Pick Your Festival/Event
Festival/Event
Due to Covid-19 many cities have canceled or changed the typical dates of many festivals. Please confirm the dates on each event’s website.
Festival/Event
Location City
When Is Event
Activities
Phone Number
Website
Kentucky Derby & Festival
Louisville
early May
famous thoroughbred race
great balloon race & glow
steam boat race
thunder over louisville
pegusus parade
nations largest fireworks display
502/584-6383
International BBQ Festival
Owensboro
mid May
two days of BBQ heaven featuring chicken, mutton and burgoo
car show
live music on 3 stages
100 arts & crafts booths
800/489-1131
W.C. Handy Blues and BBQ Festival
Henderson
mid June
blues and zydeco bands from across U.S.
bbq and red beans & rice
800/648-3128
Annual Street Rod Nationals
Louisville
early August
worlds largest auto participant event
trade show
crafts
parade
502/367-5150
Kentucky State Fair
Louisville
late August
food vendors
concerts
horse shows
competitions
502/367-5000
Octoberfest
Covington (Mainstrasse Village)
early September
100 arts & crafts vendors
clogging groups
huge music tent
859/491-0458
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Bardstown
mid September
100 arts & crafts
ghost tours
tasting and gala
southern cooking
balloon glow
barrel races
800/638-4877
Octoberfest
Owensboro
late September
unique music
keg toss
yodeling contest
weiner dog races
800/849-1131
Louisville Jack O Lantern Spectacular
Louisville
early October to early November
5000 carved pumpkins along 1/3 mile park trail illuminated at night
877/987-6487
Southern Lights
Lexington
late November to December 31st
drive through miles of lavish holiday light displays at Kentucky horse park and see museum
859/255-5727
Lights Under Louisville
Louisville
late November to Jan 1
Mega Cavern presents the only underground holiday light show w/drive through light and sound displays
877/614-6342