Bourbon & Beyond Returns Bringing Expanded Culinary and Music Lineup
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 13, 2025) – Bourbon & Beyond, the world’s largest bourbon and music festival, returns to Louisville, Kentucky, for its 7th year from September 11–14, 2025, at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center. The four-day destination event will feature five music stages, over 120 artists, and immersive culinary and bourbon programming that celebrates Kentucky’s rich food and spirits culture.
Leading the culinary demonstrations on the Fork & Flask Stage are Chef Chris Santos (Chopped) and Chef Edward Lee (The Mind of a Chef), joined by acclaimed chefs including Claudette Zepeda, Esther Choi, Anthony Lamas, and Lawrence Weeks. Chef Amanda Freitag and bourbon expert Chris Blandford will also appear, with programming spotlighting Kentucky Proud products and locally sourced ingredients.
Programming highlights include a live taping of the Firkin Podcast with Redferrin, “Family Cookin” with Terry Bradshaw and Chef Noah Hester, and new panels like “New School of American Whiskey” and “Buzzed About Bourbon,” exploring how bourbon culture is shaped through media and branding.
Actress Elizabeth Banks will host Unscripted & Uncorked, a candid Q&A on the intersection of entertainment and wine. Comedian Jim Gaffigan returns for another round of bourbon-fueled laughs, and bourbon expert Fred Minnick brings back his popular Blind Bourbon LIVE workshop. Additional guests include 49 Winchester, Trombone Shorty, Kelly Hansen, Salt Hank, and Katie Crutchfield.
Festivalgoers can enjoy curated food and beverage offerings from local and regional restaurants, reflecting Kentucky’s growing culinary scene.
Having welcomed more than 210,000 fans in 2024, Bourbon & Beyond has become the premier destination event of the fall, combining incredible nonstop music with the best food and spirits Kentucky has to offer – “featuring some of America’s best chefs, the Louisville festival’s celebration of the culinary arts, spirits, live music and more makes it one of America’s most unique festival offerings," according to Forbes.
The 2025 music lineup features headliners The Lumineers, Phish (in their only festival appearance of the year), Sturgill “Johnny Blue Skies” Simpson, Jack White, and Noah Kahan. Other standout acts include Alabama Shakes (reunion), Khruangbin, Joe Bonamassa, Goo Goo Dolls, Megan Moroney, Cage The Elephant, TV On The Radio, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Foreigner, and more.
While planning your trip to experience Bourbon & Beyond or any of Louisville’s world-class events, download Louisville Tourism’s free Visitor Guide for information on local attractions, bourbon experiences, lodging, and dining.
