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
- 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
- Garvin Gate Blues Festival
- Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular
- Louder Than Life
- Louisville’s International Festival of Film
- Louisville Pride Festival
- Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival
- National Bourbon Heritage Month
- North American Livestock Exposition & Championship Rodeo
- NuLu Festival
- Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom
- St. James Court Art Show
- Urban Bourbon Half Marathon
- WorldFest
Upcoming Festivals
Bourbon & Belonging: Kentucky's Queer Bourbon Week
Details
Open in Google Maps
Bourbon & Belonging: Kentucky's Queer Bourbon Week
Queer Kentucky, a diverse LGBTQ+ run non-profit, is proud to introduce "Bourbon & Belonging,” Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week, a state-wide LGBTQ+ inclusive...
St. James Court Art Show
1402 St. James Ct.
Louisville, Kentucky 40208
Details
Open in Google Maps
Named #2 “Best Fine Art and Design Show” in the country in 2025 by Sunshine Artist magazine! The St. James Court Art Show® is a juried fine arts and...
Bourbon and Wine Experience 2025
6220 Old La Grange Rd.
Crestwood, Kentucky 40014
Details
Open in Google Maps
Bourbon and Wine Experience 2025
Unlimited bourbon, wine and liquor tasting with all you can eat barbecue when you come to the 13th annual Bourbon and Wine experience, by South Oldham Rotary,...
Bowman Fest
2805 Taylorsville Rd.
Louisville, Kentucky 40205
Details
Open in Google Maps
Get up close and walk through a C130 military plane. Enjoy the sights of historic planes on display, warbirds, military airplanes, vehicles, helicopters, and a...
Belknap Fall Festival
1939 Harvard Dr.
Louisville, Kentucky 40205
Details
Open in Google Maps
Celebrate the spirit of autumn in one of Louisville’s most charming neighborhoods at the Annual Belknap Fall Festival. Held the second weekend in October, this...
Goatman Festival
4002 S Pope Lick Rd
Louisville, Kentucky 40299
Details
Open in Google Maps
FREE outdoor Cryptid & Art Festival featuring Louisville's own Pope Lick Monster - it's the 3RD ANNUAL GOATMAN FESTIVAL! MoviesOCTOBER 10 | Showing:...
Louisville Book Festival
221 S. 4th Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
The 2025 Louisville Book Festival will be held in downtown Louisville, KY on October 11th from 10 am to 5 pm at the Kentucky International Convention Center....
Grateville Dead Music Festival
1301 River Road
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
Grateville Dead Music Festival
Join regional deadheads October 17-19, 2025, bringing it back home to the Brown Forman Amphitheater at Waterfront Park in Louisville, KY for the Grateville...
Nulu Nights
616-618 E. Market St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
Experience the energy of NuLu Nights, a vibrant evening series happening July 25, August 22, October 17, and December 12.On each date, the NuLu neighborhood...
Via Colori® Street Painting Festival
1101 River Road
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
Via Colori® Street Painting Festival
The 17th annual Via Colori® Street Painting Festival will be held October 18, 2025 – October 19, 2025. Kentuckiana's Largest Street Painting Festival is free...
Chili, Brats & Brew
706 Spring Street
Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130
Details
Open in Google Maps
Steins on Main
615 W. Main Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
Louisville Downtown Partnership and Against the Grain Brewery are partnering to bring the popular Oktoberfest celebration Steins on Main to Downtown this...