Vacant office buildings downtown are set to become housing units | Mayor Craig Greenberg announced a new initiative aimed at incentivizing development in downtown Louisville — The Downtown Louisville Building Conversion Program — meant to convert unused offices to mixed use spaces.
Learn the history behind Louisville’s first skyscraper | This piece of Louisville history is worth a look back — and up. The Columbia Building was built in 1890, and was the tallest in Louisville for a decade. What happened to it?
Holiday pop-up bars in Louisville | Like Burl Ives once said, “I don’t know if there’ll be snow, but have a cup — or two, or three — of cheer.” Okay, maybe that’s not exactly what he said.
Events
Events
Saturday, Dec. 14
Affordable Art Holiday Market | Saturday, Dec. 14-Sunday, Dec. 15 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Logan Street Market | Free | Explore local artists and vendors offering watercolors, woodworking, fiber arts, and more at this budget-friendly craft show.
36th Annual Louisville Christmas Gift and Decor Show | Saturday, Dec. 14-Sunday, Dec. 15 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Kentucky Exposition Center | Free | Get all the supplies you’ll need to deck the halls of your home this holiday season, with over 750 booths.
“The Jew Who Loves Christmas” | Saturday, Dec. 14 | 2 + 7 p.m. | MaybeItsFate | Free | This live performance from local storyteller Abby Koenig is an honest, heartbreaking, and hilarious chronicle of the conflicting emotions of the holiday season.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Southern Sunday Roast | 12-4 p.m. | North of Bourbon | $25+ | Make a reservation to enjoy a special Sunday roast pop-up menu inspired by Louisville’s own Lawrence Weeks.
An Afternoon with Bob Hill | 2-3:30 p.m. | Main Library | Free | From run-ins with Muhammad Ali to an interview with Loretta Lynn, hear stories from a 60-year career in journalism from the former Courier Journal who recently released a new memoir.
Monday, Dec. 16
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Release Party | 5-8 p.m. | The Silver Dollar | $150 | Get a special sip this holiday, as you enjoy this nine-year-old private barrel in a guided tasting.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” Trio | Wednesday, Dec. 18-Sunday, Dec. 22 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Whiskey Thief | $50 | Hear the Vince Guaraldi classics, performed by a local jazz trio — you can even dance like the “Peanuts” gang.
Wondering what was on Louisvillians’ minds this year? According to Google Year in Search 2024, people in our city were searching for things like “food near me open now.” Pssst: To answer your search, check out our guide to late night eats.
Eat
McRib season is here — the seldom-available sandwich is temporarily back at McDonald’s. Availability + pricing vary by location, so we recommend checking with individual stores or the McDonald’s app. Psst — the McRib Locator reported the sandwich has been spotted at the Brownsboro Road location.
Shop
Pro tip for kids’ gifts:Consider gifting the family a membership to the Kentucky Science Center. Why? Experiences keep toys out of the living room and kids out of the house. Browse kid-friendly activities for more gift ideas.
Fun Fact
Quick — what’s the weirdest thing in our state? Is it the McDonald’s-themed house in south Louisville? That’s pretty strange, but according to FiftyGrande’s list of the “50 Weirdest Roadside Attractions,” the World’s Tallest Three Story Building in Paris, KY is even stranger.
Sports
It’s the Cards and the Cats, this time on the basketball floor. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Louisville Cardinals with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Seasonal
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) presents the 12 Days of Christmas. Celebrate the season with 12 popular nonstop destinations like Boston, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Orlando. Start planning your next adventure to one of SDF’s 35+ nonstop destinations this holiday season — and follow along on Instagram for more exciting updates.*
City Guide
City Guide
Reservations for LOU, please
The Louisville location was preceded by one other Locals in Kentucky, located in Frankfort. | Photo by LOUtoday
Some people make to-do lists — we make to-dine lists.
To satisfy those who are really hungry for fresh dining options, we’ve got details on several newly opened and coming soon River City restaurants. Grab your forks as we dig right in.
Newly open
Locals, 822 E. Broadway | Pizza | Reservations: No The second location of this Frankfort-based pizzeria + grocery opened in Derby City in fall 2024. Build your own wood-fire pizzas or calzones, and shop at the attached grocery store to prep your own meals at home.
Coming soon
Franny’s Seafood, 998 Goss Ave. | Seafood | Projected opening: TBD Located across the street from Hauck’s Corner, this seafood restaurant is still under construction. It is planned to feature 80 seats inside, along with an outdoor patio, and a menu focused on fresh oysters.
Touch screen compatible gloves. Beat winter dryness + rough skin by keeping hands protected when you’re out and about, thanks to gloves that still let you use your phone.
I don’t know what it is about this time of year — maybe it’s the music — but I always get nostalgic around the holidays. And as far as nostalgia goes, this look back at Louisville’s holiday history is a heaping plateful.
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