FRIDAY
Light Up Louisville | Downtown
Light Up Louisville has been a tradition for more than three decades for thousands of residents and visitors to our city. Heading into its 36th year, Light Up Louisville will serve as a kickoff celebration to Louisville's Holiday in the City. Events include the Run, Run Rudolph 5K at 4 p.m., Lots of Lights Parade at 7 p.m. and Santa's arrival at 8 p.m.! Once Santa arrives, he and Mayor Fischer will light up the city. There will also be musical performances, including Dave Moisan!
When: November 25, 4-11 p.m.
Where: Holiday Square, Plaza at Fourth & Jefferson St.
Website: Light Up Louisville [4]
Cost: Free to attend
Opening of Christmas Tree Lane | Waterfront Park
Celebrate the holidays by visiting Christmas Tree Lane and purchasing your tree and holiday greenery at Waterfront Park. Trees and greenery selections will include Scotch Pine, White Pine, Frazier Fir, Balsam Fir, Douglass Fir and Spruce varieties from North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nova Scotia and Vermont. Other items include wreaths, door charms, small trees and garlands. Christmas Tree Lane will open this Friday and stay open every day until Dec. 24th.
When: November 25, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park, 1 River Road
Website: Christmas Tree Lane [5]
Cost: Free to attend
Jim James | Louisville Palace
91.9 WFPK presents Jim James with Twin Lamb! Whether it’s collaborating with his bandmates, recording guest vocals or hand-picking opening acts, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James has always radiated a spirit of camaraderie with his fellow musicians. $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to My Morning Jacket's The Waterfall Project.
When: November 25, 8-11 p.m.
Where: Louisville Palace, 625 S. Fourth St.
Website: Jim James [6]
Cost: $35
Jim James Pre-Show Party | The Monkey Wrench
Stop by the Monkey Wrench and grab a couple drinks before seeing Jim James. They'll also be hosting a toy drive, so bring a toy if you can!
When: November 25, 4-8 p.m.
Where: The Monkey Wrench, 1052 Barret Ave.
Website: Monkey Wrench [7]
Cost: Free to attend
Black Friday Blackout | Nachbar
In honor of Black Friday, Nachbar is tapping sixteen beers "through which you cannot see light." Lovers of stouts and porters, this is your night - but how can you not love beers with names like Evil Twin Liquid Double Fudge and Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout?
When: November 25, 2 p.m.-4 a.m.
Where: Nachbar, 969 Charles St.
Website: Black Friday Blackout [8]
Cost: Free to attend
Ballotin Whiskey Presents: Eat, Drink, Donate | Gerstle's Place
Ballotin Whiskey and Gerstle’s welcome you to eat, drink, donate and play on Black Friday! Canned goods, gloves, hats, socks and anything else yo bring will be donated to Wayside Christian Mission's Christmas Assistance Program, which provides Christmas presents and clothing to low-income families and individuals.
When: November 25, noon-7 p.m.
Where: Gerstle's Place, 3801 Frankfort Ave.
Website: Eat, Drink, Donate [9]
Cost: Free to attend
UnFarewell: Artist Reception | Louis's The Ton
This month The Ton hosts a group show of artists all featured in another arts organization known as the UnFair in September. Many of these folks have a long history of involvement with said annual art festival and have helped make it what it is today. Featured artists: Kristina Bowersmith, Lisa M. DuPree, Mike Gutterman and DRTY AWSM. Come check it out! All art is for sale.
When: November 25, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Louis's The Ton, 1601 Story Ave.
Website: UnFarewell [10]
Cost: Free to attend
In Celebration of Women Artists | Mellwood Art Center
The history of women’s art can be a reflection of women’s struggle over identity, equality, education, career and their position in and contribution to the culture of a society. This exhibition is born of a need to examine the modern woman artist’s relationship to our culture at this historic moment with the United States poised between the potential of the first woman President and stark reminders of a pervasive global background of misogyny and discrimination.
When: November 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave.
Website: In Celebration of Women Artists [11]
Cost: Free to attend
Louisville Improvisors Present: The Day After | The Bard's Town
Louisville Improvisors are the originators of ensemble improvisation in Louisville. Since 1999, they've continued to explore the unique art form of theatrical improvisation. Their concept shows walk the tightrope of unscripted theatre, combining traditional stage work with the unpredictable elements of improv. The result is an adrenaline pumping night where anything goes...and usually does.
When: November 25, 10-11 p.m.
Where: The Bard's Town, 1801 Bardstown Road
Website: Louisville Improvisors [12]
Cost: $5
SATURDAY
Cirque Musica Home for the Holidays | The Kentucky Center
Bring the family to home for the holidays with Cirque Musica and experience all the excitement in a kid-sized holiday show. Christmas and holiday music plus acrobats and dazzling effects in a 60-minute performance with no intermission. Best suited for children ages 3-10.
When: November 26, 11 a.m.-noon
Where: Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St.
Website: Cirque Musica [13]
Cost: $15
Light Up Corydon
Head out to Indiana for Light Up Corydon this Saturday! There will be festivities all day, including free carriage ride, children's crafts, prize drawings, costumed characters, live music and more! At 6:45 p.m., Santa will arrive and light up the square.
When: November 26, noon-9 p.m.
Where: Historic Corydon, IN 47112
Website: Light Up Corydon [14]
Cost: Free to attend
Make Local: $5 Drop-In Paintings | Side by Side Studio
Side by Side encourages imagination and creative thinking, and they provide the materials for you to create and paint as you wish! No two paintings ever look the same! However, books are available when a little inspiration is needed. This is a drop-in event and no registration is required.
When: November 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Side by Side Studio, 2528 Frankfort Ave.
Website: Drop-In Painting [15]
Cost: $5
Develop New Albany Jingle Walk |
Kick off your holiday shopping on Small Business Saturday in beautiful downtown New Albany while tasting wines from all over the region. New this year, the City Square Beer Garden with local beer samplings. Don't miss the tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m.!
When: November 26, 2-7 p.m.
Where: City Square, Corner of Market and Bank St., New Albany, IN 47150
Website: Jingle Walk [16]
Cost: $20
UofL vs. Kentucky | Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
Show your support for the Cards as they take on their biggest rival for the last home game of the year! Go Cards!
When: November 26, 7-10 p.m.
Where: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, 2800 S. Floyd St.
Website: UofL vs. Kentucky [17]
Cost: $80+
Luke Bell | Zanzabar
Luke Bell puts the cowboy back into country and western. Come out to Zanzabar on Saturday to hear him croon.
When: November 26, 9 p.m.
Where: Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St.
Website: Luke Bell [18]
Cost: $10
SUNDAY
Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Spectacular | Derby Dinner Playhouse
This holiday musical follows the comic escapades of three country gals as they reunite for a Christmas show at “The Hillbilly Heaven Club.” They bring with them a line-up of Christmas classics and country favorites perfect for the holiday season. Honky Tonk Angels has two shows on Sunday and will running through Dec. 31.
When: November 27, 1:30 & 7:45 p.m.
Where: Derby Dinner Playhouse, 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, IN 47129
Website: Honky Tonk Angels [19]
Cost: $39+
Slur Your Role | Kaiju
Nerd Louisville presents Slur Your Role, a night of roleplaying games and boozing in the belly of Kaiju on. It's Thanksgiving weekend, so to thank everyone for their continued support and the success of Nerdlouvia, Kaiju isn't requiring a donation to play.
When: November 27, 4-8 p.m.
Where: Kaiju, 1004 E. Oak St.
Website: Slur Your Role [20]
Cost: Free to attend
Makoto Kawabata & Tatsuya Nakatani | Dreamland
On the surface, guitarist Makoto Kawabata and percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani would appear to be unlikely collaborators. Save for their shared country of origin and prolific musical outputs, they seem to occupy very separate ends of the musical spectrum, but improvisation provides a space where these two unique musicians can meet on equal footing. Come hear them perform!
When: November 27, 8-11 p.m.
Where: Dreamland, 810 E. Market St.
Website: Kawabata & Nakatani [21]
Cost: Free to attend
Jodi White | Laughing Derby
Three times divorced, relationship expert Jodi White started her comedy career in Sarasota, Florida (i.e. God’s waiting room) and is now based in Louisville. Everyone can relate to her stories of life, love and heart break.
When: November 27, 7:15 p.m.
Where: The Laughing Derby, 1250 Bardstown Road
Website: Jodi White [22]
Cost: $15
Howards End | Speed Art Museum
This 4K restoration of director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant’s beloved masterpiece is an adaption of E. M Forster’s classic 1910 novel. It follows the saga of class relations and changing mores in Edwardian England. Margaret (Emma Thompson in her Oscar-winning role) and her sister Helen (Helena Bonham Carter) become involved with two couples: a wealthy industrialist (Anthony Hopkins) and his wife (Vanessa Redgrave) and a working-class man and his mistress.
When: November 27, 3 p.m.
Where: Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. Third St.
Website: Howards End [23]
Cost: $9
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