The Flying Waffle, Churreria la Coneja, Bella’s Shaved Ice, West Sixth Brewing, Wise Bird Cider Co., Chocomania , Louisiana Passion, Mr. D’s Food Truck, and Taqueria de la Cruz. The event is free to attend. 300 W Reynolds Rd. LexingtonKy.gov.

Sleeping In The Woods Songwriter Festival in Monticello

Songwriters Nicholas Jamerson, Jim Lauderdale, Bella White and others will perform during the inaugural Sleeping In The Woods Songwriter Festival at Hidden Ridge Campground in Monticello on May 19 and 20. Tickets are $40-115. 122 Cedar Lane Farm, Monticello. SleepingInTheWoodsFestival.com.

Fallsburg Summer Stage Music Festival in Louisa

Arlo McKinley, Magnolia Boulevard, Sean Whiting and others will perform during the third annual Fallsburg Summer Stage music festival in Louisa on May 19 and 20. Tickets are $45-70 with additional charges to park and camp. 5462 N Highway 3, Louisa. FallsburgSummerStage.com.

7,500+ Miles Art Exhibition Opening at Central Bank’s John G. Irvin Gallery

Artist Kris Grenier will host an open exhibition for art exhibit “7,500+ Miles” showcasing his needle felted work at Central Bank’s John G. Irvin Gallery on May 19 from 4:30-6 p.m. 300 W Vine St. Facebook.com.

Lexington’s barbecue festival is back: The Bluegrass BBQ Fest will be at Moondance Amphitheatre in the Beaumont neighborhood May 19-20 this year. Provided
Lexington’s barbecue festival is back: The Bluegrass BBQ Fest will be at Moondance Amphitheatre in the Beaumont neighborhood May 19-20 this year. Provided

Bluegrass BBQ Fest at Moondance Amphitheater

Savory food and music will collide during the Bluegrass BBQ Fest at Moondance Amphitheater on May 19 and 20 with performances from Tee Dee Young, Cody Lee Meece, DeBraun Thomas, Bedford Band and others. Tickets are $7-10. BluegrassBBQFest.com.

Comedian Greg Morton at Comedy Off Broadway

Comedian and “America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist Greg Morton will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on May 19 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and May 20 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $15-18. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.

Comedian Greg Morton will perform four shows at Comedy Off Broadway. Gregmorton.com
Comedian Greg Morton will perform four shows at Comedy Off Broadway. Gregmorton.com

Heartless Bastards, Mama Said, Larry Keel Concerts at The Burl

The Burl will be rockin’ and rollin’ and blazing with bluegrass music this weekend with shows from The Heartless Bastards on May 19 ($25), Mama Said String Band on May 20 ($12) and the Larry Keel Experience on May 21 ($15). All shows begin at 8 p.m. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” at the Carriage House Theatre

The Lexington Studio Players will present the dramatic and mysterious “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” at the Carriage House Theatre on May 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. and May 21 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12-22. 154 W Bell Court. StudioPlayers.org.

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” is the current production at Studio Players. Performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m., May 19-May 28. Provided
“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” is the current production at Studio Players. Performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m., May 19-May 28. Provided

“Zardoz” at the Kentucky Theatre

Freaky Fridays return to the Kentucky Theatre on May 19 at 10 p.m. with a showing of 1974 science fantasy film “Zardoz.” Tickets are $6.50. 214 E Main St. KentuckyTheatre.org.

Kentucky Wildcats vs Florida Gators

Kentucky Wildcats baseball team faces Florida Gators baseball team May 19 6:30 p.m. at Kentucky Proud Park baseball stadium, $5-$20 via Ticketmaster.com. Clear bag policy. 510 Wildcat Court. UKathletics.com

LEXINGTON FARMERS MARKET

Lexington Farmers Market will be downtown at Tandy Centennial Park on Main Street 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 20and on Southland Drive 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 21 with fresh strawberries, lettuce, cut flowers, baked goods, vegetables and fruits, meats and cheeses and more. lexingtonfarmersmarket.com

BLUEGRASS FARMERS MARKET

Beginning at 9 a.m. on May 20, Bluegrass Farmers Market will have baked goods, fresh vegetables and fruits, cut flowers, local meats and cheese and more. 1837 Plaudit Place. facebook.com/BluegrassFarmersMarket

Am Tour Tates Creek Club Championship

The 36-hole Am Tour Tates Creek Club Championship returns to the Tates Creek Golf Course on May 20 from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $70 with an additional, optional $17 golf cart fee. 1400 Gainesway Dr. LexingtonKy.gov.

Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival at Masterson Station Park

The 14th Annual Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival will feature over 60 diverse fiber vendors, live animals, demonstrations, food vendors, and a wide variety of workshops at Masterson Station Park on May 20 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person or free for children 10 and under. 3051 Leestown Rd. LexingtonKy.gov.

Founders Day at McConnell Springs Park

Celebrate Founders Day, the annual celebration of the founding and naming of Lexington, at McConnell Springs Park on May 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with historic reenactments, demonstrations of pioneer skills, vendors, exhibitors, crafts, presenters, and live music. The event is free to attend. 416 Rebmann Ln. LexingtonKy.gov.

Discovery Saturday at LASC

Living Arts & Science Center will host May Discovery Saturday May 20 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with planetarious shows, drag queen story time with Uma Jewels and crafts. Free. 362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Addie’s Day at The Arboretum

Kentucky Children’s Garden at The Arboretum will have crafts, giant bubble wants, STEAM activity, games, and each child can plant something to take home. May 20 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., garden open to 5 p.m. Free. 500 Alumni Dr. Arboretum.ca.uky.edu

Strawberry Festival at Eckert’s Orchard

Eckert’s Orchard will kick off strawberry season with a festival on May 20, 21, 27 and 28 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily with tractor rides, a petting farm, wagon trains, the chance to pick your own strawberries and more. Tickets are $6. 1396 Pinckard Pike, Versailles. Eckerts.com.

“A Journey in Color: The Art of Ellis Wilson” at the UK Art Museum

Author Jayne Moore Waldrop will host a read-a-loud of her new book “A Journey in Color: The Art of Ellis Wilson” at the UK Art Museum on May 20 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. The reading will be followed by the opportunity for participants to create an original collage centered around Wilson’s work. Free. 405 Rose St. Eventbrite.com.

Storytelling Through Song Workshop at First United Methodist Church

The Lexington Theatre Company’s Artist Development Program is hosting a Storytelling Through Song Workshop for adults on May 20 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. Attendees will be coached by Brance Cornelius and Nathaniel Beliveau during the shared time of learning. $20. 200 W High St. LexingtonTheatreCompany.org.

DiverCity Festival at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza

Celebrate Lexington’s diverse blend of cultures during the DiverCity Festival at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza on May 20 from noon-7 p.m. with vendors, performances and more. 120 N Limestone. DivercityLexington.com.

The Nest’s Family Fun Day at Duncan Park

The Nest - Center for Women, Children & Families will host its 7th annual Family Fun Day at Duncan Park on May 20 from 1-4 p.m. The free event includes food and refreshments, live music, face painting, a petting zoo, balloon animals, games, arts and crafts, a community resource fair and more. 529 North Martin Luther King Blvd. TheNestLexington.org.

Breaking Benjamin Concert at Rupp Arena

Rock band Breaking Benjamin will perform at Rupp Arena with special guests Bush and Another Day Dawns on May 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50. 430 W Vine St. RuppArena.com.

Lexington Singers Concert at the Lexington Opera House

The Lexington Singers will present “Come Rain or Come Shine: Music for Whatever the Weather” at the Lexington Opera House on May 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12-20. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com.

Lexington Philharmonic Concert at the Singletary Center

The Lexington Philharmonic will present “Bloom” at the Singletary Center for the Arts on May 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $11-75. 405 Rose St. LexPhil.org.

BurLEX Fundraiser at Al’s Bar

Local burlesque community BurLEX will host a fundraising event at Al’s Bar on May 20 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15-25. 601 N Limestone. Eventbrite.com.

The Lex Quartet Concert at First United Methodist Church

The Lexington Theatre Company will present music from The Lex Quartet — Yoonie Choi-Reich (cello), Luke Jackson (guitar), Paul Reich (bass) and Casey DeMattina (drums) — at First United Methodist Church on May 21 at 3 p.m. Pay-what-you-can. 200 W High St. LexingtonTheatreCompany.org.

Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras Concert at the Singletary Center

The Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras will host its 75th anniversary season finale concert at the Singletary Center for the Arts on May 21 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $8-13. 405 Rose St. CKYO.org.

Sample some of the best beer cheese in the Bluegrass at Country Boy’s seventh annual Beer Cheese Contest from 1 to 5 p.m. at 108 Corporate Blvd. in Georgetown. Provided
Sample some of the best beer cheese in the Bluegrass at Country Boy’s seventh annual Beer Cheese Contest from 1 to 5 p.m. at 108 Corporate Blvd. in Georgetown. Provided

Lexington Craft Beer Week, beer cheese contest

Lexington Craft Beer Week continues through May 21 with special releases and other activities, including Country Boy’s seventh annual Beer Cheese Contest from 1 to 5 p.m. at 108 Corporate Blvd. in Georgetown, where you can enter your beer cheese recipe or just come sample more than 30 of the best beer cheeses from around Kentucky and vote for your favorites. Lexbeerscene.com

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