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
- Garvin Gate Blues Festival
- Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular
- Louder Than Life
- 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
- Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom
- St. James Court Art Show
- Urban Bourbon Half Marathon
- WorldFest
Upcoming Festivals
GE Appliances Derby Festival miniMarathon & Marathon
Main & Floyd Streets
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
GE Appliances Derby Festival miniMarathon & Marathon
The GE Appliances Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon & Marathon is a long-standing tradition held every spring in Kentucky. It has become the largest...
Cherokee Triangle Art Fair
1402 Willow Ave.
Louisville, Kentucky 40204
Details
Open in Google Maps
Come celebrate the 53rd Anniversary of the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair with friends and neighbors the weekend before Derby. The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair is a...
Holi Mela: Festival of Colors
4213 Accomack Dr
Louisville, Kentucky 40241
Details
Open in Google Maps
Louisville Hindi Paathshaala welcomes you to join us to celebrate the 11th Holi Mela - The Festival of Colors. Holi is celebrated across India to signify the...
Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade
Broadway
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade
The 2025 Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade returns to Broadway in Downtown Louisville on Sunday, April 27. This family-friendly annual event showcases some...
Samtec Great Bed Races
937 Phillips Ln.
Louisville, Kentucky 40209
Details
Open in Google Maps
Grab four of your co-workers, build a bed on wheels, decorate it, dress in a ridiculous costume—and then race to the finish. That pretty much sums up the...
Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race
Waterfront Park/Along the Ohio River Shoreline
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race
As one of the original and longest-standing traditions of the Kentucky Derby Festival, the Great Steamboat Race has been taking place on the Ohio River since...
Forest Fest
12408 Holsclaw Hill Road
Fairdale, Kentucky 40118
Details
Open in Google Maps
Join us on 5/17 at Forest Fest, our annual Bluegrass and Americana music festival! Enjoy a family-friendly day of live music, workshops, nature play, food...
Floral Frenzy
937 Phillips Lane
Louisville, Kentucky 40209
Details
Open in Google Maps
Experience color in motion as we celebrate the transition from spring to summertime in Louisville. Kentucky Kingdom's Floral Frenzy festival commemorates the...
Much Ado About Nothing - Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
1340 South Fourth Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40208
Details
Open in Google Maps
Much Ado About Nothing - Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
“Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.” The 65th season kicks off with one of the greatest romantic comedies ever written. It’s a battle of wits, and love...
Louisville Taco, Beer, Tequila Festival
1860 Mellwood Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky 40206
Details
Open in Google Maps
Louisville Taco, Beer, Tequila Festival
Taco 'Bout Fun - Louisville's B i g g e s t TACO Festival Coming to Mellwood Art Center (Da Vinci Room and Outdoor Festival Grounds) - Saturday, May 31st,...
Wine Walk
411 S. Fourth St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Details
Open in Google Maps
Floral Frenzy Silent Disco
937 Phillips Lane\r\n937 Phillips Lane
Louisville, Kentucky 40209
Details
Open in Google Maps
Stay late during Floral Frenzy for a Silent Disco, where guests can wear wireless headphones while dancing and singing along to music with a fun group of...