20+ Events to Attend in Louisville this June
A myriad of musical genres, food and drink festivals, and array of celebrations highlighting cultures from around the world will headline this month's diverse lineup of things to do. Below are some of Louisville's most anticipated events for June 2025.
Celebrate 100 Years of The Great Gatsby | Thru June 21
The Great Gatsby, which celebrates 100 years 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. June events include Old Louisville in the Time of F. Scott-Fitzgerald (June 14), a free walking tour through one of the city's most historic neighborhoods to see the grand architecture that was prominent during F. Scott-Fitzgerald’s time in the city; Gatsby at the Gardens (June 18), a night of live Jazz music, delectable bites, and swanky cocktails at Louisville's Watefront Botanical Gardens; the Phantoms of the Prohibition: Ghosts, Cocktails, Bites Walking Food Tour (Tues. - Fri), which will take you to historic and under-the-radar spots in downtown Louisville; and free Historic Tours of the Seelbach Hotel (Thurs. - Sat).
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival | Thru 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.
DINOPALOOZA | Thru 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.
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, the festival will include a Community Carnival and a new program that will explore the intersection of sports and social justice, featuring a panel of all star athletes including UofL and Utah Jazz great Darrell Griffith, Racing Louisville Midfielder Lauren Milliet, and College Football Hall of Fame quarterback Don McPherson. 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.
Germantown Schnitzelburg Blues Festival | June 6 & 7 | FREE
The Kentuckiana Blues Society and Check's Cafe will play host to the 15th Germantown Schnitzelburg Blues Festival at the corner of Hickory Street and Burnett Ave. The annual street fest includes an outdoor stage and will feature eleven acts over two days. Music kicks off at 7pm on Friday evening and goes until 11pm, while Saturday starts around 4pm. Visit the event's Facebook page for a full lineup of performances.
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, and stay open until 10pm each night.
La Caja China | June 7
The 3rd Annual La Caja China is returning to La Bodeguita de Mima on the first Saturday in June. Presented by Jim Beam, this event brings the heat and flavor of the authentic Cuban experience to the NuLu neighborhood with traditional Cuban food, live music by +Flow, and AllSensation DJs, cigars, dominoes, and crafted cocktails. The event is family-friendly and open to all ages with 100% of proceeds benefiting La Casita Center in Louisville.
Butchertown Art Fair | June 7 & 8 | FREE
Located in one of Louisville's oldest neighborhoods, the art fair takes place annually on the first weekend in June set against a backdrop of historic homes from the 1800s. This year's event takes place at the 800 block of E. Washington Street on Saturday, June 7, 11am -6pm, and Sunday, June 8, 11am to 5pm and will feature handcrafted artwork from more than 70 artists. Complementing the art you'll find live music, local food trucks, beer, wine, and cocktail selections, and the classic tree-canopied ambiance of Washington Street. Proceeds from the art fair will directly benefit community development and preservation of the historic Butchertown neighborhood.
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.
Spring Street WingFest | June 14
Located in the Irish Hill neighborhood, Spring Street Bar & Grill is bringing back their outdoor event from 2pm to 8pm, this Father's Day weekend. The family-friendly, neighborhood festival will feature a hot wing eating contest, live music, children's activities, face-painting, outdoor games, and a variety of food and drink from Spring Street's regular menu. Spring Street's parking lot will be closed and transformed to host the event. The interior of Spring Street's bar and restaurant space will remain open for business.
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.
Rosé Partay at Bar Nada Nada | June 14
The 5th annual Rosé Partay will take place in NuLu on the second Saturday in June. Hosted on the patio at Bar Nada Nada, a natural wines and cocktail bar, tickets to the event include a chance to taste some of 40 different rosés from all over the world, beats by Daddi Frankie, and even rosé jell-o shots. The event is 21+ and will take place from 3-6pm.
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, making it one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in the state. You can find more Pride and LGBTQ-inclusive events here.
Downs After Dark | 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.
Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour | June 21 & 22
For one weekend out of the year, Old Louisville residents welcome garden lovers into some of their private green spaces within the nation’s largest Victorian residential neighborhood. See some of the areas best kept secrets as gardeners share glimpses of their personal retreats, tucked behind stately Victorian mansions and protected by vine-covered walls and privacy fences. Advance tickets are $20 customers may also purchase a combo ticket for a $30 advance price that includes a tour of the Conrad Caldwell House Museum.
Kentucky Craft Bash | June 28
For one day this summer, the Kentucky Guild of Brewers will transform Louisville's Waterfront Park into the state’s largest, most exclusive taproom during the annual Kentucky Craft Bash - Kentucky’s only craft beer festival by brewers, for brewers. Pouring only beers from breweries located in the Commonwealth, Craft Bash hosts over 50 local breweries and serves more than 175 different varieties of beer. Experimental beers and collaborations that don't go into widespread distribution and are rarely found outside of a brewery’s taproom will also be available to sample.
For a roundup of more events taking place this Summer, visit here.
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