5 things to do this weekend in the Louisville area Dec. 27 through New Year's Eve

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Christmas may be over, but 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 Friday, Dec. 27 through New Year's Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.

Kentucky Flea Market New Year's Spectacular

It’s one of the largest flea markets in the country, and this weekend the Kentucky Expo Center was taken over by thousands of people wanting the best deals.

The Kentucky Flea Market New Year's Spectacular will be set up in the West Wing of the Kentucky Expo Center starting Saturday, Dec. 28, through Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Explore more than 800 booths with bargains and deals on everything from antiques, collectibles and electronics, to clothing, accessories, arts and crafts, and more. Organizers said this year there will also be a $5 and under overstock sale.

The flea market has been a Louisville tradition for over 50 years, and typically happens more than once a year.

Admission is free, but parking costs $12. You can get a $6 rebate/cash back with any purchase. The flea market runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

For more information, click here.

Louisville Kwanza Festival

Roots 101 African American Museum will host the Louisville Kwanza Festival this weekend.

The two-day festival starts Sunday, Dec. 29, with a vendor market of Black-owned businesses and artists, as well as a fashion show celebrating "self-expression as a form of community resilience."

The second day of the festival, Monday, Dec. 30, will offer workshops and discussions that "nurture the inner child, encourage self love, and foster a deep personal connection."

Roots 101 is located at 124 North 1st Street in Louisville. To learn more, click here.

Kwanza kicked off Thursday, Dec. 26 and spans seven days through New Year's Day. The celebration of African culture and community in the U.S. was founded during the Black Freedom Movement of the 1060s. The non-religious holiday is also celebrated in countries with large African descendant populations.

UofL men's basketball vs. Eastern Kentucky

UofL men's basketball will take on Eastern Kentucky at the KFC Yum! Center this Saturday, Dec. 28 at 12 p.m.

It's the Cardinals' final non-conference game for the 2024-25 season. UofL is 7-5, 1-1 in the ACC. EKU is 6-6, 0-0 in the ASUN.

Louisville has a 15-game winning streak over EKU, and have played the Colonels 75 times.

Tickets can still be purchased by clicking here. It will air on the CW, locally WBKI/channel 58.1.

NYE Live!

Ring in the New Year and welcome 2025 at Fourth Street Live! in downtown Louisville.

There are several ticket options available, with varying food and drink packages. There will also be live bands, DJs, festive backdrops and more.

Several venues on Fourth Street Live! will be participating.

The celebration starts at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Fourth Street Live in downtown Louisville.

For more information or to buy tickets, click here.

Family-friendly New Year's Eve Silent Disco

Mile Wide will host a family-friendly Silent Disco on New Year's Eve, offering a chance for the whole family to ring in the New Year without staying up past midnight.

The evening will include a livestream of the ball drop from Italy at 6 p.m. There will also be an exclusive beer, pizzas, sparkling wine and non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice for the kids for a toast at "midnight."

The festivities will run from 3-6 p.m. at Mile Wide Beer Co., 636 Barret Avenue in Louisville.

There is no charge for the event in the Taproom, but there is a fee to rent the headphones: $10 for adults, and $5 for kids under 18. To learn more, or purchase click here.

Bonus Events:

Holiday Events/For the Family:

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 Christmas Day, which are 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- A standard vehicle pass starts at $42.99. For information, click here.

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.

Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom
- Runs on select days from Nov. 29 to Jan. 4, 2025
- See more than 1 million holiday lights; Rudolph meet-and-greets, visit Santa's house, snow tubing down a hill covered in real snow!
- For tickets and more information, click here.

Louisville Zoo Kroger Wild Winter Days/Dare to Care Food Drive

Nov. 1 through Feb. 28
Visitors are encouraged to bring one canned food item or non-perishable food item per person for Dare to Care
Those who bring items will be able to buy tickets for the Zoo for $10.50 per adult and $7.50 per child
To learn more, click here

Fête de Noël
- Runs from Nov. 29 to Jan. 5 in Paristown
- Enjoy an outdoor ice-skating rink, trackless train, Santa's House, Brent Street Holiday Market, food and drinks and much more
- For more information, click here.

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

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

Disco Blizzard Holiday Bar at Hotel Genevieve
- Nov. 20 through Jan. 4, 2025
- Every Wednesday through Saturday 5 p.m. to midnight
- Hotel Genevieve speakeasy, Lucky Penny, 730 East Market Street in Louisville
- Special drinks and snacks
- Reservations encouraged by clicking 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

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.

For WDRB's guide to Holiday events across Kentuckiana throughout the month, click here.

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