Festival Latino de Lexington, Oktoberfest celebrations highlight weekend events
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 including live music concerts, art exhibits, food festivals, comedy shows, theatre plays and performances, concert series, shopping events, University of Kentucky sports like volleyball and softball, kid-friendly and free events and Oktoberfest festivals and celebrations.
Christ the King Oktoberfest
Central Kentucky’s Oktoberfest celebrations will kick off with the Cathedral of Christ the King’s Oktoberfest on Sept. 22 and 23. For over three decades the parish has hosted the event that pairs nationally touring bands with a German fare, carnival games, a cake wheel, a raffle to win a 2024 Buick Encore GX or $25,000, and more. This year’s festival will include performances from 90’s alt-rock group Spin Doctors and country artists Ray Fulcher and J.D. Shelburne. Free. 299 Colony Blvd. CTKOktoberfest.com.
Looking for Oktoberfest festivals? Here are 12 in, around Lexington to raise a beer at
Blue Stallion Brewing Oktoberfest
Blue Stallion Brewing will celebrate its 10th year of Oktoberfest festivities with a week and a half long celebration from Sept. 22-Oct. 1 that will include new and old beer releases along with a special German-inspired menu from on-site food partner Salt & Vinegar. Other activities include live music, a German car show and more. Free. 610 W Third St. BlueStallionBrewing.com.
Bluegrass Sausage Fest
The first annual Bluegrass Sausage Fest will take place at Morley’s Backyard in Danville on Sept. 22 from 4-10 p.m. and Sept. 23 from 12-10 p.m. Festival attendees will be able to get a taste of Germany done Bluegrass-style with Bavarian-inspired food to go with music from Whiskey River, the Hannah Wheeler Band and others. $5, children 12 and under free. 234 E Walnut St, Danville. facebook.com/events/787221473196466.
Henry Faulkner 100th Birthday Exhibition at Headley Whitney Museum
Raise a glass of champagne and enjoy birthday cake during a 100th birthday celebration for late Lexington artist Henry Faulkner at the Headley Whitney Museum on Sept. 22 from 5-7 p.m. ($15). An exhibit honoring his life’s work with over 100 of his paintings on display will also be open at the museum on weekends through Nov. 12 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily ($10). 4435 Old Frankfort Pike. headley-whitney.org.
Museum wanted to toast iconic, flamboyant Lexington artist. Collectors were eager to help.
Anderson County Burgoo Festival in Lawrenceburg
The Anderson County Burgoo Festival will return to the streets of Lawrenceburg from Sept. 22-24 with live music, a talent show, a beauty contest and a whole lot of burgoo. KentuckyBurgoo.com.
Festival Latino de Lexington at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza
Celebrate Latin American art and culture when the Festival Latino de Lexington returns to the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza on Sept. 22 from 5-11 p.m. and Sept. 23 from 4-11 p.m. Free. 120-150 N Limestone. LexingtonKy.gov.
Fall Night Market at Pivot Brewing
Experience a night of shopping, music and more during Pivot Brewing’s fall night market on Sept. 22 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. 1400 Delaware Ave. facebook.com/events/316135824110236.
UK volleyball vs. LSU and Tennessee at Rupp Arena
After three straight losses, the UK women’s volleyball team will look to get its season back on the right track with a weekend homestand at Rupp Arena vs Louisiana State University on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. and the University of Tennessee on Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. From $8. 430 W Vine St. UKAthletics.com.
Comedian Jiaoying Summers at Comedy Off Broadway
Stand-up comedian Jiaoying Summers will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on Sept. 22 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Sept. 23 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. $25-50. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.
Chico Bean & Friends concert at the Lexington Opera House
Comedian and former star on MTV’s “Wild ‘n Out”, Chico Bean, will perform at the Lexington Opera House with Larry Starks, Burpie, Kelly Kellz and Osamabindrankin on Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. From $39.50. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com.
Play: ‘The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow’ at the Woodford Theatre
The Woodward Theatre will present the Halloween classic “The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow” on Sept. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. $18-25. 275 Beasley Rd, Versailles. WoodfordTheatre.com.
Houndmouth concert at The Burl
New Albany, Indiana based rock group Houndmouth will bring its “1 Night Tour” to Lexington with an outdoor concert at The Burl on Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. $27.50. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.
Ward Davis concert at Manchester Music Hall
Acclaimed songwriter Ward Davis, who’s written hits for the likes of Cody Jinks, Trace Adkins and Sammy Kershaw, will perform at Manchester Music Hall on 22 at 8 p.m. with support from Wes Shipp. $15-120. 899 Manchester St. ManchesterMusicHall.com.
Play: ‘The Waiting Room’ at the Lyric Theatre
The Message Theatre will present “The Waiting Room”, a story about the journey for psychiatrist Dr. Keith Griffith to find the meaning of his life, at the Lyric Theatre on Sept. 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. $10-25. 300 E Third St. LexingtonLyric.com.
Paper shred event at the old landfill pad
Fayette County residents will be able to unload five boxes or bags of material to be shredded during a day-long event at the old landfill pad on Sept. 23 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 1631 Old Frankfort Pike. LexingtonKy.gov.
Country Boy Oktoberfest
The taps of Country Boy’s Oktoberfest Lager will be flowing when the brewery hosts its annual celebration at its Georgetown taproom on Sept. 23 beginning at 10 a.m. with a Barktoberfest dog costume contest. Other festivities include a men’s and women’s stein hoisting contest at 3 p.m., live music from rock accordionist Gerhard Albinus at 4 p.m., a UK vs. Vanderbilt football watch party and German food specials all day long. Free. 101 Innovation Way, Georgetown. facebook.com/events/963358414936995.
Harvest Fest at Shaker Village
Take a hayride, paint a pumpkin, climb haystacks, ride a pony, traverse a hay maze and more during a harvest festival at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg on Sept. 23 and 24 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $8-16, five and under free. 3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg. ShakerVillageKy.org.
Cynthiana Honey Festival
The second annual Cynthiana Honey Festival will bring a Honeybee Hustle fun run, Miss Queen Bee beauty pageant, honey bake-off competition, educational speakers, a silent auction, live music and more to downtown Cynthiana on Sept. 23 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 111 S Main St, Cynthiana. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082891303558.
Monarch Fest at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
Celebrate the magnificent monarch butterfly during Monarch Fest at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary on Sept. 23 from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Activities include monarch tagging, free native plants, a build-your-own seed mix, crafts for kids, live insects, mini workshops and more. Free. 3885 Raven Run Way. LexingtonKy.gov.
Kentucky Vintage Festival at the Central Bank Center
Browse from over 70 vendors carrying clothing, home goods, decor, jewelry, vinyl records, handmade goods and more during the Kentucky Vintage Festival at the Central Bank Center on Sept. 23. Early bird ticket buyers will gain early access to the event at 10:30 a.m. ($15) prior to doors opening for everybody from 12-5 p.m. ($5). 430 W Vine St. CentralBankCenter.com.
Jessamine Chalkfest at Nicholasville Performance Park
Observe renowned chalk and muralist, Anat Ronen, create three new murals in the Nicholasville Performance Park during Chalkfest on Sept. 23 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Other activities include food trucks, live music, vendors and more. York St, Nicholasville. facebook.com/events/187837630650702.
Versailles Twilight Festival
The Woodford County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Twilight Festival will bring live music, vendors and more to the streets of downtown Versailles on Sept. 23 from 12-9 p.m. Free. 126 S Main St, Versailles. facebook.com/events/1608743209568795.
Mount Sterling Oktoberfest
The Gateway Regional Arts Center in Mount Sterling will host its second annual Oktoberfest festival on Sept. 23 from 7-10 p.m. German polka band Boom Pah Pah will provide a soundtrack for the night that will also have art activities for kids, a stein holding contest, German food and more. $10 for adults over 21 (includes one drink ticket), $5 for people under 21. 101 E Main St., Mount Sterling. GRACKentucky.org.
‘The Main Event:’ Leeds Center fundraiser in Winchester
Witness a cabaret-style performance incorporating everything from comedy to dance, a silent auction, special restaurant deals and more when “The Main Event”, a fundraiser for the Leeds Center for the Arts, takes over downtown Winchester on Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. $30. 37 N Main St, Winchester. LeedsCenter.org.
Roller Derby Of Central Kentucky at the Central Bank Center
The Roller Derby of Central Kentucky will return to the Central Bank Center for its first home bouts since before the pandemic on Sept. 23 with the Allstars team taking on the Confluence Crush Heartbreakers at 5 p.m. and the Indie ROCKers facing the Naptown Warning Bells at 7 p.m. $10-20, children under 6 free. 430 W Vine St. CentralBankCenter.com.
Lexington African American Sports Hall Of Fame Ceremony
Former UK Football linebacker Chris Chenault, bodybuilder and “American Gladiator” Victoria Gay and others will be inducted as members of the Lexington African American Sports Hall Of Fame’s 2023 class during a ceremony at the Central Bank Center on Sept. 23 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $112 per person and come with your choice of dinner between beer brined fried chicken breast, brown sugar cured salmon and sticky chili cauliflower. 430 W Vine St. CentralBankCenter.com.
Black Jacket Symphony concert at the Lexington Opera House
The Black Jacket Symphony will return to the Lexington Opera House to perform the soundtrack of “Saturday Night Fever” in its entirety on Sept. 23 at 4 and 8 p.m. One of the top-selling film soundtracks of all-time, the 1977 hit includes songs such as “Stayin Alive,” “Night Fever” and “Disco Inferno.” From $36. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com.
Lexington Peddler’s Mall Grand Re-Opening Festival
The Lexington Peddler’s Mall will hold a grand reopening fair with vendors, a pop-up bar, food trucks, games, live music and more on Sept. 24 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 1205 E New Circle Rd. facebook.com/events/1358102198140186.
UK Softball vs Parkland College at John Cropp Stadium
The UK softball team will continue its fall season with a doubleheader against Illinois-based Parkland College on Sept. 24 at 12 p.m. Free. 570 Wildcat Ct. UKAthletics.com.
Tahlsound Concert Series at Oleika Temple Great Lawn
Nashville rock trio DeeOhGee will put a wrap on the 2023 Tahlsound Concert Series on the Oleika Temple Great Lawn during a performance with special guests Movie Jail and Buck The Taxidermist on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. Free. 302 Southland Dr. Tahlsound.com.
Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites .
