25+ things to do in Louisville this September

Louisville was named one of the "Best Places to Travel in September" by The Points Guy in 2023, and we couldn’t agree more. Experience the nation's largest (and loudest) music festivals, cultures from around the world, and celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month right here in Bourbon City.

🗓️ September 1-7

WorldFest | Aug. 29 – Sept. 1 | FREE
Taking place every Labor Day weekend on the Belvedere in Downtown Louisville, this four-day festival celebrates and showcases the international cultures that make up Bourbon City and surrounding areas. Highlights of the fest include the Parade of Cultures, a Naturalization Ceremony, Global Village, over 100 vendors, and three performance stages.

Kentucky Flea Market Labor Day Spectacular | Aug. 29-Sept. 1 | FREE
Shop from over 800 vintage and antique vendors, setting up shop at the Kentucky Exposition Center over Labor Day weekend.

Louisville Smokeout | Sept. 4-6
Immerse yourself in the culture of cigars and bourbon during this curated weekend filled with live music & events, like Cigar Etiquette 101 and Sip n Smoke with October London. Tickets are available per event.

Gaslight Festival | Sept. 4-14 | FREE
Centered around the small-town ambiance of Gaslight Square, the Gaslight Festival has evolved into an eight-day, time-honored tradition of East Louisville's Jeffersontown (aka J-Town) community. Celebrating its 56th year, the festival's signature events include a car show, golf scramble, 5K run, parade, balloon glow, motorcycle rally, live entertainment, and over 200 arts, crafts, and commercial booths.

Old Lou Brew Craft Beer Festival | Sept. 5
Taking place at Central Park in the heart of Old Louisville, Bourbon City’s historic Victorian-era neighborhood, this beer fest features 12 local breweries, food trucks, and live music.

Louisville Pawpaw Festival | Sept. 6 | FREE
Celebrate the “Kentucky banana” — a uniquely Kentucky fruit that only grows in the eastern part of the U.S. — at the Louisville Nature Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature guided hikes, local vendors, tastings, and workshops.

Paristown Plant Swap | Sunday, Sept. 7 | FREE
Shop from local plant & craft vendors — like Wall of Plant and Louisville Grows — grab a bite and a drink, and don’t forget to bring a plant swap from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

German American Club Oktoberfest | Sept. 5 & 6
Prost! Raise a stein during German American Club’s biggest event of the year. Taking place over two days, this traditional family-friendly Oktoberfest starts at 2 p.m. both days and features a German dinner starting at 5 p.m., king and queen contest, and polka music. Entry is $10 for 21 and older.

Louisville Pride Festival | Sept. 6 | FREE
This year’s theme “Decades: Resistance and Hope Through The Years” celebrates the 10th anniversary of this Highlands neighborhood Pride fest. Dance to DJs & see drag performances across two stages during the day-long festival, held across multiple blocks on Bardstown Road — which is also home to some of the city’s most popular LGBTQ+ bars, including Chill Bar and Big Bar, open late after the festival ends.

Foodie Fest in Paristown | Sept. 6 | FREE
Bring your appetite to enjoy over 55 foodie-designated vendors, bourbon tours, live music, and pottery crafting with Louisville Stoneware Co.

Louisville VegFest | Sept. 6 | FREE
Celebrate and taste all things vegan from 12 to 6 p.m. at the Mellwood Art Center. General admission is free and includes access to over 60 vendors, food trucks, craft beer & cocktails, a plant-based marketplace, speaker talks, and kid’s activities. A $30 VIP ticket is available for those looking to level up.

Big Four Arts Festival | Sept. 6 & 7
This annual art festival held at the base of the Big Four Walking Bridge at Waterfront Park, is listed as one of Sunshine Artist magazine’s “200 Best” shows. Over 150 juried artists will set up shop along the Ohio River during the two-day event, featuring paintings, jewelry, sculptures, photography, and live music. Tickets for the event are just $5 and can be purchased online or at the entrance to the festival.

🗓️ September 8-14

Bourbon & Beyond | Sept. 11-14
Phish, Noah Kahan, Sturgill Simpson, The Lumineers, and Jack White are among the headliners of this year’s Bourbon & Beyond music fest. Known as “The World's Largest Bourbon, Food & Music Festival,” the four-day event takes place at the Highland Festival Grounds across five stages. This year, festival attendees will also have access to the Kentucky Kingdom amusement park.

Churchill Downs September Meet | Sept. 11-28
Live Thoroughbred racing returns to the track in September for 14 days and is the qualifying road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Check out special events like Twilight Thursdays, College Day, Family Adventure Day, and more.

🗓️ September 15-21

Waterfront Wednesday: Paula Cole | Sept. 17 | FREE
Bring a blanket or a chair to this outdoor concert at Waterfront Park’s Big Four Lawn. This month headliner Paula Cole, known for hits like “I Don’t Want To Wait” & “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?,” will be joined by Uwade and Maggie Halfman.

Louder Than Life | Sept. 18-21
Louder Than Life, billed as “America's Loudest Rock & Metal Festival,” will wrap up a summer of music in Louisville with a four-day festival at the Highland Festival Grounds. Headliners this year include Slayer, Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones, Rob Zombie, and Evanescence. Local food culture will also be incorporated into the festival’s culinary scene with pop-ups from popular Kentucky Bourbon brands and Louisville restaurants.

Pirate Cruise (21+ Only) | Sept. 19
Step aboard the Belle of Louisville, the last remaining authentic Mississippi River-style steamboat left in the world, for a paaarrrty on the Ohio River. The special event includes a sword-fighting show, costume contest, signature cocktail, and popcorn station.

Water Lantern Festival | Sept. 20
This community event will take place at the TurfMutt Great Lawn at Waterfont Park. During the day, enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, and a scavenger hunt. At night, release a personalized lantern onto the water during the lantern launch.

Spooky Sprint | Sept. 20
Kick off the Halloween season with this themed 5K/10K run through The Parklands of Floyds Fork, a nearly 4,000-acre public parks system in southeastern Louisville.

Paristown Flea | Sept. 20 | FREE
Shop for curiosities and vintage finds at this outdoor market featuring everything from antique furniture to houseplants.

BugFest | Sept. 20 | FREE
Discover all things creepy and crawly during this annual celebration of six- and eight-legged friends. Activities include an insect zoo, bug parade, themed crafts, and a bug safari. While this event is free to attend, a $15 donation per car is recommended.

🗓️ September 22-30

Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom | Sept. 26-Oct. 26
Explore Kentucky's largest amusement park after dark while riding world-class rides amid 1,000 glowing pumpkins and larger-than-life gourd sculptures. Plus, enjoy trick-or-treating, festival-themed food, and nightly entertainment bring this whimsical wonderland to life.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq The World Tour 2025” | Sept. 26
Hosted by Sasha Velour as Lady Gaga and Madonna, this show at The Louisville Palace includes performances by Jimbo as Joan Rivers, Morphine Love Dion as Shakira, Jaida Essence Hall as Beyoncé, Roxxxy Andrews as Mariah Carey, and Derrick Barry as Britney Spears.

NuLu Fest | Sept. 27
Once named "One of the Coolest Neighborhoods in North America," Louisville's East Market District — aka NuLu — is known for its art galleries, unique retail stores, and some of the most popular restaurants in the city. The neighborhood block party will feature live music, local beer, Bourbon & numerous food and retail booths by local vendors.

Makers Polo Club | Sept. 27
Presented by Woodford Reserve, this annual Bourbon Heritage Month event takes place at the historic Oxmoor Farm Polo Fields and brings together world-class design, hospitality, and the "Sport of Kings." Professional polo players from across the country will compete in one of America’s most opulent Polo Cups while spectators cheers champagne, sip fine Bourbon, and mingle amongst a crowd of chic and glamorous guests. Tickets are limited, with General Admission, VIP, Corporate, and other ticket packages available.

Paristown Art Fest | Sept. 27 & 28 | FREE
The Paristown Art Festival will take place in the heart of the Paristown Arts District. This three-day event will take over Brent Street and Christy's Garden and feature dozens of painters, photographers, jewelry-makers, designers, and wood artisans.

To find all the events happening in and around Bourbon City check out our events calendar and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates. And if you’re looking to get a jump start on spooky season, peep our guide to Halloween in Louisville.