Lucky you. You just found LOUtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Louisville each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend visiting this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back, as we update our guide monthly.
(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)
See it on stage or screen
Caravan Comedy Contest | Wednesday, Jan. 7 | 7:30-9 p.m. | The Caravan Comedy Club | $20 | Help decide which comedians advance to the next round in this competition with 50+ standup comics.
“RISING” | Thursday, Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. | Kentucky Center for the Arts | $15 | This documentary tracks the story of 2022’s flooding in Eastern Kentucky, with all proceeds benefitting the Team Kentucky Emergency Relief Fund.
“Sojourner Truth” | Thursday, Jan. 22-Sunday, Jan. 25 | 7:30-7 p.m. | The Russell Theater at New Directions | See a stage show on the life and times of this abolitionist and activist.
“The Lightning Thief : The Percy Jackson Musical” | Saturday, Jan. 24 | Saturday, Jan. 24-Sunday, Feb. 8 | Times vary | The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts | $26.91+ | The YA classic comes to the stage in this original live rock opera.
Dolly Parton’s “Threads: My Songs In Symphony” | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Kentucky Center for the Arts | $45+ Bob Bernhardt will conduct this visual-musical journey of Dolly Parton’s songs, her life, and her stories.
Move to the music
Mozart & Haydn | Friday, Jan. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Ogle Center at IU Southeast | $36 | The Louisville Orchestra will perform works by classical legends Franz Josef Haydn + Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 7 p.m. | O.M.A.R. Presents | $38+ | One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four Elvis impersonators take the stage at this tribute to the king himself.
Teddy Conducts Mahler’s Ninth | Friday, Jan. 16-Saturday, Jan. 17 | Times vary | Kentucky Center for the Arts | The Louisville Orchestra’s award-winning director will conduct the final symphony of Austro-Bohemian composer Gustav Mahler.
Neko Case | Tuesday, Jan. 20 | 8 p.m. | Old Forester’s Paristown Hall | $80+ | Tickets are selling quickly for the indie singer and songwriter’s show.
Fool House - The Ultimate 90s Party | Friday, Jan. 23 | 8 p.m. | Mercury Ballroom | $25+ | Take it back to the 90s with music from NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Eminem, Britney Spears, Madonna, Spice Girls, and more.
For the fam
The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour | Friday, Jan. 16 | 7 p.m. | KFC YUM! Center | $59+ | Celebrate 100 years of Globetrotters basketball with slam dunks and trick shots.
Dinosaur World Live | Friday, Jan. 23 | 7 p.m. | The Brown Theatre | $43+ | This family-friendly touring show uses puppetry to bring life-size dinosaurs to the stage.
India Fest 2026 | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Kentucky Exposition Center | Tickets at the door | Celebrate the culture, cuisine, music, colorful dances, and art of India.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Breakfast 2026 | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 9-11:30 a.m. | The Galt House Hotel | $66 | Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with breakfast and community.
“Keepers of the Dream: Beyond the Dream” | Sunday, Jan. 18 | 3-7 p.m. | Kentucky Center for the Arts | Free | Watch this short play interwoven with music, dance, and spoken word.
Expos, galas, and cons — oh my
Louisville Bridal and Wedding Expo | Sunday, Jan. 4 | 1-5 p.m. | Kentucky Exposition Center | $0+ | Explore a range of wedding vendors like catering companies, bakeries, makeup artists, florists, and more.
Louisville Home + Garden Show | Friday, Jan. 9-Sunday, Jan. 11 | Times vary | Kentucky Exposition Center | $5+ | Shop garden + home goods, chat with local experts, and learn new skills.
Louisville Build, Renovate & Landscape Expo | Friday, Jan. 16-Sunday, Jan. 18 | Times vary | Kentucky International Convention Center | $4 | Get tips from the pros on home renovating and remodeling, including topics like basement finishing, waterproofing, smart home automation, and more.
Her Hope Kentucky Gala 2026 | Friday, Jan. 16 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Sawyer Hayes Community Center | $25 | This inaugural gala will feature a silent auction, catered dinner from Buca di Beppo, a keynote address, and more to benefit Her Hope Kentucky.
RiverCityCon Board Game & RPG Convention 2026 | Friday, Jan. 23-Sunday, Jan. 25 | Times vary | Holiday Inn Louisville East | $55+ | Play learn new games, shop vendors, and compete in tournaments all weekend long.
Food + drink fun
Dry January Happy Hour Social | Wednesday, Jan. 14 | 4-6 p.m. | Moxy Louisville Downtown | $13 | Sip on a Moxy-curated mocktail while socializing — and enjoy discounts on Zombie Taco’s food.
Night at the Museum | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 6-9 p.m. | KMAC Museum | $25+ | Adults can plan an epic date night with this evening featuring art, music, cocktails, and snacks.
Burns Dinner at Locust Grove | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 5 p.m. | Locust Grove | $+ | Celebrate Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns with Scottish fare, drinks, and performances that bring his poetry to life.
Louisville Chocolate, Wine & Whiskey Festival | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. | Mellwood Art Center | $67 | Boozy Milkshakes. That’s one of the things included with your ticket at this event featuring chocolate samples, a fondue bar, whiskey, and wine.
Get outside
Time Travel Half-Marathon (and 5k/10k) | Sunday, Jan. 18 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Parklands of Floyds Fork | $25.98 | Sign up for the one-mile run, 5k, 10k, half marathon, or kids dash.
Plotting Your Harvest: Vegetable Garden Design | Thursday, Jan. 22 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, Clermont | $25 | Get a head start on spring so you’ll have a bumper crop come harvest time.
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:
- Go to our Events page.
- Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
- Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
- Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.