LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The 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 the weekend of Friday, Oct. 24 to Sunday, Oct. 26.
Fall Meet at Churchill Downs
Fall racing at Churchill Downs starts this Sunday, Oct. 26.
The 26-day meet runs through Nov. 30, and includes the popular Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Races run every Wednesday through Sunday for the 5-week meet.
Racing kicks off Sunday with the 21st annual "Stars of Tomorrow I" program, for 2-year olds with Derby aspirations. Sunday is also "Family Adventure Day," with trick-or-treating at the track.
To learn more about the meet or purchase tickets, click here.
Fall Meet Highlights:
- Trick or Treat at the Track and Stars of Tomorrow I (Sunday, Oct. 26)
- Stakes Room Brunch (Sundays, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16, Nov. 23 and Nov. 30)
- Breeders’ Cup Watch Party (Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1)
- Senior Day (Wednesday, Nov. 5)
- Military Appreciation Day presented by Coca-Cola (Sunday, Nov. 9)
- Family Photos at the Track (Sunday, Nov. 16)
- Senior Day (Wednesday, Nov. 19)
- Thanksgiving Weekend (Thursday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 30)
- The Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (Friday, Nov. 28)
- Stars of Tomorrow II and Football Day in the Bluegrass (Saturday, Nov. 29)
Hallouween Parade & Street Festival
You can get into the spirit of the season with one of the largest Halloween celebrations in the region.
Formerly known as Louisville Halloween Parade & Festival in the Highlands, the The Hallouween Parade & Street Festival moves to NuLu on East Market Street this Saturday, Oct. 25 beginning at 11 a.m.
It includes a 20-year parade tradition, with tens of thousands of pieces of candy tossed out.
It has even been voted one of the Top 10 Halloween Parades in the country by USA Today.
The event kicks off with the Street Festival, featuring live music, local artists, vendors, food and drinks, and plenty of opportunities for kids, adults and pets to show off their best costume.
Then, the Hallouween Parade at sundown includes dazzling floats, spirited performers and costumed characters marching through NuLu.
The event will also feature “Secret” Halloween parties for the 21+ crowd on East Market Street, beginning at 8 p.m.
The event is free to attend and made possible through the support of local businesses, community organizations, and dedicated volunteers.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, dress in their Halloween best, and enjoy one of Louisville’s most treasured seasonal traditions.
To learn more, or look at a schedule and maps, click here.
The event is free to attend, but there are options to purchase tickets for additional events. Those can also be found at the above link.
F.A.T. Friday Halloween Hop
Frankfort Avenue will transform into a festive corridor Friday evening for the annual F.A.T. Friday Halloween Hop, presented by Councilman Andrew Owen, D-9, along with several neighborhood associations.
The event runs from 4-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 and features free trolley rides, trick-or-treating, business specials and spooky fun for all ages.
Children are encouraged to wear costumes and end the night with a walk down Hillcrest Avenue to view elaborately decorated homes. The Kennedy Avenue trolley stop offers the most direct access to the display.
Trolleys will run approximately every 20 minutes, making 12 stops along Frankfort Avenue. The final loop departs at 8:30 p.m. Free parking is available at the Mellwood Arts Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave., where guests can board the trolley at the designated Park & Ride location.
Trolley Hop Stops:
- Mellwood Art Center Park & Ride (1860 Mellwood Avenue)
- Frankfort & Pope
- Frankfort & Haldeman
- Frankfort & Bellaire
- Frankfort & Vernon
- Frankfort & Clifton
- Frankfort & Keats
- Frankfort & Ewing
- Frankfort & South Galt
- Frankfort & Hite
- Frankfort & South Birchwood (Crescent Hill Library)
- Frankfort & Kennedy
Local businesses and restaurants along Frankfort Avenue will also offer specials, discounts and activities. Businesses include Blue Dog Bakery, Butchertown Brewing, Heine Brothers Coffee, Posh Home, The Silver Dollar and more.
For more information, click here.
'Meet Your Maker Halloween Market'
Hermitage Farm will hold one of their favorite events of the year this weekend.
The annual "Meet Your Maker Halloween Market" arts and craft festival takes place over two fun-packed days.
Shop more than 100 of Kentuckiana’s best artists and makers while enjoying some spooky entertainment at Hermitage Farm in Goshen.
The event will feature food and beverages by Barn8 Restaurant, music, Trick or Treat, hayrides and of course, local artists and makers.
Last year, attendance topped 6,000. Organizers hoping for more than 10,000 this year.
The festival runs Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All ages are welcome.
To learn more, click here.
Beechmont Pet Costume Parade
Dressing up for Halloween is always fun, and it's even more fun when our furry friends get in on the act.
Pet owners can show off their furry friends' costumes during the annual Pet Costume Parade in the Beechmont neighborhood this Saturday, Oct. 25.
The event is sponsored by the Beechmont Neighborhood Association and Metro Councilwoman Betsy Ruhe (D-21).
Everyone is invited to bring their costumed pets to march in the parade on Southern Parkway. It starts at 3 p.m. at the Beechmont Gazebo on Woodlawn Avenue and Southern Parkway.
After the parade, there will be live music, prizes, pet-friendly activities and more.
“As we welcome the fall, please join us on Saturday to celebrate our beloved pets with a fun costume parade,” Councilor Ruhe said in a news release. "This annual event brings joy to the entire community. Please mark your calendars and come join us."
To learn more, or follow the Beechmont Neighborhood Association, click here.
Bonus Fall and Halloween events:
Trick-or-Treat at the Ballpark: It’s a night full of Halloween fun with trick-or-treating along the concourse, a costume contest , pumpkin decorating, face painting, and plenty of fun photo ops throughout the park!
- Friday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.
- Louisville Slugger Field
- Tickets are $3. Kids 2-years-old and under are free.
- Trick-or-treating and costume contest start at 6 p.m.
- Halloweentown movie will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Jack O'Lantern Spectacular: Walk through the historic woods of the park, down a glowing path lined with the pumpkins made by local artists. The theme for this year's season is Jack's Pun-King Trail: A Trailway of Wordplay. New this year, the king of dad jokes will be crowned.
- Oct. 2 through Nov. 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Iroquois Park
- Tickets available for purchase here, or in person at the Iroquois Amphitheater. They range from $12-$16, and kids 3-years-old and under are free
Boo at the Zoo: The after-hours event transforms the Louisville Zoo into a living storybook, complete with music, characters, photo ops and safe trick-or-treating for kids.
- Kicks off Sept. 27 and runs Thursdays through Sundays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. until Oct. 30
- Purchase tickets here.
- Trick-or-treating is for kids age 11 and under, but everyone is invited to dress up and join in on the fun.
Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom: Over 1,000 bright orange pumpkins and larger-than-life pumpkin structures are lighting up Kentucky Kingdom during their 4th annual Fall Festival.
- Now until Oct. 26 on Fridays-Sundays
- Guests can play all day on rides and discover fall-themed fun like grames, colorful characters, food, and street performances.
- Tickets are available for purchase here.
Bardstown Scarecrow Trail: The Stephen Foster Drama Association is inviting residents and visitors to experience a new fall tradition with the debut of the Bardstown Scarecrow Trail at the Stephen Foster Story Amphitheater
- The free drive-thru event showcases scarecrow creations from across the community.
- Running daily from Sept. 26 through Nov. 15 until dusk.
- Free admission, donations encouraged
- To learn more, click here.
These are just a handful of events scheduled for this weekend. Click here to look at what else is happening across Kentuckiana this weekend.
Related Stories:
Tickets now on sale for Churchill Downs' September and Fall racing meets
Find the next big thing at the Hermitage Farm Halloween Festival, Meet Your Maker
Louisville residents invited to march in Beechmont's annual pet costume parade
Hallouween Parade & Street Festival has the same excitement but a new location
2025 Fall and Halloween events guide around Louisville and southern Indiana
Field of Screams celebrating 24 years of scaring people in Brandenburg
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