FRIDAY
Louisville SWIG | The Henry Clay
Hosted by Louisville Magazine, the party of the century is returning! Join us as we celebrate the Repeal of Prohibition and the launch of SWIG Volume (VI). The new issue will make its debut at the party and all attendees will receive a complimentary copy! Ticket includes food and drink tastes from over 50 vendors. Back by popular demand, Billy Goat Strut Revue returns with live music! Prohibition-era attire encouraged! Get your tickets early for a 10% discount!
Sponsored by Four Roses Bourbon and Universal Linen.
When: December 2, 7-10 p.m.
Where: The Henry Clay, 604 S. Third St.
Website: Louisville Swig [4]
Cost: $50 online; $55 at the door
WinterFair | Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
The 26th annual WinterFair will host its annual indoor festival of fine art and crafts. Browse unique gifts for your home and special people in your life. Up to 80 artists will display jewelry, textiles, wearable art, pottery, art glass, paintings and more. Art items are offered at all price points – just in time for the holiday giving season.
When: December 2, 2-7 p.m. & December 3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church, 4936 Brownsboro Road
Website: WinterFair [5]
Cost: Free to attend
The Book of Mormon | The Kentucky Center
Hailed by The New York Times as "the best musical of this century" and the winner of nine Tony Awards®, THE BOOK OF MORMON is the blockbuster Broadway smash from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and the Oscar®-winning composer of Disney's Frozen and Avenue Q, Bobby Lopez. This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Contains explicit language.
When: December 2, 8 p.m.; December 3, 2 & 8 p.m.; December 4, 1 & 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St.
Website: Book of Mormon [6]
Cost: $55+
Light Up the Village | Westport Village
Westport Village will host its Light Up the Village holiday celebration this Friday. Festivities will include decorations, lights, family-friendly attractions and special promotions at select shops. Westport Village is ready to help you celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. All attractions are free to the public.
When: December 2, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Westport Village, 1315 Herr Lane
Website: Light Up the Village [7]
Cost: Free to attend
BowWow Meow Boutique | Animal Care Society
The Animal Care Society, Louisville’s first No-Kill shelter, announces the 2016 BowWow Meow Boutique on Friday and Saturday at 4000 Collins Avenue , just one minute from the shelter. The public will have an opportunity to browse an extensive selection of gift baskets and items for friends, coworkers, family and pets. Baskets will include kitchen items, liquor, wine, children’s items, holiday goodies, home décor and more. All proceeds benefit the Animal Care Society and its mission to find forever homes for dogs and cats in Louisville.
When: December 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Animal Care Society, 4000 Collins Ave.
Website: BowWow Meow Boutique [8]
Cost: Free to attend
Louisville Bourbon Inn Grand Opening
Guests are invited to attend the grand opening of the Louisville Bourbon Inn this Friday! Media and guests are encouraged to arrive at 5 p.m. for the launch of the event and the ribbon cutting. During the opening, the first floor and several rooms of Louisville Bourbon Inn will be available for guests to tour. Additionally, the Inn’s Bourbon Room, located on the second floor, will feature a Premium Bourbon Tasting sponsored by Evan Williams.
When: December 2, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Louisville Bourbon Inn, 1332 S. Fourth St.
Website: Bourbon Inn Grand Opening [9]
Cost: Free to attend
DIY Ugly Holiday Shirt Night | Side By Side Studio
Come out to Side By Side Studio to make ugly holiday shirts that you can enjoy all holiday season. Shirts, puffy paint, sequins and all tacky supplies provided! This annual event fills fast so please be sure purchase your tickets soon! This event is for adults only.
When: December 2, 7-9 p.m.
Where: Side By Side Studio, 2528 Frankfort Ave.
Website: Ugly Holiday Shirt Night [10]
Cost: $25 per person; $40 per couple
Jim Needler + First Friday Hop | Goodwood Brewing
During the First Friday Trolley Hop, stop by Goodwood for a night of live music with Jim Needler. Harmonica player, singer, songwriter, guitar thumper and more. Jim had started out in 1956 as a cowboy singer along the lines of Gene Autry.
When: December 2, 7-11 p.m.
Where: Goodwood Brewing, 636 E. Main St.
Website: Jim Needler [11]
Cost: Free to attend
Xylouris White and Marisa Anderson | Zanzabar
Xylouris White is a duo comprised of long-necked lute player Giorgis Xylouris and drummer Jim White. Their music is like nothing you've heard before. Marisa Anderson is a classical guitarist, composer, writer, and social activist. Her musical signature is melding all kinds of American traditional music into minimalism, electronic music, drone, 20th century classical and improvisation.
When: December 2, 8-10 p.m.
Where: Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St.
Website: Xylouris White and Marisa Anderson [12]
Cost: $10+
SATURDAY
Bardstown Road Aglow
The 31st annual Bardstown Road Aglow is this Saturday! Come out to the Highlands for a festive night perfect for the whole family. There will be special sales and events up and down Bardstown Road, including the holiday tree light-up! Participating locations will mix their own unique holiday drink and serve it in a green-dipped Maker's Mark mug - that you can take home for $10 per drink, with proceeds going to WaterStep to support clean water.
When: December 3, 5-10 p.m.
Where: The Highlands, Bardstown Road
Website: Bardstown Road Aglow [13]
Cost: Free to attend
Vines Grand (Re)Opening Party
Vines, a wine bar and spirit shop formerly known as Vines and Canines, is hosting their reopening event Saturday night during Bardstown Road Aglow! Don't let the name change fool you--pooches are still welcome! Come in and enjoy drink specials and other fun goings-on at Vines in the Highlands.
When: December 3, 8-11:45 p.m.
Where: Vines, 1985 Douglass Blvd.
Website: Vines Reopening [14]
Cost: Free to attend
Toys for Tots, Brew for You | River City Drafthouse
This Saturday, bring any new, unwrapped toy for Toys-for-Tots at River City Drafthouse and receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win some sweet brewery swag! They'll also be tapping the highly sought after West 6th Christmas Ale. What better way to spread Christmas cheer than Toys-for-Tots and delicious beer!
When: December 3, 4 p.m.
Where: River City Drafthouse, 1574 Bardstown Road
Website: Toys for Tots, Brew for You [15]
Cost: Free to attend
Louisville Chorus Presents: Candlelight Christmas | St. Mary's
Join the Louisville Chorus for the 19th Annual Candlelight Christmas performance at St. Mary's. This event is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
When: December 3, 6-8 p.m.
Where: St. Mary's Catholic Church
Website: Candlelight Christmas [16]
Cost: $22
Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour
Come experience the beauty of Old Louisville for yourself during the 40th anniversary of the Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour. Ten Victorian mansions and townhouses on St. James Court and Belgravia Court will be open for tour and dressed for the Christmas holidays. New this year, a Premium Bourbon Tasting sponsored by the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience will be a part of your ticket. The bourbon tasting will be at the Louisville Bourbon Inn directly across from the Historic Old Louisville Visitors Center in Central Park. Bourbon tasting will be from 1-5 p.m. both days.
When: December 3 & 4, noon-6 p.m.
Where: Old Louisville Vistors Center in Central Park, 1340 S. Fourth St.
Website: Holiday Home Tour [17]
Cost: $25 in advance; $30 day of
Ira Glass: Seven Things I've Learned | Brown Theatre
Ira Glass is the host and creator of the public radio program This American Life. Each week, 2 million listeners on more than 500 public radio stations in the United States, Australia and Canada tune-in to hear the program, and another 2 million download the podcast. Under Glass’s editorial direction, This American Life has won the highest honors for broadcasting and journalistic excellence, including five Peabody awards.
When: December 3, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Brown Theatre, 315 W. Broadway
Website: Ira Glass [18]
Cost: $30+
Country Christmas | Blackacre Historic Homestead
Experience an old-fashioned family Christmas celebration at Blackacre this Saturday! Enjoy hot apple cider, a visit with Santa, Christmas treats, kids crafts and carriage rides (weather permitting).
When: December 3, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Blackacre, 3200 Tucker Station Road
Website: Country Christmas [19]
Cost: Free to attend
Breakfast with Santa | Galt House
Santa loves breakfast, especially Christmas tree-shaped pancakes! Come and join Santa for breakfast at Christmas at the Galt House Hotel. You’ll be treated to a breakfast with Christmas tree pancakes and other goodies and get your turn to tell Santa exactly what you want for Christmas. The price includes a ticket for Christmas at the Galt House Hotel!
When: December 3, 10 a.m.-noon
Where: Galt House Hotel, 140 N. Fourth St.
Website: Breakfast with Santa [20]
Cost: $20 for adult's ticket; $40 for child's ticket; ages 2 and under are free
Annual Holiday Open House | Norton Commons
Join Norton Commons for their annual Holiday Open House this Saturday. With over 60 local businesses, including boutiques, shops, salons and award-winning restaurants and bars, you’ll find something for everyone on your list. Most of the shops and restaurants will be open with holiday sales and specials. In the afternoon, they'll offer photos with Santa and carriage rides in exchange for a new, unwrapped toy donation to Toys for Tots.
When: December 3, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: Norton Commons, 10712 Meeting St,
Website: Holiday Open House [21]
Cost: Free to attend
Les Dames d'Escoffier Holiday Bake Sale | Copper & Kings
Due to the overwhelming success of its cookie sale in 2015, the Kentucky chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier (LDEIKY) is hosting their second holiday bake sale at Copper & Kings this Saturday! Shoppers can purchase some of their favorite holiday goodies prepared by more than 60 local chefs and LDEIKY members. Cookies, pies, scones, bread, cakes, candy and other assorted gifts will start at $6.
When: December 3, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Copper & Kings, 1121 E. Washington St.
Website: LDEIKY Bake Sale [22]
Cost: Free to attend
SUNDAY
A Special Holiday Screening of A Christmas Story (1983) | Louisville Palace
Come to the Palace for a special holiday screening of the 1983 classic, A Christmas Story! All ages welcome. The movie will start at 2 p.m., doors open at 1 p.m. A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the Dare to Care Food Bank.
When: December 4, 2-4 p.m.
Where: Louisville Palace, 625 S. Fourth St.
Website: A Christmas Story at the Louisville Palace [23]
Cost: $10
Teddy Abrams with Tyrone Cotton | Lola
This Sunday, Lola is excited to welcome Teddy Abrams and The Thrills with special guest Tyrone Cotton. As a Music Director of the Louisville Orchestra and Britt Festival Orchestra, Abrams is a talented conductor, pianist, clarinetist and composer. Abrams will be joined by special guest Tyrone Cotton, a captivating singer, songwriter and guitarist born and raised in Louisville. You won’t want to miss this electric performance!
When: December 4, 7-10 p.m.
Where: Lola, 1076 E. Washington St.
Website: Teddy Abrams with Tyrone Cotton [24]
Cost: $10
Louisville Women’s Basketball vs. Kentucky | KFC Yum! Center
The Lady Cards match up against Kentucky this Sunday at the Yum! Center. This infamous rivalry is sure to result in a great game.
When: December 4, 2-5 p.m.
Where: KFC Yum! Center, 1 Arena Plaza
Website: Louisville Women's Basketball vs. Kentucky [25]
Cost: $10
First Sunday Nature Hike | Bernheim Forest
Join Volunteer-Naturalist Joe Rogers during the first Sunday of each month for an engaging 45-60 minute nature walk. Registration is not required; just show up with your curiosity and comfortable walking shoes. All ages welcome.
When: December 4, 3 p.m.
Where: Bernheim Visitor’s Center, 2075 Clermont Road, Clermont, KY 40110
Website: First Sunday Nature Hike [26]
Cost: Free
Carriage Rides with Santa | Paddock Shops
Come to the Paddock Shops for free carriage rides with Santa! Get some holiday shopping done and bring any receipt totalling $25 or more from any Paddock Shops store or restaurant to get a $10 Tenant Gift Card (while supplies last).
When: December 4, noon-4 p.m.
Where: Paddock Shops, 4300 Summit Plaza Drive
Website: Carriage Rides with Santa [27]
Cost: Free to attend
LifeRhythms | Strive Center
Are you stressed? Need a chance to unwind? Looking for self-growth and learning experiences? LifeRhythms uses drums and the voice for stress management, anxiety reduction and general well-being. No musical skills or experience necessary. LifeRhythms is led by registered nurse Nina Rodahaffer and board-certified music therapist Cheyenne Mize.
When: December 4, 1 p.m.
Where: Strive Center, 622 Baxter Ave.
Website: LifeRhythms [28]
Cost: $10 (suggested donation)
Psychic Twin & Atomo | Zanzabar
Psychic Twin -- compared to music acts such as The Cocteau Twins, Siousxie and Annie Lennox -- performs songs from their debut album Strange Diary. Louisville band Atomo opens the show.
When: December 4, 9 p.m.
Where: Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St.
Website: Psychic Twin and [29]Atomo [29]
Cost: $10
Cover image courtesy of Louisville Magazine, Swig 2015