Our yearly festival lineup features musicians, singers and dancers from across Kentucky and (sometimes) around the world! Join us Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park in downtown Lexington.

2025 Festival Entertainment Lineup

The 2025 Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival is Saturday, March 15, starting at 10 a.m. The festival is hosted by LM Communications, Lexington’s only locally owned radio group.

Lexington celebrates its 250th anniversary year with an extended weekend of Irish festivities this St. Patrick’s season. The Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival, a longtime city tradition produced by Lexington Parks and Recreation and sponsored by the Bluegrass Irish Society, kicks off the celebration on Saturday, March 15, followed by a concert by Irish festival headliner, Scythian, on Monday, March 17.

The free festival at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Plaza on March 15 runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., promises a mix of live music, Irish dance performances, food vendors, artisans and local community groups. Don’t miss the traditional “Blessing of the Keg” to kick off the festivities at 10:15. Festival performers include:

• 10:30 a.m. – Kentucky United Pipes & Drums: Experience the rich history and heritage of piping
  11 a.m. – Bluegrass Ceili Academy: Showcasing the power and grace of traditional Irish group dancing
  11:30 a.m. – Saint Andrew’s Academy Boys Choir: Making their festival debut
  12:15 p.m. – Liam’s Fancy: Blending traditional Irish tunes with contemporary flair
  1 p.m. – Festival stage break for the Lexington St. Patrick’s Parade
  2 p.m. – William Sutherland Reid Pipes & Drums: Filling the plaza with the stirring sounds of bagpipes.
  2:30 p.m. – McTeggart Irish Dancers: Witness the tradition and skills of the McTeggart Irish Dancers as they showcase the beauty and athleticism of Irish dance
  3:15 p.m. – Celtic Blue: Bringing the energy of Irish pub music to the stage, with special guest Kris Bentley of Sundy Best debuting a new single
  4:15 p.m. – Draper Family Band: Blending traditional Irish and bluegrass influences

The Parade

The St. Patrick’s parade is the longest-running citywide civic event in Lexington. We look forward to continuing the tradition in downtown Lexington this year.

The Lexington Division of Parks and Recreation produces the annual parade and festival with community support from local businesses and cultural organizations.

The events are part of an all-day celebration that traditionally begins at 10:45 a.m., with the annual “Blessing of the Keg” at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park. The parade begins at 1 p.m. and goes down Main Street from Midland Avenue to Mill Street .

The celebration continues on St. Patrick’s Day

The celebration culminates on Monday, March 17, with Scythian at Transylvania University. Known for their high-energy blend of Celtic, Eastern European, and Appalachian traditions, Scythian promises a barn-dance, rock concert experience. Well-known on the Irish festival circuit and around the world, the band returns to Lexington for its first performance since 2018. The show starts at 7 p.m.; tickets are $15 at transy.edu/tickets.