Summer Events Worth Planning Around

Louisville stays busy during the summer with concerts, festivals, sporting events, horse racing, bourbon events, and outdoor gatherings happening throughout the city. If your trip lines up with one of these weekends, it can completely change the atmosphere of your stay and give you even more to experience while you’re here.

Kentucky Derby Festival

One of the biggest events in Louisville each year with fireworks, concerts, races, food events, air shows, parades, and celebrations happening throughout the city leading up to Derby weekend.

Tip: The Great BalloonFest is one of the most memorable parts of Derby Festival and especially fun for families.

Kentucky State Fair

Held each August at the Kentucky Expo Center, the State Fair includes concerts, food vendors, rides, livestock shows, local Kentucky products, and family-friendly entertainment.

Tip: Go hungry. The fair food is half the experience. Our go to is always a corndog and freshly squeezed lemonade.

Bourbon + Beyond

One of Louisville’s biggest music festivals combining bourbon culture, live music, food, and local vendors all in one event.

Tip: The festival grounds are much bigger than most people expect, so comfortable shoes are a must.

Louder Than Life

A massive rock music festival held each year at the Kentucky Expo Center featuring major bands and thousands of visitors from around the country.

Tip: The Eagle, Feast BBQ, Momma’s BBQ, and Diorio’s Pizza are all great post-festival options.

Fourth Street Live Summer Concerts

Downtown Louisville stays active during the summer with concerts, sporting watch parties, and nightlife events happening regularly at Fourth Street Live.

Tip: Make sure to arrive early if you want to get a good spot. Unless you grad a seat at one of the restaurants surrounding the venue, there is typically only standing room.

Louisville City FC Soccer Matches

Louisville’s professional soccer team has one of the best fan atmospheres in the city during the summer season.

Tip: Lynn Family Stadium has a surprisingly good food and drink setup compared to most smaller stadiums.

Nulu Summer Fest

NuLu frequently hosts seasonal street festivals featuring local restaurants, bourbon tastings, shopping, live music, and outdoor patios.

Tip: One of my personal favorite events is the annual goat race in the middle of Market Street