By: Nick Joseph
Leaves blowing through the air can only mean one thing: fall is here. There is no shortage of exciting fall activities in Lexington but, per usual, downtown is where it’s at.
Christ The King Oktoberfest
September 20 to 21 is Oktoberfest in Chevy Chase. Attendees will enjoy live music, a fall beer line up, and a plethora of food vendors. Oktoberfest is a great family event, with ample activities for kids including arts and crafts, face painting, and even a giant inflatable slide. Admission is free. More info here.
Pumpkin Mania
Every year, students, faculty, and members of the Transylvania community carve pumpkins and place them on the steps of the Old Morrison Building on Transylvania’s campus. This year, the pumpkins will be on display from 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28 until the evening of Halloween. The 1,000 plus lit up jack o’ lanterns are certainly a sight to see.
Kentucky Bourbon Chase Finish
The Bourbon Chase is a five-day, 200-mile running relay across scenic horse country. Teams run all over the state of Kentucky and the finish line is right here in #DowntownLex. While it is too late to register a team to run in the race, you can certainly cheer on the runners as they cross the finish line at Triangle Park on Saturday, October 19.
Keeneland
Fall signifies the return of racing in the Bluegrass. While not downtown, a trip to Keeneland is a great addition to a day of downtown festivities. This year, Keeneland’s fall meet kicks off on October 4 with races concluding on October 29. Grab your friends and head out to the races to bet on some horses, tailgate on the hill, and enjoy offerings from local food trucks.
Farmers Market
Every Saturday, the Lexington Farmers Market sets up shop in the heart of downtown at the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion. Offering local produce, flowers, and even live music, it’s a great place to stock up on food for the week, while also doing your part to support local businesses. With over 50 vendors, there are plenty of options to choose from including tomatoes, pumpkins, flowers, and fall-themed coffee. The market is open from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. through the end of October, then from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the remainder of the year.
Lexington Ghost Tour
Join nationally acclaimed ghost hunter Patti Starr on a walking ghost tour in downtown Lexington. The tour starts at the Carnegie Center and continues on through Gratz Park. Stories include murder mysteries, alleged ghost sightings, and curses. Patti has taught numerous college courses in paranormal activity and has appeared on various local talk shows. Attendees have nothing but good things to say about the tour in their reviews. Tickets are $15 and children age six and under are free. More info here.
UK Football Games
The Cats are off to a hot start at 2-1 and have several big home games on the horizon. The team takes on Arkansas on October 12 and Missouri on October 26 at Kroger Field. Load up the car with food, grills, and corn hole boards and be sure to take advantage of this awesome tailgating weather. After all, there’s nothing more exciting than the mood on campus on a game day. Tickets can be found here.
North Limestone Night Market
The Night Market is an outdoor event held on the first Friday of every month on the 700 block of Bryan Avenue. It serves to grow Lexington businesses, connecting members of the community with a wide array of local vendors including food trucks, clothing stores, and artists. Additionally, the Night Market features live music and a dedicated play area for kids. There is no entry fee and upcoming dates are Friday, October 4 and Friday, November 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Soundbar Halloween Party
Make your way downtown on October 26 for Soundbar’s annual Halloween party. With brand new sound and light systems and a bar on both levels, it’s sure to be a good time. If you’re looking to avoid the line, VIP tickets go on sale October 1.
CMA Rocks the House
Central Music Academy is having their annual fundraiser at the Hilton on West Vine Street on Friday, November 1 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 and include complimentary wine, beer, and light food as well as access to the silent and live auctions. Proceeds benefit the CMA, an organization that provides free music lessons to at-risk youth. More info here.
