5 Things To Do This Weekend_Winter ALT.jpg

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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 Thursday, Jan. 2 through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

Due to pending winter weather, some events may be postponed or canceled. Make sure to stay updated on social media pages of event organizers. 

January Birthday Bash at Louisville Zoo

The Louisville Zoo will celebrate some significant birthdays this weekend.

The zoo plans to celebrate birthdays for polar bear Qannik, Asian elephant Punch and western lowland gorilla Jelani on Jan. 4. It will be Punch's last birthday at the zoo in Louisville before she and African elephant Mikki move to the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn. in the spring of 2025.

People who visit the zoo are invited to sing "Happy Birthday" and each animal will receive special enrichment items and treats.

Jelani's 28th birthday will be celebrated at 10:45 a.m. in the Gorilla Forest. Qannik's 14th birthday will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m. Punch's 55th birthday will be celebrated at 11:45 a.m.

The zoo said anyone wearing a red hat for Punch will receive a $1 discount at the admission window.

For more information, click here. 

Kentucky Wedding Show

It's quite literally a one-stop wedding shop. The Kentucky Wedding Show will be held Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Marriott Louisville East.

Organizers say the wedding show is the perfect place to save time and stress by planning your entire wedding in one place. 

Local wedding professionals, vendors, experts, photographers, florists, caterers, DJs and more will be on hand. 

The show will also connect engaged couples with wedding vendors not only in Louisville, but Southern Indiana as well.

Organizers say the event also serves as inspiration for those who may be in the early stages of wedding planning.

The event will also include deals and discounts offered exclusively at the wedding show. Organizers will also give out over $5,000 in door prizes throughout the day.

Saturday's show starts at 1 p.m. and runs through 4 p.m. at the Marriott Louisville East, located at 1903 Embassy Square Boulevard in Louisville. 

The wedding show is free for engaged couples and $10 for guests. To learn more, look at a list of vendors or buy tickets, click here.

Louisville Caravan Comedy Contest

Comics from across the region will be in Louisville this weekend for The Caravan Comedy Contest.

Organizers say comics will be competing for cash and booking opportunities. Audience members serve as judges and will help determine who advances to the finals in the contest.

The contest runs Thursday, Jan. 2 through Saturday, Jan. 4 with one to two shows each day.

The event is an 18 and over event and guests are asked to arrive 10-15 minutes before the show starts. Guests must also purchase at least one item, and all sales are final. 

To learn more or purchase tickets, click here.

Winter Family Day

The New Year celebrations will continue Friday with a silent disco at the Speed Art Museum. 

This is part of Winter Family Day where there will be art-making, activities through the galleries and a free screening of the New York International Children's Film Festival Big Kid Flicks. All the programming is included in a ticket to the Speed.

There will be multiple films shown which comes out to a runtime of 62 minutes and is recommended for ages 8 and over.

To purchase general admission tickets, click here.

Floyds Knobs Farmers and Market

Start your week by supporting local farmers and small businesses. There will be vendors with seasonal produce, local meats, eggs, honey, micro-greens, jams and jellies, macramé, art and crafters, plants and much more.

There is free parking and early shopping is welcomed. The market is open Mothers Day through October. The hours are 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

For more information, click here.

Bonus Events: 

Final holiday events of the year:

Christmas may be over and the New Year already welcomed, but there are several festive events wrapping up this weekend. 

  • 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.
  • 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.

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 for family-friendly fun and activities to do on winter break around Kentuckiana, click here.

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