Apr 30 Thursday
Get ready to dive into a week of cheesy, saucy, Southern goodness — it’s time for the infamous Hot Brown Trail in Downtown Frankfort!
The week leading up to Derby, our local restaurants are putting their own creative spin on Kentucky’s most iconic dish —and trust us, these aren’t your grandma’s Hot Browns (but she’d totally approve).
From the classic flavors you crave to bold, unexpected twists, this is your chance to taste your way through Frankfort’s most indulgent, melty masterpieces.
Come hungry. Come curious. Come ready to crown your favorite.
Happening the week before Derby!
Dates: April 24 - May 2, 2026
Join us at West Sixth Brewing to learn more about Affordable Housing in Lexington with Gleanings Housing. Gleanings Housing is a nonprofit based in Lexington that develops affordable rental housing in our community for low and very low income residents.
May 01 Friday
Headley Whitney Museum presents RODNEY HATFIELD & LYNN SWEET Retrospective Exhibit featuring over 200 works highlighting each artists' 50 year career. Rodney Hatfield (ArtSnake) original, unique, uninhibited abstract, figurative and landscape paintings. Lynn Sweet designed and built furniture as well as fresco and acrylic abstract and landscape paintings. This exhibit includes Hatfield and Sweet works on loan from private collections as well a pieces available for purchase. Exhibit runs through June 28. Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10 am - 4 pm. $10 admission. Free for children 17 and younger and students with ID.
AquaVenture 2026The Artists’ Attic presents AquaVenture 2026, a juried regional exhibition of watercolor and water-based media, in partnership with the Kentucky Watercolor Society. The exhibition will be on view March 2–May 8, 2026 at The Artists’ Attic, 401 W. Main St., 4th Floor, Lexington, KY 40508.An awards reception will be held Friday, March 20, 2026 from 4:00–5:00 pm. The public is also invited to view the exhibition during Gallery Hop on Friday, March 20 from 4:00–8:00 pm.AquaVenture showcases contemporary and traditional approaches to watercolor and water media, featuring work by artists from Kentucky and surrounding states, including mixed media and experimental techniques.The exhibition is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00–5:00 pm or by appointment.The Kentucky Watercolor Society, founded in 1977, is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting watercolor artists through exhibitions, education, and community engagement.For more information about the Kentucky Watercolor Society, visit www.kentuckywatercolorsociety.com or find them on Facebook.For more information about the Artists' Attic, please visit us at https://theartistsattic.org/ .
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington (UUCL) is hosting a benefit concert featuring local band Midlife Harmony. The suggested donation amount for attending the event is $20, and all proceeds will go to Kentucky Refugee Ministries.
May 02 Saturday
Downtown Frankfort, Inc. Derby Celebrations 🥳 presented by First Federal Savings Bank:
Get ready for the ultimate Derby kickoff in the heart of Kentucky’s capital! 🎉
🚂 Wave to the Derby Train! Experience the excitement as the Derby Train rolls through Downtown Frankfort on its way to Churchill Downs! Don’t miss this special moment celebrating a classic Derby tradition.🎵 Live Bluegrass Music: Enjoy the sounds of Violet and the Newsroom, filling the streets with Derby spirit! (Band sponsored by the Liberty Hall Historic Site)🍳 Delicious Breakfast & Brunch: Savor the best morning bites from downtown’s amazing restaurants and Community Que food truck.🍹 Signature Derby Cocktails: Sip on handcrafted Derby drinks that capture the excitement of the season!👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Fun: Enjoy interactive kids’ activities for an unforgettable morning of entertainment hosted by Kentucky Historical Society Paul Sawyier Public Library and First Christian Church Frankfort!🏁 The Famous Triple Crown Race – Hosted by WalkBike Frankfort & Capital City Museum & Historic Sites: 🚴 Pedal for the Posies | 🏃 Bounce for the Roses | 🍬 Rebecca Ruth Bourbon Ball Challenge – Sign-up here!Sponsored by Castle & Key Distillery, Whitehead-Hancock Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory, and Harrod Concrete & Stone 🛍 Shopping & Local Charm: Downtown Frankfort comes alive with Derby excitement! Stroll through our unique boutiques and charming shops, each offering a special shopping experience that blends local flavor with festive fun.Don’t miss this chance to kick off Derby season in true Kentucky style!
Two neighbors live side-by-side in Texas share a fence, but little else. Even the arrival of a caterpillar causes disagreement – until the resulting mariposa/butterfly , and its eventual departure, unites them in wonder, sadness, and a new understanding of the beautiful world they share.
Mariposa / Butterfly is a Theatre for the Very Young (TVY) production, which means it’s specifically designed to be a first-time theatre show for ages 2-5. With a shorter run time, fewer words in the script, and interactivity with the actors, it’s the perfect family outing for our littlest audience members!
Don’t miss this beautiful story in full bloom – buy your tickets now and fly with us!
Recommended for Ages 3-7 Kids- $12 Adults- $17
Sat, May 2 – 11:00 am
Sun, May 3 – 2:00 pm (PWYW)
Sat, May 9 – 11:00 am
Sun, May 10 – 2:00 pm
*Pay What You Can on May 2nd @ 11 am
They may have won the Gay Blarney Stone pageant and came close in the Divx of Darkness pageant, but who will win the Ultimate Entertainer of the Year pageant?
Join the Imperial Court of Kentucky at The Bar Complex on Saturday 2 May at 8:00 pm and watch previous pageant winners and first runner ups compete for the title of Ultimate Entertainer of the Year - 2026.
Net proceeds to benefit a 501(c)3 charity / non-profit.
May 03 Sunday
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the premier adult concert band in the Commonwealth!
Join the Central Kentucky Concert Band on Sunday, May 3 @ 3pm at the Lexington Opera House for our FREE 50th anniversary concert, featuring music by Reed, Hazo, Sparke, Buckley, and Shostakovich. This performance will also feature appearances from past CKCB directors.
The Central Kentucky Concert Band (CKCB) is widely recognized as one of the finest ensembles of its nature in the southeastern United States. The CKCB receives support from LexArts, Transylvania University, and the Opera House Fund. The band is currently under the direction of Dr. Larry Spell, Assistant Professor of Music at Transylvania University. More information at https://ckcb.org
This performance is supported by the Opera House Fund.
Mahjong has lived in the hands of our ancestors for centuries. Originating in China, mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and just a touch of luck. We are hosting a mahjong fundraiser at Crank and Boom Manchester Vault Room on Sunday, May 3rd at 3PM. Proceeds benefit Get HAAPI, a newly formed local non-profit organizing cultural events celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Newbies and experienced players welcome! Limited seating available. Buy your ticket to secure your spot.
May 05 Tuesday
Join us every other month for Book Bingo, where you can walk away a winner with prizes from both International Book Project and Wise Bird Cider. Book sales will begin at 6 PM, and bingo will kick off at 7 PM with rounds for both grown-ups and kids! (Kids' sheets are free, adult sheets are pay-what-you-can). You could walk away with some great reads, gift cards, or swag from your favorite cidery--not sure if bingo is your game? You can support just by grabbing your fave cider anytime between 6-9 PM! We'll be giving back 10% of our cider sales to support IBP, so they can continue the good work they do for our community and beyond. Or you can shop IBP's pop-up book store and enjoy a quiet evening on the patio with your newest read! There are so many ways to be a part of this evening...and so many chances to have FUN!
May 06 Wednesday
Sculpture Trail Club with WalkBike FrankfortEvery 1st Wednesday April-October, 6-7pm ESTMay 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, October 7
FREE | Donations welcome | Please register
Josephine Sculpture Park is partnering with WalkBike Frankfort to host a monthly, social all-paces (run, walk, jog) club! Explore the park’s 2 miles of trails at your own pace with new and familiar friends.
This series is part of Josephine Sculpture Park's Wellness in the Wild program, strengthening community health through outdoor movement, the arts, and connection.
May 07 Thursday
Connect with Lexington’s Business Community at the Bolt Marketing x CivicLex Happy Hour
📍 Georgie's | 📅 May 7 | ⏰ 5-7 PM |
Business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives- this one's for you!
Join Bolt Marketing + CivicLex for a Happy Hour focused on bringing Lexington’s business community together. Meet other local leaders, make meaningful connections, and be part of the conversations growing our city.
CivicLex is strengthening civic health in Lexington. They help our community understand and get involved in local issues, connect with their neighbors, and have a say in decision-making. CivicLex is here to make sure Lexington can solve any problems we face together.
Learn more about CivicLex and become a member: https://civiclex.org/support#membership
🥂 First drink on us! 👋 RSVP encouraged (click "Reserve a spot")
ParkingParking for Georgie’s is primarily downtown metered street parking and public lot parking, so guests should plan to use whatever is available nearby.There is a small parking lot located directly next to the venue that typically offers around 20 spaces. This lot is free to use after 4:00 PM.
May 08 Friday
May 09 Saturday
Stop by International Book Project to take advantage of our new once-monthly weekend hours! Browse hundreds of gently used books at unbeatable prices. All of our books are $5 or less and every purchase directly supports our mission to promote literacy worldwide.
Buy a book. Change a life.
Red Oaks Forest School Art ClubEvery 2nd Saturday, 10 am-NoonMay 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12, October 10, November 14, & December 12FREE | Please register
Josephine Sculpture Park partners up with Red Oaks Forest School to host a free, all-ages Art Club the second Saturday of each month! Art and nature are perfect partners. Creating art helps us explore our feelings and deepen observations of the world around us. Nature is constantly inspiring so many feelings, wonders, thoughts, questions, and more. Spending time in nature and making art, both help to reduce stress and explore feelings, which can be so important for kids, especially in underserved communities.
Lex Center for Creative Reuse is crafting along with International Book Project! Join Stacey at International Book Project's bookstore to make paper flowers!
This class is appropriate for students 8-adult (adults must sign up with children).
NOTE: This event will be held at International Book Project: 1440 Delaware Ave, Lexington, KY 40505
Registration is required, so sign up today!
May 10 Sunday
May 13 Wednesday
Singer-songwriter and creative community builder, Jeri Katherine Howell, welcomes people of all ages and levels of singing experience to Come Sing x City Parks, a seasonal, place-based folk music program that sparks creativity, connection and civic engagement through outdoor community singing circles in Frankfort, Kentucky. Come Sing will meet at the Leslie Morris Park (Fort Hill) Gippy Graham Shelter on April 15, May 13 and June 17 and at the Cove Spring Park & Nature Preserve (Lower) shelter on July 15, August 12 and September 16 — all from 6 to 8 PM. Each session will include introductions to one another and the park, simple warm-ups, group singing and closing reflections. Come as you are, sing as you are! Learn more and register at jerikatherinehowell.com/workshops.
This season of Come Sing x City Parks is in partnership with Frankfort Parks, Recreation & Historic Sites and is sponsored by Music to Life and the Kentucky Arts Council. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, supports Come Sing x City Parks with state tax dollars from the Kentucky General Assembly in partnership with the America250KY Commission (for more information, visit history.ky.gov).
All-ages. $10 suggested donation