Event Calendar

Art at the Cathedral is pleased to host “Lex250” an exhibit celebrating the 250th anniversary of Lexington’s founding in 1775. The exhibit features paintings, photos and fabrics highlighting our favorite Lexington places, characters, heroes, villains, beasts and events. Please join us for Gallery Hop 5-8pm on Friday May 16, 2025, to meet the artists and enjoy music and refreshments. At 7:30pm you can also catch a Choral Concert by the talented SCAPA Madrigal Singers playing in the Nave. Lex250 will be on display through July 7, 2025.

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.

Members of the Lexington Camera Club present unique images of the city, in celebration of 250Lex. “Only in Lexington: Photography by the Lexington Camera Club” will be displayed at the Eastside Branch Gallery, 3000 Blake James Drive, and open during regular library hours.  

Traditionally, a Railbird is a horse racing enthusiast known for sticking close to the action, hanging on the rail as each contender comes barreling down the track. For one special weekend in June the term takes on an added meaning during the Annual Railbird Festival. 2 days. 3 stages. World class artists.

A local history exhibit commemorating 250Lex from March 21 to July 13 at the Central Library Gallery, 140 East Main Street. The exhibit includes items from the library’s own Kentucky Room collection as well as loans from the Lexington History Museum, Keeneland, the University of Kentucky, and local residents.

From frontier life to woodcarvers, to tomahawk throwing and traditional music, Founders’ Day has something for all. Celebrated on May 31 at the park from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Founders’ Day will feature a variety of educational exhibits, traditional music, wildlife, and much more from our frontier and native American heritage.

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.

“Queer, Here, & Everywhere: The Roots of Kentucky’s LGBTQ History” is the first comprehensive exhibition of Lexington’s LGBTQ history, showcasing the importance of the queer community in this city. Highlighting key moments and figures in Lexington’s LGBTQ history, from Sweet Evening Breeze’s drag performances in the 1920s to the passage of the Fairness Ordinance in 1999, this exhibit will celebrate the resilience and contributions of the queer community. By shedding light on these often overlooked narratives, we hope to foster a greater sense of belonging for LGBTQ individuals in Lexington while also promoting understanding and appreciation among the broader population.

Art on the Town is at Thursday Night Live every Thursday evenings from 5-9 p.m., June 5, 12, 19, 26. Art on the Town is at the Farmer’s Market on June 7, 14, 21, 28. Art on the Town is at Tandy Park, 3rd Friday event is June 20 with 20+ local artists, live music, live art-making, and food trucks.

The Lexington Lions Bluegrass Fair is the fundraiser for the club’s charitable activities.

All profits from the fair are donated to organizations supporting people affected by problems with Vision, Hearing, Diabetes, Hunger, Pediatric Cancer and the Environment. 

Central Bank Thursday Night Live takes place every Thursday at Fifth Third Bank Pavilion in Tandy Park from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Join us in Downtown Lexington for beverages, food, art, and of course, great music by live bands!

Friday Flicks at Jacobson Park offers a great evening of entertainment for all ages, including a free movie and fun activities. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Food vendors will be on-site, or you can bring your picnic. For safety, pets are not permitted at this event. Pre-movie activities include children’s games, free temporary tattoos, a petting zoo, non-profits, and a preshow activity centered around that night’s movie. Activities begin at 7 p.m., and the movie starts at dark. June 6 — Cars, June 13 — The Wild Robot, June 20 — Kung Fu Panda 4, June 27 — Moana 2

Free, family-friendly concert in the heart of Downtown Lexington featuring Rockland Road! This family band from Nashville will have your toes tapping. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. This event will be held at the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Tandy Park.

Stay tuned for more details.