30+ Festivals & Events to Plan for this Summer in Louisville

Bourbon, music, art, beer, and pride collide this summer in Louisville with dozens of concerts, festivals and events planned in Bourbon City. Here are some of the area's biggest and most anticipated events for summer 2025.

Celebrate 100 Years of The Great Gatsby | Thru June 21

The Great Gatsby, which celebrates 100 years old in 2025, is considered one of the world's greatest and most well-known novels and some of the inspiration for the book's places and characters comes straight out of Louisville. Louisville is the hometown of Daisy Buchannan and best friend Jordan Baker, the city where Gatsby and Daisy fell in love, and the location of Tom and Daisy's opulent wedding, specifically at the Seelbach Hotel. Through the end of June, participate in events and tours celebrating the city's ties to the storied novel at a handful of Louisville attractions, stay in a Great Gatsby-inspired suite, or visit other Louisville locations that may have inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald while he lived in the city over a century ago.

Downs After Dark | May 17 & June 21

One of Louisville’s longest-running traditions extends their hours just a few times a year for what Churchill Downs has coined Downs After Dark. With gates opening at 5pm and the last horse race not starting until 11:10pm, racing fans will have a chance to see Churchill Downs in a whole new light. Live music, festive attire, and of course, classic cocktails add to the excitement. Churchill Downs will hold its Spring Meet through the end of June with live racing Thursdays - Sundays in May and Wednesdays - Sundays in June.

DINOPALOOZA | May 17 - September 1

Dinopalooza at the Louisville Zoo will be on display all summer long. Visitors can travel back in time to encounter 23 life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. The dinosaurs, created by Dino Don, Inc., move, roar, and breathe like the real thing, offering a thrilling experience for all ages. The event is included with zoo admission or membership.

Abbey Road on the River | May 22-26

This annual Beatles tribute takes place just across the river from Louisville at Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville, IN. The Memorial Day weekend festival will feature some of the best Beatles cover bands rocking out in tribute to the iconic British boy band. Headliners include Pete Best, Jukebox Beatles, The Weeklings, and Classicstone. Free admission for guests age 20 and under when accompanied by a matching adult ticket.

Roots Revue Festival | May 24 & 25

Back for its second year in 2025, this two-day bluegrass, roots, and folk music festival will be hosted in Christie's Garden at Paristown. The event will feature some of the best bluegrass artists in the region, great food & great cocktails. Both general and VIP admission tickets are available will be available with discounted tickets for kids aged 11-17 and free for those ages 10 and under.

Kentucky Shakespeare Festival | May 28 - August 10 | FREE

Taking place in Old Louisville’s scenic Central Park, the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival continues its decades-long tradition of providing free live-action performances of some of Shakespeare’s greatest works. This year’s entertainment kicks off after Memorial Day weekend, with shows beginning nightly at 8pm. Guests are encouraged to arrive as early as 6pm to get a bite at local food trucks and to ensure seating is available. Guests are also welcome to bring their own blankets and chairs, as well as dogs, as long as they are leashed. The 2025 season includes performances of Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, and Cymbeline.

Ali Festival | May 31-June 3

Since the passing of Louisville's native son in 2016, the annual Ali Festival celebrates Muhammad Ali’s impactful legacy and love for Louisville. The community celebration will include an array of events and activities that highlight his impact, core principles, and the city he called home. In addition to a visit to the Muhammad Ali Center and the Champ's final resting place at Cave Hill Cemetery, last year's events included a Community Carnival, Trolley Tours, a Bats game at Louisville Slugger Field, and more. An announcement of 2025 events is still forthcoming. If you can't be in town for the week-long celebration, try following in the Footsteps of Greatness while taking this self-guided tour around the city.

Louisville GreekFest | June 6 & 7 | FREE

Celebrate Grecian hospitality and culture with Louisville's Greek community at the annual Louisville Greek Fest. Food vendors will be offering popular Greek items like gyros, souvlaki sandwiches, tiropitas, along with an assortment of pastries and desserts. Live music and traditional Greek dancing will also be performed by a number of local groups. Weather permitting, the event will be held outside of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in the Lyndon neighborhood off of Ormsby Lane.

Buy Local Fair | June 8 | FREE

Local retailers, organizations and artists will fill Lynn Family Stadium's Fan Zone for the annual Buy Local Fair. Fair-goers are invited to enjoy performances by local musicians, sip libations, watch cooking competitions, and let the kids run wild at the on-site kid zone. While admission is free, a portion of parking fees and in-kind donations will benefit the Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA)-- the organizers of the festival.

Sky Soul Festival | June 14

Get ready for an enchanting experience as the Sky Soul Festival descends upon Waterfront Park for the its second year. The highly anticipated event promises a celebration of art, culture, and community, with superstars Jagged Edge, Stokley, Doug E. Fresh, and Jon B all taking the stage.

Juneteenth Celebrations | June 19-21

Louisville will be home to a variety of Juneteenth festivals and celebrations, marking the anniversary of the federal holiday. Louisville's Juneteenth Jubilee Commission will host two events, the third annual Amplify Songs of Justice (June 19) with the Kentucky Opera, and Agape Day (June 20), for a day of love and giving with Louisville's Dare to Care. The Louisville Juneteenth Festival (June 21) is free and is a day-long event featuring food vendors and live music. The MELANnaire Marketplace (June 19) will host a day-long event at Louisville's Fourth St. Live! highlighting local Black entrepreneurs selling everything from food, arts, and retail products.

Kentuckiana Pride Parade & Festival | June 21

Held at Louisville’s Waterfront Park, the Kentuckiana Pride Parade & Festival has been a tradition in downtown Louisville for more than 20 years. Start the day with the annual Pride parade down East Market Street in the popular NuLu neighborhood as it marches 1.5 miles toward the Ohio River and the iconic Big Four Bridge. This year's headliners include Natasha Bedingfield, The Scarlet Opera, and Tanner Adell. More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the event, one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in the state.

Summer Beer Festivals

Though Louisville is known as Bourbon City, many are unaware of the city's hoppin' local beer scene. Get a taste of Kentucky-made beers at the Kentucky Craft Bash (June 28), which highlights over 50 breweries from around the state. The J-town Beer Festival (July 12) is a neighborhood beer fest bringing together beer, music, and food to support local area businesses. The Summer Beer Fest at the Frazier (July 26) is taking over Louisville's Main Street and will feature over 200 beers on tap outside of the city's Frazier History Museum. You'll be sure to have a wild time at Brew at the Zoo (August), an annual fundraiser for the Louisville Zoo. Old Lou Brew (September 5) is set in Central Park in the Old Louisville neighborhood, which is home to one of the largest collections of Victorian-era mansions in the country. And Steins on Main (September) is returning to downtown Louisville off of historic Main Street to celebrate its annual Oktoberfest.

Waterfront Park Fourth of July | July 4 | FREE

Celebrate Independence Day on the banks of the Ohio River at Louisville's Waterfront Park on the Big Four Lawn. This annual holiday event kicks off at 6pm and includes live music, food vendors, and a talent showcase, along with a 10pm fireworks show.

Bluegrass & Booms at Kentucky Kingdom | July 3-5

Kentucky Kingdom is celebrating America's birthday with live music, nightly fireworks and unique food. Kick off your Fourth of July weekend by hearing the rich sounds of well-known Bluegrass bands like Storefront Congregation and Mountain Highway after a day of riding rides and exploring the newly renovated park.

The Big Stomp | July 26-27

Returning to Waterfront Park in 2025, the annual Big Stomp festival is a multi-day, immersive event filled with activities, live music and mindful programming focused on helping to "stomp" out the stigma surrounding mental health. This year's headliners include Murder By Death and The Record Company along with a dozen other musical acts.

Dainty Fest & the World Championship of Dainty | July 25-28 | FREE

One of Louisville's most unique traditions continues into its 55th year with the annual World Championship of Dainty. Held on the last Monday in July in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood, this obscure German street game has become a cherished tradition that draws crowds onto the sidewalk of George Hauck Way to eat bologna sandwiches, listen to ragtime music, and watch contestants swing a whittled broomstick in hopes of being crowned a World Champion. The celebration will kick off the Friday before with the second annual Dainty Silent Disco. Saturday will include bands, drink specials, games, and raffles at The Merryweather. On Sunday, folks can enjoy a day full of fun at Hauck’s Corner for Open Hauck’s, which will include food, music, a dunk tank, and the bologna sandwich eating contest.

Los Carnavales de Sweet Havana | August 1-3 | FREE

Located in the Highview neighborhood in south central Louisville, Los Carnavales de Sweet Havana is an annual celebration that unites the city's Latin community with live music, dance, food, and culture. The event highlights diversity, supports small businesses, and promotes unity and joy with its colorful parades, dozens of delicious food vendors, and activities for children. Sweet Havana is a locally owned restaurant and a year-round hub for Louisville's growing Cuban community.

African Heritage Festival | August 22 & 23 | FREE

Held downtown at Ben Washer Park, this annual free festival celebrates African, African-American, and Caribbean cultures during full day of music, food, sports, fashion, children's activities, cultural demonstrations, and resources for healthy living.

Kentucky State Fair | August 14-24

Held annually at the Kentucky Exposition Center, the Kentucky State Fair is a century-plus-old tradition that celebrates Kentucky’s culture, art, agriculture, music and more. Travel the entire Commonwealth and discover what Kentucky has to offer without having to leave the fairground at the Pride of the Counties exhibit or explore Agland, more than an acre of agriculture exhibits highlighting Kentucky’s farm and field heritage.

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.

KY 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.

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