Free things to do in Lexington: The Arboretum, the UK Art Museum, free city concerts and movies, Halloween events, library cards and Keeneland's open grounds.
Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. Admission facts come from each organizer’s own website, linked; where a place says only that it is open to the public, we say that. City information: LexCall 311 or 859-425-2255.
These are the things to do in Lexington that cost nothing, with dates and hours from each organizer’s own site. Seasonal events are marked with their 2026 dates.
Gardens, art and history
- The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, 500 Alumni Drive: free admission to the grounds and the Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center. The grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk; the visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. (The Kentucky Children’s Garden inside costs $4.)
- UK Art Museum, Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St., 859-257-5716: free admission year-round to a collection of about 5,000 objects and around 10 exhibitions a year. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
- Keeneland, 4201 Versailles Road: the National Historic Landmark says its landscaped grounds are open to the public every day, and visitors are welcome for morning workouts, the Keeneland Shop and the Keeneland Library. The Keeneland Kids Club is free for fans 12 and under.
Free music and movies (spring to fall)
Lexington Parks and Recreation’s free concert series ran from May into September in 2026:
- Big Band and Jazz, Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Moondance Amphitheater (1152 Monarch St.) and, in July and August, Ecton Park
- Southland Jamboree, Thursdays, 7 p.m., Moondance Amphitheater: bluegrass, picnics and coolers welcome, well-behaved dogs allowed
- Summer Nights in Suburbia, some Fridays, 7 to 9 p.m., Moondance Amphitheater, with food and drink trucks
- Friday Flicks, summer evenings at Jacobson Park: a free movie at dark, with children’s games and activities from 7 p.m. (city page)
- Kite Fest, Masterson Station Park, in April (Saturday, April 25, in 2026, noon to 4 p.m.): free to attend; kites and food are for sale (city page)
The 2027 schedules come out in spring.
Free this fall (2026)
From the city’s fall events list:
| Event | Date and time | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Dunbar fall festival (food, carnival games, face painting, candy) | Friday, Oct. 23, 6 to 8 p.m. | Dunbar Community Center |
| Halloween Festival and Thriller Parade | Sunday, Oct. 25, 4 to 9 p.m. | Downtown, starting at Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, parade on Main Street |
| Howl-o-Ween Yappy Hour with dog costume contest | Wednesday, Oct. 28, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Masterson Station Park |
The Jack-O’-Lantern Trail at McConnell Springs, Oct. 27 to 30, costs $6 a person, with children 12 and under free and free entry for anyone who donates a carved pumpkin at the Oct. 24 carving event. Full listings: Halloween events and fall festivals and pumpkin patches.
Library
Lexington Public Library lends eBooks and audiobooks free with a library card, runs story times at its branches and has makerspaces and a digital studio. See kids’ activities for branch addresses.
Parks, trails and spraygrounds
City parks, the 8-mile Legacy Trail and more than 50 other trails are open to everyone; see walking and biking trails and parks and trails. The city lists no admission charge for its five spraygrounds, which run from late April to early October; dates are in summer camps and pools.
More
- Things to do this month
- Dog-friendly Lexington
- Christmas parade and tree lighting and holiday lights
Frequently asked questions
Is The Arboretum in Lexington free?
Yes. Admission to The Arboretum grounds and the Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center is free. The Kentucky Children’s Garden inside it costs $4, and children under 2 are free.
Is the UK Art Museum free?
Yes. The UK Art Museum at the Singletary Center, 405 Rose St., has free admission year-round. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Are there free concerts in Lexington?
Yes. Lexington Parks and Recreation runs free series from May into September, including Big Band and Jazz on Tuesdays, the Southland Jamboree on Thursdays and Summer Nights in Suburbia on some Fridays, mostly at Moondance Amphitheater.
Is the Lexington Halloween parade free?
Yes. The Halloween Festival and Thriller Parade downtown on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, from 4 to 9 p.m. is free, according to the city.
Can you visit Keeneland for free?
Keeneland says its landscaped grounds are open to the public every day, and visitors are welcome for morning workouts, the Keeneland Shop and the library. Its Kids Club is free for children 12 and under.
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