Winter fun ❄️

Winter events happening in and around Lexington

A wagon full of people at night with holiday lights

Hop on the Jingle Bell Shuttle at the Illuminated Evenings. | Photo courtesy of Shaker Village

Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready, Lexington. From light displays to holiday performances and festive shopping opportunities, winter is just around the corner for the Horse Capital of the World.

Gather the family and friends and celebrate what makes the holiday season special with this guide featuring 30 winter events happening this December.

🎄Festive fun

Illuminated Evenings | Saturdays, Dec. 10 + 17 | 5-8 p.m. | Shaker Village, 3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg | $5 or giving tree donation | Discover the holiday spirit by taking a ride on the Jingle Bell Shuttle, making a craft in the Elf Shop, singing carols + so much more.

Holiday Brunch | Saturdays + Sundays, Dec. 10-Dec. 18 | 10 a.m. | Marriott Griffin Gate, 1800 Newtown Pike | Price of purchase | Grab the family for festive fun featuring Jingle Bell juice, Vixen’s biscuits, and Donner’s delicious deviled eggs.

🎶 Holiday performances

Alltech Celebration of Song | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Pkwy. | Free | Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre and winners of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Ballet | Wednesday, Dec. 21-Thursday, Dec. 22 | 5 + 8 p.m. | Singletary Center, 465 Rose St. | Free, ticket required | Enjoy the ballet rendition of the C.S. Lewis story of the magic of Narnia.

a bar with leather stools and plants — The Melodeon will transform into a disco dance floor for NYE. | Photo courtesy of The Melodeon

🍾 NYE celebrations

💡 Light displays

Holiday Lights at the Distillery | Now through Sunday, Jan. 1 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Buffalo Trace Distillery, 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort | Free | Illuminate your holiday spirit by driving through a special route of colorful light displays.

Southern Lights | Now-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Kentucky Horse Park, 4075 Iron Works Parkway | $30 per car | Named one of Kentucky’s Top 10 Winter/Holiday Festivals and Events by Kentucky Travel and Tourism, this magical Bluegrass tradition is celebrating 29 years at the Kentucky Horse Park.

22 MORE EVENTS HERE

The most wonderful time of year to get out and explore the city is…

A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Fall
D. Winter
E. All of them

LET US SNOW

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, Dec. 9

And So We Are Found: Fiber Art by Kris Grier | Friday, Dec. 9 | 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. | Eastside Branch Gallery, 3000 Blake James Dr., Lexington | Free | This new gallery showcases unique fiber art pieces, all of which are inspired by the natural landscape of the Western US.
Action Figure & Comic Exhibition | Friday, Dec. 9 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St., Lexington | Free | Bring the whole family to celebrate diversity.
Nicholas Jamerson’s Hollerday Gitdown | Friday, Dec. 9 | 7 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd, Lexington | $20 | A happy “hollerday” show featuring music from Nicholas Jamerson & The Morning Jays, Buffalo Wabs, and The Price Hill Hustle.

Saturday, Dec. 10

YMCA of Central KY Reindeer Ramble | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 10 a.m. | Keeneland, 4201 Versailles Rd., Lexington | $25-$35 | Run, run Rudolph, it’s the most festive 5K of the year.
Crafted Social’s Winter Market | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Loudoun House, 209 Castlewood Dr., Lexington | Free | Stop by for a winter celebration complete with food, drinks, music, art, and community.
Santa & Friends Christmas Ornament Workshop | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 1-4 p.m. | Versailles City Hall, 196 S. Main St., Versailles | Free | Join Santa, Olaf, and the Grinch for an afternoon of holiday cheer including music, photos, hot cocoa, and a Christmas ornament workshop.

Sunday, Dec. 11

12 Divas of Christmas Extravaganza | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 4 p.m. | The Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St., Lexington | $40 | Proceeds from this extravagant event will support Moveable Feast Lexington.
The Nutcracker performed by The Lexington Ballet Company | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 2 p.m. | Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St., Lexington | $31-$59 | This holiday tradition is an enchanting production that will delight every member of the family.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

55º | Cloudy | 22% chance of rain

Coming Soon

Far Out Espresso - Italian Café will be opening soon at 496 E. High St. — in the former Ranada’s + Chatham’s spot. The cafe and apothecary concept is moving from its location in Georgetown and will offer gourmet coffees, Italian desserts, hemp-infused baked goods, smoothies, and teas. ☕ (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Legacy

Local author, historian, and attorney Foster Ockerman Jr. died on Sunday, Dec. 4. Foster was a founding trustee of the Lexington History Museum, Inc. + most recently served as its Chief Historian. A visitation will be held next Thursday, Dec. 15, 12-3 p.m., at First United Methodist Church. Read his full obituary. 💙 (LEX18)

Biz

Congratulations to Commerce Lexington’s Amy Carrington Stout for being promoted to Vice President of Leadership Development. Amy has been with the chamber for 11 years and instrumental in managing the Leadership Lexington and Leadership Central Kentucky programs, as well as Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass and the EMERGE conference. 👏 (The Lane Report)

Holiday

Mark your calendars for The Lyric Theatre & Cultural Center’s annual Kwanza Celebration on Monday, Dec. 26, at 6:30 p.m. The evening will include a screening of “The Black Candle,” the first feature film on Kwanzaa, and a discussion with the filmmaker MK Asante. The event is free, but registration is required. 📽️

Drink

Calling all “This Is Us” fans. Actress Chrissy Metz, who plays Kate Pearson on the hit NBC show, will be at the Hamburg Liquor Barn, 1837 Plaudit Place, tomorrow from 2 to 4 p.m. for a bottle-signing session of her wine, Joyful Heart. A portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold is donated to World Central Kitchen. 🍷 (ABC36)

Job

The Lane Report, Kentucky’s only statewide business magazine, is hiring a marketing strategist. The role will be responsible for engaging with potential clients and maintaining relationships with current partners. Ideal candidates will have proven experience in advertising sales and excellent customer service skills. 💼 (The Lane Report)

Shop

Wanna gift outside the box this year? Opt for an experiential gift from Uncommon Goods. From monthly gift subscriptions (like this Game of the Month Subscription) to hands-on classes taught by expert instructors (like a Raindrop Cake Class or Paint Your Pet Class), there’s something for everyone on your list.*

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New kids on the (Warehouse) Block

New Warehouse Block additions

A brick building with three business signs and cars.

As if we needed another reason to visit the Warehouse Block. | Photo by LEXtoday

What do you get when you put together handmade stationery, unique antiques + a glass-blowing bar? The newest kids on the Warehouse Block, that is.

Allow us to introduce you to three new businesses on Walton Avenue.

C. Bird, 245 Walton Ave. | As a “purveyor of unique finds” C. Bird offers unique antique furniture, home decor, and personal items like bath oils and jade face rollers.

Paper on Stone, 245 Walton Ave. | Everyone loves receiving a handwritten note, so why not level it up with a custom-designed style that fits your personality? We’ve got our eyes on these pretty desk calendars to start the new year on the right foot.

Trifecta, 243 Walton Ave. | Part glass-blowing studio and part art gallery, Trifecta offers a truly immersive environment for guests to experience art through the senses. Take a class yourself or watch the artists at work followed by cocktails in their lounge.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Molly.

Editor’s pick: My heart is so broken for the Ockerman family. I was lucky enough to have had coffee with Foster last year to discuss some story ideas and I was just blown away by his breadth of knowledge of the history of our city. I’m sure I speak for many when I say Foster’s presence will be so missed here in Lexington.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out our local Etsy gift guide, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Aaron Mikel, Molly Thompson, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Marin Fiske | Advertise with us.

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