10 Things To Do In Louisville Memorial Day Weekend

SATURDAY, MAY 25-26

Gazebo Fest
Louisville native and Grammy-nominated rapper is launching his two-day festival celebrating the intersection of music and culture. Set for May 25 and 26, we’re amped for performances by SZA, a DJ set by James Blake, Omar Apollo, PinkPantheress, and Vince Staples. Other confirmed artists are Amaarae, Channel Tres, Majid Jordan, Slum Village, Veeze, Dahi, Jordan Ward, Ravyn Lenae, Rich Homie Quan, BNYX, James Savage, Karrahbooo, and Malcolm Todd.

FRIDAY, MAY 24-27

Abbey Road on the River
Abbey Road on the River, the world's largest Beatles-inspired music festival, will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 23-27, 2024 at the Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville, IN. The 5-day event is packed with peace, love and music from the 60’s and 70’s highlighting unique performances by 50 bands from all around the world including The Fab Four, the legendary Jan & Dean’s Beach Party, Tony Kishman’s Live and Let Die: the music of Paul McCartney, and tributes to Queen, Joe Cocker, Bruce Springsteen, The Monkees, Chicago, CSNY, Buddy Holly, and Elvis Presley. Attendees can also enjoy interactive art.

FRIDAY, MAY 24-27

Kentucky Flea Market
Expo Center | 937 Phillips Ln. | Free Entry | 10 a.m.
The region’s largest flea market returns to the Expo center this weekend with massive deals. There will be over 600 booths to peruse selling everything from electronics to jewelry, clothes and toys. Be sure to visit the $5 & Under Overstock Sale where thousands of mostly new-in-box items will be available for just $5 or less.

FRIDAY, MAY 24

Chicago
The Louisville Palace | 625 4th St. | $88+ | 8 p.m.
If you’re a rock nerd like us, getting to see Chicago live is a dream come true. The iconic band is back in Louisville at the Palace on Friday, May 24 with timeless classics like “You’re the Inspiration” and “25 or 6 to 4,” with awesome entertainment and nostalgia.

FRIDAY, MAY 24

Whores., Friendship Commanders, and Bad Wires
Portal | 1535 Lytle Street | $12 adv/$18 door | 8 p.m. | 21+
If you crossed Melvins and Helmet with Ministry, Atlanta’s self-described noise rock trio Whores. is what you’d get. The band - who have received immense praise from the likes of Rolling Stone and AlternativePress and have shared the stage with the likes of Metallica, Slayer, and Lamb of God - are hitting the road in support of their new album War with the first stop right here in Louisville which absolutely guarantees this will be a hell of an intense show! Along for the ride are Nashville sludgy rock duo Friendship Commanders and Louisville's own noise rockers Bad Wires.

SATURDAY, MAY 25

Memorial Day Weekend Biergarten
German American Club | 1840 Lincoln Ave. | Free | 4 p.m.
Start your Memorial Day Weekend festivities with pretzels, polka and pilsners at the German American Club’s Memorial Day Biergarten! Doors open at 4 p.m. along with the snack bar and bratwurst grill with dinner starting at 6 p.m. The Rheingold Band will be there to play all your favorite Polkas!

SATURDAY, MAY 25

Hurricane Bay Opening Day
Kentucky Kingdom | 937 Phillips Lane | $30+ | 10 a.m.
With Kentucky Kingdom being open for a few weeks and the months getting warmer and warmer, now is the time to get out onto the water to cool down and have a blast down each slide Hurricane Bay offers. Beat the heat in giant wave pools, winding lazy rivers and a four-story water playground for a great summer experience.

SATURDAY, MAY 25

Fat Gay-La
Art Sanctuary | 1433 S Shelby St. | Suggested donation $20 or more
This body positive, LGBTQ-inclusive event will raise funds for Kentucky Health Justice Network, who provide direct services in the interest of reproductive justice for all Kentuckians. Featuring MC Fairen Kia, small bites, a cash bar, and a silent auction along with drag, burlesque, and aerial performances by the Va Va Vixens, May O'Nays, and Kitty St. Vincent, and music by DJ Nasti, every dollar raised at this event will support education, abortion access, and trans healthcare.

SATURDAY, MAY 25

Sugar & Spite: An All Local Oddities Market
Kentucky Bourbon Art Gallery | 2801 South Floyd St | $5 adults, kids 12 and under free | 12-6 p.m.
Get ready for a wickedly delightful gathering and immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind experience, where over 30 local artisans and collectors showcase their oddities and curiosities. From mysterious antiques to bizarre artworks, this event celebrates the unique and the unusual. Discover hidden treasures, meet fellow oddity enthusiasts, and indulge in the delightfully strange. There will be a full bar and food trucks will be on hand. Don't miss out on this extraordinary gathering of the weird and wonderful.

SATURDAY, MAY 25

Louisville Punk Rock Night presents: Joey Ramone Birthday/Memorial Bash
The Alcove | 246 Spring St, Jeffersonville | Free | 7 p.m. | 21 and over
Come celebrate what would have been Joey Ramone’s 73rd birthday and 50 years of The Ramones! Sunday Sinema presents a screening of the 1979 Roger Corman classic comedy Rock 'n' Roll High School starring The Ramones, followed by tributes from: The Weasel Faces (featuring members of Belushi Speed Ball, Mommy’s Cigarettes, Creeps Inc, The Response, and The Shanks), Pinhead (featuring members of The Char), and HYMANS (featuring members of Indignant Few, Creeps Inc, The Response, and WiiRMZ). Cash prizes for best Ramones costumes! Movie at 7:00 p.m., music at 9:00 p.m. And please note: mice without adequate hearing protection will be turned away at the door due to the potential for explosion, (IYKYK)!