Fall festivals you don’t want to miss in Louisville

August 07, 2026 | Staff and Aimee Pierce

As the leaves change, Bourbon City welcomes a packed calendar of fall events, making it one of the best times to experience the city.

Named one of the best places to travel in the fall by both Travel + Leisure and Hotels Above Par, Louisville is the perfect destination for a fall weekend getaway. From bourbon-inspired events and haunted ghost tours to some of the country's biggest music festivals, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate the season in Bourbon City.

A bustling outdoor music festival crowd at night, with a visible stage and amusement park rides, including a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster.
Attendees of Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond music festivals also have access to rides at Kentucky Kingdom.

🍂 September

Louisville SmokeOut™ | Thursday, Sept. 3-Sunday, Sept. 6

This immersive festival brings together cigar enthusiasts for exclusive tastings, live entertainment and experiences held at multiple locations across the city.

WorldFest | Friday, Sept. 4-Monday, Sept. 7 | FREE

Experience Louisville’s international festival showcasing cultures and communities that make up the Louisville area at the Belvedere. The festival features entertainment stages, the Parade of Cultures, a Global Village and tons of food.

German-American Club Oktoberfest | Friday, Sept. 11 & Saturday, Sept. 12

Join in on all the German festivities for Oktobestfest with tradition German dinner, beers and polka music that will make you want to say “Prost!” at the German American Club venue in the Camp Taylor neighborhood.

Pawpaw Festival | Saturday, Sept. 12

Enjoy guided hikes, local vendors, live music and outdoor fun while celebrating the pawpaw fruit at Louisville Nature Center.

Louisville Pride Festival | Saturday, Sept. 12 | FREE

Experience love and celebration with packed entertainment, over 100 vendors to explore and delicious food and drinks on Bardstown Rd., the festival is open to all bringing all of Louisville together for community connection.

Big Four Arts Festival | Saturday, Sept. 12 & Sunday, Sept. 13

Held at the Big Four Bridge Lawn at Waterfront Park, this two-day festival features live music, more than 150 art vendors and hands-on art activities.

Louder Than Life | Thursday, Sept. 17-Sunday, Sept. 19

America’s loudest Rock & Metal Festival is put into a four-day event at the Kentucky Expo Center with music classics like My Chemical Romance, Iron Maiden and Pierce the Veil.

Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival | Friday, Sept. 18-Sunday, Sept. 20 | FREE

Centered in Gaslight Square, the festival has become a tradition in Jeffersontown with over 135 arts & crafts vendors, a food court and even a kids zone.

NuLu Fest | Saturday, Sept. 19 | FREE

NuLu’s annual street festival is back on blocks 600 to 900 East Market Street. Enjoy local vendors, live music and activities for everyone.

Bourbon & Beyond | Thursday, Sept. 24-Sunday, Sept. 27

Enjoy an entire weekend of music and bourbon at the Kentucky Expo Center with artists including Chris Stapleton, Foo Fighters and Kacey Musgraves.

A colorful display of carved pumpkins with various designs, illuminated in orange and purple, set against a dark, blue background with glowing ornaments.
The Jack O’Lantern Spectacular has transformed Louisville’s fall season with a glowing pumpkin trail for more than a decade.

🍂 October

Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom | Thursday, Oct. 1-Sunday, Nov. 1

Now home to the Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular, discover more than 6,000 carved pumpkins from local sculptors as you walk through Kentucky's largest theme park decked out into a wonderland with fall-themed games, street performances and more.

Jack's Lantern Trail | Thursday, Oct. 1-Sunday, Nov. 1

Stroll along a winding trail aglow with thousands of artistically carved pumpkins, all set against the stunning backdrop of Iroquois Park.

Boo at the Zoo | Thursday, Oct. 1-Thursday, Oct. 29

Trick-or-treat at the Louisville Zoo with rides, special attractions and a Halloween party that's all treats and no tricks.

Bats Fall Festival | Friday, Oct. 2

For this first time, the Louisville Bats are bringing fall to Slugger Field for a family-friendly evening with trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, carnival games, face painting, live music, a spooky zone, a costume contest and a screening of “Casper.” Costumes are encouraged.

St. James Court Art Show | Friday, Oct. 2-Sunday, Oct. 4 | FREE

Named Sunshine Artist Magazine’s “Best Fine Art and Design Show of the Past Ten Years” for 2010–2020, the 70th St. James Art Show will feature more than 600 artists from across the U.S. among one of the country’s largest collections of Victorian homes.

BowmanFest | Saturday, Oct. 3 & Sunday, Oct. 4

See historic planes up close, watch aerobatic airshows and explore vintage cars at Bowman Field, along with food, beverages and family-friendly activities.

Garvin Gate Blues Festival | Saturday, Oct. 9 & Sunday, Oct. 10 | FREE

Celebrate the blues during one of the nation's longest-running free blues festivals in the heart of historic Old Louisville.

Belknap Fall Fest | Saturday, Oct. 10 & Sunday, Oct. 11 | FREE

Head to 2223 Dundee Road for neighborhood festivities featuring live music, local vendors, tasty bites and family-friendly activities like pumpkin painting.

Goatman Festival | Thursday, Oct. 15-Sunday, Oct. 18

Named "Louisville's Weirdest Festival," Legends at Pope Lick features meet-and-greets with cryptozoology experts, special tours, a haunted trail and paranormal experiences.

Grateville Dead Music Festival | Friday, Oct. 16-Sunday, Oct. 18

Some of the region's best Deadhead tribute bands bring the energy to the Brown-Forman Amphitheater at Waterfront Park for three days of live music, food, drinks and fun.

Louisville Book Festival | Saturday, Oct. 24 | FREE

Celebrate literacy and children’s access to books at the Kentucky International Convention Center with authors, storybook characters, arts and crafts and family-friendly activities.

Via Colori Street Painting Festival | Saturday, Oct. 24 & Sunday, Oct. 25

Get colorful with more than 150 artists creating chalk masterpieces live along the sidewalks of Louisville's Waterfront Park. Beyond the incredible artwork, enjoy local vendors, a food court and family-friendly activities for all ages.

A whimsical nest-like structure made of branches features a circular opening decorated with yellow flowers. Three people are peering out: two women and a young girl. Colorful papel picado banners hang nearby, creating a festive atmosphere.
ColorFest is one of Bernheim’s longest-running fall traditions.

🍂 November

Día de los Muertos | Saturday, Nov. 1 & Sunday, Nov. 2

Honor beloved pets and zoo animals at the Louisville Zoo with a special ofrenda celebrating Día de los Muertos, the traditional observance in Mexico and other cultures that honors loved ones who have died.

ColorFest at Bernheim Forest | Saturday, Nov. 7 & Sunday, Nov. 8

Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors of fall at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum with hands-on nature activities, local food, live music and seasonal favorites like pumpkin rolling.

Festival of Faiths | Wednesday, Nov. 11-Friday, Nov. 13

Experience one of Louisville's most meaningful fall gatherings as the Festival of Faiths brings together inspiring speakers, artists, musicians and spiritual leaders for thoughtful conversations, creative workshops and moments of connection at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts.

Looking for more to do in Bourbon City? Check out our events calendar and subscribe to our newsletters to get updates on news and events — and don’t miss these discounts on hotels and local attractions.