20+ Things to do in Louisville this October

Fresh off of Bourbon Heritage Month, Louisville will still be buzzing come October. Old Louisville especially comes alive during this month with some of the neighborhood's most popular events. South Louisville will play home to thousands of pumpkins and hand-carved jack o' lanterns with both Kentucky Kingdom and Iroquois Park staying lit well into the night to celebrate the Halloween season.

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.

October Concerts at the KFC Yum! Center | October 1, 12, 13, 16

Musical superstars across a myriad of genres are headed to downtown Louisville's KFC Yum! Center this Fall. October will bring performances by Maxwell for The Serenade Tour with special guests Jazmine Sullivan & October London (Oct. 1), Jelly Roll's Beautifully Broken Tour with Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay (Oct. 12), for King + Country' Unsung Hero Tour (Oct. 13), and Lil Wayne with The Kid Laroi & Selfish Sons (Oct. 16).

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. This year's theme is Trivia Night: Pumpkin Edition.

PNC Broadway presents: Les Misérables | October 1-6

The world's most popular musical is coming to the Kentucky Center in downtown Louisville 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.

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.

Cave Hill Fall Fest | October 5 | FREE

Set against the backdrop of historic Cave Hill Cemetery, this family-friendly event brings together the best of autumn, history, and Louisville icons. Enjoy educational booths, live music, local food, and seasonal activities for all ages. The free event will take place from 11am-4pm and include wagon rides, live animal presentations, fall treats, and nature crafts.

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.

Lou502 Tequila Fest | October 13

Back for its second year, head to the Mellwood Art Center for a day filled with live music, salsa classes, and tequila tastings from some of the top-named brands in the industry. Indulge in variety of tequila from blanco to anejo, and even cristillano. For non-drinkers, N.A. brands are also available.

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.

Grateville Dead Music Festival | October 18-20

Celebrating its 10th year, this three-day music festival will take place at the Brown-Forman Amphitheater at Waterfront Park. Headlining this year’s lineup is Kentucky Grateful Dead Tribute Band, Born Cross-Eyed, along with Pink Talking Fish and award-winning bluegrass group, Mama Said String Band. Admission allows access to the official after-parties each night at High Horse Bar.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party | October 19-20

Head to the KFC Yum! Center to see real-life versions of the famous hot wheels monster truck toys as they spin, jump and crash into Louisville for this special glow-in-the-dark showing. The event will feature popular favorites like Mega Wrex™, Tiger Shark™, Boneshaker™, and Bigfoot®, as well as the high-flyers of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, Freestyle Motocross. Fans will experience exciting show action and fuel-injected playfulness with over-the-top smashing, crashing, and epic stunts.

Louisville Beer Week | October 20-27

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.

Louisville Hot Brown Week | October 21-27

Nearly a century after its creation, Louisville Hot Brown Week celebrates the city's signature dish, The Hot Brown, every last week in October. Though the iconic open-faced sandwich was created at the Brown Hotel, restaurants across the city have now created their own versions, from hot brown pizza to hot brown tacos. Track your Hot Brown Week journey by downloading the official app and checking into restaurants to earn points and prizes.

End of Days Halloween Party | October 26

Get ready to party like there's no tomorrow at Fourth Street Live! during their End of Days Halloween party! Purchase general admission tickets that include entry to the event, or upgrade with the PBR party starts which includes cover to PBR, all-inclusive drink package from 7pm - 9pm featuring domestic beer, well cocktails, house wine, and White Claw Seltzers.

For more ideas on what to do in Louisville this Fall, click here. Halloween-related, spooktacular happenings can be found here.

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.