5 things to do this weekend in the Louisville area

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 Friday, Aug. 2 through Sunday, Aug. 4.

Louisville Jazz Fest 2024

The Louisville Jazz Fest returns this weekend. On Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3 at Iroquois Amphitheater.

Friday includes performances by Brian Culbertson, Avery Sunshine and Gerey Johnson.

Saturday performers include Boney James, Jeter Jones, Volton Wright, Tasha Mac and Rebecca Jade.

The show starts at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m.

Two-day tickets are available for $60 to about $80.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

CatVideoFest 2024 at Speed Cinema

Touted as the "world's No. 1 cat video festival," CatVideoFest will return to the Speed Cinema in Louisville starting Friday, Aug. 2.

Attention cat lovers! This is the week, CatVideoFest pounces into our Cinema starting this Friday. Grab your tickets today. https://t.co/Pnj47UrlJC

A portion of ticket proceeds from every screening goes directly to Alley Cat Advocates to support local cats in need. pic.twitter.com/0bSQTqP5BV
— Speed Art Museum (@SpeedArtMuseum) July 29, 2024

The festival runs from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4, from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7 and from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8.

Speed Cinema is located inside the Speed Art Museum on South Third Street, not far from the University of Louisville.

Tickets for the all-ages event are available for $12, or $8 if you're a Speed member.

CatVideoFest is a compilation of the "latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses."

The festival is an annual event that travels the country. Theaters hosting the festival partner with local cat-focused charities, shelters, and other related associations. In Louisville a portion of ticket sales will be given to Alley Cat Advocates.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Made Market - Louisville Summer Market

The twice annual Made Market will return to Mellwood Art Center in Louisville on Saturday.

The traveling curated handmade market consists of more than 90 makers from Louisville and the surrounding regions.

The market takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mellwood Art Center on Mellwood Avenue.

The event costs $5 per person, and is free for kids 15 and younger. Parking is also free.

There will also be local food vendors on site, as well as a bar and coffee inside. Those include Monnik Beer Co., Juice Bar, BobaBun, Sunergos Coffee, Fistful of Ale and Hot Buns food truck.

You can buy tickets ahead of time by clicking here, or in-person the day of the market.

The Made Market comes to Louisville twice a year, once in the summer and once in late fall for the holiday season.

For more information, including a list of vendors, click here.

Back-to-school backpack and supply giveaways

Download PDF

Louisville 2024 Back to School Events and Supply Drives

For families needing assistance getting their students ready to head back to school, there are more than a dozen events scheduled across the Louisville area offering free supplies thanks to local churches, nonprofits, companies and Metro Government.

On Saturday, Aug. 3 from 1-4 p.m., you can get free backpacks and school supplies at the Kentucky Science Center on West Main Street in downtown Louisville.

It's through a partnership with the center and WLOU 104.7 Jamz. Organizers say it will be a fun-filled day of science, fun, music and more to get ready for a new school year.

Backpacks, pencils, notebooks, crayons and other items students will need will be given away.

Parents or guardians are asked to register in advance and select a ticket number that reflects the number of children needing supplies. The children must also be present to get the items.

For more information or to register, click here.

For a list of more events, click here or on the PDF embedded in this story.

Street Rod Nationals

Some of the coolest cars in the country have rolled into Louisville this week.

The 55th annual Street Rod Nationals kicked off its four-day event by visiting Fourth Street Live! in downtown Louisville on Wednesday. The National Street Rod Association is hosting its show from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

Louisville has hosted the National Street Road Association for 30 years. It will be the 27th straight year the national show has been held in the city.

The show has become a summer tradition for Louisville. This year, event organizers expect around 60,000 attendees and more than 10,000 street rods, customs, classics and muscle cars from all over the U.S.

Vehicles in the show range in value from $20,000 to $150,000 with the average cost around $35,000. All of the street rods, custom and classic cars will be on display for public viewing.

Tickets are $20 for anyone 13 years and older, $6 for children ages 6 to 12 while children 5 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. A $45 family package ticket price is available for two adults and three children.

Show hours are:

Thursday, Aug. 1 - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 2 - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 3 - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 4 - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

To learn more about the National Street Rod Association, click here.

Bonus Events:

It's summertime, which means there are also multiple markets, concerts and more happening this weekend:

Live music, entertainment:

US 60 Music Festival
- Saturday, Aug. 3 at 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. (CST)
  - Gates open at 10 a.m. CST for campers and 2 p.m. CST for concert-goers
- US 60 Dragway - 1487 US 60, Hardinsburg, KY
- One epic day and night of music!
- Artists feature Cooper Alan, Jon Langston, Elvie Shane, Jay Webb, Dusty Leigh, and more!
- Tickets range from $59 to $150, but children age 3 and younger get in for free.
- Camping spots available!
- Food and drink vendors will be on site.
- To purchase tickets, click here.
School of Rock Louisville Mainstage Concerts
- Starts Friday, Aug. 2 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 4
  - Friday from 6-10 p.m., Saturday from 12-10 p.m. and Sunday from 12-10 p.m.
- Art Sanctuary on Shelby Street in Louisville
- Tickets range from $5 to $10, but children age 8 and younger get in for free.
- To purchase tickets, call (502) 540-UROK (8765)
- For more information about School of Rock Louisville, click here
Rumours of Fleetwood Mac — Fleetwood Mac Tribute

Saturday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.)
Louisville Palace - South 4th Street downtown
Tickets on sale now for about $30 to $60
Purchase tickets by clicking here

Phil Wickham & Brandon Lake Summer Worship Nights Tour
- Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m.
- KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville
- Tickets available for $25-$100
- Purchase tickets by clicking here
Rock 'N' Roll Derby: A Benefit for Louisville Roller Derby
- Saturday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.)
- Headliners Music Hall on Lexington Road
- Tickets cost $15 in advance or $18 at the door
- Artists include Psychic Nurse and Future Killer
- To purchase tickets, click here

Other events:

Breakfast with the Beasts 2024

Sunday, Aug. 4 from 9-11 a.m.
The Louisville Zoo
For members, adults cost $25 and children cost $20
For non-members, tickets are $35 for adults and $30 for children
Children ages 2 and under get in free
For more information or to purchase tickets, click here

Hidden History Walking Tour

Saturday, Aug. 3 from 9-11 a.m.
Oldham County History Center in La Grange
A two-our tour is based on Dr. Nancy Stearns Theiss' book "Hidden History of La Grange Kentucky"
$5 for non-members, free for members
You must register in advance to attend
For more information and to register, click here

Schmitt Furniture's 88th Birthday Bash

Saturday, Aug. 3 from 6-11 p.m.
New Albany Amphitheater on East Water Street
Free to attend
Live performances by JAKJAW and The Juice Box Heroes
Food and beer garden available
For more information, click here

Free Health Fair
- Saturday, Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Buechel Park Baptist Church on Hikes Lane (in the church gym)
- Free health screenings, school/sports physicals and door prizes
- 45 different booths
- For more information, click here