15+ Festivals & Events to Attend in Louisville this Fall

Named one of the best places to travel in the Fall by both Travel + Leisure and Hotels Above Par, Louisville is a great destination for a Fall weekend getaway. From Bourbon-infused events, haunted ghost tours, and some of the country's biggest music festivals, there are plenty of reasons to start planning your next sip in Bourbon City in 2025.

WorldFest | Aug. 29 - Sept. 1 | FREE

Louisville’s WorldFest is one of the region’s largest international festivals, with nearly 150 international-themed arts, crafts, merchandise, and food booths along with three entertainment stages. Taking place every Labor Day Weekend in Downtown Louisville on the Belvedere, this four-day festival has celebrated cultures from around the world for more than two decades.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival | September 5-7

Located just 45 minutes south of downtown Louisville in Bardstown, KY, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival has been celebrating America's native spirit for over 30 years. Both single-day and three-day passes are available for this annual Bourbon Heritage Month festival, which with experiential tastings, dinners, auctions, and the World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay. Bourbon enthusiasts can sip their favorite hard-to-find bourbons or get signature cocktails prepared by pro mixologists. VIP-level experiences are already sold out so be sure to purchase tickets in advance.

Gaslight Festival Week | September 5-14

Centered around the small-town ambiance of Gaslight Square, the Gaslight Festival has evolved into an eight-day extravaganza that has become a time-honored tradition of East Louisville's Jeffersontown (J-Town) community. Celebrating its 56th year in 2025, 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.

Louisville Pride Festival | September 6 | FREE

Held every September in Louisville’s Highlands neighborhood, this annual block party has become a staple end-of-summer event. Celebrating 10 years in 2025, past headliners have included Vincint, Todrick Hall, and other nationally known artists, along with a variety of drag performers across two stages. The day-long festival is held across multiple blocks on Bardstown Road, which is also home to some of the city’s most popular LGBTQ bars, including Chill Bar, The Pink Lounge, and Big Bar, which stay open late after the festival ends.

Big Four Arts Festival | September 6 & 7

The 9th annual Big Four Bridge Arts Festival will be held on Waterfront Park’s Big Four Lawn at the base of the popular Big Four Walking Bridge. 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.

PNC Broadway presents: MJ The Musical | September 9 - 14

A Broadway sensation highlighting one of the greatest entertainers of all time will be coming to the Kentucky Center in downtown Louisville this Fall. With a score that includes global hits like “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “I'll Be There,” this multiple Tony Award®-winning musical will have you dancing in your seats.

Bourbon & Beyond | September 11-14

The World’s Largest Bourbon & Music Festival is returning to the Highland Festival Grounds after a record-breaking 2024 crowd. This star-studded event brings together the best in Classic Rock, Alt Rock, Country, and Bluegrass music with 100 artists across five stages, alongside hands-on bourbon workshops, tastings, and culinary programming with celebrity chefs. This year's festival includes headliners Phish, Noah Kahan, Sturgill Simpson, The Lumineers, and Jack White.

Louder Than Life | September 18-21

Louder Than Life will wrap up an incredible summer of music in Louisville with a four-day rock festival just south of downtown at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Expo Center. Headliners for the festival include Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones, Rob Zombie, and the return of Slayer. Local food and drink culture will also be incorporated into the festival’s culinary scene with pop-ups from popular Kentucky Bourbon brands and local Louisville restaurants. Weekend General Admission, VIP and Top Shelf passes are currently on sale.

Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom | Fri - Sun, September 26 - October 26
Back for its fourth year, discover more than 1,000 illuminated pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom amusement park. By day, fly through the crisp fall air on world-class rides, savor tasty autumn treats and discover new seasonal fun around every corner. Wait until night falls to see expertly carved towering pumpkin sculptures that light up the night with special effects and pops of color, in addition to family-friendly entertainment, mazes, special fall photo opportunities, trick-or-treating, and limited-time seasonal bites.

NuLu Fest | September 27 | FREE

Once named "One of the Coolest Neighborhoods in North America," Louisville's East Market District, or NuLu, will have its annual neighborhood street fest on the last Saturday in September. 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, regional micro-brewed beers, Bourbon, and numerous food and retail booths by local vendors.

Boo at the Zoo | Thursdays - Sundays in October

A tradition for over 40 years, Boo at the Zoo transforms the Louisville Zoo into a living storybook, complete with some of your favorite characters brought to life, fun music, and a safe place for trick-or-treating for kids 11 and under. Celebrate with an all-inclusive party experience designed to give all the kooky you love with less of the spooky. A Spooktacular Carousel, "not-so-itsy-bitsy" Spider House and a Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow experience are all included with admission.

St. James Court Art Show | October 3-5 | FREE

Celebrating its 69th anniversary in 2025, the St. James Court Art Show is a juried fine art, and contemporary crafts show that brings over 600 artists to the city every first full weekend in October. The event spans 4 square blocks and is set in the Old Louisville neighborhood, home to the country’s most extensive collection of Victorian-era homes.

Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular | October 7 - November 2

Fall favorite Jack O'Lantern Spectacular is back at Louisville Iroquois Park for another season of Halloween fun. Visitors can stroll along a 1/3-mile path to enjoy over 5,000 carved pumpkins illuminated every evening as a part of the nightly art show. This family-friendly Fall celebration is the perfect ending to a day of exploration and has become one of Louisville’s most popular October traditions.

Louisville Book Festival | October 11 | FREE

The Louisville Book Festival, taking place at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville, was founded to celebrate and promote the love and benefits of reading, writing, and literacy while striving towards the goal that all children have access to books in their homes. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with dozens of authors and storybook characters, participate in arts and crafts, and kids will be able to take home a free book (while supplies last.)

PNC Broadway in Louisville presents: Water for Elephants | October 14-19

The New York Times critically acclaimed bestselling novel comes to life in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical at the Kentucky Center this Fall. After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Hailed as a “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative" you won't want to miss this new musical on Main Street this October.

Victorian Ghost Walk | October 17-19

Visit one of "America's most haunted neighborhoods" during this annual ghost tour in Old Louisville. Created by Louisville local and New York Times-reviewed author David Domine, this limited-time event will bring spirits to life with actors portraying the figures that allegedly roam some of the neighborhood's most haunted buildings. If you can't make it this weekend, Louisville Historic Tours offers nightly ghost tours through the Fall, though if you spot a ghost during one of those, it may be the real thing.

Urban Bourbon Half Marathon | October 18

Routed through Louisville's historic Whiskey Row and scenic Cherokee Park, this experiential event celebrates the area's 200+ years of distilling history. The half marathon features exclusive bourbon experiences and a post-race party that Runners’ World magazine heralded as one of the "Best Half Marathon After-Parties in the Country." You must be at least 21 or older to participate in the event.

Fall Meet at Churchill Downs | Weds - Sun, October 26 - November 30

Best known as the home of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs will host its annual Fall Meet featuring live Thoroughbred racing this November. In addition to being a popular Thanksgiving and Black Friday tradition, the historic race track will host Sunday brunches, a Military Appreciation Day, Senior Day, and Breeders' Cup Watch Party.

ColorFest at Bernheim Forest | Nov. 1 & 2

Named one of the Best Places to See Fall Colors in the US, Louisville has a variety of destinations to visit while in town during the colorful fall months. During this annual Fall Festival, Bernheim Forest will show off the region's famous foliage with two days of activities. Some of the available activities include a corn pit, mud pie kitchen, pumpkin rolling, giant launch, nature games, and giant slides. ColorFest will occur from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

North American Championship Rodeo | Nov. 13-15

Held at historic Freedom Hall this high-energy lineup of events includes bull riding, team roping, women's barrel racing, rodeo clowns, and more as a part of the North American International Livestock Exposition.

For a list of Halloween and spooky season-specific events, check out this round-up of Halloween Haunts + Happenings in Louisville.

To find all events happening in and around the city be sure to check out our event calendar and subscribe to our email newsletters for the latest updates on news and events.