Lexington is in the Bluegrass Region, so it is fitting that the city is home to the annual Festival of the Bluegrass, held annually each June at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground. The largest event of its kind in the world, it has drawn the top Bluegrass performers since the festival was first started in 1974. Other favorite festivals include: Danville's Great American Brass Band Festival , Berea Crafts Festivals, Shakespeare in the Park, Ballet Under the Stars, Mayfest, Picnic with the Pops, Woodland Arts Fair and the Woodland Jubilee.

     Lexington also offers an extensive and quite eclectic arts calendar for a city its size. The city’s many groups include a professional orchestra, the Lexington Philharmonic, along with several theater groups including the Actors Guild of Lexington. Younger visitors will enjoy the Lexington Children’s Theatre, Kentucky’s official state children’s theatre, which has been staging productions since 1938. Touring groups present Broadway shows at the restored Lexington Opera House, while each June the UK Opera Theatre presents its widely popular “It’s a Grand Night for Singing,” while August features Shakespeare in the Park at the Arboretum. Call 859-257-4929 for upcoming performance dates.

     The Lexington Ballet Company and Kentucky Ballet Theatre both offer full seasons of dance, and every August there is Ballet Under the Stars.

     F or more information on the performing arts, contact LexArts , Lexington's arts and cultural council, at 859-255-2951 or the University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts at 859-257-1706.