Muhammad Ali Festival Returns With Heavyweight Itinerary

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 25, 2023) — The Ali Festival returns to Louisville for the seventh year, as the Muhammad Ali Center comes together with partners from across the city, to remember the passing of the Greatest and celebrate the city he loved.

This year’s festival will take place June 2-11, and boasts a packed itinerary of events centered around Muhammad Ali’s six core principles – Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality – as well as his enduring love for his hometown.

The week kicks off on June 2 with a special edition of the Daughters of Greatness breakfast series honoring National Bar Association President Lonita Baker. Later that evening, Muhammad’s eldest daughter, Maryum, will take part in a Stories of Ali oral history at the Ali Center, where she will share a first-hand account of what it was like being raised by The Champ.

On Saturday June 3, the Ali Center will commemorate the anniversary of Muhammad’s passing by providing free red roses to those wishing to pay their respects at his gravesite in Cave Hill Cemetery. Muhammad’s widow and the Center’s co-founder Lonnie Ali will be present at 10 am to share remarks. The following day, thousands will gather in the Center to play games, win prizes, enjoy free admission to the museum, and shop with local vendors. Additionally, the Ali Center will be partnering with University of Louisville Health to offer free health screenings to attendees.

Ali Fest 2023 will continue with a concert featuring Grammy-winning jazz bassist Christian McBride, Ali Night with the Louisville Bats and later Racing Louisville FC, and the Greatest Give Back day of volunteer service offered in partnership with Metro United Way. The week culminates in a takeover of Logan Street Market with food, boxing demonstrations, a pop-up exhibit featuring artists and activists from the Louisville neighborhoods where Ali lived and trained, and more.

Having lived most of his young life in Louisville, the city is full of “landmarks” that are the backdrops of the events and experiences that molded Ali into the man who was both loved and respected as a legendary sports figure as well as a man of true principals. A self-guided tour brochure can help you trace some of Ali’s “Footsteps of Greatness” around the town he always called home. Stop by the Muhammad Ali exhibit at the Louisville Visitor Centeras a starting point for more information.

For more information on the festival itinerary, visit this link.

While planning a trip to Louisville, guests can download a copy of Louisville Tourism’s annual Visitor Guide to see the city's top attractions, culinary hotspots and bourbon distilleries. Visitors also can get additional city attraction, lodging and dining assistance at gotolouisville.com.