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
27th Annual Jewish Film Festival
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27th Annual Jewish Film Festival
Celebrating its 27th season, this year's festival will feature top-rated, thought-provoking films, including short films, in addition to special event...
The 12th Gravy Cup
1860 Mellwood Ave
Louisville, Kentucky 40206
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Get ready to indulge in the sauciest showdown at the WORLD'S LARGEST biscuits and gravy competition. Join us for a gravy-filled extravaganza featuring over 30...
Tailspin Ale Festival
2700 Gast Boulevard
Louisville, KY, Kentucky 40205
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Saturday, March 1, 2025, Tailspin Ale Fest celebrates 12 years! Kentucky has been known for offering the finest spirits. Still, recently, another liquid has...
Bourbon Block Party
3860 Fitzgerald Rd
Shively, Kentucky 40216
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Join Garden & Gun at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery for a celebratory lawn party featuring craft Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey...
Lucky's St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl
956 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky 40204
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Lucky's St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl
Get Lucky With Us This St. Paddy’s Day! Bring your crew, wear your green and get ready for a day full of green drinks, shamrocks, and epic bar-hopping fun—...
Louisville Tattoo Festival
221 S. 4th Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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Join us at the Kentucky International Convention Center. Our tattoo festivals are unlike any tattoo event you have ever attended. The Louisville Tattoo...
NuLu Bock Fest
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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NuLu Business Association's annual spring event, NuLu Bock Fest returns on Saturday, March 22 from 12:00 pm to 6:00pm! 2025 marks the eighth year of the...
Thunder Over Louisville
129 E. River Rd.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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Thunder Over Louisville continues to deliver spectacular pyrotechnics like no other. Created as the Opening Ceremonies of the Kentucky Derby Festival, it...
BourbonVille
226 East Washington Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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Enjoy a night of bourbon and celebration at the Republic Bank Kentucky Derby Festival BourbonVille, featuring signature drinks and tastings from Kentucky’s top...
Cherokee Triangle Art Fair
1402 Willow Ave.
Louisville, Kentucky 40204
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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...
9/11 Memorial
706 Spring Street
Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130
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Water Lantern Festival
231 E Witherspoon St
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you'll cherish for a lifetime. This is a family friendly event that can be...