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. 31 to Sunday, Nov. 2.
Día De Los Muertos at the Zoo 2025
The Louisville Zoo will host its first Día de los Muertos celebration this weekend, Nov. 1–2, featuring a community ofrenda (altar) to honor pets and zoo animals that have passed away.
The event is free with zoo admission or membership. Guests are invited to reflect on the lives of animals that brought joy and connection. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday that celebrates the memory of loved ones through decorated altars, or ofrendas, often adorned with marigolds, photos and symbolic items.
Visitors were encouraged to contribute to the Zoo’s ofrenda by submitting printed photos, written remembrances, drawings or small symbolic items in honor of their pets. Submissions were accepted in October. The display will be open to the public during the celebration weekend.
To learn more, click here.
Louisville Black Chef Showcase: 2025 Fall Harvest Edition
The Louisville Black Chef Showcase returns Sunday, Nov. 2, from 3-6 p.m. at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center.
The annual event celebrates Black culinary talent in Louisville, featuring tastings from local chefs, caterers and food entrepreneurs. Attendees can sample dishes, vote for their favorites and enjoy music, drinks and community fellowship.
Proceeds benefit local causes, including the Louisville Urban League and Western High School’s culinary program. Organizers say the showcase aims to elevate underrepresented voices in the food industry while giving back to the community.
The Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center is located at 3029 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
To learn more or purchase tickets, click here.
ColorFest
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest will host its annual ColorFest this weekend, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2.
The two-day fall celebration features family-friendly activities including a giant slide, pumpkin rolling, a mud pie kitchen, a corn pit, and hands-on nature stations. Guests can also enjoy live music, local food and drinks, and browse handcrafted goods from regional artists and vendors.
This year’s festival includes a Día de los Muertos altar at the Spirit Nest, a meet-and-greet with 2025 Artist in Residence Max Sorenson, and science demonstrations from STEAM educator Jerald Smith and volunteers from the University of Kentucky.
Musical performances will include Mexico Lindo, the Ida Clare Band and Appalatin.
Admission is $12 for Bernheim members and $15 for non-members. Children 10 and under are free.
To learn more or purchase tickets, click here.
Out of the Darkness Walk
The Out of the Darkness Community Walk will take place Saturday at the TurfMutt Great Lawn, offering a space for remembrance, hope and support for those affected by suicide and mental health conditions.
In-person registration begins at 10 a.m., with the walk ceremony starting at 11:30 a.m. The free, family- and pet-friendly event includes food trucks, entertainment, and resources from community partners and sponsors.
Organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Kentucky Chapter, the walk aims to unite the community and raise awareness.
To register, donate or learn more, click here.
West Louisville History Bus Tour
A guided tour highlighting the rich history and culture of Louisville’s West End neighborhoods will take place Saturday, Nov. 1, from noon to 3 p.m. at 1130 W. Chestnut St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
The West Louisville Neighborhood History & Culture Tour will explore the stories, landmarks and legacy of nine historic neighborhoods: Russell, Portland, Shawnee, Chickasaw, Parkland, Park DuValle, Algonquin, California and Park Hill.
Organized by local historian and West End native Donovan Taylor, the tour draws from research, community engagement and personal interviews. Taylor first led a similar walking tour in 2012 and expanded the project after receiving the Filson Community History Fellowship in 2023.
The event is designed to celebrate the vibrancy of the West End and its connections to civil rights leaders, sports icons and community institutions.
Bonus Fall and Halloween events:
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.
Fall Meet at Churchill Downs: Fall racing is underway at Louisville's historic racetrack. The 26-day meet kicked off last week and runs through Nov. 30.
- Races run every Wednesday through Sunday for the 5-week meet.
- Includes the popular Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
- To learn more about the meet or purchase tickets, click here.
- Fall Meet Highlights for the weekend:
- Stakes Room Brunch (Sunday, Nov. 2)
- Breeders’ Cup Watch Party (Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1)
These are just a handful of events scheduled for this weekend. Click here to look at what else is happening across Kentuckiana this weekend.
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