It’s Derby month, but there’s more to May than horse races and mint juleps. We’ve rounded up lots to do before and after you’ve watched the fastest two minutes in sports. Here are some of our favorite events happening in May!
Through May 7, 2023: Showcase of Residential Communities
Learn about the latest design trends and custom designs during these self-guided tours around town. This free showcase features over 100 new home designs and takes tourgoers through model homes in 15 communities. Visit showcaseofresidentialcommunities.com for specific model home hours.
Through May 21, 2023: Wild Lights Around the World
Enjoy a night out at Louisville Zoo’s annual lantern festival. Zoo-goers can experience unique locations from around the world while strolling through the zoo under the light of enormous, handcrafted, silk-covered lanterns. This is the region’s largest lantern festival, with thousands of lanterns aglow via more than 50,000 LED light bulbs. The event runs Thursday through Sunday, and tickets start at $19 per person. louisvillezoo.org
May 1, 2023: Make & Take Bourbon Ball Gelato Class
Turn cocoa powder, local milk, organic cream, cane sugar, pecans, dark chocolate, and bourbon syrup into Gelato Gilberto’s signature bourbon ball gelato. Your $30 ticket includes a pint of your creation to take home and a tasting trifecta of Derby flavors: Bourbon Ball, Raspberry Rose, and Mint Julep. The class is held at the Frankfort Avenue location from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. gelatogilberto.com
May 5, 2023: 8th Annual Stitzel-Weller Affair
Sip on signature bourbon cocktails while enjoying live music, appetizers by Wiltshire Pantry, and a toast with Blade and Bow 22-year. The event also includes a custom shopping experience with wares from Brit & Blue Jackets and Forme Millinery. This annual event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and tickets are $250. stitzelwellerdisillery.com
May 7, 2023: Seal – World Tour 2023
Celebrate 30 years of the classic albums Seal I and Seal II during this concert at The Louisville Palace with special guest The Buggles. Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets start at $56. concerts.livenation.com
May 10, 2023: Hump Day Happy Hour
Relax with a cool beverage and delicious appetizers while enjoying exclusive keeper talks and animal interactions in some of your favorite zoo exhibit spaces. Tickets are $40 and include entry, appetizers, and two drink tickets redeemable for beer, wine, or a specialty drink. Additional food and beverages are available for purchase. louisvillezoo.org
May 11 – 14, 2023: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Head over to the Louisville Nature Center for a fresh rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is told with Y2K flair and raucous humor. The show is one hour and 25 minutes long, and begins at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $10. louisvillenaturecenter.org
May 13, 2023: 10th Annual How-To Festival
Learn how to beatbox, dance Flamenco, paint like Bob Ross, and more at Louisville Free Public Library’s annual event. The free festival offers 50 sessions in five hours, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check out the complete list of events at lfpl.org to plan your day of learning.
May 13, 2023: Pups at the Pitch – Louisville City FC vs. Miami FC
Head to Lynn Family Stadium at 6:30 p.m. for Pups at the Pitch, the soccer game where furry friends are welcome to join. A portion of ticket proceeds for the event sponsored by Feeders Pet Supply are donated to the Kentucky Humane Society. Tickets start at $15, and the game begins at 7:30 p.m. loucity.com
May 14, 2023: Mother’s Day Brunch at Brasserie Provence
Spoil mom with a French three-course meal. Entrée options include beef sirloin baseball cut steak, roasted French-cut chicken breast, seared salmon, and artichoke and bell pepper quiche. Seatings are $59 per adult from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is also a $20 children’s menu available. brasserieprovence.com
May 16 – 21, 2023: Hadestown
See a modern interpretation of the classic Greek myth of Orpheus, who follows Eurydice into the depths of the underworld. This PNC Broadway show takes place at Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts for seven consecutive days. Showtimes vary, and tickets start at $58.50. kentuckyperformingarts.com
May 18, 2023: Clermont Supper Club
Be among the first to taste the newest brand from James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont Steep™ American Single Malt Whiskey, during this one-of-a-kind four-course meal paired with a selection of custom cocktails and pours of other bourbon. Doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets are $250 before fees. beamdistilling.com
May 20 & 21, 2023: 2nd Annual PugFest
Browse 40,000 square feet of vendors, silent auctions, educational sessions, rescue booths, and pug competitions at this fundraiser for pug rescue organizations. The annual festival is held in the West Halls of the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center and welcomes all ages as well as friendly dogs. Tickets purchased at the door are $8 for adults and $4 for children. The event begins at 9 a.m. bluegrasspugfest.org
May 21, 2023: MiNDFEST – A Mental Health Festival
Break stigmas surrounding mental health at this free community festival, which features music, food, entertainment, art, yoga, panel discussions, and more. The event is at Roots 101 African American Museum from noon to 6 p.m. mindfestlou.com
May 22, 2023: American Red Cross Holiday Hero Blood Drive
Help the American Red Cross restock its shelves with life-saving blood. Appointments are available from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and donors receive an exclusive Red Cross beach towel while supplies last. Parking is free for blood drive participants in the KFC Yum! Center parking garage. kfcyumcenter.com
Have a marvelous May, Louisville!
**********
For the best of the South — delivered to your inbox daily — subscribe to StyleBlueprint!
