UK Happenings

Lexington’s annual Holiday Parade is Dec. 7

Artwork for the parade was produced by the ISC event planning students.
Artwork for the parade was produced by students in the UK ISC event planning class.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2024) — Lexington will celebrate the season with the annual Downtown Lexington Holiday Parade, presented by Commonwealth Credit Union. The parade will begin 11 a.m. Dec. 7 on Main Street.

As part of an event planning course, University of Kentucky students in the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication, based in the UK College of Communication and Information, have been working alongside Downtown Lexington Partnership (DLP) this semester to make this parade a success. 

“Thanks to the collaborative spirit of several downtown businesses, DLP is excited to provide new opportunities to spend the day downtown before, during and after the parade,” said Laura Farnsworth, director of development and events for DLP. “We encourage everyone to check out the activities planned or stop by your favorite downtown retail shop or restaurant on Dec.  7.”

Before the Lexington Holiday Parade, Georgetown’s United Talent Children's Choir, under the direction of Mark Fields, will sing seasonal favorites from 10:15-10:35 a.m.. The Central Kentucky Brass Ensemble from Richmond and Lexington will perform from 10:40-11 a.m. facing Main Street at the Lexington Farmers Market.

After the parade, the Lexington Visitors Center will host storytelling, and LexLive will have a 12:30 p.m. showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Children and families will enjoy a new and improved Santa’s Corner with activities before, during and after the parade.

Downtown Lexington Partnership (DLP) is the nonprofit umbrella downtown organization formed in 2017 to provide a single point of contact and accountability and a coordinated approach to downtown revitalization and management. DLP encourages responsible economic development, produces events, addresses issues on behalf of stakeholders and promotes downtown Lexington. DLP has more than 150 members and produces many events for the public including Central Bank Thursday Night Live, The Rink at Triangle Park and more.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.