Event Calendar

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

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!

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!

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.

A literary celebration with live entertainment, food and surprises. Every fall the halls of the Carnegie Center transform into a celebration of a classic tale. This immersive experience with entertainment, heavy appetizers, an open bar, and plenty of surprises, will transport you into the pages of the book. Costumes are encouraged and party goers always rise to the occasion! This event has been a sold out evening in the past, so buy your tickets today to make sure you don’t miss out!    

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.

Artistic Hands Shaping A New Society (AHSANS) Arts Initiative Showcase/Competition, featuring artists in the 8-17 category; and artists in the 18-108 category!

Join us as the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras kicks off its 78th Season with a powerful celebration of youth, music, and community! This concert features performances from every classical CKYO ensemble — including our Symphony, Concert, Repertory, Percussion, and Bravo String orchestras — showcasing the incredible talent of over 300 young musicians from across the Bluegrass. The evening will culminate in the world premiere of An Anthem for Lexington, a new work for youth orchestra and youth choir commissioned for the City of Lexington’s 250th anniversary. This special 250Lex Project piece, written especially for CKYO, honors the city’s past and imagines its future — a musical tribute to the heart of our community with original poetry by Deidra White and music composed by William White. Celebrate the power of music, the promise of young artists, and the spirit of Lexington with us!

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.

An exploration of prominent Lexington women through the lens of art, archetype, symbolism and spirituality. How did these women’s inner lives manifest in a society with rigid expectations for female behavior?

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.

The first Thanksgiving in the United States has traditionally been thought to be the 1621 feast held by Pilgrims and Wampanoag people in what is present-day Massachusetts.  However, there were several other Thanksgiving services that took place earlier and in different parts of the country.  Enjoy a Thanksgiving inspired tea while learning about the history of Thanksgiving and how it eventually became a national holiday. 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.

Attendees must wear black attire with “diamond” accessories. This is a cultural arts event with live music performances, dancing, DJ, and community networking for people from diverse backgrounds. A portion of the proceeds will be gifted to the African-American Arts Association.