20 Things To Do in Louisville This September
Named one of the "Best Places to Travel in September" by The Points Guy, experience the nation's largest rock music festival, cultures from around the world, theatrical performances, and an abundance of Bourbon, all without leaving Louisville this Bourbon Heritage Month.
WorldFest | Aug. 30 - Sept. 2 | FREE
Louisville’s WorldFest is one of the region’s largest international festivals, with nearly 150 international-themed arts, crafts, merchandise, and food booths. 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.
The Labor Day Weekend Show | August 31 & September 1
Considered Louisville's ultimate Jimmy Buffet Tribute festival, this two-day event features a stellar lineup of Jimmy Buffett tribute artists and trop rock bands including The Peter Mayer Group, Floating Collective, Donny Brewer Band, and Kirstie Kraus. "Parrotheads" and live music lovers alike will want to flock to the newly redeveloped Paristown district for the annual festival taking place over Labor Day weekend.
Cirque Du Soleil - OVO | September 5-8
Coming to the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville, OVO is an exciting Cirque du Soleil experience with a colorful intrusion into a new day in the life of insects; a non-stop riot of energy and movement. Through show-stopping acrobatics highlighting the unique personalities and abilities of selected insect species, OVO explores the beauty of biodiversity in all its contrasts and vibrancy.
Free Movie Nights at Iroquois Amphitheater | September 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 | FREE
Taking place in South Louisville in Fredrick Law Olmsted-designed Iroquois Park, the Iroquois Park Amphitheater will play host to free movie nights throughout September. Catch films like Frozen, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Lego Movie, Godzilla, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Cars, and more. Gates to the open-air venue will open at 7:30 for concessions and door prizes, with the feature starting as the sun sets around 8:30pm.
Oktoberfest at the German American Club | September 6 & 7
Head to the German American Club for one of their biggest events of the year. The annual Oktoberfest celebration will feature German food, pretzels by Klaus, imported beers, live music, and plenty of Gemütlichkeit. The Friday night Oktoberfest will last from 4-11pm, and the Saturday event will take place from 2pm until midnight. The River City Polkatz will play each night, with Rheingold band also making an appearance on Saturday. The cost for the event is $10 for adults and free for children.
Homearama | September 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22
Held across the first three weekends in September, experience some of the best in construction, design, and décor by taking a stroll through 2024s lineup of seventeen new custom and model Homearama homes. This year's houses will be spread across 15 different subdivisions in the Louisville area.
Woodford Reserve® Polo Cup | September 7
Presented by Woodford Reserve, this annual Bourbon Heritage Month event takes place at the historic Oxmoor Farm Polo Fields and brings together world-class design, hospitality, and the "Sport of Kings." Professional polo players from across the country will compete in one of America’s most opulent Polo Cups while spectators cheers champagne, sip fine Bourbon, and mingle amongst a crowd of chic and glamorous guests. Tickets are limited, with General Admission, VIP, Corporate, and other ticket packages available.
Big Four Arts Festival | September 7 & 8
The 8th 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.
Blackacre Sunday Sunset Music Series | September 8, 15, 22, 29
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places Music Blackacre State Nature Preserve & Historic Homestead is considered Kentucky’s first nature preserve, dating all the way back to 1792. Spread out under the shaded lawn with blankets and chairs to enjoy music, pastoral scenery, and a spectacular view of the sunset. Musical styles performed include vintage and progressive bluegrass, jug, and country music. The 2024 line-up includes Kaintuck Band (Sept. 8th), Big Steel Train (Sept. 15th), The Juggernaut Jug Band (Sept. 22nd), and Bourbon Revival (Sept. 29th).
Gaslight Festival Week | September 7-15
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 55th year in 2024, 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.
Kentucky Bourbon Festival | September 13-15
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.
Louisville Pride Festival | September 14 | FREE
Held every September in Louisville’s Highlands neighborhood, this annual block party has become a staple end-of-summer event. The 2024 entertainment lineup includes Marzz, DJ Kim Sorise, DJ Warren Peace and more, 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 and Big Bar, which stay open late after the festival ends.
Steins on Main | September 14
The annual Oktoberfest celebration Steins on Main is back in Downtown Louisville on Saturday, September 14, from 2 pm to 7 pm at RePurposed, a multi-use outdoor event venue on historic Main Street (615 W. Main Street). The outdoor event will celebrate Louisville’s rich German heritage with German-inspired cuisine, games and contests, music, and local breweries, bringing traditional Bavarian festivities to the heart of downtown.
Asian Night Market | September 14 | FREE
Sponsored by the Asia Institute – Crane House, this free event at Fourth Street Live! features cuisine, culture, and entertainment from all around Asia. The event kicks off at 5pm and also highlights local entrepreneurs and small business owners in the community who are of Asian heritage.
Bourbon & Beyond | September 19-22
The World’s Largest Bourbon & Music Festival is returning to the Highland Festival Grounds after a record-breaking 2023 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 Sting, Dave Matthews Band, Zach Bryan, and Tyler Childers.
Louder Than Life | September 26-29
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 Slipknot, Motley Crue, Korn and 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.
Paristown Fall Art Fest | September 28-29 | FREE
The Paristown Art Festival will take place over the last weekend of September in the heart of the newly revitalized Paristown Arts District. This three-day event will take over Brent Street and Christy's Garden and feature dozens of painters, photographers, jewelry-makers, designers, wood artisans, and more. Enjoy dining and cocktails at The Village Market Food Hall or The Café throughout the weekend, and a soft-opening concert on Friday night.
NuLu Fest | September 28 | FREE
Once named "One of the Coolest Neighborhoods in North America," Louisville's East Market District, or NuLu, will have its annual neighborhood street fest on the last Saturday in September. Known for its art galleries, unique retail stores, and some of the most popular restaurants in the city, the neighborhood block party will feature live music, regional micro-brewed beers, Bourbon, and numerous food and retail booths by local vendors.
Downs After Dark | September 28 (Live Racing September 12-29)
One of Louisville’s longest-running traditions extends its 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 past 11pm, racing fans will have a chance to see Churchill Downs in a new light. Live music, festive attire, and classic cocktails add to the excitement with general admission tickets starting at $20. If you can't make it to night racing, Churchill Downs will offer live racing Thursdays - Sundays, September 12-29, as part of their September meet.
For a round up of Halloween activities taking place this Fall click here.
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