The Best Live Kentucky Bluegrass Music Venues And Attractions

The nickname for Kentucky is the “Bluegrass State” You will notice in the horse farm area around Lexington in the springtime small buds in a field of Kentucky bluegrass have a bluish-purple color. This lush bluegrass grows in limestone-rich soil that also has phosphates and calcium which makes it ideal feed for the racehorses that are raised in the region. Bluegrass music has also become more popular in the country but the birthplace of that music can be found in Louisville and Lexington Kentucky. The birthplace was in Rosine, KY where Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass was born and lived.

Local Artist Venues

Local artist venues are an excellent place to listen to authentic Bluegrass music. You can consider it the Kentucky version of experiencing traditional Fado in Lisbon Portugal. Want to go see some great local artists perform without breaking the bank? Go to Red Barn Radio on Wednesday nights and be part of the live studio audience for performances of Bluegrass and traditional music that is recorded live for radio broadcast. It is an intimate setting and you are right near the stage. Red Barn Radio can be found at the Performance Hall at Arts Place, 161 North Mill St in downtown Lexington. Tickets are only $10 for the evening.

www.redbarnradio.com

Southland Jamboree Bring a chair for free outdoor Bluegrass music concerts every Thursday in the summer starting in May. The location is at the Moondance Amphitheatre in Lexington.

www.southlandjamboree.org.  

Willie’s Locally Known is another good spot for local Bluegrass music. Check their website to see who is there when you want to go.  

www.willieslocallyknown.com. 

WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour is a big time live event and is heard around the world. This show is taped in front of a live audience at the Lyric Theatre in downtown Lexington. When we were there it sure seemed to be full of locals who come very often. Nationally known Bluegrass acts combined with up and comers produce a spectacular show and well worth the experience. . The show starts at 7 pm on Mondays, but arrive early for a great seat in the auditorium. Everyone needs to be seated by 6:45 and admission is $ 10. Check out the upcoming performers at www.woodsongs.com. 

Broomwagon Coffee + Bikes. Monday night is the night for live local musicians., Go for the food, beer and bluegrass music. Call ahead to see what is planned. (859) 554-6938. 

Famous Bluegrass Festivals

While you are in town, you should try to experience some of the world-famous Bluegrass festivals whenever possible. None is more popular than the Festival of the Bluegrass, which is held annually in June. As one of the oldest music festivals in the Bluegrass region, the annual celebration has been held since 1974. Here, you can experience a full lineup of talented Bluegrass musicians from all over the nation.

Buying Tickets

Before you attend any live Bluegrass music local events, you may need to purchase tickets. As mentioned earlier, many Kentucky entertainment venues do not require the purchase of tickets beforehand. Avoid purchasing tickets on expensive websites in the case that they may not be required. Instead, look for venues with free music nights or affordable tickets sold at the door. Then, simply arrive early and you can guarantee a good spot in the crowd. If you do have to purchase tickets online for larger events, be sure to conduct thorough research in order to find the best deal possible. 

Drinks Nearby

Before and after Kentucky’s legendary Bluegrass music events, you need to identify the best spots to drink before and after the entertainment. Kentucky and Lexington in particular a major hub for delicious craft beers, amazing cocktails, and incredible Bourbons. One of Kentucky’s premier craft beer breweries since the 90’s is Against the Grain. At the same time, be sure to visit Kentucky’s Bluegrass Brewing Company, located right in the center of downtown. For some world famous Bourbons, be sure to try some delicious drinks from Bourbon Hall as well as the Bunghole Bourbon Bar & Lounge. 

Getting Around Kentucky

When you visit Bluegrass entertainment events in Kentucky, it is essential to plan your way of getting around the city. Of course, you can consider using a Kentucky travel guide. Even as a highly metropolitan area, getting around Lexington can be incredibly difficult without a car. However, when visiting Bluegrass music venues, it is often better to ditch the car to avoid parking costs. This way, you can fully enjoy all of your local craft beers and bourbons as well. There are only two major Amtrak rail lines servicing Kentucky, making the train a feasible option for long distance travel between cities like Louisville, Maysville, Fulton, South Shore, or Ashland. To easily get between cities, the most feasible option is likely by Greyhound Bus or taxi. At the same time, Lexington and Louisville already have their own public transportation system. Lexington offers to Lextran system whereas Louisville manages the TARC system. 

What Else To Do While Your In Town

Visiting Bluegrass music entertainment and live events will certainly fill up your evenings, however, you need to plan what to additionally do while your in town. Everybody talks about visiting Kentucky for the Kentucky Derby. However, if you are not visiting during racing season, there are dozens of other attractions to see. Be sure to checkout the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, with the 120ft replica model of the Babe Ruth Louisville Slugger. If you are a fan of the outdoors, be sure to check out magnificent sites like Daniel Boone National Forest, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky Horse Park, and the Cumberland Gap & Falls Historic Park. You should additionally visit major historical attractions like the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Historic Park, Shaker Village, or the Muhammad Ali Center. If you are visiting Kentucky on a family vacation, you should additionally check out family-friendly sites like the Newport Aquarium. 

There are dozens of incredible local Bluegrass music and entertainment events to see on your visit to Kentucky. Whether you are visiting alone, with friends, or on a family vacation, there is plenty to do and see. When you visit, be sure to check out some venues where you can appreciate Kentucky’s local musical artists. Be sure to additionally research where you can get some drinks before and after the show. At the same time, familiarize yourself with the best way to get around Kentucky for your visit to the Bluegrass capital of the world. Finally, be sure to learn about what else to do in Kentucky as you plan for your visit. Consider the points mentioned above to learn about the best local live entertainment and Kentucky Bluegrass music for your Lexington trip.

Renfro Valley Entertainment Center

Of course, visit Renfro Valley Entertainment Center during your post covid travel. The entertainment center was built on the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains in Renfro Valley in 1939. In fact, Renfro Valley is known as “Kentucky’s Country Music Capital”. It is a must see attraction for all music lovers. This venue hosts the entertainment gamut, from country singers and bluegrass musicians to stand up comedy acts. Great local spot for all the music-lovers and comedy-lovers out there!

Ready to Experience the Best Kentucky Offers? 

There are dozens of cultural highlights and landmarks to experience in Kentucky. It’s a severely underrated state, and that’s because millions haven’t experienced in Kentucky what I’ve written in this guide. Take the time and overspending out of vacation planning. Sit back, relax, and let Grasshopper Greg hand you the information to avoid common travel mishaps.

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