Kentucky Events
Fairs and Festivals
| See the Kentucky Department of Tourism website to search for a festival by region, city, interest, and date. | |
MainStrasse Village Maifest | |
| DATE: | May 17-18 |
| LOCATION: | Mainstrasse Village, Covington |
Lower Town Arts and Music Festival | |
| DATE: | May 17-19 |
| LOCATION: | Downtown Paducah, Seventh and Madison Streets |
Kentucky Wine and Vine Fest | |
| DATE: | May 18 |
| LOCATION: | Downtown Nicholasville |
Championship All Breed Cat Show | |
| Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children under 12, $12 for a family (2 adults and 2 children). Kentucky Colonels Cat Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of all cats. Proceeds from this show will be used to help fund veterinary research and local humane activities. | |
| DATE: | May 18, 9 am-5 pm |
| LOCATION: | Saffin Center, 3926 Poplar Level Road, Louisville |
Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival | |
| DATE: | May 23-26 |
| LOCATION: | Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville |
Kentucky Dachshund Derby | |
| The event is sponsored by Kentucky Dachshund Rescue. Weiner dog racing is strictly an informal event as none of the entrants are bred for racing. The dogs are coaxed to the finish line with either treats or toys. Many times, doxies will run swiftly to their owner at the finish line. Some doxies will choose not to run the length of the course and instead visit with other dogs or the owner who released them, or they run in circles on or off the field. | |
| DATE: | May 25, 9 am-4 pm |
| LOCATION: | Masterson State Park Fairgrounds, Lexington |
Americana World Festival 'Where Louisville Meets the World' | |
| Free, family-oriented event that brings together members of the local community to share and celebrate the cultural heritages of the Louisville Metro community and the neighborhoods surrounding Americana Community Center. The festival features international and local entertainers, with two stages of entertainment, ethnic cuisine, a beer garden, craft vendors, community resources, and kids' activities. | |
| DATE: | June 1, 11 am-9 pm |
| LOCATION: | Iroquois Amphitheater in Iroquois Park , Louisville |
The Little Loomhouse Spin-a-Yarn Storytelling Festival | |
| Features storytelling from several talented Kentuckiana residents, including Dawne Gee of WAVE3 News. This family-friendly festival will also include bluegrass music from the Shuttle Winders, weaving and spinning demonstrations, a blacksmith, and historic cabin tours. General admission is $2 per person. Seniors 65 and older will be admitted for $1, and children 6 and under are free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Little Loomhouse. There will be free parking behind DeSales High School at 425 West Kenwood Drive and free TARC Trolley transportation between DeSales and the Little Loomhouse. Please be advised that the Little Loomhouse is in a rustic setting on a steep hill. Access to the storytelling area is via a sloped gravel pathway. | |
| DATE: | June 1, 11 am-3 pm |
| LOCATION: | The Little Loomhouse, 328 Kenwood Hill Road, Louisville |
Best of Bluegrass | |
| This week-long celebration in downtown Lexington will feature music, workshops, and more. Transportation between the Kentucky Horse Park and downtown Lexington will be provided. | |
| DATE: | June 3-8 |
| LOCATION: | Downtown Lexington |
Festival of the Bluegrass | |
| DATE: | June 6-9 |
| LOCATION: | Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington |
Great American Brass Band Festival | |
| Features free concerts on June 8-9, as well as Bayou and Brass from 5:30-10 pm June 7, a New Orleans-themed celebration and fundraiser for the festival. | |
| DATE: | June 7, 9 am-11 pm; June 8, 8 am-11 pm, June 9, 9 am-4 pm |
| LOCATION: | Centre College and Downtown Danville |
W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival | |
| DATE: | June 8, Taste of Hendreson Barbecue June 12-15, Music in Audubon Mill Park |
| LOCATION: | Downtown Henderson |
Beer Cheese Festival | |
| DATE: | June 8, 10 am-5 pm |
| LOCATION: | Downtown Winchester |
Summer Splash and Fireworks Show | |
| Features a wildflower hike in the morinig, outdoor events for children in the afternoon, and a houseboat hop in the evening with fireworks at dusk. | |
| DATE: | June 22 |
| LOCATION: | Nolin Lake State Park, Mammoth Cave |
ROMP: Bluegrass Roots and Branches Festival | |
| DATE: | June 27-29 |
| LOCATION: | Yellow Creek Park, 5710 Kentucky Highway 144, Owensboro |
The Forecastle Festival | |
| DATE: | July 12-14 |
| LOCATION: | Waterfront Park, Louisville |
Duncan Hines Festival | |
| The Bowling Green Junior Woman's Club is hosting the 17th annual Duncan Hines Festival. This year's events include a Concert in the Park with Andy and the Rockers at 8 pm July 12, Adventures in Good Baking Contest 10 am-1 pm July 13, and the Uncle Duncan's Duck Derby on July 12. | |
| DATE: | July 12, 6-11 pm; July 13, 10 am-11 pm |
| LOCATION: | Circus Square Park, 601 State St., Bowling Green |
Field to Fork Festival | |
| General admission is $5, children under 12 are free. Features hands-on interactive workshops demonstrating backyard gardening and non-commercial agricultural practices, live music featuring Heath & Molly, as well as live demonstrations showcasing Kentucky's culinary arts and the Appalachian arts. Workshop registration is open through June 15 and there is a 10 percent discount for advance purchase. For more information, call 859-925-9936. | |
| DATE: | July 19, 10 am-4 pm (workshops only); July 20, 9 am-6 pm |
| LOCATION: | Halcomb's Knob Farm, 430 Wallacetown Road, Paint Lick |
6th Annual Jane Austen Festival | |
| Event will include Regency emporium, Regency style show, four-course afternoon tea, workshops, lectures, an original play, "Elizabeth & Darcy, A Love Story," demonstrations (lacemaking, bareknuckle boxing, 1812 naval encampment, and a grand ball. General admission is $12, which includes admission to 1790s home. The tea, ball, workshops, and play are additional optional fee. | |
| DATE: | July 20-21, 10 am-5 pm |
| LOCATION: | Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Lane, Louisville |
Kentucky State Fair | |
| DATE: | Aug. 15-25 |
| LOCATION: | Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville |
Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival | |
| DATE: | Aug. 30-Sept. 1 |
| LOCATION: | College Park and Gym, 15 Wheeler Ave., Winchester |
Cave City Proud Days | |
| Features a street fair; Cave Run 5K, 10K and Fun Run; craft vendors; parade; quilt show; Old Time Outhouse and Bed Race; music on Main Street; Woman-less Beauty Pageant; car, tractor and motorcycle show; and children's activities. | |
| DATE: | Sept. 27, noon-11 pm; Sept. 28, 8-11 pm |
| LOCATION: | Downtown Cave City |
Art and Craft Festival and Jewelry Show | |
| DATE: | Oct. 12, 9 am-4:30 pm |
| LOCATION: | Shelby Christian Church, 2375 Frankfort Road, Shelbyville |
