Lexington and area holiday events light up the best things to do 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, theatre shows, kid-friendly events, benefit runs, craft and holiday markets to do Christmas shopping, tree lightnings, parades, holiday concerts and Nutcraker ballet shows.

Holiday events at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

The holiday celebration kicks off at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg, with several events. The Holiday Lunch at The Trustees’ Table features a three-course meal Dec. 1-23. The Candlelight Tours are held every Friday and Saturday evenings in the lead up to Christmas at 6 and 7 p.m., offering a guided stroll tracing the evolution of Christmas celebrations in Shaker communities. During Illuminated Evenings events, you can ride the Jingle Bell Shuttle, write a letter to Santa, sip hot chocolate, enjoy music performances, make a craft in the Elf Shop and sing carols while the tree is lit up. Admission for Illuminated Evenings on Saturdays in December from 5-8 p.m. is $5, but waived with donations of new gloves, hats, scarves and non-perishable food for the Shaker Village Giving Tree. shakervillageky.org

Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill in Millersburg

Enjoy holiday lights, a gingerbread house exhibit, a Christmas campfire experience, artisan’s craft market and holiday cafe at Mustard Seed Hill in Millersburg all weekend long from 5-9 p.m. nightly. 1122 Main St, Millersburg. MustardSeedHill.events/tickets.

Southland Drive tree lighting

The Lafayette High School band and choir will be on hand to christen Southland Drive’s Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. The event is free to attend and there will be cookies, hot chocolate and holiday lights. 399 Southland Dr. facebook.com/events/5477370028983185.

Theatre play: ‘The School For Scandal’ at UK’s Guignol Theatre

The UK Department of Theatre & Dance will perform Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s “The School For Scandal” on Dc. 2 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 3 at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10-15. 405 Rose St. Etix.com.

Britney Spears dance party at The Burl

Enjoy the music of Britney Spears during a DJ dance party at The Burl on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

Fleetwood Mac cover songs EKY benefit concert

Second Hand News will perform two sets of Fleetwood Mac cover songs during its Dec. 2, 9 p.m. concert at The Green Lantern, 497 W 3rd St., to benefit the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund. Tickets are $10. facebook.com/events/499051065616308

Gingerbread Run/Walk 5K at the Red Mile

The Gingerbread Run 5K run/walk, kid’s dash and one mile walk benefiting Assurance will take place at the Red Mile on Dec. 3 at 8:45 a.m. Tickets are $30-40. 1200 Red Mile Rd. RunSignUp.com.

Downtown Lexington Christmas Parade

Santa Claus will be the main attraction at the Lexington Christmas Parade Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. The parade featuring bands, floats and more starts at Midland Ave., going down Main Street and ends at Mill Street. downtownlex.com

Michler’s Christmas Market

Michler’s Florist, 417 E Maxwell St., will host a Christmas Market locally made ceramics, jewelry, cards, toys, soaps, scarves, ornaments and more crafts Dec. 3 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Dec. 4 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be holiday pastries, cello music, wreath makers and florists decorating boxwood trees. Free parking is available at 446 East High St. michlers.com

Christmas Market at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate, will kick off its holiday celebrations with a Christmas Market on Dec. 3 from noon-7:30 p.m. that includes holiday-themed music, entertainment, Santa Selfies, the Ashland illumination at sunset, Candlelight Tours and more. 120 Sycamore Rd. HenryClay.org.

Christmas Market at Wildside Winery

Wildside Winery in Versailles will host a Christmas market on Dec. 3 from 12-7 p.m. and Dec. 4 from 12-5 p.m. Santa will also be on site Saturday from 3-5 p.m. The event is free to attend. 5500 Troy Pike, Versailles. facebook.com/events/406168771723692.

Santa helicopter landing at Aviation Museum of Kentucky

Watch Santa Claus arrive by helicopter Dec. 3 from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, 4029 Airport Rd. Santa is scheduled to fly-in and land at 1:15 p.m. and there will be free museum admission for each visitor who brings a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. aviationky.org

Holiday favorites at ‘Collage: A Holiday Spectacular’ at the Singletary Center

UK Choirs, the Lexington Singers Children’s Choir, and other special guest ensembles will perform during “Collage: A Holiday Spectacular” at the Singletary Center for the Arts on Dec. 3 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $34. 405 Rose St. Etix.com.

Winchester Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting

The City of Winchester will hold its Christmas tree lighting and parade on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. The event is free to attend downtown on Main St. in Winchester. facebook.com/events/641903127544450.

Casting Crowns concert at Rupp Arena

Casting Crowns will bring their “The Healer Tour” to Rupp Arena with support from Cain and Anne Wilson on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $10. 430 W Vine St. RuppArena.com.

Lexington Ballet Company: ‘The Nutcracker’ at the EKU Center for the Arts

The Lexington Ballet Company will perform “The Nutcracker” at the EKU Center for the Arts in Richmond on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $23. 822 Hall Dr, Richmond. EKUcenter.com.

Steep Canyon Rangers concert at The Burl

Bluegrass juggernauts the Steep Canyon Rangers will perform with Mama Said String Band at The Burl on Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

Frankfort Frosty 5K at Lakeview Park

The 7th Annual Frankfort Frosty 5K and Fred & Me 143 (1.43K) will take place at Lakeview Park in Frankfort on Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25. 118 Park Ave, Frankfort. RunSignUp.com.

Comedian Leanne Morgan at the Lexington Opera House

Comedian Leanne Morgan will perform two live stand-up tapings at the Lexington Opera House on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., Dec. 3 at 4 and 7 p.m., and Dec. 4 at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $19.75. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com.

Pentatonix concert at Rupp Arena

Pentatonix will bring their “Pentatonix: Christmas Spectacular 2022” tour to Rupp Arena with support from Girl Named Tom on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25. 430 W Vine St. RuppArena.com.

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