Lime Kiln Theater

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Lexington, VA
Lime Kiln Theater

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Lime Kiln Theater is rooted in and inspired by the magic of a natural, outdoor theater. Our mailing address is PO Box 1244, Lexington, Virginia, 24450.
(259)

In 1967, two Washington and Lee University students, Tommy Spencer and Don Baker, produced A Midsummer Night’s Dream in an abandoned, turn-of-the-century lime quarry and kiln located in Lexington, Virginia. Fifteen years later, Tommy Spencer convinced the owner of the site containing the quarry to donate the use of the land for the establishment of a non-profit arts organization. After thousands of volunteer hours to clear the brambles, thickets, and rubble and to build the stage, the first Lime Kiln Theater season was presented in 1984. From that summer season of one play, 12 performances, and an audience of 2,000, Lime Kiln expanded to an annual season peak of 74 performances of four plays and 23 concerts for an audience of nearly 25,000. Through Lime Kiln, artists have created and premiered 20 original scripts, and helped develop eight works by other playwrights. In February 2012, the theater temporarily ceased operations due to challenging economic conditions. In 2014, a newly energized Lime Kiln board, led by Executive Director Spencer McElroy, undertook the challenge to bring the unique performance space back to life. Across seven seasons from 2014-2021 (discounting the pandemic-canceled 2020 season), Lime Kiln has presented 60 public, ticketed concerts along with 10 theatrical productions. A vast majority of the music events have sold out, and most have also been fully sponsored by local and regional businesses and organizations. Across these seven seasons, we have sold approximately 35,000 tickets, while total attendance (combining all public and private events) has approached 70,000.

10/03/2026

Our 2026 Summer Concert Series concludes TONIGHT with a SOLD OUT show as Rising Appalachia returns to the Lime Kiln stage. Tonight’s show is sponsored by Furr Insurance.

Parking gates will open at 5:30 pm. Venue doors open at 6:00 pm, and the music begins at 7:30pm. We’ll have Globowl, Sexi Mexi, and Love All BBQ on site, along with a fantastic selection of b**r, w**e, and other beverages for purchase.

Due to the forecast, the show tonight will be in the Kiln. To accommodate all of our guests for a SOLD OUT show under the tent, half of the venue will be seated, and half will be standing room only. Lime Kiln will provide a small reserved seating area for our ADA guests, and the rest of the seating will be as follows:

>> Outside of the reserved ADA section, chair seating provided by Lime Kiln will be first come first serve. If you have specific ADA needs, please reach out to Emily Laney at [email protected].

>> We will also have spaces outside of the tent to accommodate personal chairs if you wish to bring them, and setup will be facilitated by our Ushers. No camp chairs under the tent, they take up a lot of space!

>> If you need to or prefer to sit for the show, please arrive early to secure your seat.

>> The remainder of the tented area will be dedicated to standing room only.

For more details about parking, seating, concessions, and other venue information, be sure to browse our Plan Your Visit page and scroll down to read the FAQs. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

See you all tonight!

10/02/2026

Our 2026 Summer Concert Series continues TONIGHT with another SOLD OUT show as Rising Appalachia returns to the Lime Kiln stage. Tonight’s bonus show is NOT part of our season pass and is sponsored by Rockbridge Regional Tourism.

Parking gates will open at 5:30 pm. Venue doors open at 6:00 pm, and the music begins at 7:30pm. We’ll have Globowl, Sexi Mexi, and Bizzee Bee’s on site, along with a fantastic selection of b**r, w**e, and other beverages for purchase.

Tonight’s show will take place in the Bowl.

For more details about parking, seating, concessions, and other venue information, be sure to browse our Plan Your Visit page and scroll down to read the FAQs. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

See you all tonight!

09/27/2026

Our 2026 Summer Concert Series continues TONIGHT with a SOLD OUT show as seven-time Grammy-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier takes the Lime Kiln stage. Tonight’s bonus show is not included in our season pass and is sponsored by The Georges.

Parking gates will open at 6pm. Box office doors open at 6:30 pm, and the music begins at 8pm. We’ll have Globowl, Sexi Mexi and Bizee Bee’s on site, along with a fantastic selection of b**r, w**e, and other beverages for purchase.

Tonight’s show will take place in the Bowl.

As a reminder, All seating is general admission and we'd love to give everyone a chance at snagging their preferred seat. We will be implementing a four-saved seat policy for bench seats. This means a single person can reserve no more than four (4) bench seats. No tickets will be available at the box office as this show is SOLD OUT. If you do not have a valid ticket you will not be permitted entry. To verify your third party tickets please contact us!

For more details about parking, seating, concessions, and other venue information, be sure to browse our Plan Your Visit page and scroll down to read the FAQs. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

See you tonight!

09/21/2026

Now that's a party! Jake Worthington with support from Cord Bradley thrilled our SOLD OUT crowd under the stars on Friday night.

Did you make it out? Let us know your favorite moments.

📸 thanks to

09/18/2026

Our 2026 Summer Concert Series continues TONIGHT with another SOLD OUT show with Jake Worthington supported by Cord Bradley. Tonight’s show is sponsored by Kendal at Lexington.

Parking gates will open at 5:30 pm. Venue doors open at 6:00 pm, and the music begins at 7:30pm. We’ll have Globowl and Love All BBQ on site, along with a fantastic selection of b**r, w**e, and other beverages for purchase.

Tonight’s show will take place in the Bowl. The weather forecast may include passing showers, please plan and dress accordingly.

For more details about parking, seating, concessions, and other venue information, be sure to browse our Plan Your Visit page and scroll down to read the FAQs. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

See you all tonight!

09/01/2026

How about that for some homegrown talent?? It was a picture perfect night under the stars with local favorites SJ McDonald and The Wilson Springs Hotel thrilling a SOLD OUT crowd. Were you there? Let us know your favorite moments.

📸 by .strauss.1

08/29/2026

Our 2026 Summer Concert Series continues TONIGHT with another SOLD OUT show with co-headers SJ McDonald and The Wilson Springs Hotel.

Parking gates will open at 5:30 pm. Venue doors open at 6:00 pm, and the music begins at 7:30pm. We’ll have Sexi Mexi and Love All BBQ on site, along with a fantastic selection of b**r, w**e, and other beverages for purchase.

Tonight’s show will take place in the Bowl.

For more details about parking, seating, concessions, and other venue information, be sure to browse our Plan Your Visit page and scroll down to read the FAQs. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

See you tonight!

08/24/2026

Jake Worthington on September 18 is now SOLD OUT! Only one show in our season still has a few tickets remaining, Rising Appalachia on October 2. If you haven't joined us yet there's still time, grab your tickets today!

08/18/2026

What a weekend!! Robert Earl Keen with support from Race Ricketts thrilled our sold out crowds both Friday and Saturday night. Were you there? Let us know what you thought! 🎶🌙🎻

📸 by .strauss.1 and Andrew Markowitz

08/15/2026

Our 2026 Summer Concert Series continues TONIGHT as Robert Earl Keen takes the Lime Kiln stage with support from Race Ricketts. Tonight’s concert is presented by Solar Holler. This concert is not a part of the season pass.

Parking gates will open at 5:30 pm. Venue doors open at 6:00 pm, and the music begins at 7:30 pm. We’ll have Bizzee Bees, Globowl Cafe and Sexi Mexi on site, along with a fantastic selection of b**r, w**e, and other beverages for purchase.

Tonight’s show will take place in the Bowl. The weather forecast may include passing showers, so dress and plan accordingly.

For more details about parking, seating, concessions, and other venue information, be sure to browse our Plan Your Visit page and scroll down to read the FAQs. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

See you tonight!

Address

607 Borden Road
Lexington, VA
24450

Website

http://www.limekilntheater.org/

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