Event Calendar

In the late 18th century, funeral practices became more formalized and elaborate, reflecting the growing influence of social status and personal wealth and on how individuals were honored in death. The deceased were often dressed in fine clothing, placed in ornate coffins, and buried in family plots, with the wealthy commissioning elaborate monuments or tombstones to ensure their legacy. Mourning rituals were also more structured, with widows and close relatives expected to wear black clothing for extended periods. 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.

Keeneland is proud to celebrate Lexington’s 250th Birthday in conjunction with the Fall Race Meet during Equine Month. Keeneland will create a race day experience that embodies the signature elements that make living in Lexington so special—its creative culture, its bourbon heritage, and its deep connection to the horse. Keeneland and 250LEX will give fans an unforgettable experience that reflects what makes Lexington so special to call home.

The National Horse Show is a hunter/jumper event. The event will feature a full array of hunter divisions, Junior & Amateur Owner Jumpers, the top Open Jumpers from the USA and around the world, and the Maclay National Championship. The CP National Horse Show is consistently ranked as one of the top shows in the United States by the North American Riders Group (NARG).

This annual tradition has become a local must-do event as Halloween enthusiasts of all ages descend on downtown Lexington to celebrate the season. Lexington’s largest free Halloween party will begin with Halloween-inspired art and performances and culminate with the Halloween Parade and Thriller reenactment. Food, beverage and craft vendors will open from 4 – 9 p.m., serving good eats and treats. This event, which USA Today named a Top 10 Halloween Destination and Oprah Magazine featured in the Top 25 Best Halloween Festivals Across the U.S., is brought to you by Lexington Parks & Recreation, Mecca Live Studio and WRFL. It is free to the public.

The spooky classic story by Washington Irving is presented with all the thrills, chills, and laughs that keep young audiences on the edge of their seats. Join the bumbling, awkward schoolteacher, Ichabod Crane; the coquettish Katrina; Ichabod’s brutish rival, Brom Bones; and the Headless Horseman for this spooky, silly, and spirited story. A perfect Halloween treat! Don’t lose your head – get your tickets now!

Bluegrass Youth Ballet is excited to bring the original ballet, Día de los Muertos, back to the stage Thursday, October 30 at 7 P.M. and Saturday, November 1 at 2 P.M. & 7 P.M. at the Lexington Opera House. Thanks to support from 250Lex and the City of Lexington, school shows (Thursday, October 30, and Friday, October 31 at 10 A.M.) will be free to K–12 students. Día de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead—is a festive celebration in memory of those who have died. Assured that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Día de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities that the deceased enjoyed in life. Although marked throughout Latin America, Día de los Muertos is most strongly associated with Mexico, where the tradition originated. Tickets are available now (link below) or in person at the Central Bank Center Box Office from 12-4 P.M. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Welcome to the Maven Womens Art Experience! Join us at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center for a day filled with creativity, inspiration, and empowerment. This in-person event celebrates the talent and vision of women artists from all walks of life. Immerse yourself in a diverse showcase of art forms, from paintings to sculptures to performances. Connect with fellow art enthusiasts and support the incredible female artists in our community. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the beauty and passion of womens art firsthand. See you there!

​​Artists all over Lexington will open their creative spaces to the public for Arts Connect LEXINGTON’S OPEN STUDIOS WEEKEND. Sponsored by 250Lex, this event will kick off Lexington’s ART MONTH. This event will be a wonderful opportunity to see artists at work, observe their process, ask questions as well as take advantage of any studio sales.  Whether you’re an art lover, a collector, a fellow artist or just curious about exploring this intriguing world, then Lexington’s OPEN STUDIOS WEEKEND will provide you with a unique opportunity to meet, understand, appreciate and experience Lexington’s creative community.

Join us Friday, November 7th from 7pm-8:30pm at the Ahava Center for Spiritual Living for a benefit concert and silent auction! Our amazing Allegro Dance Project band will be performing their hit songs from our past 11 years of shows while you bid on artwork, jewelry, gift cards and more at our amazing silent auction! We’ll also have Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck and Beverly Ann’s Cookie Truck on site for some cozy fall refreshments! Adaptive Dance student Ella Ricketts will co-host what is sure to be a fun and memorable evening- with all donations and silent auction bids benefiting our Inclusive Dance Outreach and 2026 performances. No cover or admission fee – but donations will be accepted (and appreciated) at the door.

Explore Mary Lincoln’s relationship with clothing – the fashion trends of her adult years, her relationship with African American dressmaker Elizabeth Keckley, and more! Listen to a presentation on mid-19th century women’s attire, chat with a costumed interpreter, and see mourning items from the MTL House collection and an 1830s dress from Liberty Hall Historic Site. Recommended for ages 12- up. $15 general public/ $10 museum members and students. Doors open at 2 p.m. with last entrance at 3:15 p.m. Allow 45 minutes for your visit. Purchase tickets at www.mtlhouse.org or at the door. For further information, call the museum at 859-233-9999. The Mary Todd Lincoln House is the childhood home of Mrs. Lincoln. She brought her husband Abraham Lincoln and their children to visit the Todd family here in 1847. The first historic site restored to honor a first lady, the museum’s mission is to cultivate public interest in the multilayered past by sharing the story of a woman whose experiences resonate today.

Exposing marginalized youth to the performing arts, in an effort to offer them a healthy mental outlet, is what The Bridge Initiative is about. Students will receive teachings and instruction from college level professors and teachers throughout the nation, leading them to their public performance The University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts and Transylvania University’s Mitchell Fine Arts Center. Beginning November 10, the Bridge Initiative will include a 5 day intensive learning/introduction into the performing arts. They will put on a free, public performance of, The Bridge Initiative: An Eastside Story. Prior to November, students will attend University of Kentucky Fine Art concerts for free, and will continue this series throughout 2026, to foster a relationship between them, and the performing arts.

In conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week and produced by Thought Partner, Fish Tank: Emerging Entrepreneurs in the Arts is a pitch competition that features UK arts administration students who have bold ideas for a better future in the arts, and are ready to jump in the tank and share them with you. Competitors will be judged on the feasibility and sustainability of their projects by esteemed business owners and arts professionals featuring Armen Shaomian, concert pianist, professor, and arts consultant; Suniti Mujumdar, Social Innovation Program Manager at UK Innovate; and Sal Sanchez, owner of A Cup of Common Wealth and Magic Beans Coffee Roasters in Lexington. Back by popular demand, there will be an audience choice winner (of bragging rights) again this year. Register for your free ticket so you can vote for your favorite pitch. The 8th annual Fish Tank is on Tuesday, November 18th, 2024 at 7:00 PM at Awesome Inc. Parking in the Phoenix Garage surface lot is free after 5:00 PM on weekdays. This event would not be possible without the generous support of University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts, UK Department of Arts Administration, Thought Partner, and Awesome Inc.

This Charles Dickens Christmas classic gets a whole new spin in Alan Menken and Lynn Ahren’s spectacular musicalized version. Delight in this holiday favorite as Ebeneezer Scrooge is visited by the spirits of Christmas – past, present and future – who hope to change his curmudgeonly ways. A fantastic holiday gift from all of us at The Lex, to you and yours. 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.

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.