During your Louisville, KY vacation, be sure to check out all of the great events happening in the area. Of course, our local innkeepers are happy to provide you with additional information about area events, attractions and dining during your stay.
While the Kentucky Derby is undeniably Louisville’s signature annual event, a host of happenings have achieved prominence of their own. Beginning with Thunder Over Louisville, which kicks off Derby fever each year, our Derby
Festival, leading up to the 1st Saturday in May, is packed full of exciting events: The Pegasus Parade, Steamboat Race, Balloon Glow, Run for the Rose’, The Oaks Day races, to name a few.
The Humana Festival of New American Plays is a world class event taking place here at our Actor’s Theatre of Louisville each March.
October each year brings the St James Court Art Show. Now 50 years old, it is considered to be one of the biggest and best of its kind in the country. It draws hundreds of thousands of artists, and patrons, from around the globe.
The event calendar below names many, but not all, of the regularly scheduled events going on in our city, by month. Beyond the many annual events happening here, there are always one-of-a-kind, or the occasionally recurring events drawing crowds of spectators and participants. The Rolling Stone concert in September is sold out. The Breeder’s Cup thoroughbred horse racing card is at Churchill Downs again this November 4th. Golf’s Ryder Cup international competition is being held at Valhalla Country Club in September 2008.
Watch these pages for what’s happening in Louisville. Check our links to other event related information.
Metro Louisville Calendar
University Of Louisville Sports Calendar
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 including:
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.
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 rod's 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.
International Lawn, Garden & Power Equipment Expo
It's the industry's largest event—showcasing the latest new product innovations, services & technologies.
National Quartet Convention
Gospel music’s biggest annual event showcases the finest talent in Southern Gospel Music.
OCTOBER
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.
NOVEMBER
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.
