Annual Festivals & Events
From an award-winning festival city
Louisville knows how to party (and host a festival)!
In fact, the whole world knows.
In addition to hosting the longest running annual sporting event in America (the Kentucky Derby), Louisville became one of the first cities in the world to be recognized as a TOP festival and event city.
The International Festivals & Events Association named Louisville a "best festival city" for its various events and how the community supports them.
Find out yourself by exploring one of the many happenings going on throughout the year.
Annual Festivals & Events
- Abbey Road on the River
- Ali Festival
- Americana World Festival
- The Big Stomp
- Jeffersontown Beer Festival
- Kentuckiana Pride Festival
- Kentucky Craft Bash
- Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
- Kentucky State Fair
- Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle
- NSRA Street Rod Nationals Plus
- Old Fashioned Fortnight
- Old Lou Craft Beer Festival
- Waterfront Independence Festival
- World Championship of Dainty
- World Championship Horse Show
- Belknap Festival
- Boo at the Zoo
- Bourbon & Beyond
- Garvin Gate Blues Festival
- Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular
- Louder Than Life
- Louisville’s International Festival of Film
- Louisville Pride Festival
- Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival
- National Bourbon Heritage Month
- North American Livestock Exposition & Championship Rodeo
- NuLu Festival
- Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom
- St. James Court Art Show
- Urban Bourbon Half Marathon
- WorldFest
Upcoming Festivals
Nulu Nights
616-618 E. Market St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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Experience the energy of NuLu Nights, a vibrant evening series happening July 25, August 22, October 17, and December 12.On each date, the NuLu neighborhood...
Grateville Dead Music Festival
1301 River Road
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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Grateville Dead Music Festival
Join regional deadheads October 17-19, 2025, bringing it back home to the Brown Forman Amphitheater at Waterfront Park in Louisville, KY for the Grateville...
25th Annual Jack O' Lantern Stroll
1960 Bardstown Road
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky 40205
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25th Annual Jack O' Lantern Stroll
The Jack O ’Lantern Stroll has become one of the premier Halloween events in Kentuckiana, attracting hundreds of people for this one night of fun! In addition...
Via Colori® Street Painting Festival
1101 River Road
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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Via Colori® Street Painting Festival
The 17th annual Via Colori® Street Painting Festival will be held October 18, 2025 – October 19, 2025. Kentuckiana's Largest Street Painting Festival is free...
Chili, Brats & Brew
706 Spring Street
Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130
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Steins on Main
615 W. Main Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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Louisville Downtown Partnership and Against the Grain Brewery are partnering to bring the popular Oktoberfest celebration Steins on Main to Downtown this...
Hallouween Parade & Festival
East Market Street between S. Hancock and S. Wenzel Streets
Louisville, Kentucky
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Hallouween Parade & Fest is a FREE EVENT in Louisville, Kentucky. It is also known as the Louisville Halloween Parade & Festival. It has been taking...
Meet Your Maker Arts & Crafts Festival
10500 W. Hwy 42
Goshen, Kentucky 40026
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Meet Your Maker Arts & Crafts Festival
Meet Your Maker 2025 returns to Hermitage Farm for a two-day celebration of handmade work and the people who make it. Explore booths from 100+ juried...
Down the Rabbit Hole Halloween Party
411 S. Fourth Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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Down the Rabbit Hole Halloween Party
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: A Twisted Halloween PartySaturday, October 25 | Fourth Street Live! | 21+This Halloween, we’re not just throwing a party—we’re dragging...
Game Con Junction
1903 Embassy Square Blvd.
Louisville, Kentucky 40299
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Get ready for three days of gaming, cosplay, and all things nerdy at Game Con Junction 2025 right here in Louisville, KY! Join us October 31st through November...
Dead Man's Ball
Louisville, Kentucky 40272
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Dead Man's Ball at Waverly Hills Sanatorium Presented by LRS102.com Five local bands hit the stage inside the infamous Waverly Hills Sanatorium. Bands include:...
Louisville Black Chef Showcase
3029 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Louisville, Kentucky 40212
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Louisville Black Chef Showcase
The Louisville Black Chef Showcase is an annual event created to celebrate and elevate Black culinary talent in the Louisville area. Featuring tastings from a...