We’ve made our list, checked it twice, now we’re ready to shop. If you want to keep your holiday spending local while browsing an array of gifts, check out these three markets happening this weekend that prove there’s no place like Lexington for the holidays.
MixMas Market, Manchester Music Hall Lexington Mercantile Co. hosts this kid + dog-friendly shopping event showcasing gifts from local vendors, makers, and boutiques. Grab food and drinks from onsite food trucks while sifting through items like jewelry, art, and clothing.
Holly Day Market, Alltech Arena at Kentucky Horse Park The annual Junior League of Lexington event returns Saturday, Nov. 23 + Sunday, Nov. 24 featuring vendors from across the country. Browse gifts and decorations including clothing, toys, books, and ornaments.
Kentucky Vintage Fest, Greyline Station If you like thrifting + shopping secondhand, you’ll love seeing what fun throwback finds these 50+ vendors have to offer. Admission is $5, but kids 12 and under are free..
We asked: Settle this cranberry conundrum — canned or homemade?
Here’s how LEXtoday readers like their cranberries for the holidays:
36.8% — Must be homemade
28.7% — Straight from the can
19.5% — No matter the shape, I’ll still eat them
14.9% — No berries for me, just the band
If you’re team homemade, try Chef Amber Hokams’ cranberry relish recipe from The Trustee’s Table at Shaker Village.
Events
Events
Saturday, Nov. 23
Southern Lights Stroll 5K | 6-8 p.m. | Kentucky Horse Park | $30+ | Set the holiday season in motion by walking or running through the stunning light displays.
Pottery Ornament Glazing | 7 p.m. | Joseph-Beth Booksellers | $35 | Get crafty + join the team from Matchstick Goods to glaze three pottery ornaments.
Sunday, Nov. 24
Plants, Pints & Pizza | 1-3 p.m. | Rolling Oven Taproom Versailles | Free | Show off, sell, or swap your plant-related goodies while sipping pints + eating pizza.
Simulator Sunday | 1-4:30 p.m. | Lexington | $8+ | Pretend you’re flying high in the sky by hopping in a multi-screen helicopter simulator or fully immersive VR/Motion experience.
Allman Butter Band | 7 p.m. | The Burl | $10+ | We “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More,” we’re just in the Distillery District jamming to this rock cover band.
Wednesday, Nov. 27
Pinsgiving | 6 p.m. | The Burl Arcade | Free | One thing we’re grateful for — free pinball + specially-priced bourbon pours to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday.
Read Between the Vines | 6-8 p.m. | Ghost Fox Winery, Nicholasville | Free | Find a cozy spot, grab a glass of wine, and curl up with your favorite book at this midweek silent book club.
With a bar like this it’ll be hard to leave the lobby of The Lytle Park Hotel. | Photo by The Lytle Park Hotel
Itching to get out of town, Lexingtonians? Skip those pesky airport security lines and jump in your car for a road trip to Cincinnati instead. From the Festival of Lights experience at the Cincinnati Zoo, to the house-made pasta at Pepp & Dolores — we’re spilling all the details on how to have an unforgettable time in the Queen City. Let’s start with where to stay.
The Lytle Park Hotel, 311 Pike St. Nothing says romance like the lobby of The Lytle Park Hotel. A refreshing take on hospitality awaits in this 1909 building that offers a beautiful rooftop space + Italian restaurant Subito.
21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, 609 Walnut St. Unique art, modern rooms, a delicious restaurant — what more could you ask for? Pro tip: Try the blistered shishitos from onsite restaurant Metropole, they are City Editor Molly’s favorite.
The snow on Thursday reminded me that there’s just a couple weeks left to help out Believing in Forever’s Youth Coat Drive. Drop your new coat donations off at Agave & Rye downtown until Sunday, Dec. 1 or First Baptist Church Bracktown until Wednesday, Dec. 4.
