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Annual Events
The Greater Louisville Sports Commission is dedicated to attracting, producing and supporting the best sporting events available! We support events offering opportunities for a diverse demographic mix of athletes from all ages and sports. Click here for more information.
JANUARY |
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Dinnerworks at Louisville Visual Art Association |
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| The Louisville Visual Art Association’s annual exhibition of handmade dinnerware coupled with unique table designs. |
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FEBRUARY |
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National Farm Machinery Show |
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| Start your year out right with row after row of brand name products and services, hands-on demonstrations of the latest technology advancements, and a selection of free seminars that are both practical and informative. www.farmmachineryshow.org |
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MARCH |
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Mid-America Trucking Show |
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| Equipment and services of every conceivable description, representing the most innovative technology and advanced developments in the industry will be on display! www.truckingshow.com |
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Humana Festival of New American Plays |
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| Time Magazine recently called this showcase, "The center of the theatre world." www.actorstheatre.org |
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APRIL |
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Kentucky Derby Festival |
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The nation’s largest civic celebration with over 70 accessible events including:
Kentucky Derby Festival Thunder Over LouisvilleThe nation’s largest annual fireworks show and the opening of the Kentucky Derby Festival.An ABA top 100 events. www.thunderoverlouisville.org Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon RaceThe annual display of over 35 hot air balloons participating in the chase of the "hare" balloon. www.kdf.orgKentucky Derby Festival Great Steamboat RaceThe annual duel on the river between our own Belle of Louisville and the Delta Queen of Cincinnati. www.kdf.orgKentucky Derby Festival Marathon/Mini MarathonThe annual 13.1-mile run beginning at Iroquois Park and ending in downtown Louisville. www.derbyfestivalmarathon.comKentucky Derby Festival Pegasus ParadeThe Annual Pegasus Parade begins at Campbell and Broadway Streets and continues west on Broadway to 9th Street. www.kdf.orgThe Cherokee Triangle Art FairThe fair got its start thirty-seven years ago when area residents started a garden plant exchange. Since then, it has gained high acclaim for the quality of the arts and crafts displayed by the exhibitors. There's plenty of great live music and entertainment and good food. The fair has also become well known as a family-friendly event featuring a children's art activity tent. The juried art fair and outdoor festival takes to Cherokee Parkway the weekend before Derby in April each year. http://www.cherokeetriangle.org/association. |
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Kentucky Oaks |
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The Kentucky Oaks is Thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious race for three-year-old fillies. |
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Kentucky Derby |
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| The most prestigious horse race in America and the first jewel of the Triple Crown is always the first Saturday in May. www.kentuckyderby.com |
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Kentucky Reggae Festival |
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Enjoy live Reggae music, ethnic food and vendors of all types. |
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JUNE |
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Kentucky Shakespeare Festival |
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| This festival stages unique and visually astounding productions such as "The Tempest." www.kyshakes.org | ||||
Greek Festival |
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| Enjoy ethnic food and pastries, beer, dancing, a live band, jewelry, art, groceries and books. | ||||
Waterside Festival |
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| Waterside is a full-scale art and music festival that brings artists and craftspeople to the Water Tower. | ||||
Street Ball Showdown |
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| Kentucky’s largest 3-on-3 outdoor basketball tournament with all the proceeds benefit the Cabbage Patch Settlement. | ||||
JULY |
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Kentucky Music Weekend |
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| The largest traditional and folk music festival in the region. |
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Waterfront Independence Festival |
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Celebrate Independence Day on the Great Lawn with music, food and fireworks. www.waterfrontindependencefestival.com |
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AUGUST |
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National Street Rod Association |
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Recognized as the world's largest automotive participation event, more than 11,000 pre-1949 street rod's are showcased each year. www.nsra-usa.com |
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Kentucky State Fair |
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| The "Pride of Kentucky" draws over 600,000 people with attractions from rooster crowing contests and pig racing to the Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and top name concerts. www.kystatefair.org |
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Kentucky Bluegrass Music Festival |
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| Held on the Belvedere, this festival is one of Louisville's oldest and best known music events. www.bisigimpactgroup.com | ||||
World Championship Horse Show |
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A showcase for American Saddlebred, Hackney Ponies, and Road Horses that crowns the world championship saddlebreds in different divisions.
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SEPTEMBER |
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Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival |
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This weekend includes crafts, a 5K run, a parade and games for everyone. www.jtownchamber.com/gaslightindex.php3?pageid=21 |
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Rock the Water Tower |
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This outdoor festival features local and regional bands as well as great food. |
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Strictly Bluegrass Festival |
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| This festival features nationally known Bluegrass entertainers at Iroquois Amphitheater. | ||||
A Taste of Louisville |
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| For thirty years over forty Louisville restaurants have presented some of the finest cuisine and libations in the area. www.kyra.org/mx/hm.asp?id=Louisville | ||||
Corn Island Storytelling Festival |
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| One of the premiere storytelling festivals in the world, more than 50 tellers from around the world. www.cornislandstorytellingfestival.org | ||||
Heritage Festival |
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| This free family festival features great music, food, traditional craft demonstrations, and activities for children and adults of all ages. Musical entertainment will be provided by regional favorites. www.louisville.com/content/riverside-heritage-festival | ||||
Captain’s Quarters Regatta |
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The Captain's Quarters Regatta is one of the region's premier sailing events. Started in 1972 by Ennis Mahon, then owner of Captain's Quarters Restaurant, the regatta has become a fall tradition noted for warm camaraderie, good parties and hot competition. |
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Louisville Irish Fest |
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| Irish Fest features live Irish and Celtic music, Irish dancers, food & beverages, and Irish Tea Room, cultural exhibits, and Irish Marketplace, children's activities and much more. http://louisvilleirishfest.com/ | ||||
Bluegrass Balloon Glow |
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| The Bluegrass Balloon Festival originated as a charitable event to benefit the community in both entertainment value and by raising funds for charity. It began as the Adam Matthews Balloon Festival in 1999 and was renamed the Bluegrass Balloon Festival in 2007. www.balloonglow.com |
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International Lawn, Garden & Power Equipment Expo |
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| It's the industry's largest event—showcasing the latest new product innovations, services & technologies. www.expo.mow.org | ||||
National Quartet Convention |
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Gospel music’s biggest annual event showcases the finest talent in Southern Gospel Music. www.natqc.com |
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OCTOBER |
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Oktoberfest/Oktoberfeast |
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| Louisville is the quintessential outdoor celebration of Fall and the River City’s rich German heritage. The two-day party on Fourth Street, between Broadway and Chestnut Streets, will satisfy our city’s annual craving for real German food, live music and brew. www.bisigimpactgroup.com |
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St. James Court Art Show |
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| More than 750 artists from throughout North and South America will converge for the annual Saint James Court Art Show. www.stjamescourtartshow.com |
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World’s Largest Halloween Party |
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Not-too-scary, Halloween fun for the entire family with larger-than-life costumed characters and fanciful storybook scenes throughout the Zoo, plus trick-or-treating and the Halloween Train Express! www.louisvillezoo.org |
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NOVEMBER |
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Light Up Louisville |
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| A Victorian-style holiday tradition since 1981. Downtown Louisville is decked with holiday lights, vendors sell British fare and even Santa Claus makes a special appearance. Special kids activities and a Holiday Parade. www.louisvilleky.gov/communityrelations/light+up+louisville | ||||
DECEMBER |
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Christmas Gift and Décor Show |
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| One of the nation’s largest and finest free admission Christmas Shows! Over 700 booths of wonderful Christmas craft and gift-type items. |
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Old Louisville Holiday House Tour |
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| Visit historic Old Louisville’s most beautiful homes all dressed up for the holidays. www.holidayhousetour.com |
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Mayor’s Midnight Special on New Year’s Eve |
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| This outdoor party is a family affair. Party favors are given out and local bands perform downtown in Theatre Square. |
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