Don't miss these October events & festivals in Louisville

The end of September concludes Bourbon Heritage Month, but Louisville is still abuzz in October.

Victorian-era neighborhood Old Louisville comes alive with some of the city’s most popular events, like the St. James Court Art Show and David Dominé's Victorian Ghost Walk®. In South Louisville, you’ll find not one, but two pumpkin attractions — Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom & the Jack O’Lantern Spectacular. And during the end of the month, the city pays homage to Louisville's claim to foodie fame: the Hot Brown sandwich.

And that’s not fall, read on for more events and festivals to put on your October radar.

🗓️ All month

Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom | Friday-Sunday, Sept. 26-Oct. 26
Explore Kentucky's largest amusement park after dark while riding world-class rides amid 1,000 glowing pumpkins and larger-than-life gourd sculptures. Plus, enjoy trick-or-treating, festival-themed food, and nightly entertainment, which brings this whimsical wonderland to life.

Boo at the Zoo | Sept. 27-Oct. 30
A Louisville tradition for over 40 years, this non-scary party experience features trick-or-treating for kids 11 and under, costume contests, and themed attractions, like the Headless Horseman guided walk and the “not-so-itsy-bitsy” Spider House.

“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” | Oct. 1-26
See the Louisville premiere of this stage adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7 p.m. & Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. at Kentucky Shakespeare’s Headquarters in Old Louisville.

Jack O’Lantern Spectacular | Daily, Oct. 2-Nov. 2
Stroll through over 5,000 artist-carved pumpkins illuminating a 1/3-mile trail through Iroquois Park, Louisville’s largest Olmsted Park. The theme for the 13th season is Jack's Pun-King Trail: A Trailway of Wordplay.

Halloween on Hillcrest | Throughout October | FREE
Residents along Hillcrest Avenue have been going above and beyond (the grave) for Halloween since the early 1980s, turning their homes into haunted attractions every year. The spooky tradition has made headlines and invites visitors to enter “Halloween Street” — if they dare.

🗓️ September 29-October 5

Bourbon & Belonging: Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week | Friday, Oct. 3-Sunday, Oct. 5
Bourbon & Belonging is the only LGBTQ+ inclusive Bourbon week in the country. During the week you can expect exclusive tours and tastings, panels and classes & late-night drag shows. Sign up to be the first to receive the schedule when it drops.

St. James Court Art Show | Friday, Oct. 3-Sunday, Oct. 5 | FREE
Voted as the No. 2 “Best Fine Art and Design Show” in the country this year by Sunshine Artist magazine, this juried fine arts and contemporary crafts show features over 600 artists. The event spans four-square blocks in the Old Louisville neighborhood, home to the country’s most extensive collection of Victorian-era homes. Talk about a backdrop.

BowmanFest | Saturday, Oct. 4 & Sunday, Oct. 5
Held at the historic Bowman Field Airport, this two-day festival features vintage aircraft, the IPA 5K on the runway, an aerobatic air show, and family activities. Airplane rides will be available in various planes & helicopters for an additional purchase, and the event is free for all veterans and first responders.

🗓️ October 6-12

The Louisville Ballet presents: "DRACULA" | Friday, Oct. 10 & Saturday, Oct. 11
After nearly 30 years in the shadows, the Louisville ballet’s rendition of Bram Stoker’s gothic masterpiece is coming alive at the historic Brown Theatre with newly designed sets and costumes. Be warned, this show is not for the faint of heart.

Goatman Festival | Friday, Oct.10 & Saturday, Oct.11 | FREE
Learn more about (and maybe even meet) Louisville’s most famous cryptid, the Pope Lick Monster — aka the Goatman. Hear from expert cryptozoologists, shop from vendors, and enjoy live music and movie screenings.

The Garvin Gates Blues Festival | Friday, Oct. 10 & Saturday, Oct. 11 | FREE
This street festival is set in Old Louisville at Oak Street and Garvin Place and features national and local performers alike — like Duke Tumatoe, Ben Levin, Blues Hall of Famer Bob Stroger, and Rusty Ends & Hillbilly Hoodoo.

Belknap Fall Festival | Friday, Oct. 10 & Saturday, Oct. 11 | FREE
If you’re looking for a neighborhood fall fest straight out of “Gilmore Girls,” look no further. Taking place at the historic Douglass Loop among small businesses and local restaurants, this fest features family fun, local vendors and beer, live music, and over 100 artists.

Louisville Book Festival | Saturday, Oct. 11 | FREE
The Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville will play host to this annual event, celebrating the love and benefits of reading, writing, and literacy. During the event, attendees can meet over 100 authors, storybook characters, and purchase books.

Louisville’s Great Chili Cook-off | Sunday, Oct. 12 | FREE
Sample chili from over 50 competing teams hoping to take home the chili champ title during this annual foodie fundraising event in the heart of NuLu. Plus, shop from local vendors & businesses and enjoy live music.

🗓️ October 13-19

PNC Broadway’s “Water for Elephants” | Tuesday, Oct. 14-Sunday, Oct. 19
The bestselling novel about a traveling circus comes to life on stage in this new musical the New York Times called “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”

Grateville Dead Music Festival | Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 19
This three-day outdoor music festival takes place at Waterfront Park’s Brown-Forman Amphitheater and is Louisville’s tribute to Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. Headliners this year include Keller Williams, Stolen Faces, Born Cross Eyed, and Hyryder.

Victorian Ghost Walk  | Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 19
Visit one of "America's most haunted neighborhoods" during this annual ghost tour in Old Louisville. Created by Louisvillian and New York Times-reviewed author David Dominé, the seasonal event brings spirits to life with actors portraying the figures that allegedly haunt — uh, we mean roam — the neighborhood.

Steins on Main | Saturday, Oct. 18 | FREE
Prost! Downtown’s RePurposed lot on Museum Row will transport you to Munich Germany for the afternoon. Enjoy local German-style beer & food, a tapping of the keg, and stein holding and yodeling competitions.

Via Colori® Street Painting Festival  | Saturday, Oct. 18 & Sunday, Oct. 19 | FREE
Hundreds of artists, local groups, and partners will turn Waterfront Park’s sidewalks into giant canvases filled with street paintings. View the masterpieces under your feet & enjoy a food court, bounce houses for kids, vendors, cosplay, and more.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks™ Live Glow-N-Fire | Saturday, Oct. 18 & Sunday, Oct. 19
See fan-favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, including Mega Wrex & Tiger Shark, come to life at the KFC Yum! Center downtown. Expect high jumps and epic stunts amid glow and fire effects.

Urban Bourbon Half Marathon and 5K | Saturday, Oct. 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 21+ 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."

🗓️ October 20-26

Louisville Hot Brown Week | Monday, Oct. 20-Sunday, Oct. 26
Nearly a century after its creation, Louisville Hot Brown Week celebrates the city's signature dish for a full week each year. Though the iconic open-faced sandwich was created at the Brown Hotel, restaurants across the city create their own versions, from pizza to tacos. Track your Hot Brown Week journey on the app & check into restaurants to earn points and prizes.

Kentucky Bat Festival | Friday, Oct. 24
Slugger Field will welcome a different kind of bat at this fundraising event held by Second Chances Wildlife Center, a nonprofit conserving wildlife through rehabilitation and education. Meet different bat species, snap a photo with Buddy Bat, shop from a vendor fair, and enjoy live music & local beer.

Hallouween Parade & Festival | Saturday, Oct. 25 | FREE
Named one of the 10 best Halloween parades in the country by USA Today, this annual event will be taking over the NuLu district in downtown Louisville with local artists, live music, theatrical performances, costume contests, vendors, and of course, the city’s only Halloween parade.

Halloween Kids Cruise | Sunday, Oct. 26
Treat the fam to a cruise along the Ohio River on the Mary M. Miller riverboat, featuring Halloween-themed crafts, a trick-or-treat train, and a dance party. Costumes are welcomed.

Fall Meet at Churchill Downs | Sunday, Oct. 26-Nov. 30
Watch live racing amid the crisp autumn backdrop during the 26-day fall meet — where you just might see next year’s Derby & Oaks contenders. A few event highlights include trick-or-treating on Sunday, Oct. 26, family photos on Sunday, Nov. 16, and Thanksgiving weekend.

🗓️ October 27-November 2

Halloween Masquerage with SICKICK | Friday, Oct. 31
Get ready for a night of mystery, music, and masks at Fourth Street Live! — Canadian DJ SICKICK will fuel the EDM costume party at the downtown entertainment district.

The Official Halloween Bar Crawl | Friday, Oct. 31 & Saturday, Nov. 1
Join other festive spirits in costume for a bar crawl through bars and venues in the Highlands neighborhood with Crawl with US.

Dark Castle Fest | Friday, Oct. 31 & Saturday, Nov. 1
This gothic music and dark arts festival will be held at the Art Sanctuary in Louisville’s Germantown neighborhood. Acts like The Kentucky Vampires, Witchhands, and Dead Cool will take the stage.

Throo the Boo | Saturday, Nov. 1
It’s all treats, no tricks during this 3K run/walk. The course goes around and “throo” the zoo along the Boo at the Zoo route decorated for Halloween. Participants receive a T-shirt, medal, post-race refreshments, and a free ticket to the zoo.

Louisville Black Chef Showcase | Sunday, Nov. 2
Sample and vote on your favorite dishes from chefs, caterers, and food entrepreneurs at this foodie event held at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center in West Louisville.

To find all the events happening in and around Bourbon City check out our events calendar and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates. And if you’re looking for more spooky season events, peep our guide to Halloween in Louisville.