Event Calendar

Students from STEAM Academy, who represent every zip code in the city, will be presenting research projects that specifically look at the qualities that make a community strong and future-ready: health and vitality, local leadership, environmental best practices, civil engineering and infrastructure, and social well-being. Hear Mayor Linda Gorton’s reflection on this year’s celebration, along with civic and community leaders, as we pause and consider the possibilities of Lexington’s future. Students will showcase their research findings and have an opportunity to ask questions to help shape their understanding. Chick-fil-A will be provided to the first 400 guests, along with refreshments, live orchestral music, and exhibits that will spark imagination and conversation. There is no fee to attend the event.

Seven unique art exhibitions on view featuring works by local, national, and international artists.

Words inspire us, art connects us, together they give us hope. Redwood Cooperative School’s middle school students wanted to create artwork for a show centered around “hope”, and will utilize a combination of vocabulary, text with visual art. The mediums will include typography, ink, collage, paper mache and paper sculpture. This exhibition will also incorporate black-out poetry and have both two and three dimensional pieces.

Keeneland Library’s newest exhibit and education initiative, Raíces: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing,showcases 100 groundbreaking Latino figures in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry from the late 1800s to today. The exhibit features biographical vignettes and never-before-displayed photographs and memorabilia of men and women in the sport from across the Americas to highlight the breadth and depth of their indelible marks on the industry’s past, present, and future. Raíces – or roots – are emblematic of their respective stories, individual and collective heritage, and legacies sowed and sustained at every level of the sport.

Every December, the historic estate of famed Kentucky statesman Henry Clay is “dressed to the nines” with decorations for the Holiday Season. The grounds are free to visit year-round and standard guided tours are conducted regularly. However, for a few select nights during the Holidays, guests can book a special candlelight tour of Ashland and experience this meticulously preserved mansion just as its original inhabitants once did. Availability is limited and dates are subject to change.  

Celebrate Lexington’s 250th anniversary and Mary Lincoln’s 207th birthday at a free event hosted by the Mary Todd Lincoln House! Activities at the program will be inspired by Mrs. Lincoln’s entertaining. Enjoy a magic show like one performed in the White House and sample treats inspired by parties the Lincolns’ hosted throughout their marriage. The event will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (last entrance at 3:30 p.m.) on Saturday, December 13. Allow one hour for your visit. Recommended for ages 12-up.  Please note, entrance is subject to capacity limits. The Mary Todd Lincoln House is located at 578 West Main Street in downtown Lexington. The free event is offered in partnership with 250Lex, the city’s celebration of its 250^th anniversary.

The Alltech Celebration of Song will be twice as nice this year, celebrating its 20th anniversary with two performances on Sunday, Dec. 14. This year’s concerts, set for 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, will also help commemorate the City of Lexington’s 250th anniversary. The Alltech Celebration of Song features popular Christmas music and traditional carols performed by the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, winners of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and special guest singers. Dozens of singers will perform at the event, accompanied by a professional orchestra, and audience members will be invited to sing along to classic Christmas favorites. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.; parking and admission are complimentary. For more information, email events@alltech.com.

Celebrate Lexington’s 250th Birthday Year-end with us! 250LEX proudly presents a public art unveiling that captures the spirit of our city’s landmark 250th birthday acknowledgement and celebration. Join us for the year-end unveiling of this vibrant, community-inspired work of 250LEX art! A special thank you to LexArts and the UK School of Art and Visual Studies (SAVS), for their partnership, artistic design, and installation of the 250LEX year-end public art.