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
- Brew at the Zoo & Wine, Too!
- 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
- Butchertown Oktoberfest
- Garvin Gate Blues Festival
- Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular
- Louder Than Life
- Louisville Beer Week
- Louisville’s International Festival of Film
- Louisville Pride Festival
- Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival
- Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle
- National Bourbon Heritage Month
- National Jug Band Jubilee
- North American Livestock Exposition & Championship Rodeo
- NuLu Festival
- St. James Court Art Show
- Urban Bourbon Half Marathon
- WorldFest
Upcoming Festivals
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Details
Open in Google Maps
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
Our popular lantern festival is back and brighter than ever! Back for the fifth year with a lineup of new lanterns, Wild Lights runs select nights March 23...
Block Party Presented by Churchill Downs and Humana
3029 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Louisville, Kentucky 40212
Details
Open in Google Maps
Block Party Presented by Churchill Downs and Humana
Block Party Presented by Churchill Downs, Humana & Park Community Credit Union The Kentucky Derby Festival’s Block Party returns for the third year on...
Spring into Derby
731 Brent St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40204
Details
Open in Google Maps
A Derby-Inspired Weekend of Art, Bourbon & Music in Paristown The revitalized historical neighborhood of Paristown is back with a weekend of outdoor...
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Details
Open in Google Maps
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
Our popular lantern festival is back and brighter than ever! Back for the fifth year with a lineup of new lanterns, Wild Lights runs select nights March 23...
Spring into Derby
731 Brent St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40204
Details
Open in Google Maps
A Derby-Inspired Weekend of Art, Bourbon & Music in Paristown The revitalized historical neighborhood of Paristown is back with a weekend of outdoor...
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Details
Open in Google Maps
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
Our popular lantern festival is back and brighter than ever! Back for the fifth year with a lineup of new lanterns, Wild Lights runs select nights March 23...
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Details
Open in Google Maps
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
Our popular lantern festival is back and brighter than ever! Back for the fifth year with a lineup of new lanterns, Wild Lights runs select nights March 23...
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Details
Open in Google Maps
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
Our popular lantern festival is back and brighter than ever! Back for the fifth year with a lineup of new lanterns, Wild Lights runs select nights March 23...
ThunderBlast
727 W. Main St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
Kentucky Science Center’s ThunderBlast, Saturday, April 20th, is our annual family-friendly event during Thunder Over Louisville. With some of the best views...
Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party Presented by Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
201 North Brook Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party Presented by Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
You can hear the rumble, but can you feel it? The boom from Thunder Over Louisville is even bigger when the view is one of a kind. Rated as one of the top...
Thunder Over Louisville
129 E. River Rd.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
Thunder Over Louisville continues to deliver spectacular pyrotechnics like no other. Created as the Opening Ceremonies of the Kentucky Derby Festival, it...
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Details
Open in Google Maps
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
Our popular lantern festival is back and brighter than ever! Back for the fifth year with a lineup of new lanterns, Wild Lights runs select nights March 23...