Cathedral Christmas, ‘Nutcracker’ & more: Upcoming Lexington holiday events

In the beginning, there was “Messiah.”

Well, maybe not the beginning. But by the early years of this century, the Lexington Philharmonic had established a big, orchestral rendition of George Frideric Handel’s iconic oratorio at the University of Kentucky’s Singletary Center for the Arts as a holiday tradition.

Then, with new music director Scott Terrell on the podium in the late aughts, the tradition began to change.

Terrell preferred a “Messiah” like the original 1741 Handel composition, with a smaller orchestra and choir in a more intimate space. Performing in a few alternate venues led to the Cathedral of Christ the King, where the Philharmonic offered its “Messiah” for several years.

Allison Kaiser, who was executive director of the Philharmonic at that time, recalls Terrell visited the Cathedral “because someone had told him that the space was a beautiful and amazing acoustical space.”

That first “Messiah” at the Cathedral was 15 years ago. Over the next half decade, the program evolved, incorporating portions of “Messiah” with other seasonal music.

Kaiser says the change was inspired by the combination of other “Messiah” performances in the area, such as the annual baroque presentation by Christ Church Cathedral, and that “there was so much beautiful music, sacred and holiday music that wasn’t being presented. There could be more possibilities than sticking strictly with the ‘Messiah’ that we thought that the community would appreciate.”

Ten years later, Cathedral Christmas has established itself as a new Lexington holiday tradition. It’s now the only program the Philharmonic repeats as it became an annual sell-out, with only a handful of tickets left for the Dec. 12 and 13 performances.

Current Philharmonic Music Director Mélisse Brunet, who will be conducting her fourth Cathedral Christmas this year, said the growth of the program is a testament to “the power of creativity, and new ideas, and of taking risks as well.”

“When you are leaving something that works and that is a huge tradition, not only in the community but in the country, and decide to try a new business model, we all know it’s risky overall for orchestras,” Brunet said.

Current Philharmonic Executive Director Brooke Raby says the popularity of the program is also a testament to the audience’s trust in the Philharmonic.

Brunet said she appreciates being able to explore a variety of holiday music, including a world premiere by Kentucky composer and former Philharmonic principal violist Joseph Baber this year.

Lexington Philharmonic Cathedral Christmas

When: 8 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 13

Where: Cathedral of Christ the King, 299 Colony Road

Tickets: $40-$90 adults, $11 ages 17 and younger

Online: lexphil.org/cathedral-christmas

“A Cathedral Christmas” is just one of many holiday offerings on the calendar between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Here’s a diverse list of options to brighten your seasonal celebrations.

Music

“How Can I Keep from Singing: Sounds of the Season” — Lexington Chamber Chorale, 5 p.m. Nov. 30; Second Presbyterian Church, 460 E. Main St., Lexington; $25 general admission, $20 each groups of six or more, free for students K-12. lexingtonchamberchorale.org.

“Songs of the Season” — Christmas and Advent music, poetry, and prose by the Asbury University Music and English Departments 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5; Hughes Auditorium at Asbury University in Wilmore. Free. asbury.edu.

Handel’s “Messiah” — Lexington Baroque Ensemble, Cathedral Choir, and soloists 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5; Christ Church Cathedral, 166 Market St. $21.75, $32.25. ccclex.org/messiah.

Collage: A Holiday Spectacular — University of Kentucky School of Music and Lexington Singers Children’s Choir concert, Dec. 6 and 7. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. $47 individual, $34 each in groups of 15 or more, $22 students. Finearts.uky.edu, 859-257-4929.

Andrea Bocelli — celebrated tenor in concert with the Lexington Philharmonic, including holiday music; 8 p.m. Dec. 6; Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St.; Ticket prices vary. rupparena.com. 859-233-3535.

Seán Heely’s Celtic Christmas — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6; Norton Center for the Arts, 600 W. Walnut St., Danville; nortoncenter.com, 1-877-448-7469.

David Foster and Katharine McPhee — 7 p.m. Dec. 7; EKU Center for the Arts, 822 Hall Dr., Richmond. $66.34-$92.34. ekucenter.com. 859-622-7469.

Holiday Horns! — Community horn choir concert, 6 p.m. Dec. 9; Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. Free. Register to participate at finearts.uky.edu.

UK Jazz Studies presents BAJA’s Jazzy Christmas XXI — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9; Singletary Center for the Arts Recital Hall, 405 Rose St. $14 general admission, $7 students, free for UK students. Finearts.uky.edu. 859-257-4929.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve — 7 p.m. Dec. 10; Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St.; Ticket prices vary. rupparena.com. 859-233-3535.

Alltech Celebration of Song — concert with the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre and special guests 2:30 and 5 p.m. Dec. 14; Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Parkway. Free. alltech.com/alltech-celebration-song-2025.

Celtic Woman: Symphony Christmas Tour — 7 p.m. Dec. 14; EKU Center for the Arts, 822 Hall Dr., Richmond. $55.94-$133.94. ekucenter.com. 859-622-7469.

Festivals, Markets & Lights

Legendary Festival of Lights — lights, entertainment, caroling, and more through Jan. 4. Legends Field, 207 Legends Lane. $15.88 general admission, $13.83 ages 4-12. lexingtonlegends.com.

Christmas at Mustard Seed Hill — lights, holiday exhibits and market, food, music, and more, select nights Nov. 28-Dec. 23; Mustard Seed Hill, 1122 Main Street, Millersburg. Ticket prices vary. mustardseedhill.events/Christmas.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill — variety of holiday offerings including food, a market, candlelight tours, and other activities at the historic site Nov. 28 through December; 3501 Lexington Road, Harrodsburg. shakervillageky.org.

Christmas Cottage Market and Illumination at Ashland — holiday events at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, 120 Sycamore Road, including a market and candlelight tours Dec. 1-6, 12 and 14. henryclay.org, 859-266-8581.

Southern Lights Holiday Festival — three-mile driving light tour and holiday village with numerous attractions at the Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Ironworks Parkway, Nov. 28-Dec. 31. Ticket prices vary. khpfoundation.org/southern-lights/.

Downtown Lexington Holiday Lighting Festival — Lexington Christmas tree lighting, Menorah presentation, vendors, music, and ice skating at Triangle Park, 400 West Main St., 3 p.m. Nov. 30. Free admission. downtownlex.com.

Winter Village at Gatton Park — lights, food, activities at Gatton Park, 795 Manchester St., 5-10 p.m. nightly Dec. 4-23. Free admission. gattonpark.org/wintervillage/.

Crafted Social Winter Market — craft, art, and spirits at Greyline Station, 101 W. Loudon Ave., 6-9 p.m. Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6. Free admission. craftedsocialky.com/wintermarket25.

Downtown Lexington Holiday Parade — 11 a.m. Dec. 6 Main Street between Midland Avenue and Mill Street. Free admission. downtownlex.com.

Lexington Visitor Center Holiday Open House — food, art, holiday activities, and shopping 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6; 215 W. Main St. Free admission. visitlex.com.

Dance

“The Ebony Nutcracker” presented by The African American Ballet Troupe — 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29; Lyric Theatre, 300 E. Third St.; $15-$25; historiclyrictheatre.com.

“A Charlie Chaplin Christmas” Presented by the Lexington Ballet. lexingtonballet.org.

• 5 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6; Lyric Theatre; $50-$90.
• 2 p.m. Dec. 20; EKU Center for the Arts, 822 Hall Dr., Richmond; $25.78-$65.04.

2025 Winter Gala featuring ‘The Nutcracker’ Ballet — presented by Central Kentucky Dance Theatre, 7 p.m. Dec. 12; Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. $20 individual, $18 each groups of 10 or more. finearts.uky.edu. 859-257-4929.

“The Nutcracker” — presented by Kentucky Ballet Theatre Dec. 13, 14, 20, and 21; Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. Ticket prices vary. lexingtonoperahouse.com. 859-233-3535.

“The Nutcracker in One Act” — presented by Bluegrass Youth Ballet Dec. 19 and 20; Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. $30 adults, $23 seniors and students, $25 each groups of 10 or more, free for children under 2. bluegrassyouthballet.org.

Theater

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jr.” — presented by Lexington Children’s Theatre Nov. 30, Dec. 6 and 7; Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. $27 adults, $22 children, $12 members. lctonstage.org. 859-254-4546. boxoffice@lctonstage.org.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” — presented by Bluegrass Community and Technical College Theatre 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-6; Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, 141 E. Main St. $17.20 general admission, $14.20 students. lexingtonky.gov/playing/facilities/pam-miller-downtown-arts-center. 859-425-2550.

“Annie” — presented by The Woodford Theatre Dec. 5-7, 12-14, and 19-21; Falling Springs Center, 275 Beasley Road, Versailles. $26 adults, $18 students and children. woodfordtheatre.com, 859-873-0648.

“Christmas Carol Cocktail Experience” — immersive reimagining of “A Christmas Carol” pairing key scenes with holiday-themed cocktails Dec. 19 and 20; The Manchester Reserve, 903 Manchester St. $65. themanchesterreserve.com/upcomingevent-1.

“Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol” — Dec. 26-28; Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Main St.; Ticket prices vary. lexingtonoperahouse.org. 859-233-3535.