New Year’s Eve parties, galas and balls highlight Lexington’s best weekend events
Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best New Year’s Eve weekend holiday events around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need things to do including family-friendly events, live music concerts, comedy shows, free events, University of Kentucky sports and NYE parties, 2024 countdowns and champagne toasts.
Learn how to make a candle: Candles & Cocktails at Poppy & Pomelo
Learn how to make a candle while sipping on your choice of cocktail, bubbly, beer, or wine during a workshop at Poppy & Pomelo’s Wick + Mortar Studio on Dec. 29 at 4 p.m. $38. 526 E High St. PoppyAndPomelo.com.
UK Men’s Basketball vs. Illinois State at Rupp Arena
Guard Antonio Reeves will take on his former school when the UK Men’s Basketball team faces off against Illinois State at Rupp Arena on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. 430 W Vine St. UkAthletics.com.
El Dorodo, Joslyn & The Sweet Compression Concert at The Burl
West Virginia honky tonk group El Dorodo will team up with Lexington’s Joslyn & The Sweet Compression for a heated double bill concert at The Burl on Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. $17. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.
Afroman Concert with Benny Snell at Manchester Music Hall
Rapper Afroman will perform at Manchester Music Hall on Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. with support from The Ski Mask Cowboy, Kid Lennon, Lexie and the BAMFFK and former record-setting UK running back Benny Snell. $25. 899 Manchester St. ManchesterMusicHall.com.
Comedian Pat Godwin at Comedy Off Broadway
Comedian Pat Godwin will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on Dec. 29 at 8 p.m., Dec. 30 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. and Dec. 31 at 8 and 10:30 p.m. $15-25. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.
10 Foot Pole Concert at The Green Lantern
10 Foot Pole will reunite with a concert at the Green Lantern on Dec. 29 at 9 p.m. Club Dub opens the show. $10. 497 W Third St. facebook.com/events/1057458892049373.
Tyler Childers Concerts at Rupp Arena
Eastern Kentucky born country artist Tyler Childers, who’s nominated for five awards at the upcoming Grammys, will perform at Rupp Arena with support from Shovels & Rope on Dec. 30 at 7:45 p.m. and 31 at 9 p.m. From $84.50. 430 W Vine St. RuppArena.com.
Why Tyler Childers’ two Rupp Arena concerts will be a home team win this weekend
Bolo Mules Concert at The Burl
90’s country conglomerate the Bolo Mules will perform an afterparty to Tyler Childers’ first of two shows at Rupp Arena on Dec. 30 at midnight. $18. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.
Vintage Pistol Concerts at The Fishtank
Arkansas-based jam band Vintage Pistol will perform at The Fishtank following both of Tyler Childers’ Rupp Arena shows on Dec. 30 and 31 at midnight. 500 Euclid Ave. facebook.com/events/1504682883599175.
NYE Marathon Day Party at Al’s Bar
Get your New Year’s celebrations started early with a day party at Al’s Bar kicking off on Dec. 31 at 1 p.m. with drink and food specials, live music from Lylak, Sunmates, and Wicked Peace, and more. 601 N Limestone. facebook.com/events/1426806144922403.
UK Women’s Basketball vs. Samford at the Clive M. Beck Center
The UK Women’s Basketball team will host Samford in its final non-conference tilt before kicking off SEC play at Transylvania University’s Clive M. Beck Center on Dec. 31 at 1 p.m. $5-12. 370 N Broadway. UkAthletics.com.
Dark Moon Hollow, Cody Lee Meece Concert at Old Habits
Lexington-based bluegrass ensemble Dark Moon Hollow and Somerset’s Cody Lee Meece will perform a New Years Eve show on the Kentucky River at Old Habits on Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. $20. 3685 Four Mile Road, Winchester. Eventbrite.com.
New Year’s Eve Gala at the Kentucky Castle
The Kentucky Castle will host a black tie New Year’s Eve gathering featuring a three-course meal, midnight champagne toast and more on Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. $287.52. 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles. TheKentuckyCastle.com.
New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at Ethereal Brewing
Welcome 2024 with a complimentary midnight champagne toast and Dick Clark’s New Year’s countdown on every TV during a masquerade ball at Ethereal Brewing on Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. Free. 1224 Manchester St. facebook.com/events/1071912607335749.
The Next Level Band Of Charlotte at the Virginia Theatre
The Next Level Band Of Charlotte and Travis Harris and The West Coast Turnarounds will perform at Somerset’s Virginia Theatre as part of the city’s New Year’s celebration on Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. $25. 214 E Mt. Vernon St, Somerset. Eventbrite.com.
NYE at Mirror Twin Brewing
Mirror Twin Brewing will throw a 70’s inspired NYE party featuring a disco, old school fashion, a photo booth and more at its taproom on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. $20-150. 725 National Ave. Eventbrite.com.
Eight Daze Sober Concert at Austin City Saloon
London-based country rock band Eight Daze Sober will say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024 with a New Year’s Eve concert at Austin City Saloon on Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. $20. 2350 Woodhill Dr. facebook.com/events/2175494142647356.
NYE at the Lyric Theatre
Everything from karaoke to a silent disco, 90’s and 2000’s R&B and culture trivia will be on tap during a New Year’s party at the Lyric Theatre on Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. $75-100. 300 E Third St. Eventbrite.com.
Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites .
