LOUISVILLE EVENTS

JANUARY

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Celebration of the civil rights leader's life; Louisville; http://www.kyconvention.org

FEBRUARY

Black History Month
Annual celebration of Black history; Louisville; http://www.gotolouisville.com

APRIL

Kentucky Derby Festival
Founded in 1956, it is Kentucky's largest single annual event, and one of Louisville's most popular entertainment attractions; although the Festival celebrates the horse race, it is really more about the unique spirit of the community at "Derby" time, and as a result becoming a rite of Spring in Louisville. Each year estimated 1.5 million people attend 70-plus special events which also raises approximately $300,000 for charitable organizations; Louisville; http://www.kdf.org

Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic 
Freedom Hall, Louisville; http://www.kdf.org

Taste of Derby Festival 
Louisville Slugger Field; http://www.kdf.org

Kentucky Derby Festival Thunder Over Louisville
Held downtown over the Ohio River, it is the nation's largest annual fireworks event, the largest attended event in this part of the country, and one of the top five air shows in the country. Its name was derived from the sound that is said to roll across the landscape like thunder. Thunder Over Louisville is the kickoff to the Kentucky Derby Festival; Louisville; http://www.kdf.org

Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race
The Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race is one of Louisville's beloved family traditions, one of the country's most prestigious balloon events; Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, Louisville; http://www.kdf.org

Kentucky Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race 
Racing a total of nine miles up and down the Ohio River, this annual race is a battle of steam between the Belle of Louisville and the Delta Queen. The Belle of Louisville, which was added to the National Historic Register in 1990, is one of six authentic paddlewheel steamboats operating on U.S. waterways. The Great Steamboat Race is preceded by the Great Steamboat Chase, and one of the more than seventy events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring; Louisville; http://www.kdf.org

MAY

100 Black Men Derby Gala 
Produced by "100 Black Men of Louisville"; the gala is one of the more than seventy events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring; Louisville; http://www.kdf.org

Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade
Annual spectacle of colorful floats, marching bands, giant inflatables, equestrians and celebrities parade down Broadway in downtown Louisville before some 200,000 spectators along a 1.7 mile route to enjoy more than 90 units of the two-hour march; West on Broadway from Campbell to 9th Streets; http://www.kdf.org

Louisville Urban League Moonlight Cruise
Cruise includes night of dancing and live entertainment; Belle of Louisville; http://www.kdf.org

Kentucky Reggae Festival
The flavor of the islands is captured and brought right to Louisville's back door through the Caribbean Market, ethnic foods, and of course, reggae music; Water Tower; http://www.gotolouisville.com

JUNE

Americana World Festival
Annual festival featuring International entertainment, food, crafts, and children's activities; Americana Community Center; http://www.gotolouisville.com

Juneteenth
Juneteenth Legacy Theatre, Greater Louisville's only professional African American theatre company, presents a celebration of new plays and a traditional Juneteenth feast; Actors Theatre, Louisville; http://www.juneteenthlegacytheatre.com

Waterside Festival
Water Tower; http://www.gotolouisville.com

JULY

Waterfront Independence Festival
Celebrate Independence Day on the Great Lawn with music, food and fireworks; Great Lawn, Waterfront Park, Louisville; http://www.louisvillewaterfront.com

 
Louisville Blues and Barbecue Festival
Annual festival featuring music from New Orleans and Memphis; Water Tower; http://www.gotolouisville.com

Kentucky Music Weekend
Louisville; http://www.gotolouisville.com

Louisville Jazz Festival
Water Tower; http://www.gotolouisville.com

West Louisville Appreciation Celebration Festival & Family Reunion
This celebration is designed to emphasize the positive aspects of the African American community, and includes a 5L Fun Run, volleyball tournament, hot air balloons, exhibits, and local and national musical entertainment; Shawnee Park; http://www.gotolouisville.com

AUGUST

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; Kentucky Fair & Expo Center; http://www.kystatefair.org

SEPTEMBER

National Quartet Convention
Gospel music's biggest annual event showcases the finest talent in Southern Gospel Music; Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center; http://www.natqc.com

Blues and Barbecue Festival
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom; http://www.gotolouisville.com

Heritage Festival 
A celebration of African American heritage that features local performing artists, national recording artists, arts and crafts, food and more; Louisville; http://www.gotolouisville.com

International Family Festival
Louisville Zoo; http://www.gotolouisville.com

OCTOBER

Louisville Blues Festival
4th Avenue between Chestnut and Broadway; http://www.gotolouisville.com