From 'Bunnicula' to 'Elf The Musical,' 13 kid-friendly concerts happening in Louisville
Looking for something to do with your kids? Louisville has tons of family-friendly performances and concerts taking place around town during the next few weeks, including "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert," "Bunnicula," "Peppa Pig's Sing-Along Party!," "Nutcracker In a Nutshell" and more. Here are more than a dozen kid-friendly concerts and shows to check out from now through the holiday season.
'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert'
Kentucky Performing Arts presents this show, which blends symphonic orchestral music with hip-hop, paired with a screening of the Academy Award-winning animated film "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" with live musicians and turntables featuring a DJ scratcher live on stage. Song contributions by Post Malone, Lil Wayne, Jaden Smith, and Nicki Minaj. The film was released in 2018 and is recommended for all ages. It takes place at the Brown Theatre, 315 W. Broadway, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Tickets start at $46.22. Find more details at kentuckyperformingarts.org.
'Bunnicula'
It’s a dark and stormy night and Chester the cat and Harold the dog sit waiting for their humans to return home from the movies. When they get home, they come bearing a surprise, a bunny! Presented by StageOne Family Theatre. The show takes place at the Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St., at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 28. Tickets start at $17.55. Find more details at kentuckyperformingarts.org.
Louisville Orchestra: Once Upon An Orchestra
"Once Upon An Orchestra" is the Louisville Orchestra's family concert series that features interactive storytelling through music performances. Prior to each performance, Louisville Orchestra staff will lead a craft activity using recycled materials and audience members can play their homemade instruments during the shows. Participants should read the featured book before attending each free performance. The series takes place at various Louisville Free Public Library locations from Oct. 28 through Dec. 14. Here's a schedule:
Oct. 28, 11 a.m.: Featured book, Hungry Caterpillar. Middletown Library Branch, 2556 Shelbyville Road
Nov. 11, 2 p.m.: Featured book, The Music of the Sea. Highlands-Shelby Park Library Branch, 1250 Bardstown Road
Nov. 22, 2 p.m.: Featured book, Where the Wild Things Are. Southwest Regional Library Branch 9725 Dixie Highway
Dec. 9, 11 a.m.: Featured book, Bunny's Club. Newburg Library Branch, 4800 Exeter Ave.
Dec. 14, 2:30 p.m.: Featured book: Mina. Crescent Hill Library Branch, 2762 Frankfort Ave.
'Honk! A Musical Comedy'
ACT Louisville Productions presents the story based on Hans Christian Andersen's story, "The Ugly Duckling" as he embarks on an adventure to discover the essence of self-acceptance and unconditional love. It takes place at the Studio 1A Theatre, on the first floor of St. Matthews Station, suite 14, 3900 Shelbyville Road. Show are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27; 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 28, 29; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3; 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 4; and 2 p.m. Nov. 5. Tickets starts at $25. Find more details at eventbrite.com.
'Jack Frost Saves Christmas'
This Derby Dinner Playhouse Children’s Musical Theatre show follows Jack on his adventures in Christmastown as he discovers his very icy abilities and manages to save Christmas. Shows take place at the Derby Dinner Playhouse, 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Indiana, on Nov. 11, 18, 24, 25, and Dec. 2, 4, 9, 16, and 23. Breakfast shows begin at 9 a.m. and lunch shows are at noon. The Dec. 4 dinner show is at 5:45 p.m. Breakfast, is $18; lunch and dinner show is $23. All performances have a kid-friendly menu. 812-288-8281 or derbydinner.com.
'Peppa Pig's Sing-Along Party!'
Peppa, George, Mummy Pig, and Daddy Pig are throwing a sing-along party. In this new show, Peppa and friends teach some of their favorite songs. Dance, clap, and sing with Peppa and her family along with Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep, and Gerald Giraffe. Recommended for all ages. The show takes place at the Brown Theatre, 315 W. Broadway, at 2 p.m. on Nov. 18. Tickets start at $34.52. kentuckyperformingarts.org.
'KIDZ BOP Never Stop Live Tour'
The family-friendly show features the KIDZ BOP Kids, Cliff, Kiya, Shila, and Tyler, performing today's biggest pop hits live on stage, like "Anti-Hero," 'Cuff It," "As It Was," and more. It takes place at the Louisville Palace, 625 S. Fourth St., at 7 p.m. Nov. 22. Tickets start at $39. louisvillepalace.com.
Louisville Orchestra 'Santa's Symphony Spectacular'
Kick off the holidays with “Santa’s Symphony Spectacular," featuring your favorite songs of the season, festive activities, Santa visits, and a special reading of ‘Night Before Christmas’. Bob Bernhardt is the conductor and it features Kent Hatteberg as choir director and Shayna Steele, as vocals. Part of the Family Series, it takes place at Whitney Hall, Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St., at 11 a.m. Nov. 25. Tickets start at $17. louisvilleorchestra.org.
'Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live!'
The popular show for children and adults is back. Based on the No. 1 PBS Kids TV and Emmy Award-winning series, join Daniel, O the Owl, Miss Elaina, Katerina Kittycat, Prince Wednesday, and more familiar friends for a brand-new adventure in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe where Daniel learns just what it takes to be King. The family-friendly show takes place at the Louisville Palace, 625 S. Fourth St., at 3 p.m. Nov. 26. Tickets start at $57. Find more details at louisvillepalace.com.
'Elf The Musical'
Shelby County Community Theatre presents a story based on the holiday classic "Elf". The comedy follows Buddy the Elf, a young orphan, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole and his quest to find his true identity. The show takes place at the Shelby County Community Theatre, 801 Main St., Shelbyville, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 7-9; and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 10. Tickets start $15. 502-633-0242, shelbytheatre.org.
'Nutcracker In a Nutshell'
Magic Inc. (Making Art Grow in Children) presents this short version of the classic holiday story with Clara and the Mouse Kings and a journey to the Land of the Sweets. It takes place at the Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th St., at 2 p.m. Dec. 2. Tickets are $30. Find more information at louisvillepalace.com.
'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever'
StageOne presents the story of the Herdmans. The worst kids in the world, they lie, steal, and cheat and have bullied their way into the church's Christmas pageant. It takes place at the Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St., at 2 and 5 p.m. on Dec. 9, 16 and 23. Tickets start at $17.55. Find more information at kentuckyperformingarts.org.
'A Christmas Carol'
Louisville Orchestra and StageOne present a symphonic retelling of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" in concert. A harmonious blend of storytelling and beloved Christmas Carols. With conductor Gabriel Lefkowitz. The show takes place at the Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave., at 8 p.m. Dec. 13-15. Tickets start at $35. Find more details or purchase tickets at louisvilleorchestra.org.
Reach features news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kid-friendly concerts, shows and performances in Louisville 2023
