From free concerts to kayaks & more, 15+ things to do Memorial Day weekend in Louisville
This Memorial Day weekend is packed with various activities and events, from a huge flea market to free concerts, live performances, theme parks and more. Here is a list of things to do around Louisville from May 26-29.
May 26
Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series
WHAT: The Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series returns with free concerts. This Friday, Billy Goat Strut Revue, Ida Clare.
WHERE: Bicentennial Park, corner of Spring and Pearl streets, New Albany
WHEN: May 26, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
COST: Free
Kentucky Flea Market Memorial Day Spectacular
WHAT: Shop at the annual Memorial Day Spectacular which will have 600 booths filled with quality dealers selling antiques, jewelry, clothes, bath and body, and surplus.
WHERE: West Wing, Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane
WHEN: May 26-27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; May 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; May 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
COST: Free admission. Parking is $12 per vehicle with $6 cash back with any purchase
MORE INFORMATION: kyexpo.org
FridayFest Concert Series
WHAT: FridayFest concert series returns with The Brass Pack and Animal Tracks.
WHERE: Highview Park, 7201 Outer Loop (enter through Briscoe Lane)
WHEN: May 26, 6-10 p.m.
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: Children’s activities, food trucks with a variety of food options. Bring a chair or blanket. Facebook.
Wild Lights Festival
WHAT: Enjoy one of the largest lantern festivals in the nation with over 50,000 LED lights, 18 interactive displays, 8 animated lanterns, and 10 light-changing pieces. The lantern festival has a new lineup for 2023. Featuring a walk-through cobra corridor, a giant blue morpho butterfly, a 9-foot, shark-themed photo opportunity, the Statue of Liberty, the Sydney Opera House, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and more.
WHERE: Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevilian Way
WHEN: May 26-28, 6:30-10 p.m.
COST: Tickets for the general public are $22 and member tickets are $19 for a single ticket. For families of four of the general public tickets are $75 and members are $65. Children 2 and under are free. Parking is $7.
MORE INFORMATION: louisvillezoo.org/wild-lights.
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Abbey Road on the River
WHAT: The largest Beatles tribute concert. Headliners: include Micky Dolenz; Tony Kishman’s Live and Let Die: the music of Paul McCartney; Back to Mac; BritBeat and Classicstone.
WHERE: Big Four Station Park, 222 W. Maple St., Jeffersonville, Indiana
WHEN: May 26-28, noon to midnight; May 29, 1-10 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $40; shuttles pass from hotels starts at $45
MORE INFORMATION: arotr.com.
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Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park
WHAT: "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." The comedy follows four young lovers and a bumbling band of players in an enchanted forest realm of fairies and moonlight revels.
WHERE: C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater, Central Park, 1340 S. Fourth St.
WHEN: May 26-28. Food trucks open, at 6 p.m.; Will’s Tavern, Will’s Gift Shop, and Kids’ Globe open, at 7 p.m.; pre-show performance, 7:15 p.m.; show begins at 8 p.m.
COST: Free.
MORE INFORMATION: kyshakespeare.com.
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Holiday World/Splashin’ Safari
WHAT: Rides and attractions, including roller coasters, children’s rides, games, shows, and much more. Free soft drinks, sunscreen and parking. Shows: Dive! and Holidog & Friends.
WHERE: 452 E. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, Indiana
WHEN: Holiday World: May 26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; May 27-29, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Splashin’Safari: May 26, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; May 27-29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $62.99; free for ages two and younger.
MORE INFORMATION: 812-937-4401; holidayworld.com.
'Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman (Saules aveugles, femme endormie)'
WHAT: A lost cat, a giant talkative frog, and a tsunami help a bank employee without ambition, his frustrated wife, and a schizophrenic accountant to save Tokyo from an earthquake and find meaning in their lives in the animated film.
WHERE: Speed Museum, 2035 S. Third St.
WHEN: May 26, 6 p.m.; May 27, 3 and 6 p.m.; May 28, 3 p.m.
COST: $12, $8 Speed members
MORE INFORMATION: Recommended for ages 16 and older. speedmuseum.org.
May 27
Fleur De Flea Vintage Urban Market
WHAT: More than 200 vendors selling vintage, vinyl, antiques, collectibles, funk, junk, curiosities, industrial, food trucks and beer and specialty cocktails will also be available.
WHERE: Waterfront Park, 213 Witherspoon St.
WHEN: May 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: ourwaterfront.org/events.
Billy Porter - Black Mona Lisa Tour: Volume One
WHAT: Billy Porter is a multi-faceted, Grammy-winning artist with an eclectic catalog of songs. He will perform some of his hits "Love Is on the Way" and "Love Yourself," and songs from his new album, Black Mona Lisa.
WHERE: Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th St.
WHEN: May 27, 8 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $25
MORE INFORMATION: louisvillepalace.com.
Kentucky Kingdom/Hurricane Bay
WHAT: With more than 70 rides and attractions, including roller coasters, children’s rides, games, shows, and much more.
WHERE: Watterson Expressway and the Fairgrounds
WHEN: Kentucky Kingdom: May 27-28, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; May 29; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hurricane Bay: May 27-28, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; May 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
COST: Single-day admission: $49.99. Parking $12
MORE INFORMATION: 502-813-8200; kentuckykingdom.com.
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Racing Louisville City FC vs North Carolina Courage
WHAT: Racing Louisville FC is part of the National Women's Soccer League. T-shirt give-a-way.
WHERE: Lynn Family Stadium, 350 Adams St.
WHEN: May 27, 8 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $12
MORE INFORMATION: $2 beer in the fan zone from before kickoff. racingloufc.com.
May 28
Jeffersontown 29th Annual Memorial Day Program
WHAT: The Memorial Day program features Lieutenant Colonel Darien L. Kearns, 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 28, 6 p.m.
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: In case of rain the program will be held inside the Jeffersonian, 10617 Taylorsville Road
Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade: The Summer of Green Tour
WHAT: With special guest Neal Francis.
WHERE: Iroquois Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Road
WHEN: May 28, 7:30 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $45.50.
MORE INFORMATION: iroquoisamphitheater.com.
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Rock The Belle Old School Memorial Day Weekend Boat Ride: The Continuation
WHAT: Old School Rock The Belle Memorial Day Weekend Boat Ride with DJ Kaos, DJ Rob Mac and M3 Event.
WHERE: Belle of Louisville, 401 W. River Road
WHEN: May 28, 6:30-10 p.m.
COST: Starts at $40
MORE INFORMATION: eventbrite.com.
Goodtimers Memorial Day Weekend Day Party
WHAT: With DJs Bandcamp, Emptybeats and John Q, drink specials, hookah available and cigar lounge by Smoke Easy Lounge.
WHERE: Rooftop and inside, Ice House, 226 E. Washington St.
WHEN: May 28, 5-10 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $24.50
MORE INFORMATION: Stylish and fitted attire is required. eventbrite.com.
May 29
Mayor's Hike, Bike & Paddle
WHAT: Enjoy various fitness activities from yoga and Zumba to Tai Chi, hiking, biking and paddling at the Mayor's Hike, Bike and Paddle.
Hikers: This year’s hike will consist of a 4-mile walk with multiple marked turnaround points throughout. From the Great Lawn follow the Ohio River east to Beargrass Creek Pump Station.
Bikers: Cycle a 15.7-mile bike ride from the Great Lawn to Iroquois Park and back. The roads will be closed for safe travel to Iroquois, and there will be individuals riding along to help with any roadside assistance.
Paddlers: Will have the option of launching at the Harbor Lawn or the University of Louisville Boat Docks and paddle downstream to meet the other paddlers. This year’s paddle will go east along the Ohio River shoreline to the Beargrass Creek Pump Station and back.
Following the event: Goodbounce Pickleball Yard will host an after-party at their facility (about 1 p.m., 1515 River Shore Drive) offering free yard games, with food and beverage available for purchase.
WHERE: Great Lawn, Waterfront Park
WHEN: May 29, 8 a.m. there will be free fitness activities and cricket with the Louisville Cricket Club, pickleball, and Pound and Hype fitness demonstrations. The Hike, Bike & Paddle will begin at 10 a.m.
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: hikebikeandpaddle.org.
Spring Meet at Churchill Downs
WHAT: Military Appreciation Day. Attendees showing a valid I.D. will receive free general admission or a discounted ticket to Millionaires Row or Skye Terrace while supplies last. Guests may contact group sales at 502-636-4450.
WHERE: 700 Central Ave.
WHEN: May 29, 12:45 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $10.
MORE INFORMATION: churchilldowns.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 2023
