From free concerts to Bats games & more, 23 things to do Memorial Day weekend in Louisville
Memorial Day weekend is the first holiday weekend of the summer and is packed with fun activities and events, starting with a concert with Uncle Boojie's Roots Revue Fest in Paristown; shopping at the Kentucky Flea Market Memorial Day Spectacular; Abbey Road on the River music festival; Kentucky Kingdom, concerts, baseball and more.
Here is a list of things to do around Louisville for the holiday weekend, in date order:
Friday, May 24
Kentucky Flea Market Memorial Day Spectacular
WHAT: Shop at the annual Memorial Day Spectacular, with 600 booths filled with dealers selling antiques, jewelry, clothes, bath & body, and surplus.
WHEN: May 24-25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; May 26, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; May 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: West Wing at the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane
COST: Free admission. Parking is $12 per vehicle
MORE INFORMATION: kyexpo.org.
Holiday World/Splashin' Safari
WHAT: With rides and attractions, including roller coasters, children’s rides, games, shows, and much more. Free soft drinks, sunscreen and parking.
WHERE: 452 E. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, Ind.
WHEN: Holiday World: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 24; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 25-27. Splashin’ Safari: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 25-27
COST: Tickets start at $64.99; free for ages two and younger.
MORE INFORMATION: 812-937-4401; holidayworld.com.
Abbey Road on the River
WHAT: The largest Beatles and classic rock tribute festival features performances by 50 bands and tributes to Queen, Joe Cocker, Bruce Springsteen, The Doors, Chicago, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, and more. Also, interactive art installations, food and bar services, retail vendors, and a children’s playground area.
WHERE: Big Four Station Park, 222 W. Maple St., Jeffersonville, Indiana
WHEN: May 24-26, noon to midnight; May 27, 2:30-10 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $60; parking pass starts at $15
MORE INFORMATION: For a list of bands performing visit, arotr.com.
Churchill Downs Military Appreciation Day
WHAT: Military Appreciation Day (May 27). Active-duty military or retired veterans showing a valid I.D. will receive free admission. Guests may contact group sales at 502-636-4450.
WHERE: 700 Central Ave.
WHEN: May 24-27, 12:45 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $10.
MORE INFORMATION: churchilldowns.com
Belle of Louisville/Mary M. Miller Cruises
WHAT: Cruises Memorial Day weekend
May 24: Our River City. Learn about the magic of the River City aboard the Belle of Louisville (1 p.m.). $14.99-$24.99. Cruise and dine aboard the Mary M. Miller (7 p.m.). $36.99-$62.99 (includes meal), $14-99-$24.99 (cruise only).
May 25: McAlpine Locks. See what it’s like to pass through the Locks, which were built in the 1920s and the only safe way to navigate past the Falls of the Ohio (12:30 p.m.), $34.99-$66.99 (includes meal), $21.99-$34.99 (no meal). Bell Sunset Cruise. Soak in the final moments of the sun on board the Belle with live music (8 p.m.). $21.99-$34.99
MAY 26: SundayFunDay. Turn your Sunday into Sunday FunDay aboard the Belle of Louisville with DJ Jill and a meal (1 p.m.), $25.99-$38.99 (includes meal), $14.99-$24.99 (no meal).
WHERE: Fourth and River Road
WHEN: May 24-26
MORE INFORMATION: belleoflouisville.org.
Uncle Boojie's Roots Revue Fest
WHAT: Two days of bluegrass, roots, and folk music. Food and beverages will be available at The Cafe & The Village Market Food Hall.
Performers:
Friday: Gary Brewer & the Kentucky Ramblers, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, The Seldom Scene, Dean Osborne Band, Marion Halliday & Trickerster Sister.
Saturday: Darrell Scott, John Cowan’s Newgrass All Stars, Mama Said String Band, Bibelhauser Brothers, Steve Cooley & Company, KSBTM Mountain Traditional Ensemble
WHERE: Paristown, 731 Brent St.
WHEN: Gates open at 4 p.m. on May 24 and noon on May 25
COST: Tickets start at $25 for a two-day general admission, $10 for ages 11-17, free for ages 10 and younger; $85 for a two-day VIP and includes a dedicated bar, air-conditioned bathrooms, seating, and prime viewing area. Parking starts at $15 for two days.
MORE INFORMATION: paristown.com.
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
WHAT: The lantern festival is one of the largest lantern festivals in the nation with new lantern displays highlighting life under the sea as well as ancient Chinese mythological characters. Dive deep and celebrate the vibrant colors of the coral reefs, see nature come to life with interactive moving displays and explore ancient Chinese myths and legends, including magnificent dragons and a breathtaking phoenix tunnel.
WHEN: May 24-26, 7-10 p.m. (Ends June 16)
WHERE: Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevilian Way
COST: Tickets for the general public start at $23 for adults and $19 for children and seniors Friday and Saturday, $22 and $18 for Sunday; $21 for adults and $17 for children for Zoo member Friday and Saturday, $20 and $16 Sunday. For families of four of the general public tickets are $70 and members are $60. Children 2 and under are free. Parking $7.
MORE INFORMATION: Ends June 16. louisvillezoo.org/wild-lights.
Louisville Bats Memorial Day Weekend Bash
WHAT: Louisville Bats vs the Toledo Mud Hens
Game highlights:
May 24: Friends and Family Night. Treat the whole family to a night at the ballpark with a family pack that includes four outfield reserve seats, four hats, four hot dogs and four sodas (special ticketing). The Bats will break out the Stars and Stripes jerseys for the first time this season. Postgame fireworks show and Margarita Madness, $6 frozen margaritas and cocktails.
May 25: Bats will become their alternate identity for the night, the Louisville Mashers. Enjoy $4 wine pours, cocktails, slushies and craft beer. Performer: Tyler's Amazing Balancing Act. Also, bourbon flight tasting for ages 21 and older.
May 26: $3 non-alcoholic slushies, inflatables for children (in the Hall of Fame) and kids run the bases after the game. $8 Kid's Admission for outfield seats, in advance only.
WHERE: Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St.
WHEN: May 24, 25, 7:15 p.m.; May 26, 1:05 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $9
MORE INFORMATION: milb.com.
'My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding'
WHAT: Claire, a recent divorcee and a lost soul wrestling with her identity, falls in love with Jane, a feisty Wiccan. Claire also rediscovers her Judaism and finds the courage to come out to her teenage son David, her ex-husband Garth, and her homophobic Jewish mother. By Pandora Productions.
WHERE: Henry Clay, 604 S. 3rd. St.
WHEN: May 24, 25, 7:30 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $20
MORE INFORMATION: pandoraprods.org.
'The Sweet Delilah Swim Club'
WHAT: Derby Dinner Playhouse presents the comedy about five southern women whose friendships began on their college swim team and span a lifetime.
WHERE: 525 Marriott Dr., Clarksville
WHEN: May 24-25, 7:45 p.m.; May 26, 1:30 and 7:45 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $45
MORE INFORMATION: 812-288-8281; derbydinner.com.
'Chicago'
WHAT: The rock band will perform some of their many hits, "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," "Does Anyone Know What Time it is?," "Beginnings" and more.
WHERE: Louisville Palace, 625 S. Fourth St.
WHEN: May 24, 8 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $98
MORE INFORMATION: louisvillepalace.com.
St. Owsley
WHAT: A tribute to the music of Jerry Garcia.
WHERE: Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St.
WHEN: May 24, 8 p.m.
COST: $15
MORE INFORMATION: For ages 18 and older. zanzabarlouisville.com.
Gasolina: Reggaeton Party
WHAT: Dance party featuring the sounds of classic and current reggaeton and Latin EDM music.
WHERE: Mercury Ballroom, 611 S. Fourth St.
WHEN: May 24, 9 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $13
MORE INFORMATION: For ages 18 and older. mercuryballroom.com
Saturday, May 25
Kentucky Kingdom/Hurricane Bay
WHAT: With more than 70 rides and attractions, including roller coasters, children’s rides, games, shows, wavepools, towering slides, pint-sized rides and much more.
WHERE: Watterson Expressway and the Fairgrounds
WHEN: Kentucky Kingdom: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 25-26; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 27. Hurricane Bay: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 25-26; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 27.
COST: Single-day admission: $29.99 to $49.99. Parking $12, $25 bus.
MORE INFORMATION: 502-813-8200; kentuckykingdom.com.
More: When does Kentucky Kingdom open in 2024? How much do tickets cost? Rides? What to know
'Fancy Nancy the Musical'
WHAT: Derby Dinner Playhouse presents the show based on the best-selling book series Fancy Nancy. In this show, Fancy Nancy is performing in her very first show and desperately wants to be a mermaid.
WHERE: 525 Marriott Dr., Clarksville
WHEN: May 25. Breakfast, 9 a.m. show, 10 a.m. Lunch, noon, show 1:15 p.m.
COST: Breakfast, $18; lunch $23
MORE INFORMATION: 812-288-8281; derbydinner.com.
Family Fun Run 5k
WHAT: Louisville Parks and Recreation is hosting a fun run. The course will loop runners through Shawnee Park and into Chickasaw Park, ending back at Shawnee Park near the basketball courts.
WHERE: Starts at Shawnee Park, 4501 W. Broadway
WHEN: May 25. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the race starts at 10 a.m.
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: The onsite day of registration is near tennis courts on the Souther Western Parkway side of the park. Participants can use the parking lot off Southwestern Parkways and Shawnee Park Road to park. 502-574-7922.
Le Moo Drag Brunch
WHAT: Host Dusty Ray Bottoms. Performers include Chasity Marie, Jayda Mack, Stevie Dicks, Sydni Hampton and Zsa Zsa May 25). Chasity Marie, Champagne and Jessica Marie Jones (May 26).
WHERE: 2300 Lexington Road
WHEN: May 25-26, 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
COST: $43 plus tax and gratuity
MORE INFORMATION: lemoodragbrunch.com/shows.
Gazebo Festival
WHAT: Jack Harlow and SZA headline the festival that features 26 acts on two stages for two days.
Performers:
May 25: SZA, Dom Haley, Paris Texas, Ravyn Lenae, Jordan Ward, James Black, Vince Staples (Gazebo Stage). Shy, Karri, Karrahbooo, Larry June, Rich Homie Quan, Majid Jordan (Garden Stage).
May 26: Jack Harlo, Coop Le Moderne, Malcolm Todd, Amaarae, Channel Tres, Omar Apollo, PinkPantheress (Gazrbo Stage). Ace Pro, James Savage, Dahi, Slum Village, BNYX, Veeze (Garden Stage).
WHERE: Great Lawn, Waterfront Park
WHEN: May 25-26, 2-11 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $155 general admission, $395 VIP per day; $255 general admission, $740 VIP for weekend tickets
MORE INFORMATION: gazebofest.com.
More: When is Gazebo Festival? Here's everything to know about Jack Harlow's two-day music festival
'Abducted by the 80s'
WHAT: With Chung and Naked Eyes.
WHERE: Mercury Ballroom, 611 S. Fourth St.
WHEN: May 25, 8 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $24
MORE INFORMATION: mercuryballroom.com.
'80s Mixtape Show'
WHAT: Featuring Vinyl Richie.
WHERE: Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St.
WHEN: May 25, 8 p.m.
COST: $20
MORE INFORMATION: For ages 18 and older. zanzabarlouisville.com.
Sunday, May 26
Jeffersontown 30th Annual Memorial Day Program
WHAT: The Memorial Day program features Lieutenant Colonel Steven Martin, USMC (retired), keynote speaker; also, patriotic music and a performance by Kosair Shrine Dance Band.
WHERE: Veterans Plaza, Jeffersontown Veterans Memorial Park, 7 miles south of Gaslight Square on Taylorsville Road
WHEN: May 26, 6 p.m.
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: In case of rain the program will be held inside the Jeffersonian, 10617 Taylorsville Road.
Gabe Evens Trio
WHAT: Tribute to Keith Jarrett, one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time.
WHERE: The Cafe, 731 Brent St.
WHEN: May 26, 7:30 p.m.
COST: $20
MORE INFORMATION: paristown.com.
Monday, May 27
American Legion Post 39 Memorial Day Program
WHAT: Honor those who served their country, especially those who paid the ultimate price. Guest speaker and a performance by the Oldham County Community Band.
WHERE: Veterans Memorial Park of Kentucky, Veterans Memorial Parkway, Crestwood
WHEN: May 27, 10 a.m. to noon
MORE INFORMATION: touroldham.com.
Did we miss an event? Send a note to Features News Clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What to do over Memorial Day weekend in Louisville 2024
