Thriller, ScareFest, PumpkinMania plus 17 other things to do in Lexington this weekend

Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best weekend events around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need things to do from live music concerts, Fall and Halloween festivals including trunk or treats, comedy shows, local concerts, musicals, theatre shows, classical music performances, kid-friendly events, street fairs and foodie events.

ScareFest Horror & Paranormal Convention at the Central Bank Center

Experience spooktacular seminars, performances, costume contests, celebrities, a film festival and more during the ScareFest Horror & Paranormal Convention at the Central Bank Center from Oct. 21-23. The convention is open on Oct. 21 from 4-9 p.m., Oct. 22 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Oct. 23 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $25-65. 430 W Vine St. ScareFestWeekend.com.

Lexington ScareFest guide: Celebrities, vendors, costume contests and everything horror

10 celebrities and 3 spooky rides at ScareFest you won’t want to miss

Nicholas Jamerson concert in London

Prestonsburg based country artist Nicholas Jamerson, a founding member of Sundy Best who just last week released his newest song “Lexington,” will perform alongside Tim Goodin during a concert at Heritage Hills Entertainment Center in London on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. 472 Falls St, London. Eventbrite.com.

Musical: ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarves’ in Berea

The Spotlight Playhouse in Berea will host five performances of the musical “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” from Oct. 21-23. Show times are on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., Oct. 22 at 6 and 8 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6-16. 214 Richmond Rd N, Berea. TheSpotlightPlayhouse.com.

Comedian Steve Byrne at Comedy Off Broadway

Comedian Steve Byrne will perform at Comedy Off Broadway four times from Oct. 21-22. Show times are on Oct. 21 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Oct. 22 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $17-20. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.

Broadway Live musical: ‘Tootsie’ at the Lexington Opera House

The 2022-2023 season of Broadway Live at the Lexington Opera House will kick off with five performances of “Tootsie” from Oct. 21-23. Show times are on Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 22 at 1 and 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com.

Logan Halstead concert at The Burl

West Virginia based country musician Logan Halstead will perform at The Burl with support from Northern Kentucky’s Nolan Taylor on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

Bear Medicine concert at The Green Lantern

Indie rock collective Bear Medicine will celebrate the release of their new album “Dog Is Love” at The Green Lantern on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. Tense Kids will kick off the show. 497 W Third St. facebook.com/events/811072700065147.

Beer and food festival: Brews & Bites Oktoberfest at Greyline Station

Brews & Bites, the first beer and food festival at Greyline Station, will take place on Oct. 22 from 12-5 p.m. with over 20 different Kentucky based breweries and 10 food vendors on site. Tickets are $10-60. 101 W Loudon Ave. Eventbrite.com.

Candy for a Cause Fall Festival at CentrePointe Christian Church

Pie-A-Pastor, smash pumpkins, enjoy hayrides and more during the Candy For A Cause Fall Festival at CentrePointe Chrstian Church on Oct. 22 from 12-3 p.m. The event is free to attend. 865 Greendale Rd. MyCPointe.com.

Trunk or Treat at the Whitaker Family YMCA

Enjoy a trunk decorating contest, costume contest and more during “Trunk or Treat” at the Whitaker Family YMCA on Oct. 22 from 2-4 p.m. 2681 Old Rosebud Rd. facebook.com/events/793628588475248.

Theatre play: ‘Puss in Boots’ at Lexington Children’s Theatre

The Lexington Children’s Theatre will perform an adaptation of the classic fairy tale “Puss in Boots” three times this weekend. Showtimes for the hour-long show, best enjoyed by ages 4 and up, are Oct. 22 at 2 p.m., 7 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20. lctonstage.org

Chevy Chase Street Fair on Euclid Avenue

Enjoy over 30 local vendors, kid’s activities, live music from Tee Dee Young, DeBraun Thomas, Maggie Lander and more during the Chevy Chase Street Fair along Euclid Avenue on Oct. 22 from 3-9 p.m. The event is free to attend. facebook.com/events/1915457001992694.

Mount Sterling Oktoberfest at the Gateway Regional Arts Center

The first Annual Mount Sterling Oktoberfest will take place at the Gateway Regional Arts Center on Oct. 22 from 4-11 p.m. Festivities include a local Biergarten, live music, German food, Oktoberfest-themed art activities and more. Tickets are $5. 101 E Main St, Mount Sterling. facebook.com/events/633019494804962.

Thriller, Halloween Parade & Festival in Downtown Lexington

Lexington’s largest free Halloween party and Thriller reenactment will take place in downtown Lexington on Oct. 22 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. The Thriller Parade is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has gained Lexington national attention, as USA Today ranked Lexington as a top 10 Halloween destination in the United States, according to a press release from the city. The parade will run down Main Street starting at Quality Street and going to Mill Street. People can still take zombie dance lessons to be a part of the parade. The final dance lesson will be on Oct. 15 at Artworks at the Carver School. It costs $15 for people age 13 and over to register and $10 for kids ages 7 to 12. The day of events are free to attend. LexingtonKy.gov/Thriller.

Lexington Philharmonic: New conductor debut

Melisse Brunet will debuts as the first female conductor in the 61 year history of the Lexington Philharmonic on Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Kentucky’s Singletary Center. After a two year search that was delayed by COVID, Brunet was named the new music director of the orchestra after initially not being a candidate. Her first Lexington concert promises to be a diverse program, featuring violin soloist Simone Porter with works by Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, and Gabriela Lena Frank.

What does Lexington Philharmonic’s first female conductor have planned for orchestra?

Joslyn & The Sweet Compression concert in Danville

Lexington based funk and soul group Joslyn & The Sweet Compression will perform at The Nook in Danville on Oct. 22 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $25. 500 Finn Hill Dr, Danville. facebook.com/thenookdanville.

PumpkinMania at Transylvania University

Carve your own Halloween pumpkin during Transylvania University’s PumpkinMania Festival on Oct. 23 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Pumpkins carved for the 12th annual event will be on displayed on the Old Morrison steps. The 500 jack-o’-lanterns will be lit each night from Oct. 23-27. The event is free to attend and register online to register for up to five free tickets to reserve pumpkins to carve. 300 N Broadway. Eventbrite.com.

Noah Garabedian Quartet concert at Base249

New York based bassist Noah Garabedian will bring his quartet to perform at Base249 as part of the Origins Jazz Series on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. 249 E Main St. #150. OriginsJazz.org.

Zach Williams concert at the EKU Center For The Arts

Contemporary Christian artist Zach Williams will perform at the EKU Center For The Arts in Richmond with Ben Fuller on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $24.25. 822 Hall Dr, Richmond. EkuCenter.com.

Naturally 7 concert at the Lyric Theatre

A Cappella group Naturally 7 will perform at the Lyric Theatre on Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $32. 300 E Third St. LexingtonLyric.com.

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