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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Thanksgiving weekend is upon us, and there are plenty of things to do and see across Kentuckiana.

Here are a selection of events, markets, concerts and more happening Thanksgiving weekend: Nov. 28 through Dec. 1. 

LIBA'S Small Business Saturday

Saturday, Nov. 30, is Small Business Saturday. It's held the day after Black Friday to encourage customers to shop small for the holidays.

The Louisville Independent Business Alliance is sponsoring a south Louisville celebration from 11 a.m.  to 3 p.m. at Colonial Gardens.

It will include shopping, college football on TV, giveaways, music, children’s activities and free coffee or hot chocolate. For more information, click here.

LIBA will also host a west Louisville celebration in partnership with MELANnaire Marketplace, Louisville Urban League and RPOP. It's also scheduled for Nov. 30, from 3-7 p.m. at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center on West Muhammad Ali Boulevard. 

Festivities will include shopping, college football on the jumbotron, giveaways, music, concessions, Santa, and children’s activities. For more information, click here.

For information and their hoLOUdays Gift Guide, click here. 

Paristown's 6th Annual Fête de Noël

Paristown is bringing back its annual holiday event starting Nov. 29 through Jan. 5.

Check out an enlarged outdoor ice-skating rink in the heart of Paristown, or take a ride on Paristown's trackless train, the Kroger Fresh Express. 

Santa will be on-hand at Santa's House for photos. The Brent Street Holiday Market will also be open, with 20 local markets. There will also be a skillet curling competition, holiday music, food and drinks.

Fête de Noël takes place at 731 Brent Street in downtown Louisville.

For more information, a schedule, tickets and special events during the festival, click here. 

Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom

For the first time ever, Kentucky Kingdom will be open for the holiday season with its inaugural Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom event.

Starting Nov. 29, guests can enjoy The Snow Zone, which includes a 175-foot snow tubing hill, more than a million Christmas lights, hundreds of Christmas trees, and a snow machine that cranks out 100 tons of snow every day.

Santa and Rudolph will also be on hand to spread some holiday cheer.

Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom is included with daily admission, or a season pass. It starts Thanksgiving weekend and runs through Jan. 4.

To learn more, click here.

Jack Harlow: No Place Like Home 2024

Jack Harlow is teaming up with The Louisville Orchestra for two nights of his hometown concert series.

No Place Like Home 2024 will be held Nov. 29-30 at Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center in downtown Louisville. 

Teddy Abrams will conduct the orchestra, merging Harlow's music "with the full power and energy of the orchestra" for the fourth rendition of the concert series.

The series will include compositions crafted by Abrams and Harlow, "reimagining some of the artist's best tracks in a genre-defying masterclass by Louisville's finest."

Proceeds from the series will benefit The Louisville Orchestra. It will also benefit educational and community programs "ensuring access to music for all Kentuckians."

Very few tickets are left for both shows. They can be purchased here.

Closing weekend at Churchill Downs

Horse racing winding down at Churchill Downs after the 135th Fall Meet. The 26-day meet is held for five weeks on Wednesdays through Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 1 at the historic horse racing track in Louisville. 

The first race starts at 1 p.m. during the Fall Meet, except for Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 28. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, which are $12 for general admission, click here.

Bonus Events:

Music, live entertainment:

  • The Blind Shades 
    • Saturday, Nov. 30 at Zanzabar, 2100 South Preston Street in Louisville
    • Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
    • With Chalk Eye and Death Leopard
    • 18+ event
    • Tickets available for $12 by clicking here

Holiday Events/For the Family: 

  • Winter Light Show & Twilight Safari Drive-Thru
    • Nov. 29 through Jan. 4 (select nights)
    • Wilstem Wildlife Park, 4229 US-150 West, Paoli, Indiana
    • Drive-through Christmas and winter-themed displays featuring traditional holiday favorites
    • Light show starts at dusk, around 6:30 p.m. and closes at 9:00 p.m.
    • $25 fee per vehicle to experience the light show only
    • The Twilight Drive-Thru Safari & Light Show also includes encounters with safari animals, including those in the Roos & Crew barn. 
    • For schedules, tickets and more information, click here 
  • Merry at the Marriott pop-up holiday bar 
    • Nov. 22 through Dec. 29
    • Open daily from 3 p.m. to midnight
    • The Louisville Marriott Downtown, West Jefferson Street
    • Open to the public
    • Special holiday menu with unique cocktails and food options
  • Christmas Tree Lane 
    • Opening for the season on Friday, Nov. 22
    • Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • 301 Witherspoon Street - Waterfront Park
    • A Louisville tradition of Christmas trees and holiday greenery by local vendor Book's Christmas Trees
    • Click here for more information
  • Lights on Main 
    • Frazier History Museum, West Main Street in downtown Louisville
    • Runs through Jan. 6
    • Three floors of trees decorated by local schools, organizations, families and individuals
    • Extended hours, holiday events and activities
    • Accessible with museum admission, or museum membership starting at $20
    • Runs Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays
    • To learn more, and look at a schedule of events as part of the exhibit, click here.
  • Lights Under Louisville
    • An annual holiday tradition in Louisville is underway. Lights Under Louisville runs through Jan. 4 at the Louisville Mega Caverns. 
    • The event features over 7 million points of light everywhere illuminating the cavern’s vast spaces underground wonderland with themed displays, some of your favorite characters, holiday music, lasers and more.
    • Daily hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. There are special hours for the upcoming holidays:
      • Thanksgiving Day 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
      • Christmas Day 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
    • A standard vehicle pass starts at $42.99. For information, click here. 
  • Gardens Aglimmer
    • Friday, Nov. 29 through Monday, Dec. 30
      • Wednesday, Dec. 11: Date Night (Ages 21+ only)
      • Monday, Dec. 16: Sensory Friendly Night
    • Adult (13+): Member $12 | Non-Member $17
    • Children (3 - 12): Member $8 | Non-Member $10
    • Children (0 - 2): Free
    • Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Ave
    • For information and tickets, click here 
  • Yuletide 2024
    • Friday, Nov. 29 to Saturday, Dec. 21 (Fridays & Saturdays)
    • Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, 6220 Old LaGrange Road, Crestwood
    • A new display of holiday lights and horticulturally-inspired décor
    • Fan-favorite train village, holiday trees, a craft for the kids, food and beverages for purchase, and a visit from Santa
    • Click here for more information
  • Light Up Charlestown
    • Friday, Nov. 29
    • 6 p.m. 
    • Greenway Park, 400 Market Street, Charlestown, Indiana 47111
    • Gather for sounds of holiday music, food trucks, and the flipping of the light switch at 6 p.m. From that moment forward, the City of Charlestown will glow with lights at Greenway Park, the City Square and the Family Activities Park. Click here for more information. 
  • Light Up Fairdale Festival and Parade
    • Saturday, Nov. 30
    • 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
    • Fairdale Village Green Park, 10714 West Manslick Road (across from the Fairdale Fire Department)
    • Santa available for photos
    • Hot chocolate, snacks, booths and activities
    • Click here for more information 
  • Light Up Jeffersontown 2023 
    • Sunday, Dec. 1 
    • 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
    • Historic Gaslight Square, in front of Jeffersontown City Hall, 10416 Watterson Trail
    • Free and family friendly
    • Visit from Santa, music, and the opening of Santa's Shop, which will accept toy donations for toy drive
    • Click here for more information

Markets, festivals and more:

  • Floyds Knobs Farmers & Market 
    • Sunday, Dec. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    • 400 block of Lafollette Station — Lawrence Banet Road/Highway 150 in the parking area next to Landmark Dental Care, across from McDonalds (near Highlander Point) 
    • Local farmers and small businesses will offer seasonal produce, local meats, eggs, honey, microgreens, jams and jellies, macramé, arts and crafts, plants, a market grill and more
  • 44th Annual Christmas in the Country Craft Bazaar 
    • Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
    • Floyds Knobs Community Club, 4032 Weber Lane in Floyds Knobs, Indiana
    • Free parking, free admission
    • Local crafters and homemade artisans on hand for all of your holiday shopping needs
    • To learn more, click here
  • Speed Museum's Holiday Garage Sale
    • Friday, Nov. 29 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
    • Saturday, Nov. 30 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
    • Sunday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m .to 5 p.m. 
    • Speed Art Museum, 2035 South 3rd Street, Louisville, Ky. 40208
    • Click here for information

Sports: 

These are just a handful of events happening this weekend. To look at a full calendar of events, including markets, concerts and more, click here.

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