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
May 21 Five Below Band
May 28 Lauren Mink
Jun 4 Vinyl Richie
Jun 11 Binders Disco Revolution
Jun 18 Confirmed! – To Be Announced
Jun 25 The Ranahans
Jul 2 Rewind Band
Jul 9 Vanguard Band
Jul 16 Superfecta
Jul 23 Tahlsound Reggae Night
Jul 30 Dead Air Dennis & Bryan Himes Experience
Aug 6 Confirmed! – To Be Announced in May
Aug 13 One More Round
Aug 20 Mercy Men
Aug 27 Kenny Owens & Group Therapy
Sep 3 Them Lasses and Old Dogs
Sep 10 Rebel Without A Cause
Sep 17 Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day!
Sep 24 Canvas
Oct 1 Robert Eskridge & Southern Daze
Oct 8 Rhythm Phoenix
Southland Jamboree at Moondance Amphitheater
Thursdays at 7pm at Moondance Amphitheater in Beaumont Center, Lexington KY (Kickoff is held on Southland Dr)
5/24/2026 Tahlsound kickoff on Southland Drive
5/28/2026 Darrell Webb Band
6/04/2026 Rounder’s Station
6/11/2026 Coaltown Dixie
6/18/2026 Lonesome Express
6/25/2026 New Outlook
7/02/2026 Six String Soldiers US Army Band
7/09/2026 Dale Ann Bradley
7/16/2026 Timberline Road
7/23/2026 Mash Grass & Kids Camp kids
7/30/2026 West Liberty Mountain Boys
8/06/2026 Blue Debut
8/13/2026 Lincoln Mash & Heather Alley
8/20/2026 Open Highway Band
8/27/2026 CornMaiz String Band
9/03/2026 TBD/Rain date
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 29 – Sept. 18, 2026
Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Show: 7 – 9 p.m.
Free
Performance schedule
Friday, May 29: Vinyl Richie
Friday, June 12: The Other Brothers
Friday, June 26: Eversett
Friday, July 10: 64 West
Friday, July 24: Boogie G and the Titanics
Friday, Aug. 7: NVRMND
Friday, Aug. 21: Magnolia Boulevard
Friday, Sept. 4: Honey Child
Friday, Sept. 18: Band to be announced
Fridays and Saturdays
Berea Music Series
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 July 31 – August 1, 2026 at Gatton Park
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.
