May 2022 events calendar: 60+ things to do around Louisville this week
Here's what you can do in the Louisville area this week:
Top May 2022 events
Louisville Zoo’s Zoo’s Butterflies n’ Blooms Exhibit. 1100 Trevilian Way, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Visitors will be able to walk among hundreds of native butterflies in the 1,000-square-foot outdoor flight house located across from the bongo exhibit. Butterfly and plant identification signs will help guests interpret what they are seeing. Inside the exhibit, guests can also learn about and witness the lifecycle of the butterfly from caterpillar to chrysalid to butterfly. The exhibit will run through Sept. 18. Free with zoo admission.
Society of Professional Journalist Conversation with Brian Karem. Noble Funk Brewing Company, 922 S. Second St., 6 p.m. Thursday. Join Society of Professional Journalist for a conversation with veteran journalist, author and Seneca High School graduate Brian Karem. He has worked as a White House correspondent and political analyst for CNN. His most recent book, “Free The Press: The Death of American Journalism and How to Revive it” was released earlier this year. Purchase food from Noble Hearth Craft Pizza. Admission is free.
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Kentucky Memorial Day Flea Market Spectacular. West Wing, Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. More than 750 booths with antiques, collectibles, jewelry, clothing, accessories and more. Admission is free. Parking $10. kyexpo.org.
Norton Commons Food Truck Friday. 6301 Moonseed St., Prospect, 6-8 p.m. Friday. Live music, food, drinks and shopping at the al fresco market. Bing a chair. Free.
Battle of the Bluegrass Car Show. North Wing, Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, a.m. to noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Battle of the Bluegrass Louisville features different classes, each class has been integrated from SEMA builds, lowriders, stance cars, motorcycles, imports, domestics, supercars and classics. Admission $20. Parking $10. kyexpo.org.
Hike, Bike & Paddle. Louisville Community Boathouse, 1325 River Road, 8 a.m. Monday, May 30. The 13-mile bike ride from the Waterfront Park Boathouse Lawn to Shawnee Park and back, multiple length walk options in Waterfront Park and across the Big Four Bridge, and a paddle route up river to Beargrass Creek (9 a.m.). Warm up for the hike, bike or paddle by taking part in Yoga, Zumba, or Tai Chi (8 a.m.). ourwaterfront.org.
Outdoor Escape Games. The owners of Danger Run one of the longest operating Halloween attractions in the region is presenting two scavenger style hunts outdoor escape games played in your car or on foot. Operation Mindfall and Magic Portal at Pope Lick Park, 4000 S. Pope Lick Road, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through October. The games are played in groups of two to six. Players will be provided a GPS enabled device to find puzzle locations throughout the park. Participants will explore the park with the provided adventure pack and solve various puzzles found throughout the experience. Tickets are $24.99. mostfunyoueverhad.com.
Operation Mindfall: Teams are given classified information about a company behind top-secret research that, if successful, will give them the power to control the human mind. In 120-minutes time they will activate the project and gain control of the world. Under the code name Operation Mindfall, your team must find and destroy the research.
Magic Portal: Teams steps into a world of trolls and mythical beasts, separated from mankind by magic portals, each guarded by a goblin. One of these goblins fell into a deep sleep and his portal malfunctioned, allowing mystical creatures to escape. To fix the portal, you must collect three magic crystals. You have 120-minutes to find the crystals, close the portal and return the creatures to their rightful home.
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Food Truck Wednesday. In front of the Kentucky International Convention Center, between Jefferson and Market streets, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays through October.
Memorial Day 2022
Fort Knox Memorial Day Ceremony and Cemetery Visitation. Kentucky Veterans Cemetery-Central, 2501 N. Dixie Blvd., Radcliff, 11:15 a.m. Monday. U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox Commander Major General Johnny Davis will be the Memorial Day ceremony’s keynote speaker. The event will also include a ceremonial wreath laying, 21-gun salute, Prisoners of War/Missing in Action remembrance ceremony, flag folding and the playing of taps.
The post’s open cemetery visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those needing to locate checkpoints may visit the Fort Knox Visitor Center at the Chaffee (main) Gate to obtain an event-specific map or speak with the Cultural Resources team for further assistance. Fort Knox Range Operations staff will be posted at checkpoints located around the installation perimeter to help those seeking directions to specific gravesites.
Churchill Downs. 700 Central Ave., 12:45 p.m. Monday. Military Appreciation Day. Attendees showing a valid I.D. will receive free general admission or a discounted ticket ($29) to Millionaires Row or Skye Terrace. Admission starts at $7. churchilldowns.com.
27th annual Memorial Day Program. Veterans Memorial Plaza, Veterans Memorial Park, in front of Freedom Wall, 10707 Taylorsville Road, 6 p.m. Sunday. Features a traditional patriotic program with flag bearers, uniformed military veterans and active members of the military. The keynote speaker will be retired U.S. Air Force Col. Jeffrey W. Decker, whose military career spanned 37 years and six commands, including Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. Host: the City of Jeffersontown and American Legion G.I. Joe Post #244.
Theme Parks Open May 2022
Kentucky Kingdom. Watterson Expressway and the Fairgrounds. Kentucky Kingdom: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. Hurricane Bay: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. With more than 70 rides and attractions, including six roller coasters, children’s rides, games, shows, and much more. Single-day admission: $49.95. Parking $10, $20 bus. 502-813-8200; kentuckykingdom.com.
Holiday World/Splashin’ Safari. 452 E. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, Ind. Holiday World: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday-Wednesday. Splashin’Safari: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Wednesday. Free soft drinks, sunscreen and parking. Shows: Dive! and Holidog & Friends. Tickets start at $59.99; free for ages two and younger. 812-937-4401; holidayworld.com.
Beach Ben Park Amusement Park. 798 Beech Bend Park Road, Bowling Green, Ky. Beach Bend: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday Friday; 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday. Splash Lagoon: 10:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday. Admission: $44.99 for 48 inches and above; $34.99 for anyone under 48 inches and ages 60 and older; free for ages 2 and younger (does not include sale tax). beechbend.com.
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Kings Island. 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Wednesday. Soak City Water Park: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday-Wednesday. Celebrate Kings Island's 50th Anniversary with roller coasters, thrill rides, family rides, kid rides, and a waterpark. $45 for a single day plus tax and fees. visitkingsisland.com
Festival in Louisville May 2022
Forecastle Festival. Waterfront Park, 2:45 p.m. Friday; 1:45 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Three-day music, bourbon, and culinary experience that features more than 50 artists across multiple genres including hip-hop, alternative and electronic. Tickets: 3-day general admission, $265; 3-day general admission plus, $395; 3-day VIP, $650. 1-day general admission, $120; 1-day general admission plus, $185; 1-day VIP, $325. Children 10 years old and younger will be admitted free of charge with a ticket-holding adult. Limit two children per ticketed adult. forecastlefest.com.
2022 Festival Line Up:
Friday: Jack Harlow, Porter Robinson, Clairo, Still Woozy, Earl Sweatshirt, Coin, Wale, San Holo, Maxo Kream, Dombresky X Noizu, Duckwrth, Dr. Fresch, Indigo De Souza, Maddy O’Neal, Charlotte Sands, The Homies.
Saturday: Tame Impala, Phoebe Bridgers, 6lack, Quinn XCII, Lane 8, Chelsea Cutler, 100 Gecs, Troyboi, Princess Nokia, Tai Verdes, Beabadoobee, Wax Motif, Paris Texas, Leon, Flamingosis, DJ Mel.
Sunday: Tyler, the Creator, Rufus Du Sol, Black Pumas, Alison Wonderland, Oliver Tree, Jai Wolf, Dayglow, Fletcher, Glaive, Kennyhoopla, Joel Corry, Kirby, TSHA, Blossom, Mob Rich, Lucille Croft.
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Abbey Road on the River. Big Four Station Park, corner of Chestnut and Pearl streets, Jeffersonville, Indiana, 2 p.m. Thursday; 11:45 a.m. Friday and Saturday; noon Sunday; 1 p.m. Monday. The festival will celebrate their 20th anniversary of the the world’s largest tribute to The Beatles with more than 50 bands performing 200 concerts on six stages. Admission: full weekend best ticket, $279.95; 1-day general admission, $40; 1-day reserved, $90. AROTR.com.
2022 Festival Line up
Thursday: Hal Bruce, LSB Duo, Beatline, The Black Ties, Kevin Ashba, Rubber Soul, Union Jack, Valice, Some Other Guys, Steve Sizemoreroup and Classicstone.
Friday: Hal Bruce, Beatline, LSB Duo, Kevin Ashba, Union Jack, Laren Rapp & Company, Rubber Soul, The Black Ties, CMN Trio, Erin Hill, The Jukebox, The Cryers, Mary’s Dad’s Band, Hal Bruce, Steve Sizemore Group, Joan Burton, The Newbees, Nick Peay, Valice, Beatline, Rubber Soul, Soul Shadow, George Harry’s Son, Gary Lee, The Wag, E L Faux, Hard Day’s Night, Some Other Guys, LSB Duo, Nick Peay, The Blue Meanies, Classicstone.
Saturday: The Rigbys, Nick Peay, Rubber Soul, Beatline, LSB Duo, Erin Hill, The Jukebox, Mark Beyer, CMN Trio, Joan Burton, Some Other Guys, The Cyrkle, The Newbees, Laren Rapp Company, Louisville School of Rock, Beatline, Hard Day’s Night, The Fab Four, The Wag, Union Jack with Joan Burton, Mary’s Dad’s Band, Danilo, Hal Bruce, The Black Ties, The Wag, Kevin Ashba, Tommy James & the Shondells, Gary Lee, Steve Sizemore Group, The Kukes, The Cryers, Happy Birth Paul, Valice, The Blue Meanies, The Petty Hearts and Classicstone.
Sunday: Danilo Fiani, Mary’s Dad’s Band, Kevin Ashba, Hard Days Night, The Rigbys, Gary Lee, Louisville School of Rock, Union Jack, The Wag, Rubber Soul, Erin Hill & Friends, The Jukebox, Nick Peay, The Cryers, Hal Bruce, The Black Ties, The Cyrkle, The Kukes, Sheryl Rouse & the Unlimited Soul Band, Beatline, The Petty Hearts, The Blue Meanies & Jay Goeppner, Joan Burton, The Fab Four, Valice, LSB Duo, Steve Sizemore Group, Some Other Guys, The Petty Hearts, Erin Hill, The Love Concert, Jay & The South Americans.
Monday: Louisville School of Rock, The Erin Hill Trio, Louisville Brass & Electric, Jay & The South Americans, The Black Ties, Hot Brown Smack Down, Valice and Classicstone.
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Wild Lights Lantern Festival. Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevilian Way, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays through June 5. Enjoy one of the largest lantern festivals in the nation featuring thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns aglow with more than 50,000 LED light bulbs that include a variety of animal lanterns, including mammals, birds, and insects, a 98-foot-long dragon, mythical Chinese creatures, and a promenade walk-through. Guests may also enjoy interactive photo opportunities. Also, handcrafted goods are available for purchase, nightly cultural performances on the MetaZoo stage, and Asian-fusion cuisine by Service Systems Associates (SSA). Advance tickets for ages 3 and older are $20, $17 for zoo members; free for ages 2 and younger. Family Four Pack tickets are available for $55 for members and $65 for non-members in advance online only. $6 parking fee will be added to all online ticket purchases. For more information, louisvillezoo.org/wildlights.
Sports in Louisville May 2022
Churchill Downs. 700 Central Ave., 5 p.m. Thursday; 12:45 p.m. Friday-Monday. Admission starts at $7 unless noted. churchilldowns.com.
Thursday: Twilight Thursday features Thoroughbred racing, $2 select domestic beer, live music, food trucks and more (5-8 p.m. in the Paddock Plaza).
Sunday: Racing and Sunday brunch served in the Stakes Room.
Monday: Military Appreciation Day. Attendees showing a valid I.D. will receive free general admission or a discounted ticket ($29) to Millionaires Row or Skye Terrace.
Louisville Bats vs Omaha Storm Chasers. Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St., 6:35 p.m. Thursday; 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 6:05 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $9. 502-212-2287; milb.com/louisville.
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Film in Louisville May 2022
"The Heroic Trio" (Dung fong sam hap). Speed Museum, 2035 South Third St., 6 p.m. Friday; 3 p.m. Saturday. In this film Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung and Anita Mui, knife-throwing, shotgun-toting, kung-fu-fighting super-heroines must overcome their dark pasts in order to defeat an evil, baby-snatching eunuch who is terrorizing Hong Kong. $12, $8 Speed members. speedmuseum.org.
"Executioners" (Yin doi hou hap zyun). Speed Museum, 2035 South Third St., 6 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. The kung fu crusaders known as Thief Catcher (Maggie Cheung), Invisible Woman (Michelle Yeoh), and Wonder Woman (Anita Mui) return in this gritty, postapocalyptic sequel to the Hong Kong action hit The Heroic Trio. Recommended for ages 16 and older. $12, $8 Speed members. speedmuseum.org.
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Kentucky Science Center, 727 W. Main St., 7 p.m. Friday; 1 p.m. Sunday. Part of the Harry Potter Spring Film Series. $10, $5 Kentucky Science Center members. kysciencecenter.org.
Literary June 2022
Louisville Free Public Library Summer Reading Program: Adventures In Summer Reading. The library’s annual 10-week Summer Reading Program encourages children and teens to read for fun over the summer. School-aged children simply read ten books, teens read six books, and preschool-aged children and younger need to read, or have read to them, 20 books to complete the program. Summer Reading Program and Cultural Pass begins Wednesday.
Register online, lfpl.org/SummerReading; by phone, 502-574-1611 . While you’re registering, be sure to sign up for the Cultural Pass presented by the Fund for the Arts, the Arts & Culture Alliance, Louisville Metro Government, and the Louisville Free Public Library.
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Tours in Louisville May 2022
Locust Grove. 561 Blankenbaker Lane, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Ground tours are offered at 11 a.m. Thursday-Saturday. Self-guided tours of the Historic House will be offered at 30-minute intervals between noon-3 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. For more information: locustgrove.org.
Old Louisville Walking Tours. Leaves from the Old Louisville Visitor Center, Central Park, 1340 S. Fourth St., 11 a.m. Thursday-Saturday. These popular architectural and historical guided tours are operated by the Old Louisville Neighborhood. For more information go to oldlouisville.org/guided-tours.
Louisville Ghost Walk Tour. Meet at the statue of Mr. Brown, on the 4th Street side of the Brown Hotel, 7 p.m. Fridays. Join Mr. Ghost Walker for a 90-minute walking tour of downtown Louisville's most famous addresses. Hear stories told by author Robert Parker, of the Haunted Louisville series of books, telling the stories of ghosts from murder, mystery, death, restless spirits, and intrigue. Reservations are requested. $18 per person. Information and reservations: 502-689-5117; louisvilleghostwalkingtour.com
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Concerts in Louisville May 2022
An Evening of Live Drugs featuring The War on Drugs. Thursday, 8 p.m., Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, 724 Brent St. Tickets start at $47. kentuckyperformingarts.org.
Bombino. Thursday, 8 p.m., Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St. Tickets start at $15. zanzabarlouisville.com.
JD Shelburne, Southern Sirens. Performing country music. Part of the FridayFest Concert Series. Friday, 6 p.m., Highview Park, 7201 Outer Loop. Local vendors will have food options. Bring a chair or blanket. Sponsored by Metro Councilmembers James Peden, Madonna Flood and Mark Fox. Free.
Sheryl Rouse and the Unlimited Band, Tyrone Cotton. Part of the Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series. Friday, 6:30 p.m., Bicentennial Park, 118 Spring St., New Albany. Free.
Tech N9ne, Joe Cool, X-Raided, Mayday. Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Road. Tickets: $32 advance, $35 day of show. headlinerslouisville.com.
Sondre Lerche. Saturday, 8 p.m., Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St. Tickets start at $18. zanzabarlouisville.com.
PRIMUS: A Tribute to Kings. With Battles. Monday, 8 p.m., Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, 724 Brent St. Tickets start at $37. kentuckyperformingarts.org.
Jave Men. Tuesday, 8 p.m., Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St. Tickets start at $12. zanzabarlouisville.com.
Matt Heckler, Julian Ray Sikes. Wednesday, 8 p.m., Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St. Tickets start at $13. zanzabarlouisville.com.
Theater shows in Louisville May 2022
“Ali Summit.” Part of Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival of New Plays. In 1967, world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali met with a group of the top black athletes in the country, who questioned him about his conscientious objection to serving in the Vietnam War. This virtual project is a collaboration between playwright Idris Goodwin, director Robert Barry Fleming, and the extended reality storytellers and immersive artists of Crux Cooperative. Streaming now. Recommended for ages 13 and older. Pay-What-You-Can. This means you can select the price you’d like to pay. Please consider the number of people that may stream this project with you, and select a price that works best for you. $15-$100. For more information on tickets or how to watch, visit ActorsTheatre.org; 502-584-1205.
“Steel Magnolias.” Derby Dinner Playhouse presents the story of a circle of friends who gossip at Truvy’s Beauty Shop each week as they lean on one another for support through life’s tragedies and triumphs. Thursday-next Saturday, 7:45 p.m.; Sunday, 1:30 and 7:45 p.m.; Wednesday, 1 and 7:45 p.m., at the playhouse, 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Indiana. Ends July 3. $39-$49. 812-288-8281.
“Still Ready.” Actors Theatre of Louisville show blends Ken’s inspired original songs and Christina’s evocative artwork and spoken word poetry, celebrating faith, family, and the joy of expansive Black and Afro-Latina artistry. Saturday and Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 7 p.m.; next Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m., Bingham Theatre, 316 W. Main St. Ends June 5. Tickets start at $20. actorstheatre.org.
“Twelfth Night.” Kentucky Shakespeare Festival presents Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy of mistaken identity, music, and the madness of love, where nobody is quite what they seem and anything is possible. Thursday-Sunday and Wednesday, 8 p.m., Central Park, 1340 S 4th St. Food trucks, 6 p.m.; Kids’ Globe, Will’s Gift Shop and Will’s Tavern, 7 p.m.; performance, 8 p.m. Ends July 22. Free. kyshakespeare.com.
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More events this week in Louisville
Kentucky Science Center. 727 W. Main St., 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Do Science at Kentucky Science Center’s 50,000 square feet of fun on Main Street. Get hands-on with fun exhibits, see a movie or tinker in MakerPlace. Advanced tickets are strongly encouraged; visit kysciencecenter.org to purchase.
Speed Art Museum: Speed Online. Features art activities; view films from the Speed Cinema; coloring page; Make Your Own Story, inspired by the exhibition Loose Nuts: Burt Hurley’s West End Story. Participants become the author, illustrators and creators of their own book, and more. For more information, visit speedmueum.org.
Louisville Parks and Recreation Golf Courses: Golf courses are open from daylight to dark seven days a week. In the clubhouses, food service will be limited to take-out only.
Bobby Nichols Golf Course, 4301 E. Pages Lane. 9 holes. 502-937-9051
Charlie Vettiner Golf Course, 10207 Mary Dell Lane. 18 holes. 502-267-9958
Cherokee Golf Course, 2501 Alexander Road. 9 holes. 502-458-9450
Crescent Hill Golf Course, 3110 Brownsboro Road. 9 holes. 502-896-9193
Iroquois Golf Course, 1501 Rundill Road. 18 holes. 502-363-9520
Long Run Golf Course, 1605 Flat Rock Road. 18 holes. 502-245-9015
Seneca Golf Course, 2300 Pee Wee Reese Blvd. 18 holes. 502-458-9298
Shawnee Golf Course, 460 Northwestern Parkway. 18 holes. 502-776-9389
Sun Valley Golf Course, 6505 Bethany Lane. 18 holes. 502-937-9228
Quail Chase Golf Course, 7000 Cooper Chapel Road. 27 holes. 502-239-2110
Louisville Free Public Library is offering free digital services, including E-books, 160 popular magazines; At the Library series, a podcast featuring author talks, programs and events at the Louisville Free Public Library; Kanopy: a streaming video service that showcases more than 30,000 films, including award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films, and world cinema; Lynda.com — an online learning resource offering more than 4,000 video courses covering everything from Microsoft Office to the Adobe Creative Suite, public speaking to business marketing, computer programming, IT management, photography, and more. For more information, visit lfpl.org.
Reach Features news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 60+ Louisville things to do this week: May 2022 events calendar
