Food festivals in Louisville worth planning a trip around, by month.
Food festivals in Louisville worth planning a trip around, by month.
Bourbon and Beyond bills as the world's largest bourbon, food and music festival, the four-day Louisville event with 100+ bourbon participants across five stages every September.
Focus: Bourbon, BBQ, music
Tip: Buy tickets months ahead. The Big Bourbon Bar is the festival's central tasting tent.
Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville runs five weeks of events from late March through the last day of April, leading into the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday of May, the city's loudest food and drink stretch of the year.
Focus: Mint Julep, Hot Brown, Kentucky cuisine
Tip: Dillard's Spring Fashion Show opens the festival in late March. Thunder Over Louisville lands mid-April; the Pegasus Parade is on the Sunday before Derby.
WorldFest in Louisville runs four free days of international food, music and culture on the Belvedere Plaza over Labor Day weekend, the city's premier multicultural street festival.
Focus: International street food
Tip: Walk-in, free admission. 60+ cultural booths from 30+ countries; bring cash for the food stalls.
St James Court Art Show in Old Louisville runs the first October weekend with 600+ artists across 17 mediums and a full lineup of food vendors, a free three-day street festival.
Focus: Festival food vendors, art
Tip: Free admission. Walk the Victorian-mansion streets; food vendors line the perimeter.