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Thanksgiving to New Year's

Holidays in Lexington

Every holiday event we have checked in and around Lexington, from Thanksgiving races to New Year's Eve. 61 events so far, each with its official source. Organizers post more every week, and we add them once they are checked.

Christmas lights: the lights map has every display by part of town, and this year’s lights guide has the dates and prices. The Downtown Lexington Holiday Parade is Sunday, December 6.

Thanksgiving

Races, meals and open doors around Thanksgiving Day.

Family Turkey Zipline Challenge

Families design, build and test a basket that carries a turkey down a mini zipline, in the Central Library STEAM Lab.

Checked date
Nov 14, 2026
Hours
2 pm – 4 pm
Price
Confirm admission with the library
Where
Central Library, Downtown

Turkey Burn and Mini Health Fair

A free pre-Thanksgiving night of workouts, health resources and door prizes at William Wells Brown Community Center.

Checked date
Nov 17, 2026
Listed time
6 pm
Price
Free

Thankful Stories for Preschoolers

A Thanksgiving-week storytime at Tates Creek Branch with picture books about gratitude, then gratitude art with paper and paint.

Checked date
Nov 19, 2026
Hours
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Price
Confirm admission with the library
Where
Tates Creek Branch, South Lexington

Preschool Thanksgiving Food Art

Preschoolers make art with Thanksgiving foods at Beaumont Branch; the library notes the finished pieces are not for eating.

Checked date
Nov 20, 2026
Hours
11 am – 12 pm
Price
Confirm admission with the library
Where
Beaumont Branch, West Lexington

The Gobbler Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

The 11th annual Gobbler half marathon, 10K and 5K on a horse farm, the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Checked date
Nov 22, 2026
Listed time
8:30 am
Price
5K $43; 10K $57; half marathon $85
Where
Mereworth Farm, North Lexington

Turkey Day Prep at Beaumont Branch

Kids get ready for the Thanksgiving meal with games, jokes and fancy napkin folding at Beaumont Branch.

Checked date
Nov 24, 2026
Hours
4 pm – 5 pm
Price
Confirm admission with the library
Where
Beaumont Branch, West Lexington

Thoroughbred Classic 5K

The 43rd annual Thanksgiving morning 5K at Keeneland, run by Bluegrass Runners for local charities.

Checked date
Nov 26, 2026
Listed time
9 am
Price
5K entry $40 before November 1
Where
Keeneland, West Lexington

Gobble Grease Toss: drop off used cooking oil

After Thanksgiving, the city takes used cooking oil and grease from turkey frying for free at the Electronics Recycling Center.

Checked dates
Nov 30, 2026 to Dec 5, 2026 (6 dates)
Hours
8 am – 4 pm, except 12 pm – 4 pm on Dec 2; 8 am – 12 pm on Dec 5
Price
Free
Where
Electronics Recycling Center, West Lexington

Parades and tree lightings

Free outdoor kickoffs. Check each organizer for route, street closures and weather.

Frankfort Christmas Parade: A Holly Dolly Christmas

Frankfort's downtown Christmas parade, themed this year around Dolly Parton, on Saturday, December 5, at 6 pm.

Checked date
Dec 5, 2026
Listed time
6 pm
Price
The tourism listing does not give a price
Where
Downtown Frankfort, Frankfort

Downtown Lexington Holiday Parade

Lexington's Christmas parade, officially the Downtown Lexington Holiday Parade, starts December 6 at 5 pm and travels west along Main Street.

Checked date
Dec 6, 2026
Listed time
5 pm
Price
Spectator admission price not stated
Where
Downtown Lexington, Downtown

Christmas lights

Drive-through and walk-through displays. The lights page maps them by part of town with a driving order.

Lights Under Louisville

Drive your own vehicle through an underground Christmas light show at Louisville Mega Cavern, November 13 through January 2.

Checked dates
Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 (51 dates)
Hours
9 am – 10 pm, except 6 pm – 10 pm on Nov 13; 5:30 pm – 10 pm on Nov 26 and Dec 25
Price
From $42.99 per standard vehicle
Where
Louisville Mega Cavern, Louisville

Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill

Walk through Christmas lights, the gingerbread exhibit and an artisans market on selected evenings in Millersburg.

Checked dates
Nov 27 and Dec 23, 2026
Hours
5 pm – 9 pm
Price
$17 per person; $15 veterans/seniors; $1 ages 7 and under
Where
Mustard Seed Hill, Millersburg

This calendar includes opening night and the final ticketed evening only, not every admission evening.

Ashland Illumination

Ashland lists its December 5 illumination event from 4–7 pm, with a Christmas shop, chorus and open house.

Checked date
Dec 5, 2026
Hours
4 pm – 7 pm
Price
2026 event admission not published

Shaker Village Illuminated Evenings

Three December Saturdays of lights, music, crafts and a 6:30 pm tree lighting at Shaker Village.

Checked dates
Dec 5, Dec 12 and Dec 19, 2026
Hours
4 pm – 8 pm
Price
$10 advance or $12 day-of, ages 3+

Luminate Lexington Tree and Menorah Lighting

Triangle Park's tree and menorah lighting follows the December 6 parade, with the program starting at about 6 pm.

Checked date
Dec 6, 2026
Listed time
6 pm
Price
Lighting admission price not stated
Where
Triangle Park, Downtown

The lighting program begins at approximately 6 pm after the parade; a finish time is not published.

Holiday markets

Shopping with local makers. Admission and parking vary by market.

Candlelight Weekend in downtown Frankfort

Downtown Frankfort lights up to start the holiday season, Thursday through Saturday of the second weekend in November.

Checked date
Nov 12, 2026
Listed time
5 pm
Price
The tourism listing does not give a price
Where
Downtown Frankfort, Frankfort

Lexington Christmas + Gift Show

A holiday marketplace at Central Bank Center with hundreds of vendors, local artisans and holiday displays, November 13 to 15.

Checked dates
Nov 13, Nov 14 and Nov 15, 2026
Hours
9 am – 7 pm, except 11 am – 5 pm on Nov 15
Price
$10 ages 13 and up; $8 online through November 12; ages 12 and under free
Where
Central Bank Center, Downtown

Christmas Market at Shaker Village

A one-day holiday market of regional artists at Shaker Village, with food trucks, fire pits and live music.

Checked date
Nov 14, 2026
Hours
10 am – 5 pm
Price
$8 to $20 by age; free for 5 and under

MixMas Holiday Market

A free holiday market of local vendors, makers and boutiques at Manchester Music Hall.

Checked dates
Nov 20 and Nov 21, 2026
Hours
5 pm – 9 pm, except 9 am – 3 pm on Nov 21
Price
Free
Where
Manchester Music Hall, Downtown

UK Art Museum Holiday Shop Sale

Two afternoons of 20% off everything in the UK Art Museum shop, memberships included.

Checked dates
Dec 4 and Dec 5, 2026
Hours
12 pm – 5 pm
Price
Free

Winter Village Holiday Market at Gatton Park

Gatton Park's first Winter Village Holiday Market runs Friday and Saturday evenings, December 4 and 5 and December 11 and 12, from 5 to 10 pm.

Checked dates
Dec 4, Dec 5, Dec 11 and Dec 12, 2026
Hours
5 pm – 10 pm
Price
Gatton Park's market page does not list a price
Where
Gatton Park, Downtown

Winter Village admission and season dates are not posted yet.

Holly Day Market

The Junior League of Lexington's 20th Holly Day Market fills Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park with holiday shopping on December 5 and 6.

Checked dates
Dec 5 and Dec 6, 2026
Hours
10 am – 6 pm, except 11 am – 5 pm on Dec 6
Price
$15; children 10 and under free
Where
Kentucky Horse Park, North Lexington

Santa and family outings

Visits, photos and programs for kids. Some need a reservation.

Santa's Workshop at Fayette Mall

Santa visits and photos at Fayette Mall's Santa's Workshop through Christmas Eve.

Checked date
Nov 6, 2026
Listed time
Time to be confirmed
Price
Photo packages from $42
Where
Fayette Mall, South Lexington

Holiday Family Portrait & Cards Drop-In

A free drop-in family photo at the library, which families can turn into a holiday card with the library's templates.

Checked date
Nov 21, 2026
Hours
9:30 am – 12 pm
Price
Free
Where
Northside Branch, Northside

Southern Lights Stroll 5K

The Horse Park's 23rd annual evening 5K run and untimed stroll through the Southern Lights displays.

Checked date
Nov 21, 2026
Hours
5:30 pm – 8 pm
Price
5K stroll $30; 5K run $35; kids 12 and under free
Where
Kentucky Horse Park, North Lexington

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical

Lexington Children's Theatre stages the musical version of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Lexington Opera House.

Checked dates
Nov 29, Dec 5, Dec 5 and Dec 6, 2026
Listed time
2 pm, except 7 pm on Dec 5
Price
$22 to $37; boxes $65
Where
Lexington Opera House, Downtown

Family Class: Sew Your Own Christmas Pajamas

A parent-and-child sewing class where each pair makes a set of Christmas pajamas to take home.

Checked date
Dec 5, 2026
Hours
10 am – 12 pm
Price
$70 per adult-and-child pair; $65 for members

Holiday Nature Ornaments at Raven Run

Raven Run staff lead an all-ages session making holiday ornaments and decorations from natural materials.

Checked date
Dec 5, 2026
Listed time
1 pm
Price
$8
Where
Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, South Lexington

Free Holiday Family Photo at Tates Creek Branch (December)

A second free holiday photo session at Tates Creek Branch, where Creative Camera Club volunteers take a digital family portrait.

Checked date
Dec 8, 2026
Hours
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Price
Free
Where
Tates Creek Branch, South Lexington

YMCA Reindeer Ramble 5K

The 20th annual YMCA holiday 5K run/walk at Keeneland; holiday sweaters and Santa suits are encouraged.

Checked date
Dec 12, 2026
Listed time
10 am
Price
$32 before November 8
Where
Keeneland, West Lexington

Holiday Crafts at Castlewood Community Center

A free evening of holiday crafts and holiday-themed sweet treats at Castlewood Community Center.

Checked date
Dec 15, 2026
Listed time
5 pm
Price
Free

Youth Holiday Celebration at William Wells Brown

The community center's annual youth holiday party, with games, crafts, bingo and holiday treats.

Checked date
Dec 16, 2026
Listed time
6 pm
Price
Free

Youth Craft: DIY Snow Globes at Dunbar

A free workshop at Dunbar Community Center where kids make a snow globe to keep.

Checked date
Dec 17, 2026
Listed time
6 pm
Price
Free
Where
Dunbar Community Center, Northside

Black Santa Experience

A family holiday celebration with Santa at the Historic Lyric Theatre on Saturday, December 19.

Checked date
Dec 19, 2026
Listed time
Time to be confirmed
Price
The Lyric's page does not list a price

Holiday shows and concerts

Nutcrackers, choirs and holiday stage shows, with checked dates and prices.

Lost Arts Art Club: Make Your Own Holiday Cards

An adult evening class at the Living Arts & Science Center on designing and decorating handmade holiday cards.

Checked date
Nov 3, 2026
Hours
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Price
$50; $45 for members

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet

A touring Nutcracker at the Singletary Center, billed as the largest Nutcracker production in North America, with acrobatics and puppets.

Checked date
Nov 7, 2026
Listed time
3 pm
Price
$35 to $88; Gold Circle $132, Platinum $187

Holiday Teas at Waveland

A three-course holiday tea in the decorated Waveland mansion, followed by a tour about Victorian Christmas traditions.

Checked dates
Nov 10, 2026 to Dec 19, 2026 (15 dates)
Listed time
Time to be confirmed
Price
$45 per person, by reservation
Where
Waveland State Historic Site, South Lexington

Lost Arts Art Club: Sew Your Own Christmas Pajamas

An adult beginner sewing class at the Living Arts & Science Center where each person sews a pair of Christmas pajamas.

Checked date
Nov 17, 2026
Hours
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Price
$50; $45 for members

The Lexington Theatre Company: Irving Berlin's White Christmas

The Lexington Theatre Company stages White Christmas at the Lexington Opera House, six performances from November 19 to 22.

Checked dates
Nov 19, 2026 to Nov 22, 2026 (6 dates)
Listed time
7:30 pm, except 1 pm on Nov 21 and Nov 22; 6:30 pm on Nov 22
Price
See official ticket options
Where
Lexington Opera House, Downtown

A Texas Carol

Studio Players stages a PG-rated Christmas comedy about a family hiding Mee-Maw's death at her East Texas ranch.

Checked dates
Nov 20, Nov 21 and Nov 22, 2026
Listed time
7:30 pm, except 2:30 pm on Nov 22
Price
$27 general admission; $17 students
Where
Studio Players, Chevy Chase

Shaker Christmas by Candlelight

A candlelit evening tour through decorated historic buildings at Shaker Village, on how Shaker Christmas customs changed over two centuries.

Checked dates
Nov 27, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 (17 dates)
Listed time
5:30 pm on most dates; some dates differ, so check the event page
Price
$15 per person; members 20% off

What Sweeter Music: Carols of Hope and Wonder

The Lexington Chamber Chorale sings carols and holiday works by John Rutter, Morten Lauridsen and others.

Checked date
Nov 29, 2026
Listed time
5 pm
Price
Ticket price not listed

Lexington Ballet: Deconstructed, The Nutcracker

A Lexington Ballet Nutcracker program at 21c Museum Hotel, separate from the company's full Nutcracker at the Opera House.

Checked date
Dec 4, 2026
Listed time
Time to be confirmed
Price
Price not listed; tickets coming soon

COLLAGE: A Holiday Spectacular

The 29th annual COLLAGE holiday show with UK School of Music singers and players and the Lexington Singers Children's Choir.

Checked dates
Dec 5, Dec 5 and Dec 6, 2026
Listed time
2 pm, except 7:30 pm on Dec 5; 3 pm on Dec 6
Price
Adults $50; students $22

BAJA's Jazzy Christmas XXII

The 22nd edition of UK Jazz Studies' annual jazz Christmas concert.

Checked date
Dec 8, 2026
Listed time
7:30 pm
Price
Adults $14; students $7

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland

Holiday music with aerialists and acrobats at the Lexington Opera House on Wednesday, December 9.

Checked date
Dec 9, 2026
Listed time
7 pm
Price
See official ticket options
Where
Lexington Opera House, Downtown

Christmas with C.S. Lewis

A stage show set on Christmas Eve at C.S. Lewis's home near Oxford, at the Lexington Opera House.

Checked date
Dec 10, 2026
Listed time
7:30 pm
Price
See official ticket options
Where
Lexington Opera House, Downtown

LexPhil Holiday Brass Quintet at Harper Hall

The Lexington Philharmonic's brass quintet plays holiday music at Harper Hall downtown.

Checked date
Dec 11, 2026
Listed time
7:30 pm
Price
Ticket price not listed
Where
Harper Hall, Downtown

Lexington Ballet: The Nutcracker

Lexington Ballet's new Nutcracker at the Lexington Opera House on six dates, December 12 to 20. Showtimes are not posted yet.

Checked dates
Dec 12, 2026 to Dec 20, 2026 (6 dates)
Listed time
Time to be confirmed
Price
Ticket prices not posted yet
Where
Lexington Opera House, Downtown

Showtimes are not posted yet. Check Lexington Ballet's calendar before you go.

Green Gifts for the Holidays at Shaker Village

A Shaker Village workshop making four or five holiday ornaments from natural and recycled materials, such as orange pomanders and pine cones.

Checked dates
Dec 12 and Dec 12, 2026
Hours
10 am – 12:30 pm, except 2 pm – 4:30 pm on Dec 12
Price
$60; members 20% off

Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration

Pianist Jim Brickman brings his touring holiday concert to the Singletary Center.

Checked date
Dec 13, 2026
Listed time
3 pm
Price
$45 to $72

Messiah Sing-Along with the Lexington Singers

An audience sing-along of Handel's Messiah with Lexington Singers soloists, piano and organ.

Checked date
Dec 13, 2026
Listed time
3 pm
Price
Adults $20; students $5

A Doublewide, Texas Christmas

The Bluegrass Theatre Guild stages a holiday comedy about the tiniest town in Texas at Frankfort's Grand Theatre.

Checked date
Dec 17, 2026
Listed time
7 pm
Price
The tourism listing does not give a price
Where
The Grand Theatre, Frankfort

The tourism listing runs the show from December 17 to December 20 but does not give each night's curtain time, so only the first night is listed here.

Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas

Rick Schuler performs John Denver's songs and Christmas favorites at the Lexington Opera House on Thursday, December 17.

Checked date
Dec 17, 2026
Listed time
7:30 pm
Price
See official ticket options
Where
Lexington Opera House, Downtown

Cathedral Christmas

The Lexington Philharmonic and The Lexington Singers perform sacred holiday works at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

Checked dates
Dec 18 and Dec 19, 2026
Listed time
8 pm
Price
Adults $40 to $90; students and youth $10 to $20

Kentucky Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker

Kentucky Ballet Theatre dances The Nutcracker at the EKU Center for the Arts in Richmond, at 2 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday, December 19.

Checked dates
Dec 19 and Dec 19, 2026
Listed time
2 pm, except 7:30 pm on Dec 19
Price
$45 to $75

The Nutcracker: Symphony of Lights

A touring Nutcracker ballet set to Tchaikovsky's score, with glowing costumes and light effects.

Checked date
Dec 19, 2026
Listed time
7 pm
Price
Ticket price not listed

Vienna Light Orchestra Christmas Tour

A touring candlelit Christmas concert with strings, five vocalists and illuminated trees on stage.

Checked dates
Dec 20 and Dec 20, 2026
Listed time
3 pm, except 7 pm on Dec 20
Price
$50 to $132

A Celtic Christmas

Irish dancers and musicians from the A Taste of Ireland company bring their holiday show to the Lexington Opera House.

Checked date
Dec 22, 2026
Listed time
7:30 pm
Price
See official ticket options
Where
Lexington Opera House, Downtown

More holiday events

Other checked holiday-season events.

Wreath Making at Hisle Farm Park

A free city workshop where people build wreaths from frames and materials gathered in the park.

Checked dates
Nov 29 and Dec 20, 2026
Listed time
11 am
Price
Free; registration required
Where
Hisle Farm Park, East Lexington

Craft Night: Handmade Ornaments at Dunbar

A free adults-only evening at Dunbar Community Center making handmade holiday ornaments; no experience needed.

Checked date
Dec 15, 2026
Listed time
6 pm
Price
Free
Where
Dunbar Community Center, Northside

Dates being confirmed

These holiday events are listed, but their dates disagree between sources, so we do not recommend a date yet.

Know a holiday event we are missing? Send it to us. Dates and prices come from each organizer; check their page before you go.