Things to look forward to in Louisville in 2026

2025 was a year for the books for the city of Louisville — from topping several USA TODAY 10Best lists for our food and art scenes to major openings, like the 3.5-acre Waterfront Park PlayPort playground and The Elizabeth P. and Frederick K. Cressman Art Park, a 3-acre greenspace featuring large-scale sculptures.

Now, we look forward to another year full of new developments, restaurants, museums, and more in Bourbon City.

100th anniversary of the Hot Brown sandwich

Louisville’s culinary icon, invented in 1926 at the historic Brown Hotel, turns 100 next year. The open-faced turkey sandwich smothered in mornay sauce will be celebrated in the fall of next year, including during Hot Brown Week in October.

Muhammad Ali forever stamps

Muhammad Ali once said: “I should be a postage stamp, because that's the only way I'll ever get licked.” On January 15, USPS will release two forever stamps in honor of “The Greatest,” who was born in Louisville in 1942. 2026 will also mark the 10th anniversary of his death.

The Dot Experience

Projected to open in October, this reimagined museum from the American Printing House for the Blind aims to be the most inclusive museum in the world. The Dot Experience, a nod to the six-dot system of braille, will incorporate elements of an attraction, a factory tour, and an education center that will introduce visitors to the struggles and successes of historic and contemporary blind people.

AHOY (Adventure House of You)

Currently under construction, this Victorian-era-house-turned-children’s museum is expected to open phase 1 in late 2026. AHOY will be an immersive, experimental museum with both indoor and outdoor play areas, with nods to the geological and biological history of the Portland neighborhood area.

The Sons of the American Revolution Education Center and Museum

Part of the Sons of the American Revolution Foundation, this forthcoming Main Street education center and museum will feature exhibits that span the entire history of the American Revolution and is expected to open by the end of summer.

Kentucky Kingdom’s Flying Fox

Get ready for a new high-flying thrill, as Kentucky Kingdom, Kentucky’s largest amusement park, debuts its newest coaster, Flying Fox, in May at the start of the 2026 season. Inspired by daring crop duster pilots, the lime green suspended roller coaster is a tribute to Kentucky’s farming heritage.

TANA

Germantown will welcome a Taiwanese-American restaurant this spring. TANA, an acronym for Taiwanese New Americans, will have a 90-seat dining room and bar and is from the minds of chef Ming Pu and his wife, Courtney Pu.

Mill Iron 4

Taking the place of the former Ensō restaurant on Frankfort Avenue, this concept will blend the craft of whole-animal butchery, live-fire cooking, and genuine hospitality and is expected to open its doors in early 2026. The restaurant comes from Noam Bilitzer of MeeshMeesh, Dustin Olsen of Red Hog, and North of Bourbon owners Stacy and Daniel Holyfield and Eric Jennings.

Secret Recipe bakery & Sole speakeasy

While a solid date has yet to be announced, Louisville will welcome a bakery-speakeasy duo early next year on West Market Street from pastry chef Brenna Peters. The bakery will offer artisanal desserts, including cakes, sugar cookies, cheesecakes, and macarons. Somewhere in the bakery, there will be a secret door leading to the basement speakeasy that will serve cocktails paired with desserts.

House of Marigold

This decadent (and colorful) brunch spot will open its second location in the popular NuLu neighborhood in spring 2026, and this time, with a dinner menu. Like the original location in East Louisville, the new location will focus on Southern comfort food. It will feature a rooftop bar, a chef’s table overlooking a glassed-in kitchen, and a private dining mezzanine.

Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration

This inaugural celebration of Kentucky’s Bourbon industry is coming to Louisville Friday, Feb. 13-Sunday, Feb. 15. The three-day event will host an auction, ticketed galas, tastings, tours, and kick off the the 2026 bourbon season, as well as honor the the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and the spirit that shaped its history.

Louisville Barrel Whiskey Co.

Nashville Barrel Company plans to open a new distillery in the NuLu district sometime early next year. Louisville Barrel Whiskey Co. will be the distillery’s first location outside of Tennessee and will feature a tasting bar, bottle shop, and hands-on distillery experiences.

Hyatt Studios hotel

A new 100-room concept from Hyatt Hotels Corp. is headed near the Muhammad Ali International Airport with plans to be open in late 2026. Hyatt Studios is an upper-midscale extended-stay brand that features lounge-style lobbies, complimentary breakfast, a 24-hour market, and workspaces.

NuLu Marketplace North

This expansion of the existing NuLu Marketplace, a walkable village with a hidden courtyard, shops, restaurants, and bars, will include a 66,000-sqft office and entertainment complex along Main Street. It’s expected to open early spring.

SDF Security Checkpoint Expansion

Traveling to and from Louisville will get even better late next year as a new 30,000-sqft security checkpoint area becomes operational, part of a multi-year improvement effort at the Muhammad Ali International Airport. The checkpoint addition will include 10 screening lanes, state-of-the-art equipment, a breach control exit lane, and will increase screening capacity by more than 60%.

Kentucky Exposition Center expansion

One of Louisville’s largest venues is getting even bigger — 350,000-sqft bigger to be exact. The $180 million multi-purpose facility, which is part of a larger ongoing expansion at the expo center, will host livestock competitions, equine events, sports tournaments, and conventions. It’s slated to open in December and begin welcoming visitors in 2027.

For things to do in Bourbon City in 2026, check out our events calendar and annual festivals and events.