Annual Festivals & Events
From an award-winning festival city
Louisville knows how to party (and host a festival)!
In fact, the whole world knows.
In addition to hosting the longest running annual sporting event in America (the Kentucky Derby), Louisville became one of the first cities in the world to be recognized as a TOP festival and event city.
The International Festivals & Events Association named Louisville a "best festival city" for its various events and how the community supports them.
Find out yourself by exploring one of the many happenings going on throughout the year.
Annual Festivals & Events
- Abbey Road on the River
- Ali Festival
- Americana World Festival
- The Big Stomp
- Brew at the Zoo & Wine, Too!
- Jeffersontown Beer Festival
- Kentuckiana Pride Festival
- Kentucky Craft Bash
- Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
- Kentucky State Fair
- Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle
- NSRA Street Rod Nationals Plus
- Old Fashioned Fortnight
- Old Lou Craft Beer Festival
- Waterfront Independence Festival
- World Championship of Dainty
- World Championship Horse Show
- Belknap Festival
- Boo at the Zoo
- Bourbon & Beyond
- Butchertown Oktoberfest
- Garvin Gate Blues Festival
- Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular
- Louder Than Life
- Louisville Beer Week
- Louisville’s International Festival of Film
- Louisville Pride Festival
- Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival
- Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle
- National Bourbon Heritage Month
- National Jug Band Jubilee
- North American Livestock Exposition & Championship Rodeo
- NuLu Festival
- St. James Court Art Show
- Urban Bourbon Half Marathon
- WorldFest
Upcoming Festivals
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Details
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Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
Our popular lantern festival is back and brighter than ever! Back for the fifth year with a lineup of new lanterns, Wild Lights runs select nights March 23...
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Details
Open in Google Maps
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
Our popular lantern festival is back and brighter than ever! Back for the fifth year with a lineup of new lanterns, Wild Lights runs select nights March 23...
GE Appliances Derby Festival miniMarathon & Marathon
1001 S. 3rd St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40203
Details
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GE Appliances Derby Festival miniMarathon & Marathon
The GE Appliances Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon & Marathon is a long-standing tradition held every spring in Kentucky. It has become the largest...
Cherokee Triangle Art Fair
1402 Willow Ave.
Louisville, Kentucky 40204
Details
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Come celebrate the 52nd Anniversary of the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair with friends and neighbors the weekend before Derby. The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair is a...
Derby City Bourbon & Cigar Bash
915 S. Park Rd.
Louisville, Kentucky 40118
Details
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Derby City Bourbon & Cigar Bash
Discount Smokes proudly presents our 9th Annual Derby City Bourbon & Cigar Bash 2024! Join us for an evening of cigars, Bourbon, live music, and so much...
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Details
Open in Google Maps
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
Our popular lantern festival is back and brighter than ever! Back for the fifth year with a lineup of new lanterns, Wild Lights runs select nights March 23...
Cherokee Triangle Art Fair
1402 Willow Ave.
Louisville, Kentucky 40204
Details
Open in Google Maps
Come celebrate the 52nd Anniversary of the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair with friends and neighbors the weekend before Derby. The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair is a...
Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade
Broadway
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
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Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade
The 2024 Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade returns to Broadway in Downtown Louisville on Sunday, April 28. This family-friendly annual event showcases some...
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Details
Open in Google Maps
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
Our popular lantern festival is back and brighter than ever! Back for the fifth year with a lineup of new lanterns, Wild Lights runs select nights March 23...
Samtec Great Bed Races
937 Phillips Ln.
Louisville, Kentucky 40209
Details
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Grab four of your co-workers, build a bed on wheels, decorate it, dress in a ridiculous costume—and then race to the finish. That pretty much sums up the...
Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race
Waterfront Park/Along the Ohio River Shoreline
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
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Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race
As one of the original and longest standing traditions of the Kentucky Derby Festival, the Great Steamboat Race has been taking place on the Ohio River since...
Derby Festival Day at the Downs
700 Central Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky 40208
Details
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Derby Festival Day at the Downs
Thursday, May 2, 2024 Enjoy a day at the races with the Kentucky Derby Festival at the Kentuckiana Honda Dealers Day at the Downs. Post time for the first...