Lexington celebrates Andrea Bocelli concert with Bocelli in the Bluegrass week

Editor’s Note: As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and kentucky.com each day throughout 2025 will share interesting facts about our hometown. Compiled by Liz Carey, all are notable moments in the city’s history — some funny, some sad, others heartbreaking or celebratory, and some just downright strange.

The Lexington Philharmonic will give the city an early Christmas present this year, a performance with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

The performance kicks off the holiday season at 8 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Rupp Arena. Bocelli will perform selections from his “A Family Christmas” album, and from his selection of arias famed love songs. The concert is part of the 250Lex celebration — the year-long series of events celebrating the city’s founding, said Mayor Linda Gorton.

More than just a concert, it will also be a fundraising effort for the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center.

“Maestro Bocelli’s visit to Lexington is an exciting milestone in an exciting year — 2025 has been a celebration for our entire community as we commemorate our 250th anniversary,” Gorton said. “We are so excited to include a performance by Andrea Bocelli as the curtain begins to close on this special year.”

The concert will be presented by the Lexington Cancer Foundation and includes premium seating and VIP packages. Sales of those tickets will support the UK Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building, which will become the new 550,000 square-foot home of the Markey Cancer Center.

“This celebration is a wonderful opportunity to bring awareness to the Markey Cancer Center’s new building, which will bring a new era of advanced cancer research, treatment, and services for all Kentuckians,” said Brenda Rice, founder and chairman of the Lexington Cancer Foundation. “The Lexington Cancer Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families.”

The week prior to the performance will be Bocelli in the Bluegrass week, with special fundraising events and musical performances in Fayette County schools.

Part of that week will be a VIP event at the Apiary on Dec. 5, co-sponsored by UK Healthcare, with proceeds also benefiting the new facility.

“There is something truly special about the way art and medicine intersect, and we at the Markey Cancer Center are thrilled to be involved in this extraordinary musical event that will raise awareness for cancer care here in Kentucky, including Markey’s new state-of-the-art cancer facility currently under construction,” said Mark Evers, director of the Markey Cancer Center.

“And as Lexington celebrates its 250th anniversary, Markey is committed to growing to meet the health care needs of our city and all of the Commonwealth for the next 250 years and beyond,” he said.

The performance is part of Bocelli’s 13-city North American tour. The Italian singer celebrated his own milestone this past year, the 30th anniversary of his career. With more than 90 million records sold worldwide, Bocelli has performed around the world, including at the Olympic Games and the World Cup.

He’s recorded more than 15 solo studio albums of pop and classical music, as well as three greatest hits albums and nine complete operas. His most recent Christmas album, “A Family Christmas,” was released in 2022 and re-released in 2023, and features his children singing traditional carols and new arrangements.

Tickets for the concert are available through ticketmaster.com or in person at the Central Bank Center Box Office. More information about the year’s final events hosted by the 250Lex Commission are at 250Lex.com.

Have a question or story idea related to Lexington’s 250-year history? Let us know at 250LexKy@gmail.com.