Ballet under the stars celebrates 35 years
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Lexington tradition is taking center stage this weekend as Ballet Under the Stars celebrates its 35th year at Woodland Park.
The popular outdoor event kicks off Thursday night and runs through Sunday, offering families a chance to experience professional ballet under the summer sky — with this year’s theme blending classic dance and Broadway favorites.
“Our theme this year is ‘Broadway Ballet,’” said event organizer Mindy Stone. “It has snippets from different Broadway musicals—Annie, Mary Poppins, The Lion King, and of course we could not leave out Wicked.”
Stone said the free event typically draws between 700 and 2,000 people each night.
Each evening begins with a 45-minute preshow featuring student dancers from across Lexington and surrounding counties. One dancer said she’s been part of the event for a decade and enjoys reconnecting with fellow performers from different studios.
The main performance showcases professional dancers from the Kentucky Ballet Theatre — a core part of Ballet Under the Stars since its inception.
“I think it’s really special,” one dancer shared. “Not everyone gets the chance to see live dance performances. This offers a fun and accessible way to experience it.”
Gates open each night at 7 p.m. at Woodland Park, with the preshow beginning shortly after.
