Top events happening in Louisville this May

Named one of the best places to travel in May by Condé Nast Traveler, spring in Louisville is one of the best times to visit the city. From a historic Kentucky Derby week to some under-the-radar neighborhood festivals, here are some of Louisville's top events taking place this May.

Kroger's Fest-a-Ville℠ | Thursday, April 23-Friday, May 1
Held at Waterfront Park through Derby Eve, this nine-day celebration features midway rides, festival food vendors, concerts, and events, including the Great Balloon Glow, GospelFest, the Ken-Ducky Derby, and more.

The Great Steamboat Race | Wednesday, April 29 | FREE
The Great Steamboat Race is one of the Kentucky Derby Festival's most unique traditions. This year’s race will include Louisville’s Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati. Locals enjoy picnicking along the river at Waterfront Park and getting a bird's-eye view of the start and finish from the historic Big Four Bridge.

Ethel Cain | Wednesday, April 29
Ethel Cain will bring her haunting gothic Americana sound to Iroquois Amphitheatre, joined by opening act 9Million. Expect an atmospheric evening of emotive storytelling that blends darkly cinematic vibes with powerful vocals in one of Louisville’s most scenic outdoor venues.

Kentucky Oaks | Friday, May 1
Held the day before the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs racetrack is the second highest-attended horse race in the U.S. Run by three-year-old fillies, the Oaks offers a $1.5 million purse and awards the winner the iconic Lilies for the Fillies garland. Spectators traditionally wear pink on Oaks Day in an effort to bring attention to the fight against breast and ovarian cancer.

Kentucky Derby | Saturday, May 2
Considered the longest continuously held sporting event in North America, the Kentucky Derby is a tradition unlike any other. Held at the iconic Churchill Downs racetrack, "the most exciting two minutes in sports" takes place annually in Louisville on the first Saturday in May, with up to 20 Thoroughbreds racing head to head for a chance to be named Kentucky Derby champion and a shot at the coveted Triple Crown.

PNC Broadway presents “The Book of Mormon” | Tuesday, May 5-Sunday, May 10
The Kentucky Center will host this touring Broadway musical comedy to its stage. The show premiered in 2011 and has been heralded as “The best musical of this century,” by The New York Times.

Maifest | Saturday, May 9
German American Club’s annual Maifest — sometimes called “Octoberfest’s little sister” — kicks off the outdoor biergarten season. The traditional German festivities include stein holding contests, polka bands, a full German dinner, and German beers, of course. Plus, this event is family-friendly, offering face painting and a kids scavenger hunt.

Princess Cruise | Saturday, May 9
Young royals are invited aboard the historic Mary M. Miller for a magical cruise up and down the Ohio River with the Princesses of Louisville.

International Food Truck Festival | Saturday, May 9
Enjoy eating around the world at Waterfront Park’s Big Four Lawn where local food trucks will showcase cultural cuisines.

Marilyn Manson | Tuesday, May 12
See this rock singer, artist, and actor perform at the historic Louisville Palace Theatre on his “One Assassination Under God Tour.”

Earth, Wind & Fire | Wednesday, May 13
This iconic six-time Grammy Award-winning group will take the stage at the Louisville Palace Theatre.

Poorcastle | Friday, May 15-Sunday, May 17
This local music festival is making a return this year, and in a new location to boot. Hundreds of musicians, local businesses, artists, and vendors will come together at Jubilee Field, a community complex and green space in the trendy Germantown neighborhood, for a weekend of local music.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents The Greatest Show On Earth | Friday, May 15-Sunday, May 17
Reimagined for a new generation, this larger-than-life production will burst into the KFC Yum! Center, featuring the Acro-Salsa Troupe, Acrobatic Bikes & Hoop Diving, and Bailey the Robo Pup.

Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo | Saturday, May 15-Sunday, July 26
This year’s festival debuts an all-new collection of handcrafted Chinese lantern displays, blending centuries-old artistry with imaginative design to create an unforgettable nighttime adventure.

Old Louisville SpringFest | Saturday, May 16 | FREE
Located at Toonerville Trolley Park, near the corner of Brook and Oak streets in historic Old Louisville, this annual neighborhood festival will feature nearly 100 artists and vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, and live music.

Forest Fest | Saturday, May 16
Enjoy this family-friendly festival of bluegrass and Americana music, local food, and crafts in the largest municipally owned urban forest in the U.S.

Downs After Dark | Saturday, May 16
Experience nighttime racing at Churchill Downs. Happening just a few times a year, gates open at 5 p.m., with the last horse race at 11:10 p.m. 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.

Norton Commons Art Festival | Saturday, May 16-Sunday, May 17 | FREE
Located in the walkable Norton Commons neighborhood, this two-day event will feature over 75 artisan vendors, including painters, jewelrymakers, soap makers, photographers, woodworkers, and mixed media artists. Local food trucks will be on site along with live music, and a kids zone.

Bluegrass PugFest | Saturday, May 16-Sunday, May 17
Celebrate all things pug with vendor booths, rescue orgs, silent auctions, and playful competitions, including races, costumes, and talent shows at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

Louisville Horror Con | Saturday, May 16-Sunday, May 17
Head to the Kentucky Exposition Center for a weekend of horror, the supernatural, and the paranormal. This convention will feature vendors, panels, cosplay contests, and celebrity guests, including Jack Osbourne, Ed Begley Jr., and Omri Katz from “Hocus Pocus.”

Abbey Road on the River | Thursday, May 21-Monday, May 25
This annual Beatles-inspired festival comes together just across the river from Louisville at Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville, IN for five days of peace, love, and rock ’n’roll. The fest will feature some of the best Beatles cover bands in the world, as well as other 1960s tribute bands. This year’s lineup includes Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, The Cowsills, and Laurence Juber of the Wings. Admission is free for attendees under 20 accompanied by a ticket holder.

Uncle Boojie's Roots Revue | Friday, May 22 & Saturday, May 23
Back for its third year, this two-day bluegrass, roots, and folk music festival will be hosted in Christie's Garden in the heart of Paristown. The festival will feature some of the best and up-and-coming bluegrass musicians, local food, and cocktails.

Kentucky Flea Market Memorial Day Spectacular | Friday, May 22-Monday, May 25 | FREE
Held at the Kentucky Exposition Center, this long-running shopping event will have hundreds of vendor booths, antiques, vintage finds, collectibles, bargain treasures, and more.

Floral Frenzy | Saturday, May 23-Sunday, June 28
Celebrate the transition of spring to summer at Kentucky Kingdom, the largest amusement park in the Bluegrass State. See larger-than-life mosaiculture and live flower walls — plus, capture picture-perfect moments under the colorful canopy and hear live music in the air.

Fleur de Flea Vintage Urban Outdoor Market | Saturday, May 23 | FREE
Held the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, this massive urban outdoor market will be held at Louisville's Waterfront Park on Waterfront Plaza and features 200+ vendors from all over the region.

Kentucky Shakespeare Festival | Wednesday, May 27-Sunday, Aug. 9 | FREE
Taking place in Old Louisville’s scenic Central Park, the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival continues its decades-long tradition of providing free performances of some of Shakespeare’s greatest works. The shows for this year’s season are “As You Like It,” “Antony and Cleopatra,” and “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.” Performances begin nightly at 8 p.m., but attendees are encouraged to arrive early to get a bite from a local food truck and enjoy pre-performance activities.

WFPK Waterfront Wednesday: Arlo Parks | Wednesday, May 27 | FREE
Grab a blanket or lawn chair and head to the Big Four Lawn in Louisville’s Waterfront Park for a concert from English singer and songwriter Arlo Parks. Food trucks and vendors start at 5 p.m.

Oteil Burbridge & Friends | Thursday, May 28
Two-time Grammy-winning bassist Oteil Burbridge will perform at the scenic Iroquois Amphitheater with guests Steve Kimock, Jason Crosby, Johnny Kimock, Tom Guarna, and Lamar Williams, Jr.

Aloha Lou! Festival | Saturday, May 30 | FREE
This Polynesian cultural festival will take place in Central Park. The family-friendly event will feature traditional and modern hula, Tahitian and Samoan dance, live music, hands-on activities, and Pacific Islander food and art vendors.

Louisville Taco, Beer and Tequila Festival | Saturday, May 30
Held at the Mellwood Arts Center, enjoy 15+ taco vendors, a guacamole pavilion, a dip-your-own churros station, multiple margarita bars, and a large selection of beer, tequila, and wine.

Looking for more to do in Bourbon City? Check out our events calendar and subscribe to our newsletters to get updates on news and events — and don’t miss these discounts on hotels and local attractions.