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
Juneteenth at MELANnaire Marketplace: Ancestor's Dream
411 S. Fourth St., Ste. 180
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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Juneteenth at MELANnaire Marketplace: Ancestor's Dream
We are our Ancestor's Dream! Our Juneteenth Celebration is in remembrance of our heritage. We are BIGGER AND BETTER with two days filled with live...
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
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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
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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...
Louisville Funk Fest
231 E. Witherspoon St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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We’re bringing good music and good times back with Funk Fest Louisville on June 21-22 with an All-Star line-up. It’s time to party, sing & celebrate to...
Bluegrass VegFest
1860 Mellwood Ave.
Louisville, Kentucky 40206
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Bluegrass VegFest, Louisville's popular vegan food festival, returns to Mellwood Art Center on Saturday, June 22nd at the Mellwood Art Center. The festival...
Louisville Funk Fest
231 E. Witherspoon St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
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We’re bringing good music and good times back with Funk Fest Louisville on June 21-22 with an All-Star line-up. It’s time to party, sing & celebrate to...
Kentucky Craft Bash
231 Witherspoon Ave.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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The Kentucky Guild of Brewers will host the seventh annual fundraiser, the Kentucky Craft Bash. Craft Bash only pours beers from breweries within the...
Water Lantern Festival
231 E Witherspoon St
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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The Louisville, KY Water Lantern Festival is bringing people together for a celebration of light and community! This unforgettable evening will be filled with...
The Big Stomp
2323 Lime Kiln Lane
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky 40222-6334
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The Big Stomp, formerly known as PeteFest and the nation’s first music festival to focus on mental health, will return in 2024 with the two-day festival on...
World Championship Dainty Contest + Festival
1000 Goss Ave.
Louisville, Kentucky 40217
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World Championship Dainty Contest + Festival
Join us for the 54th Annual World Championship Dainty Contest and Dainty Fest from Saturday, July 27th through Monday, July 29st. On Saturday, we're kicking...
Summer Beer Fest at Frazier
829 W. Main St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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The Summer Beer Fest at Frazier is back, and we’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Frazier History Museum! If you love drinking tasty craft beers, and...
World Championship Dainty Contest + Festival
1000 Goss Ave.
Louisville, Kentucky 40217
Details
Open in Google Maps
World Championship Dainty Contest + Festival
Join us for the 54th Annual World Championship Dainty Contest and Dainty Fest from Saturday, July 27th through Monday, July 29st. On Saturday, we're kicking...