Parks, breweries, more: Where to watch 2024 solar eclipse around Lexington
There will be multiple chances for people in Lexington to witness the 2024 total solar eclipse at a fun, family friendly event on Monday.
Lexington is expected to see a partial eclipse between 1:51 p.m. and 4:24 p.m. The eclipse is expected to be at its peak around 3:09 p.m., a roughly 96% eclipse, according to eclipse2024.org.
Trends in the forecast indicate favorable conditions for eclipse viewing Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service forecast discussion. The models show a good amount of upper level moisture in the atmosphere, which could create the presence of high cirrus clouds.
Cirrus clouds are 16,000 feet or higher in the atmosphere, according to the NWS. The amount of cloud cover for Monday is unknown at this point.
Regardless of the forecast, there will be multiple opportunities for folks to witness the solar eclipse at an event across town. Here are some of the opportunities available.
Still need eclipse glasses? Here’s where to look in Central Kentucky and what to avoid
Lexington Parks & Recreation solar eclipse events
The Lexington Parks & Recreation Department will host two solar eclipse viewing parties, one at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary and another at McConnell Springs.
Solar eclipse glasses will be available for purchase at the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary viewing party. A limited amount of glasses will be available for use at the McConnell Springs event.
The viewing party at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary will last from 2-3:30 p.m. while the viewing party at McConnell Springs will take place from 1-4 p.m. Registration is required to attend both events.
Living Arts & Science Center Solar Eclipse Day
The Living Arts & Science Center on N. Martin Luther King Boulevard in Lexington is hosting a solar eclipse day Monday. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is free.
The event will feature activities like making your own sun print, animal meet & greet, a live science experiment, yoga and the solar eclipse watch party and picnic on the center’s lawn.
Registration is required for the pre-kindergarten seedlings in STEAM, adult yoga in the planetarium and eclipse clay project events.
The center is also hosting an eclipse party for grades kindergarten through fifth grade, where kids will learn about the solar eclipse and eye safety from the sun, watch a planetarium show and create art projects and science experiments. It costs $80 to register for the class and members of the center get a $10 discount.
Parents are expected to provide two peanut-free snacks, a lunch and a personal water bottle for their child.
Fayette County schools is one of several districts across Kentucky that have canceled classes on April 8 for the upcoming solar eclipse.
UK Department of Physics and Astronomy Solar Eclipse Viewing
The University of Kentucky Department of Physics and Astronomy will host a solar eclipse viewing at the Alumni Commons. The department will have solar telescopes setup at the viewing, weather permitting.
Solar Eclipse Watch Party at Ethereal Brewing
Ethereal Brewing on Manchester Street will host a watch party during the solar eclipse. Solar eclipse glasses will be available for $1 and people are encouraged to attend and have some drinks on the patio.
“We’re so humbled to be able to say we’ve been open for two solar eclipses,” Ethereal Brewing said in a Facebook event. “The first one was in 2017, and we had such a blast watching the solar eclipse together!”
The Void Sake Social Solar Eclipse Party
The Void Sake Company, a sake brewery located on National Avenue, will host a solar eclipse party. There will be drink specials, a special moon pie sake release and more.
The brewery said it’s a family friendly event and free solar eclipse glasses will be available.
Lexington Public Library Eclipse Viewing Party
The Lexington Public Library will host a solar eclipse viewing party from 2-3:30 p.m. at the the front Porch area of the Eastside Branch Library. The library said the party will happen rain or shine and glasses will be available but limited to one per party.
