17 April Events To Attend in Louisville
Mint Julep Month, also known as April, is a time when Louisvillians begin to celebrate all things Kentucky leading up to the "most exciting two minutes in sports," the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby Festival leads the way with dozens of iconic events around the city. Sprinkle in art, music, sports, and of course, Kentucky Bourbon, to make for a well-rounded start to your Spring in Louisville.
Louisville Taco Week | March 31 - April 6
With $2.50 tacos from some of the city's most popular taco joints, Louisville Taco Week brings together participating restaurants offering their unique spin on your favorite folded food group. Download the Taco Week app to check in at each restaurant to earn points, or visit the website to look at all the palatable participants.
Mint Julep Month | April 1-30
The Mint Julep is a fine Southern tradition dating back to the 18th Century and the official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1938. Since 2013, April has been designated as "Mint Julep Month®," celebrating the famous Bourbon cocktail along with the arrival of Spring in Kentucky. Enjoy Mint Julep and Kentucky Derby-inspired festivities all month long as we lead up to the first Saturday in May and “the most exciting two minutes in sports."
Disney On Ice Presents Magic In The Stars | April 3-6
Taking place at the KFC Yum! Center join Mickey, Minnie, and friends through the timeless stories of Cinderella, Aladdin, Toy Story, and Cars, and today’s favorites including Encanto, Frozen 2, and Moana. Create new memories with Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon and Asha from Wish, and become enchanted by Tiana, Rapunzel, and The Disney Princesses.
Celebrate 100 Years of The Great Gatsby | April 10 - June 21
The Great Gatsby, which will turn 100 years old in April 2025, is considered one of the world's greatest and most well-known novels and some of the inspiration for the book's places and characters comes straight out of Louisville. Louisville is the hometown of Daisy Buchannan and best friend Jordan Baker, the city where Gatsby and Daisy fell in love, and the location of Tom and Daisy's opulent wedding, specifically at the Seelbach Hotel. This Spring, participate in more than a dozen events celebrating the city's ties to the storied novel at a handful of Louisville attractions, stay in a Great Gatsby-inspired suite, or visit other Louisville locations that may have inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald while he lived in the city over a century ago.
Thunder Over Louisville | April 12 | FREE
Held as the annual kickoff event for the Kentucky Derby Festival, this drone, airshow, and fireworks display brings hundreds of thousands of spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. Watch from Waterfront Park, a downtown hotel, or even Southern Indiana starting mid-afternoon to see a myriad of notable military-style aircraft and the 30-minute "Thunder" spectacle, which is said to be one of the largest annual fireworks shows in North America. The fireworks typically take place at dusk around 9PM.Looking to upgrade your viewing experience? See more places you can view Thunder Over Louisville, here.
BourbonVille | April 17
Mix, mingle, and enjoy Bourbon specialty drinks at one of the Kentucky Derby Festival's buzziest events. Taste signature drinks from some of Kentucky’s top Bourbon distilleries, enjoy Bourbon-inspired cuisine, and even meet Master Distillers who will be on site. This year’s event will be held at the Ice House, near historic Whiskey Row.
KMAC Couture | April 19
This artistically curated fashion show celebrates the intersection of art, craft, and design, with participants constructing extravagant garments out of unconventional materials and textiles. This year's theme will be "Lucky Number 13" celebrating the show's thirteenth anniversary. Hosted by Louisville's contemporary art museum, KMAC, the event lasts from 7:15pm to midnight and will make its return to Main Street in 2025.
Spring into Derby at Paristown | April 19-20 | FREE
Enjoy a Derby-inspired weekend of art, bourbon, and music in the revitalized Paristown neighborhood. This outdoor community event features a two-day, open-air art show on Brent Street, Bluegrass music, food and cocktails from The Café, and free nightly entertainment by bands like Dark Moon Hollow and Juice Box Heroes.
PNC Broadway Louisville Presents: & Juliet | April 22-27
Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including "Since U Been Gone‚" "Roar," "Baby One More Time," "Larger Than Life‚" "That’s The Way It Is,“ and "Can't Stop the Feeling!" All shows will take place at the Kentucky Center in downtown Louisville.
Kroger's Fest-a-Ville℠ | April 24 - May 2
Returning to the Great Lawn at Louisville Waterfront Park, this annual Kentucky Derby Festival Tradition includes family fun, midway rides, and an inflatable playground, along with food trucks, and the Waterfront Jam Concert Series. Catch nightly special events, including the Great Balloon Glow, Chow Wagon, Ohio Valley Wrestling Run for the Ropes, Ken-Ducky Derby, and more. Entry is free with a 2025 Pegasus pin.
My Morning Jacket: Come Home Again Tour | April 25, 26, 27, 29 & 30
Making their first five night run in their hometown of Louisville, My Morning Jacket is bringing even more revelry to Kentucky Derby Week with its Come Home Again tour at the Louisville Palace. Each night of the run will be completely unique with no repeat songs, meaning each night is a completely different MMJ set. Every evening will also highlight different Louisville artists to share the stage with MMJ. Make sure to get your tickets now as shows are selling out fast.
Brooks & Dunn: Neon Moon Tour 2025 | April 26
Brooks & Dunn are bringing the Neon Moon Tour 2025 to the KFC Yum! Center on the last Saturday this April. From start to encore, Brooks & Dunn will have crowds singing along to their beloved hits including “Brand New Man,” “Neon Moon,” “My Maria” and many more. Special guest David Lee Murphy will join as support.
Kentucky Derby Festival Mini & Marathon | April 26
The Kentucky Derby Festival miniMaration is a long-standing tradition held every April and allows runners to see iconic Louisville sites including the world's largest baseball bat at the Louisville Slugger Museum, historic homes of Old Louisville, and the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. Those who opt to do the full marathon will run through two Fredrick Law Olmsted-designed parks, taking a lap through Louisville's Central Park and Iroquois Park.
Opening Night at Churchill Downs | April 26
Celebrate the 151st Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks post-position draws with a lavish twist that channels the spirit of the Roaring Twenties with a Great Gatsby-inspired evening. The Great Gatsby on Broadway star and Louisville native Kayla Pecchioni will be in attendance for a special performance at the iconic Pagoda. Guests are encouraged to dress in their finest 1920s attire for a Derby Week fashion contest. And Old Forester will feature a special cocktail, available at select locations, delivering the balance of sweetness and sophistication in the spirit of the 1920s. Check out the Opening Night Ticket Package for an overnight hotel stay and exclusive access to Bourbon and special areas of Churchill Downs.
Cherokee Triangle Art Fair | April 26 & 27 | FREE
For over 50 years, the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair has ushered in springtime in the historic Highlands neighborhoods. This free, two-day event is one of the oldest art fairs in the region and features more than 200 artists' booths with art ranging from paintings to sculptures to jewelry. Food vendors will also be on-site, as will live music performances in the Willow Park Gazebo.
Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade | April 27 | FREE
Taking place the Sunday before the Kentucky Derby, the annual Pegasus Parade will march down Broadway, symbolizing the start of Derby Week. Originating in 1956, the parade is the Derby Festival's oldest event and will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2025. The event has featured a wide variety of celebrities such as Muhammad Ali, John Wayne, Diane Sawyer, Colonel Sanders, and William Shatner. The parade will kick off at 3pm and march west on Broadway.
The Great Steamboat Race | April 30
Beginning in 1963 with a head-to-head battle between two historic vessels, the Belle of Louisville and the Delta Queen, The Great Steamboat Race is one of the Kentucky Derby Festival's most unique traditions. Scheduled annually for the Wednesday before Derby Day, this year’s race will include Louisville’s Belle of Louisville and BB Riverboats Belle of Cincinnati. Tickets to ride both racing riverboats are available, as well as the Mary M. Miller riverboat, which will be trailing the two vessels throughout the two-hour event. For those not looking to cruise, locals enjoy picnicking along the river at Waterfront Park and getting a bird's eye view of the start and finish from the historic Big Four Bridge.
To find all events happening in and around the city, check out our event calendar and subscribe to our e-newsletter for the latest updates on news and events. For discounts on local attraction tickets and hotel rooms, click here.
