The 20 best things to do in and around Lexington this weekend

Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best Labor Day holiday weekend events around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need things to do from live music concerts and church festivals featuring games, rides and food, comedy shows, local concerts, comic convention, dog shows, arts and crafts fairs, car shows, christian music festival and the popular Doggie Paddle where dogs can swim at a Lexington city pool.

Christ The King’s Oktoberfest

Christ The King Church will host their annual Oktoberfest celebration with live music including headliner Smashmouth, food, beer, games including a celebrity cake wheel, bingo, blackjack, inflatables and other activities on Sept. 9 from 4-11 p.m. and Sept. 10 from 1-11 p.m. The event is free to attend. 299 Colony Blvd. CTKOktoberfest.com.

Stave Fest in Lawrenceburg

The City of Lawrenceburg will host The Stave Fest on Sept. 9 and 10. The event will include craft vendors, live music, a vintage car cruise in, food trucks, a comedy show, kid’s activities and more. The event is free to attend. 100 N Main St, Lawrenceburg. facebook.com/events/469132831747535.

Festival of the Horse in Georgetown

The 41st annual Festival Of The Horse in Georgetown will celebrate Central Kentucky’s rich horse heritage and more from Sept. 9-11. Activities include live music, a chili cook-off, a colt and filly parade, a cornhole tournament, Toyota’s Grand Parade of Horses and more. The event is free to attend. FestivalOfTheHorse.org.

KYukefest at Artworks at Carver School

KYukefest, a celebration of all things ukulele, will take place at Artworks at Carver School from Sept. 9-11. Activities include live performances, open mics, workshops, discussion panels and more. Tickets start at $20. 522 Patterson St. KYukefest.com.

Comedian Erica Rhodes at Comedy Off Broadway

Comedian Erica Rhodes, who’s appeared on shows including ABC’s “Modern Family,” HBO’s “Veep” and FOX’s “New Girl,” will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on Sept. 9 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Sept. 10 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $13-15. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.

Alan Jackson concert at Rupp Arena

Country music legend Alan Jackson will perform at Rupp Arena on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40.50. 430 W Vine St. RuppArena.com.

‘Last Call’ at Rupp for Alan Jackson, a country music traditionalist of his generation

Doggie Paddle at Woodland Aquatic Center

The Lexington Humane Society will host a doggie paddle at the Woodland Aquatic Center on Sept. 10 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Registration is $10-25 per dog. 190 Old Park Ave. LexingtonHumaneSociety.org/Events/Doggie-Paddle-2022.

Barks & Bluegrass Festival & Car Show at the Jessamine Co. Fairgrounds

The first annual Barks & Bluegrass Festival will take place at the Jessamine County Fairgrounds on Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. The event includes music from the Lonesome River Band and others along with a car show, craft show and silent auction. The event is free to attend. 100 Park Dr, Nicholasville. facebook.com/events/425563435625819.

Lexington ComicCon Fall Fan Fest

The Lexington Comic and Toy Convention is hosting a Fall Fan Fest highlighting a simple old school comic and collectible show. There will be 125 comics, CCG and sports cards, toys, and other collectible vendor booths Sept. 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St. Admission is $12 at the door. centralbankcenter.com/events

Waveland Art Fair at Waveland State Historic Site

Waveland State Historic Site is holding a fall art fair with ceramics, jewelry, textiles, woodworking and more for sale on Sept. 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sept. 11 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The event is free to attend. 225 Waveland Museum Ln. facebook.com/events/1984163631788444.

St. Andrew Heritage Festival at St. Andrew Orthodox Church

St. Andrew Orthodox Church will host its annual Heritage Festival with Slavic and Middle Eastern foods, dance showcases, live music, church tours, choir recitals and more on Sept. 10 from noon-8 p.m. and Sept. 11 from noon- 5 p.m. The event is free to attend. 1136 Higbee Mill Rd. facebook.com/events/1801317396870084.

Community Sing at Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill

Step back in time during a community sing event at Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg on Sept. 10 from 10:30 a.m.-noon. The event is free to attend. 3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg. ShakerVillageKy.org/Events/Community-Sing/.

Ichthus Music Festival in Wilmore

Ichthus Music Festival will return to Servant Heart Farm in Wilmore from 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. The event will include a lineup of 18 contemporary Christian artists and bands on two stages. Tickets start at $25. 9533 Harrodsburg Rd, Wilmore. IchthusFest.org.

Kentucky Heritage Jazz Festival Kick-Off at Old Fort Harrod State Park

The Kentucky Heritage Jazz Festival will kick-off at Old Fort Harrod State Park on Sept. 10 from noon-10 p.m. The event is free to attend. 100 S College St, Harrodsburg. facebook.com/events/766194058096996.

Expansion Festival at The Burl

Rock out to the psychedelic sounds of The Black Angels, Allah-Las, Babe Rainbow, Death Valley Girls, Sweet Country Meat Boys and more during Expansion Festival at The Burl outdoors on Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $59-120. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

Lexington Philharmonic: ‘Symphonic Stroll’ at Josephine Sculpture Park

The Lexington Philharmonic will host “Symphonic Stroll,” an immersive evening of music, art, and nature at the Josephine Sculpture Park on Sept. 10 from 4-8 p.m. Tickets are $11-25. LexPhil.org/Symphonic-Stroll.

British Invasion concert at Moondance Amphitheater

Local bands The Other Brothers, The Johnson Brothers and The Twiggenburys will pay tribute to the music of the British Invasion during a concert at Moondance Amphitheater on Sept. 10 from 4-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. 1152 Monarch St. facebook.com/events/440917681388315.

‘A Night For The Nest’ at Kroger Field

The Nest Center for Women and Children is hosting “A Night For The Nest,” an evening of drinks, dinner, dancing, and more at Kroger Field’s Longship Club on Sept. 10 from 7-11 p.m. Tickets are $162.50-175. 1540 University Dr. TheNestLexington.org/Event/NFTN.

The Fixx concert at the Lexington Oper House

“MTV era” band The Fixx will perform at the Lexington Opera House Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. Known for their song, “One thing leads to another,” the group has had three #1 hits over four decades. Tickets are $31-$43. lexingtonoperahouse.com

The War & Treaty concert at The Burl

Husband and wife duo The War & Treaty will play an outdoor show at The Burl with support from Sandy Hook, Ky.’s Leah Blevins on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites .