Event Calendar

The five groups of photographers in this exhibition worked collectively to capture the unique people, landscapes, and pace of life that distinguish Lexington, Kentucky. Maurice Strider collaborated with his students at Dunbar High School between 1934 and 1966 to create a rich archive of Black Lexington. Ida Nelson and Robert J. Long established Lafayette Studios in downtown Lexington to produce images for a range of commercial purposes between 1923 and 1959. The Lexington Camera Club was founded in 1936 and met regularly, often in room 208 at the UK Fine Arts Building, to encourage amateur photographers to develop more subjective uses for the medium. Their meetings continued for over thirty years with more than fifty members, and the club made its mark on photographic history with images that blend memory and imagination. In 2004, Marcie Crim, Jonathan Rodgers, David Schankula, and Richie Wireman began the Lexicon Project, a documentation of diverse communities in the city. Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova posted photographs and narratives on Facebook between 2020 and 2021 to facilitate connection in a time of social distancing. This exhibition is presented in honor of Lexington’s 250th birthday celebration and features work from our Museum collection, University of Kentucky Special Collections, and the Kentucky Room at the Lexington Public Library.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s fabulous musical based on the biblical tale of Joseph’s “coat of many colors” is fun for the whole family! The whimsical and entertaining score features genres from country to disco to 50’s pop while the heart-warming story teaches important life-lessons of perseverance, forgiveness and love. The Lexington Theatre Company combines Broadway veterans, rising stars, and local professionals for a production that feels just like Broadway, crafted right here in Lexington.

For almost three decades, The Kentucky Theatre has screened classic films every Wednesday (matinee and evening) from late May until early September. Over the years, this summer series has proved to be a perennial favorite. From film noir standards like The Lady from Shanghai to classic Disney animation like One Hundred and One Dalmatians and more recent classics like Do the Right Thing, the SUMMER CLASSICS offer something for every film fan. Come see movies from your youth, introduce your kids and grandkids to the stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, or discover a new personal favorite.

Save the date for our 250Lex Back to School & Big Cake Celebration from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, August 2 at the Kentucky Horse Park! This event offers free admission to the park to all public and private Fayette County students (K-12), teachers, staff, and their families. Park activities include horse shows, horse meet & greets, pony rides, food trucks, door prizes, cake and ice cream giveaways, and more!

Get ready to travel back to the ’80’s with an unforgettable performance, featuring a dynamic band, powerhouse vocalists, and the full force of the Lexington Philharmonic, all led by Music Director, Mélisse Brunet! Back to the ’80’s is a power-packed evening of the decade’s #1 hit songs, including “The Power of Love,” “Time After Time,” “Material Girl,” “I’ve Had the Time of My Life,” “Addicted to Love” and many others. Expect to hear songs from the most iconic stars of the ’80’s, such as Madonna, Debbie Gibson, Huey Lewis & The News, Phil Collins, Joe Cocker, and others. This Schirmer Theatrical/Greenberg Artists co-production features arrangements by Grammy-winner Jeff Tyzik.

The Kentucky Life Museum, which once housed a diverse collection of historical artifacts, played a crucial role in preserving Kentucky’s cultural heritage. Some of its valuable items belonging to Henry Clay were eventually transferred to Ashland, Henry Clay’s estate, in a move that sought to enhance the preservation and public accessibility of Kentucky’s historical treasures. At a “Tea and Talk” Waveland serves Solomon’s Porch savories, scones and sweets and Elmwood Inn tea. Enjoy a special presentation! Cost is $40 per person. Limit 20 guests. Call 859-272-3611 for reservations.

You are cordially invited to attend the national premiere screening of “Lexington: Resilience in the Redline.” “Lexington: Resilience in the Redline” is a down-home documentary that tells a local story of national significance. This documentary utilizes local history and policies paired with interviews highlighting the voices of more than 30 residents, leaders, and change-makers across housing, education, arts, and government. Each ticket to this event unlocks access to an immersive evening that includes a red-carpet entrance worthy of your best black-tie apparel, a “Research on the Rocks” food and drink reception, the chance to participate in a community art installation led by LaNora F. Long, and an expert-led panel discussion prior to screening.

250Lex: Concert for Lexington celebrates the city’s 250th anniversary with Lexington artists Ben Sollee, Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, Julia Perry, Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra, and a world premiere by Shawn E. Okpebholo.

The concert is free but registration is required. Registration opens July 1 at lexphil.org.

Let’s come together to celebrate Lexington’s story and dream big about what’s next. The 250Lex Forward Bash is your chance to connect with fellow young professionals and the young at heart who are passionate about moving our city forward. We’ll have live music from DJ Forerunner and the Bedford Band, delicious food, drinks and plenty of fun. Bring your ideas, meet new people and help shape the future of Lexington. This FREE event is made possible by 250Lex, hosted by BGCF365, Commerce Lexington and the Lexington Urban League Young Professionals. Registration is required.

As Lexington celebrates its 250th anniversary year, Origins Jazz Series is excited to present  the Equinox Jazz Fest — a five-day celebration joining tradition and  innovation, honoring both Jazz’s rich heritage and its boundless future. From intimate showcases to electrifying headliner performances, this festival embodies the spirit that has driven Jazz forward for over a century. Each performance promises to illustrate Jazz’s endless capacity for reinvention and its deep roots that make this music so enduring. Equinox Jazz Fest’s carefully curated lineup spans the full spectrum of contemporary Jazz featuring established legends alongside rising stars and foregrounds an array of vocal artistry and instrumental virtuosity. The result is a remarkable constellation of artists — from NEA Jazz Master Kenny Garrett and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra veteran Camille Thurman to progressive rhythm masters Nate Smith and Brandon Meeks.  Whether you’re drawn to the sophisticated songcraft of Kandace Springs and Rose Colella, or the cutting-edge percussion explorations of Tim Daisy and Chris Corsano, Equinox Jazz Fest offers something for every jazz lover—and plenty to convert newcomers to this most American of art forms. Equinox is rooted in Lexington’s deep jazz history, including the complex legacy of the Narcotic Farm that once housed legends like Sonny Rollins and Chet Baker. This festival is an extension of Origins Jazz Series’ mission to present high quality performances in compelling venues, promoting jazz literacy, and uniting our community through music. Each night offers audiences the chance to witness the artform’s most compelling voices in settings designed for genuine musical appreciation and community connection.

On HOP night dozens of galleries, museums, artists’ studios, and creative spaces collectively throw open their doors for anyone and everyone to enjoy. LexArts HOP has something for locals and visitors alike. A chance to roam and explore Lexington while being introduced to diverse art and artists. Spend the evening hopping from location to location taking in galleries, artist studios, and supporting venues exhibits. Take this chance to socialize with friends, strangers, and art lovers galore. Many pieces will be for sale by the artists if you’re looking to start a new collection or add the perfect piece to an existing one. Some HOP sites are pop-ups, but many have regular hours that you can find in the OFFICIAL HOP GUIDE. Official HOP Guides will be available at LexArts on Mill, 161 N. Mill and at all participating sites.

More information coming. Please check back soon.

Join us for In One A-Chord: Lexington Sacred Musical Festival, September 21 – 28, 2025, as we celebrate Lexington’s 250^th with the music that fills our churches, chapels, sanctuaries, synagogues, houses of prayer and places of peace. Twenty-five (25) sacred musical experiences are open to all and scheduled at religious and non-religious locations alike with time to hear each offering daily.  Not religious? No worries. Sacred music bridges the gap between the earthly and the spiritual, elevates the human spirit, has the power to heal, and the ability to bring listeners together in community to celebrate not only our commonality but the beauty in what makes us unique and different.  Save The Week for this inaugural sacred music festival! Performances are generally free or at low cost.  Please see individual events for more details.

The Kentucky Life Museum, which once housed a diverse collection of historical artifacts, played a crucial role in preserving Kentucky’s cultural heritage. Some of its valuable items belonging to Henry Clay were eventually transferred to Ashland, Henry Clay’s estate, in a move that sought to enhance the preservation and public accessibility of Kentucky’s historical treasures. At a “Tea and Talk” Waveland serves Solomon’s Porch savories, scones and sweets and Elmwood Inn tea. Enjoy a special presentation! Cost is $40 per person. Limit 20 guests. Call 859-272-3611 for reservations.

More information coming. Please check back soon.