Events
January
Dinnerworks at Louisville Visual Art Association
The Louisville Visual Art Association’s annual
exhibition of handmade dinnerware coupled with unique table designs.
February
National Farm Machinery Show
Start your year out right with row after row of
brand name products and services, hands-on demonstrations of the latest
technology advancements, and a selection of free seminars that are both
practical and informative.
March
Mid-America Trucking Show
Equipment and services of every conceivable
description, representing the most innovative technology and advanced
developments in the industry will be on display!
Humana Festival of new American Plays
Time Magazine recently called this showcase, "The
center of the theater world."
April
Kentucky Derby Festival
The nation’s largest civic celebration with over
70 accessible events
Kentucky Derby Festival Thunder Over Louisville
The nation’s largest annual fireworks show and
the opening of the Kentucky Derby Festival. An ABA top 100 events.
Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race
The annual display of over 35 hot air balloons
participating in the chase of the "hare" balloon.
Kentucky Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race
The annual duel on the river between our own
Belle of Louisville and the Delta Queen of Cincinnati
Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon/Mini Marathon
The annual 13.1-mile run beginning at Iroquois
Park and ending in downtown Louisville
Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade
The Annual Pegasus Parade begins at Campbell and
Broadway Streets and continues west on Broadway to 9th Street.
Cherokee Triangle Old Tyme Fair
This outdoor festival features a juried art show
of approximately 200 artists, as well as live entertainment, children’s
activities and a food court in the historic Cherokee Triangle neighborhood
May
Kentucky Oaks
The Kentucky Oaks is Thoroughbred racing’s most
prestigious race for three-year-old fillies.
Kentucky Derby
The most prestigious horse race in America and
the first jewel of the Triple Crown is always the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Reggae Festival
Enjoy live Reggae music, ethnic food and vendors
of all types.
June
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
This festival stages unique and visually
astounding productions such as "The Tempest."
Greek Festival
Enjoy ethnic food and pastries, beer, dancing, a
live band, jewelry, art, groceries and books.
Waterside Festival
Waterside is a full-scale art and music festival
that brings artists and craftspeople to the Water Tower.
Kentucky Sampler at Churchill Downs
This festival features 50 of the state’s finest
arts and crafts exhibitors, traditional Kentucky foods and regional music.
An ABA top 100 events.
Street Ball Showdown
Kentucky’s largest 3-on-3 outdoor basketball
tournament with all the proceeds benefit the Cabbage Patch Settlement.
July
Operation Brightside/Coca-Cola Volleyball Classic
More than 4,500 players compete in one of the
largest tournaments in the region.
Kentucky Music Weekend
The largest traditional and folk music festival
in the region.
Waterfront Independence Festival
Celebrate Independence Day on the Great Lawn with
music, food and fireworks.
August
National Street Rod Association
Recognized as the world's largest automotive
participation event, more than 11,000 pre-1949 Street rods are expected at this
year's show
Strassenfest
Strassenfest celebrates Louisville’s Germanic
heritage, with German music, food and beverage, along with an arts and crafts
show on the Belvedere
Kentucky State Fair
The "Pride of Kentucky" draws over 600,000 people
with attractions from rooster crowing contests and pig racing to the Six Flags
Kentucky Kingdom and top name concerts.
West Louisville Appreciation Celebration
National and local entertainment with food,
vendors, 5K run, volleyball, balloon racing and other fun in Shawnee Park.
World Championship Horse Show
A showcase for American Saddlebred, Hackney
Ponies, and Road Horses that crowns the world championship saddlebreds in
different divisions.
September
Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival
This weekend includes crafts, a 5K run, a parade
and games for everyone.
Rock the Water Tower
This outdoor festival features local and regional
bands as well as great food.
Strictly Bluegrass Festival
This festival features nationally known Bluegrass
entertainers at Iroquois Amphitheater.
Oxmoor Steeplechase and Country Fair
Races, music, and crafts
Corn Island Storytelling Festival
One of the premiere storytelling festivals in the
world, more than 50 tellers from around the world
Captain’s Quarters Regatta
This annual event attracts sailboats from four
states and features several classes
Irish Family Festival
This outdoor festival features local bands,
ethnic food, pipers, cultural exhibits and more.
Ursuline Campus Art Fair
130 juried artists come together to display
paintings, jewelry, pottery, porcelain and more.
Adam Matthews Balloon Glow
First launched in 1999 the Adam Matthews Balloon
Festival has quickly become the largest balloon event in Kentucky.
National Quartet Convention
Gospel music’s biggest annual event showcases the
finest talent in Southern Gospel Music.
October
Bluegrass Fan Festival
The International Music Association hosts
national top name artists.
Louisville’s Jaycee’s Oktoberfest
Live music under the tent in the Bluegrass
Brewing Company’s parking lot, German food and specially brewed Oktoberfest
beer.
St. James Court Art Show
More than 650 artists from throughout North and
South America will converge for the annual Saint James Court Art Show.
World’s Largest Halloween Party
Activities at the Louisville Zoo include 20
trick-or-treat stations, costumed characters, clowns and the Halloween Express
Train. This outdoor party is a family affair. Party favors are given out
and local bands perform downtown in Theatre Square.
November
Brown & Williamson’s Light Up Louisville
International Festival
Join us downtown as we "Light up Louisville" with
thousands of lights in an international flair.
December
Christmas Gift and Décor Show
One of the nation’s largest and finest free
admission Christmas Shows! Over 700 booths of wonderful Christmas craft and
gift-type items.
Old Louisville Holiday House Tour
Visit historic Old Louisville’s most beautiful
homes all dressed up for the holidays.
Mayor’s Midnight Special on New Year’s Eve
This outdoor party is a family affair. Party
favors are given out and local bands perform downtown in Theatre Square.
