30+ Festivals & Events to Attend in Louisville this Fall
Named one of the best places to travel in the Fall by both Travel + Leisure and Hotels Above Par, Louisville is a great destination for a Fall weekend getaway. From Bourbon-infused events, haunted ghost tours, and some of the country's biggest music festivals, there are plenty of reasons to start planning your next sip in Bourbon City.
WorldFest | Aug. 30 - Sept. 2 | FREE
Louisville’s WorldFest is one of the region’s largest international festivals, with nearly 150 international-themed arts, crafts, merchandise, and food booths. Taking place every Labor Day Weekend in Downtown Louisville on the Belvedere, this four-day festival has celebrated cultures from around the world for more than two decades.
The Labor Day Weekend Show | August 31 & September 1
Considered Louisville's ultimate Jimmy Buffet Tribute festival, this two-day event features a stellar lineup of Jimmy Buffett tribute artists and trop rock bands including Krystal King, EatDrinkBeHappy, Bob Karwin, and Kirstie Kraus. "Parrotheads" and live music lovers alike will want to flock to the newly redeveloped Paristown district for the annual festival taking place over Labor Day weekend.
Oktoberfest at the German American Club | September 6 & 7
Head to the German American Club for one of their biggest events of the year. The annual Oktoberfest celebration will feature German food, pretzels by Klaus, imported beers, live music, and plenty of Gemütlichkeit. The Friday night Oktoberfest will last from 4-11pm, and the Saturday event will take place from 2pm until midnight. The River City Polkatz will play each night, with Rheingold band also making an appearance on Saturday. The cost for the event is $10 for adults and free for children.
Big Four Arts Festival | September 7 & 8
The 8th annual Big Four Bridge Arts Festival will be held on Waterfront Park’s Big Four Lawn at the base of the popular Big Four Walking Bridge. Over 150 juried artists will set up shop along the Ohio River during the two-day event, featuring paintings, jewelry, sculptures, photography, and live music. Tickets for the event are just $5 and can be purchased online or at the entrance to the festival.
Gaslight Festival Week | September 7-15
Centered around the small-town ambiance of Gaslight Square, the Gaslight Festival has evolved into an eight-day extravaganza that has become a time-honored tradition of East Louisville's Jeffersontown (J-Town) community. Celebrating its 55th year in 2024, the festival's signature events include a car show, golf scramble, 5K run, parade, balloon glow, motorcycle rally, live entertainment, and over 200 arts, crafts, and commercial booths.
Kentucky Bourbon Festival | September 13-15
Located just 45 minutes south of downtown Louisville in Bardstown, KY, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival has been celebrating America's native spirit for over 30 years. Both single-day and three-day passes are available for this annual Bourbon Heritage Month festival, which with experiential tastings, dinners, auctions, and the World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay. Bourbon enthusiasts can sip their favorite hard-to-find bourbons or get signature cocktails prepared by pro mixologists. VIP-level experiences are already sold out so be sure to purchase tickets in advance.
Louisville Pride Festival | September 14 | FREE
Held every September in Louisville’s Highlands neighborhood, this annual block party has become a staple end-of-summer event. The 2024 entertainment lineup includes Marzz, DJ Kim Sorise, DJ Warren Peace and more, along with a variety of drag performers across two stages. The day-long festival is held across multiple blocks on Bardstown Road, which is also home to some of the city’s most popular LGBTQ bars, including Chill Bar and Big Bar, which stay open late after the festival ends.
Bourbon & Beyond | September 19-22
The World’s Largest Bourbon & Music Festival is returning to the Highland Festival Grounds after a record-breaking 2023 crowd. This star-studded event brings together the best in Classic Rock, Alt Rock, Country, and Bluegrass music with 100 artists across five stages, alongside hands-on bourbon workshops, tastings, and culinary programming with celebrity chefs. This year's festival includes headliners Sting, Dave Matthews Band, Zach Bryan, and Tyler Childers.
Louder Than Life | September 26-29
Louder Than Life will wrap up an incredible summer of music in Louisville with a four-day rock festival just south of downtown at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Expo Center. Headliners for the festival include Slipknot, Motley Crue, Korn and Slayer. Local food and drink culture will also be incorporated into the festival’s culinary scene with pop-ups from popular Kentucky Bourbon brands and local Louisville restaurants. Weekend General Admission, VIP and Top Shelf passes are currently on sale.
NuLu Fest | September 28 | FREE
Once named "One of the Coolest Neighborhoods in North America," Louisville's East Market District, or NuLu, will have its annual neighborhood street fest on the last Saturday in September. Known for its art galleries, unique retail stores, and some of the most popular restaurants in the city, the neighborhood block party will feature live music, regional micro-brewed beers, Bourbon, and numerous food and retail booths by local vendors.
Boo at the Zoo | Sept. 28 - Oct. 27, Thursdays - Sundays
A tradition for over 40 years, Boo at the Zoo transforms the Louisville Zoo into a living storybook, complete with some of your favorite characters brought to life, fun music, and a safe place for trick-or-treating for kids 11 and under. Celebrate with an all-inclusive party experience designed to give all the kooky you love with less of the spooky. A Spooktacular Carousel, "not-so-itsy-bitsy" Spider House and a Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow experience are all included with admission.
PNC Broadway in Louisville presents: Les Misérables | October 1-6
The world's most popular musical is returning to the Kentucky Center on historic Main Street this Fall. Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption–a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history.
Fall Concerts at the KFC Yum! Center | October 1, 12, 13, 16 and November 12 & 20
A half dozen superstars across a myriad of genres will be headed to downtown Louisville's KFC Yum! Center this Fall. October will bring performances by Maxwell (Oct. 1), Jelly Roll (Oct. 12), for King + Country (Oct. 13), and Lil Wayne (Oct. 16). November will bring two additional internationally known artists with Kacey Musgraves' Deeper Well World Tour (Nov. 12) and Justin Timberlake's Forget Tomorrow World Tour (Nov. 20).
Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular | October 1 - November 2
Fall favorite Jack O'Lantern Spectacular is back at Louisville Iroquois Park for another season of Halloween fun. Visitors can stroll along a 1/3-mile path to enjoy over 5,000 carved pumpkins illuminated every evening as a part of the nightly art show. This family-friendly Fall celebration is the perfect ending to a day of exploration and has become one of Louisville’s most popular October traditions.
Bourbon & Belonging: Kentucky's Queer Bourbon Week | October 2-6
Considered the first LGBTQ+ inclusive Bourbon festival in the country, this Queer Bourbon Week event will take place across Kentucky in 8 different cities and regions including Northern Kentucky, Louisville, Lexington, Frankfort, Winchester, Paducah, Bullitt County, and Bardstown. Louisville events include special access to distilleries, late night drag shows and brunches, food and walking tours, and a pool party.
Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom | Thurs - Sun, October 3-27
Back for its third year, discover more than 1,000 illuminated pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom amusement park. By day, fly through the crisp fall air on world-class rides, savor tasty autumn treats and discover new seasonal fun around every corner. Wait until night falls to see expertly carved towering pumpkin sculptures that light up the night with special effects and pops of color, in addition to family-friendly entertainment, mazes, special fall photo opportunities, trick-or-treating, and limited-time seasonal bites.
St. James Court Art Show | October 4-6 | FREE
Celebrating its 68th anniversary in 2024, the St. James Court Art Show is a juried fine art, and contemporary crafts show that brings over 600 artists to the city every first full weekend in October. The event spans 4 square blocks and is set in the Old Louisville neighborhood, home to the country’s most extensive collection of Victorian-era homes.
USA TODAY Food & Wine Experience | October 5
Taking place at Louisville's Waterfront Park, this one-day event will highlight creations from acclaimed local chefs, emerging talent, and culinary leaders. Sip premier wine, beer, and spirits from the best regional and national brands, or savor the experience with music and live cooking demonstrations. Early bird pricing is now on sale, but will go up closer to the event.
Bowman Fest | October 5 & 6
Bowman Fest is back for 2024 at the historic Bowman Field Airport. The two-day festival will feature vintage aircraft from the 1920s through the 1960s, the IPA 5k on the Runway, and a kids craft corner for the little ones. Rides will be available in various planes and helicopters for an additional purchase. The event is free for all veterans and first responders.
Garvin Gates Blues Festival | October 12 | FREE
Set in Old Louisville, Louisville's largest free street music festival will take place in Central Park in 2024. This annual tradition is celebrating its 29th year of arts and blues music featuring local and regional performers. This year's lineup includes Cameron Webb’s Soul and Blues Revue, GA-20, and Louisville's own Tanita Gaines. Gaines will perform her new debut record ‘Tanita Gaines and the Gospel Blues Rescue’ featuring Gaines and a host of the city’s best blues players. In addition to continuous live entertainment, the festival will feature an array of food and drink vendors. You can find the full musical lineup and schedule on their website.
Urban Bourbon Half Marathon | October 12
Routed through Louisville's historic Whiskey Row and scenic Cherokee Park, this experiential event celebrates the area's 200+ years of distilling history. The half marathon features exclusive bourbon experiences and a post-race party that Runners’ World magazine heralded as one of the "Best Half Marathon After-Parties in the Country." You must be at least 21 or older to participate in the event.
Louisville's Great Chili Cook Off | Oct. 13
Taking place on the 800 block of East Market Street in the NuLu neighborhood this annual event brings together chili enthusiasts, food lovers, and families from across the city. Happening from noon to 6pm on a Sunday afternoon, the event will feature delicious chili tastings, live music, family-friendly activities, and friendly competition among participating teams.
Louisville Book Festival | October 18 & 19 | FREE
The Louisville Book Festival, taking place at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville, was founded to celebrate and promote the love and benefits of reading, writing, and literacy while striving towards the goal that all children have access to books in their homes. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with dozens of authors and storybook characters, participate in arts and crafts, and kids will be able to take home a free book (while supplies last.)
Victorian Ghost Walk | October 18-20
Visit one of "America's most haunted neighborhoods" during this annual ghost tour in Old Louisville. Created by Louisville local and New York Times-reviewed author David Domine, this limited-time event will bring spirits to life with actors portraying the figures that allegedly roam some of the neighborhood's most haunted buildings. If you can't make it this weekend, Louisville Historic Tours offers nightly ghost tours through the Fall, though if you spot a ghost during one of those, it may be the real thing.
Louisville Beer Week | October 18-27
Though referred to as Bourbon City, Louisville's Beer scene holds its own with dozens of top-tier breweries located around the city. Produced by the Louisville Ale Trail, the annual event will highlight local breweries around the city as well as special events, panels, tastings, and more.
Fall Meet at Churchill Downs | Weds - Sun, November 1- December 1
Best known as the home of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs will host its annual Fall Meet featuring live Thoroughbred racing this November. In addition to being a popular Thanksgiving and Black Friday tradition, the historic race track will host Sunday brunches, a Military Appreciation Day, Senior Day, and Breeders' Cup Watch Party.
ColorFest at Bernheim Forest | Nov. 2 & 3
Named one of the Best Places to See Fall Colors in the US, Louisville has a variety of destinations to visit while in town during the colorful fall months. During this annual Fall Festival, Bernheim Forest will show off the region's famous foliage with two days of activities. Some of the available activities include a corn pit, mud pie kitchen, pumpkin rolling, giant launch, nature games, and giant slides. ColorFest will occur from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Louisville Chocolate, Wine & Whiskey Festival | November 9
Taking place at the Mellwood Arts Center, this sweet and savory festival features a broad selection of artisan chocolates, premium wines, and fine whiskies, along with cakes, cookies, candies, champagne and prosecco. Tickets include chocolate samples, whiskey samples, boozy milkshakes, a wine glass, and Louisville's 1st chocolate fondue bar. The event is exclusively 21+, and VIP tickets are available.
North American Championship Rodeo | Nov. 14-16
Held at historic Freedom Hall this high-energy lineup of events includes bull riding, team roping, women's barrel racing, rodeo clowns, and more as a part of the North American International Livestock Exposition.
For a list of Halloween and spooky season-specific events, check out this round-up of Halloween Haunts + Happenings in Louisville.
To find all events happening in and around the city be sure to check out our event calendar and subscribe to our email newsletters for the latest updates on news and events.
