We’ve made our list, checked it twice, now we’re ready to shop. If you want to keep your holiday spending local while browsing an array of gifts, check out these 14 holiday markets that prove there’s no place like Lexington for the holidays.
Holiday Market at Hamburg, Hamburg Pavilion Creative Kentucky Makers will host this market with 60+ local vendors and artists on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Bluegrass Creative Market, Lakeside at Lexington Green This quarterly shopping experience returns with a holiday edition on Saturday, Nov. 9 + Sunday, Nov. 10.
MixMas Market, Manchester Music Hall Grab food and drinks while shopping local on Friday, Nov. 22 + Saturday, Nov. 23. Lexington Mercantile Co. hosts this shopping event showcasing gifts from local vendors, makers, and boutiques.
You’ll find a growing selection of seasonal goods at Michler’s Christmas Market. | Photo via Michler’s
Michler’s Christmas Market, Kentucky Native Cafe The local greenhouse will be blooming with holiday gift ideas at its annual market on Saturday, Dec. 7 + Sunday, Dec. 8.
Holiday Open House | Thursday, Nov. 7-Saturday, Nov. 8 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Syers Browning | Free | The holidays have arrived at Syers Browning — kick off the season at this open house event and get a head start on your seasonal shopping.*
Pop Tab Palooza | 3-6 p.m. | Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass | Free | Donate pop tabs and enjoy family-friendly fun with pizza, cotton candy, and a bounce house.
Katherine Helm: Artist of the Bluegrass | 6-7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn about Mary Lincoln’s niece, artist Katherine Helm, with the assistant director of the Mary Todd Lincoln House, Kate Hesseldenz.
Fredd C, Steez Louise + Tony Wavy | 9 p.m. | The Burl | $15+ | The three rappers take the stage with guests Jah The King + Trap Quiddi.
Friday, Nov. 8
Josh Pray | Friday, Nov. 8-Saturday, Nov. 9 | Times vary | Comedy Off Broadway | $20+ | The Florida-born comedian and social media star gives Lexington a dose of his humor.
Saturday, Nov. 9
Bluegrass Creative Market - Holiday Edition | Saturday, Nov. 9-Sunday, Nov. 10 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lexington Green | Free | Festival-style Kentucky-made market featuring live music, giveaways, free samples, and delicious food and drink trucks.*
“Winnie the Pooh” | Saturday, Nov. 9-Sunday, Nov. 17 | Times vary | Lexington Children’s Theatre | $10+ | Step into the Hundred Acre Wood in this musical adaptation of A.A. Milne’s classic tale featuring the beloved bear.
Sunday, Nov. 10
Natural Green Burials | 12:15-1 p.m. | Ahava Center For Spiritual Living | Free | Jennifer Crossen leads this presentation about Windy Knoll Memorial Sanctuary, Kentucky’s first green cemetery, and conventional burial practices.
Fayette County voters approved a new property tax at the 2024 General Election that will support the city’s park projects — the first new property tax in 20 years. Starting in 2025, the referendum is expected to generate $8 million annually by implementing a 2.25-cent tax on every $100 of taxable property. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Environment
If you’re starting to swap out decorations, Lexington has provided resources for getting rid of seasonal waste. The city will host campaign sign collection drives through Monday, Nov. 18 + holiday light collection drives starting Tuesday, Nov. 19. You can also find guidance on disposing decorations, gift trash, and electronics.
Award
Do you know an unsung hero who represents Lexington through public and civil service? You can sing their praises by nominating them for CivicLex’s second annual Lexington Unsung Hero Awards through Sunday, Nov. 15. Eight locals will be recognized at a ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
Drink
Raise a glass, Lexington Bourbon week begins today. The celebration of distilleries and mixology will highlight the spirit at 20 local restaurants where you can enjoy off-menu cocktails through Saturday, Nov. 16. See the special sips.
Outdoors
Lexington’s Division of Environmental Services removed six willow oak trees from the downtown area — but don’t weep for these willows, the city plans to replace them. The department determined the trees were “standing dead,” meaning they weren’t producing leaves, but were posing a safety hazard because they hadn’t fallen.
Theater
The Lexington Opera House is giving you what you want. “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” — a play honoring the music of Aretha Franklin — will take the stage on Thursday, March 27, 2025. What you need: Ticket sales start tomorrow, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.
Try This
Feeling crafty, Lexington? You’re in luck. New crafts have arrived at Wick + Mortar Studio | Poppy and Pomelo. Gather your besties to create natural fire starters on Saturday, Nov. 16, wooden air freshies on Sunday, Nov. 17, or sip on craft cocktail + create custom wax seals on Thursday, Nov. 21. Reserve your spot.*
Category
Development
🏗️ A master plan takes form
The 2,800-acre expansion will take place in the five yellow areas according to the Urban Growth Master Plan. | Photo via City of Lexington
Fayette County’s Urban County Planning Commission is moving forward with plans to reshape Lexington. The department approved the Urban Growth Master Plan — which lays out how the city’s 2,800-acre expansion will be developed.
The five development areas will see the addition of new “village-style neighborhoods.” The approved proposal could add a total of 24,500+ housing units and a variety of home options — including condos, apartments, and single-family homes — so each section will have a different population density.
The plan also focuses on connectivity and sustainability, offering multimodule transportation options and proximity to outdoor spaces. Villages plan to have hubs with retail and mix-use facilities, making it easy for residents to access necessities.
This is a part of the Imagine Lexington 2045 plan, so it’s expected to take decades to complete and it can’t break ground without funding. Lexington’s next step is spending $750,000 to identify financial resources.
The Buy
The Buy
A cozy half zip fleece pullover. The trendy bestseller features sleeves with thumbholes and is available in 30+ colors.
Has anyone else been feeling extra tired since we reverted to daylight standard time? The disruption in my daily flow has not gone unnoticed, but I’ll also take this as an opportunity to explore Lexington’s coffee shops.
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