Summer is full of great music events all around Central KY! Many are FREE and great for all ages.
Tuesdays
Big Band and Jazz at Moondance Amphitheater and Ecton Park FREE
The return of spring means the return of one of Lexington’s longest-running and most beloved concert series – Big Band & Jazz. With a full schedule of live music planned, concert-goers can enjoy weekly big band or jazz music at Moondance Amphitheater and Ecton Park. Picnics are encouraged and patrons should bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating.
Details
May 12 – June 30 at Moondance Amphitheater
July 7 – Aug. 11 at Ecton Park
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Free
Big Band & Jazz 2026 schedule
Moondance Amphitheater Schedule
Moondance Amphitheater
1152 Monarch St.
Lexington, Ky.
Tuesday, May 12: Metrognomes Big Band
Tuesday, May 19: Young at Heart Big Band
Tuesday, May 26: BAJA-Bluegrass Area Jazz Ambassadors
Tuesday, June 2: Marlin McKay Quintet
Tuesday, June 9: Somerset Big Band
Tuesday, June 16: Lee Carroll Quintet
Tuesday, June 23: Zach Brock Quartet
Tuesday, June 30: Patriotic Big Band & Jazz: The Lexington Concert Band
Ecton Park Schedule
Ecton Park
956 Turkey Foot Rd.
Lexington, Ky.
Tuesday, July 7: DOJO-DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchastra
Tuesday, July 14: Brett Evans Trombone Orchestra
Tuesday, July 21: Bryson Dunsmore Trio with Kirby Davis
Tuesday, July 28: RPM Quintet
Tuesday, Aug. 4: Miles Osland Little Big Band
Tuesday, Aug. 11: Walnut Street Ramblers
Thursdays
Thursday Night Live at Cheapside Park FREE
Central Bank Thursday Night Live takes place every Thursday at Fifth Third Bank Pavilion in Tandy Park from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Join us in Downtown Lexington for beverages, food, art, and of course, great music by live bands! Starts April 2, 2026
2026 Schedule
Southland Jamboree at Moondance Amphitheater
Summer concerts at Moondance start Thursday May 29, 2025, with a “kickoff” at Tahlsound on Sunday May 25. Concerts start at 7 pm.
5/25/25 Sunday Tahlsound Kickoff
5/29/25 Throwdown Thursday
6/05/25 David Parmley Band
6/12/25 Lonesome Express
6/19/25 Rounder’s Station
6/26/25 Meadowgreen Trio
7/03/25 Mash Grass
7/10/25 West Liberty Mountain Boys
7/17/25 Fast Track
7/24/25 McLain Family Band
7/31/25 Fenced In
8/07/25 Hancock and Shouse
8/14/25 Kevin Prater Band
8/21/25 EKU Bluegrass Ensemble
8/28/25 Coal Town Dixie
9/04/25 TBD
Fridays
Eastside Evenings at Charles Young Park
Our newest outdoor concert series brings live music to the Eastside! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for seating and enjoy a fun evening of great R&B, soul, funk and dance music. All concerts held on the showmobile stage in Charles Young Park.
6 pm – 8 pm
FREE
Eastside Evenings 2026 schedule
- Friday, July 17: Boogie G & the Titanics
- Friday, July 31: VSP Band
- Friday, Aug. 14: Benny J & Friends
- Friday, Aug. 28: Honeychild
Summer Nights in Suburbia at Moondance Amphitheater
Each summer, Summer Nights in Suburbia offers free jazz, bluegrass, indie rock, blues and folk as a concert series at Moondance Amphitheater. In addition to the live music, there are food and drink trucks and vendors. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy the music. It is a great way to unwind after a long week at an open-air concert with friends.
Fridays, May 39 – Sept. 18, 2026
Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Show: 7 – 9 p.m.
Free
Performance schedule
Fridays and Saturdays
First Friday Berea
We are delighted to announce the return of the Levitt AMP Berea Music Series.
Music on the Lawn at Shaker Village
May 1 – October 31, 2026
Click HERE for a list of performers
A fun weekly combination of live music and casual food in a farm-fresh setting! Join us for an evening on the lawn between the historic 1839 Trustees’ Office and the Shaker Village garden.
Music on the Lawn features live music, outdoor dining and drinks around the fire pit.
No admission is required, and music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Call 859.734.5411 or email info@shakervillageky.org for more information.
Special Festivals!
Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville June 25 – 27, 2026
The Great American Brass Band Festival is a FREE, family event held annually in beautiful Danville, Kentucky on the campus of Centre College and downtown Danville. 2026 will be our 36th festival and every year has been made possible by the generous donations of our sponsors, donors and volunteers.
Crave Food + Music Festival Watch for a 2026 Date
Who’s hungry? An epic festival of food and live music right here in good ol’ Lexington, Kentucky. Seriously, y’all; it’s epic. There are over 50 food restaurants, chefs, food trucks, craft beer & cocktails, kids stuff, a car show and 13 musical acts performing over two days. Parking is free and it’s only 10 bucks to get in. Kids under 10 are free.
