Lexington announces free downtown New Year’s Eve party to kick off 250th celebration
It’s a party to kick off a yearlong party and celebration.
Lexington will host a community-wide, free New Year’s Eve celebration at Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena on Dec. 31, city officials announced Thursday. The program is sponsored by Maker’s Mark.
“We are just 40 days away from New Year’s Eve. This year, we will ring in the new year, Lexington style,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “There’s no better way to kick off our 250th birthday than with a party in the heart of downtown.”
Festivities will begin around 5 p.m. with multiple indoor activities for kids, including inflatables, basketball on the floor at Rupp Arena and programming from the Lexington Children’s Museum, said Gorton at a press conference at city hall.
At 9 p.m., the party will move outside to the Vine Street side of Central Bank Center for free live music including artists Tee Dee Young and Honeychild. There will also be food trucks and multiple vendors, Gorton said.
“You don’t have to sit at home and watch the ball drop. You can come downtown,” Gorton said.
“We are honored that the 250 Lex Commission wants to kick off the celebration at the home of so many other noteworthy community events throughout the year,” said Brian Sipe, general manager of Central Brank Center. “This is our city’s home venue – and we’re happy to host an event that 250Lex has planned of what will be a historic and fun event for all ages.”
The Lex 250th commission, made up of multiple community members, has spent more than a year planning the city’s 250th anniversary celebration.
It will last throughout 2025.
Each month will have a theme and accompanying events highlighting various aspects of the city’s history.
January will focus on wellness; February, history; March, education; April, music and the written word; May, diversity; June Homecoming month; July, culinary; August, business; September, sports; October, equine; November, arts and December will be about the future of Lexington.
Some of the 2025 events include:
- “Big Ass Bourbon Tasting.”
- The unveiling of public art celebrating the 250th anniversary at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza.
- Special productions and concerts by Lexington Philharmonic and the Lexington’s Children’s Theatre.
- City-wide scavenger hunt.
- A jazz festival.
- A cabaret.
- KET ‘Lexington’ documentary premiere.
- Basketball week.
- Sanctuary Road opera.
- Faulkner Morgan LGBTQ Exhibit.
- African Seeds Performing Arts.
The city has given $250,000 toward the celebration. Other corporate sponsors include VisitLex, CHI Saint Joseph, the University of Kentucky, Central Bank and Mount Brilliant Farm, Big Ass Fans, Baptist Health, Coca-Cola and Gray Construction.
More details for New Year’s Eve and other 250 Lex activities are available at www.250lex.com
