Lexington, in the state of Kentucky, USA, is renowned for many things apart from its clean and picturesque downtown district. These include its high concentration of educated inhabitants, equestrian events, and exciting festivals. We’ll focus more on the latter since they’ll be of interest to many travelers to this area. Music lovers can look forward to the Tahlsound Music Festival, bargain hunters will have a blast at Chevy Chase Street Fair, and taco fans won’t want to miss out on Crave Taco Week. Check out our comprehensive list of festivals in Lexington, Kentucky, and plan your upcoming trip to the USA accordingly.
1. Fayette Fest [Last event in 2019]
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you love horses and especially horse racing, then you shouldn’t miss out on Fayette Fest. This family-friendly event takes place at the Red Mile, which is one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the world, and features an oval race track with a clay surface. Furthermore, there’s a beer garden, food trucks, live music events, and attractions for the kids at the venue. There’s also a marketplace with vendors selling many interesting items, so bring some extra cash along as you don’t know what you’ll find here.
Fayette Fest
Address: 1200 Red Mile Rd, Lexington, KY 40504, USA
Website: Fayette Fest
Takes place: September
2. Lexington Pride Festival
The Lexington Pride Festival caters to both the local and out-of-state LGBT+ community. The festival allows this diverse community to come together and celebrate in an accepting and safe environment. And, it’s been growing in popularity every year, drawing bigger crowds and more booths, making for a very fun and vibrant event. The organizers go out of their way to provide attendees with an exciting daily schedule to keep things fresh and interesting. So, you can expect beauty pageants, dance performances, deejays, drag shows, and slam poetry, to name a few.
Lexington Pride Festival
Address: 120 N. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40507, USA
Website: Lexington Pride Festival
Takes place: June
3. Tahlsound Music Festival
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Music junkies have much to look forward to at this electrifying event. The Thalsound Music Festival is yet another family-friendly festival that exposes attendees to a variety of interesting bands. It’s a two-day event that takes place over the weekend, and the organizers allow for re-admittance as long as attendees wear their wrist bands. Since this is an outdoor festival, air lounges, backpacks, blankets, cameras, folding chairs, sealed plastic water bottles, sunscreen, insect repellant, and umbrellas are allowed at the venue.
Tahlsound Music Festival
Address: The Oleika Great Lawn, 302 Southland Dr, Lexington, KY 40503, USA
Website: Tahlsound Music Festival
Takes place: Usually held in September
Price: 15 - 20 USD
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4. Kentucky Three Day Event
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Kentucky is a great place for equestrians and horse riding enthusiasts. Not only does it boast the Fayette Fest, but also the Kentucky Three Day Event. The latter is a more formal event that takes place at the Rolex Stadium. Here, attendees can watch the many cross-country and show jumping competitions, and even do a bit of glamping at the upcoming 2020 event. There are also single-day and multi-day packages for single adults through to large families or groups available.
Kentucky Three Day Event
Address: 4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY, USA
Website: Kentucky Three Day Event
Takes place: April
Price: 19 - 1,550 USD
5. Crave Food + Music Festival
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you love good food, great music, and a cozy environment, then head over to Crave Food + Music Festival if you’re in Kentucky during August. What you’ll find here are car shows, cooking competitions, food trucks, kids’ activities, and live bands, so there will never be a dull moment. Several notable food vendors include Athenian Grill, Edley’s BBQ, Hippie Dips, LaRosa’s, Pasta Garage, Ranada’s Bistro and Bar, and Texas da Brazil, to name a few. There’s even a mobile art studio that teaches kids how to paint signs that promote street safety.
Crave Food + Music Festival
Address: Bluegrass Fairgrounds at Masterson Station Park, 3051 Leestown Rd, Lexington, KY 40511, USA
Website: Crave Food + Music Festival
Takes place: Usually held in August
Price: 8 - 12 USD
6. Picnic with the Pops
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you’re craving some good music and an unforgettable night out, then don’t miss Picnic with the Pops. You’ll be mesmerized by the emotive and rich sounds created by the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. And, if you’re intimidated by classical music, don’t be, as the organizers go out of their way to create an inviting environment, especially to newcomers and kids. Make sure to book your dinner table at the Boone Center or any of the nearby restaurants such as BurgerFi, Bourbon & Toulouse, or Pazzo’s Pizza Pub.
Picnic with the Pops
Address: Keeneland, 4201 Versailles Rd, Lexington, KY 40510, USA
Website: Picnic with the Pops
Takes place: August
Price: 15 - 400 USD
7. Chevy Chase Street Fair [Last event in 2019]
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Chevy Chase Street Fair is an annual family-friendly event where attendees congregate in one of Lexington’s most exciting shopping districts. This area has a bevy of businesses, eateries, retail stores, and nightspots that have something interesting for everyone. That’s why local vendors set up stalls during the street fair to entice locals and visitors from out of town. Expect to find stalls that specialize in art, beverages, clothing, country music, religious artifacts, massage therapy, and street food, to name a few.
Chevy Chase Street Fair
Address: Chevy Chase Inn, 833 E Euclid Ave, Lexington, KY 40502, USA
Website: Chevy Chase Street Fair
Takes place: August
8. The Inner Light Festival [Last event in 2018]
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Lexington’s festival scene doesn’t disappoint, as there’s no shortage of cool and interesting events taking place here throughout the year. If you’re heading to this city in November, then consider the Inner Light Festival, which covers a variety of esoteric topics. This festival features demonstrations and seminars from notable psychics, holistic health specialists, lectures, and many special guests. Also, there’s arts & crafts, a ghost hunt, and even a spa to make it a well-rounded event.
The Inner Light Festival
Address: 1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511, USA
Website: The Inner Light Festival
Takes place: November
9. Mary Queen Fall Festival
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Mary Queen Fall Festival offers attendees an entertaining and exciting event that they soon won’t forget. Now, why is that? Well, due to its family-friendly nature and wide range of activities, it’s one of those festivals that you shouldn’t miss when visiting Lexington. And, what you’ll find here includes a beer garden, bingo, food stalls, games, inflatables, live music, and a market. Don’t forget to enter competitions such as the Grand Raffle, as you could stand to win money and cool prizes.
Mary Queen Fall Festival
Address: Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary, 605 Hill N’ Dale Road, Lexington, KY 40503, USA
Website: Mary Queen Fall Festival
Takes place: October
10. Crave Taco Week
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you love a good taco, then don’t miss out on Crave Taco Week. This nonprofit event aims to showcase the region’s most delicious and trailblazing tacos from a variety of local vendors. Several notable vendors at this event include Athenian Grill, Bear & The Butcher, Country Club, Babalu Tapas & Tacos, El Rancho Tapatio, La Taquiza, Lexington Diner, Minglewood, and Skyline Chili, to name a few. Each of these restaurants produces their signature taco dishes for you to sample. And, if you submit your passport to the organizers, you stand a chance to win free tacos for a whole year!
Crave Taco Week
Address: Chinoe Road, Lexington, KY 40502
Website: Crave Taco Week
Takes place: Usually held in March
Price: 5 USD
Festivals for all seasons
The festival scene in Lexington is booming, with many notable festivals taking place throughout the year. Whether you’re interested in equestrian, music, or food events, you won’t be disappointed with what’s on offer here.
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