13 Louisville Events & Happenings: July 2025
Summer is officially sizzling β and so is Louisvilleβs event calendar. Here are 13 canβt-miss happenings to fill your July days and nights. Image: iStock
Whether youβre catching a Shakespeare show under the stars, cooling down with a local brew, or dancing the night away, July in Louisville brings fun in full force. Here are some canβt-miss events to check out this month!
Through August 10, 2025: Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
Celebrate the Bard at the 65th Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, running through August 10 at the C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater in Old Louisvilleβs Central Park. This summer tradition invites audiences to enjoy free, professional performances, including Cymbeline, Twelfth Night, and a dance-inspired A Midsummer Nightβs Dream. Arrive early for food trucks from 6 p.m., preβshow entertainment at 7:15 p.m., and nightly shows at 8 p.m. Blankets, chairs, and leashed pets welcome. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. kyshakespeare.com
July 4, 2025: 40th Annual Crescent Hill 4th of July Festival
Celebrate Independence Day the neighborhood way at this 40th annual event, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Peterson Dumesnil House. This free, family-friendly fete features an art fair, food trucks, live music, a pet and cake contest, a raffle, a silent auction, and fireworks at 10 p.m. Proceeds benefit the historic Peterson Dumesnil House. crescenthill.us
July 4, 2025: Waterfront Park 4th of July
Commemorate Independence Day with family and friends from 5 p.m. to 10β―p.m. on the Big Four Lawn. Enjoy free live entertainment, family-friendly activities with a DJ and childrenβs zone, food trucks, and drink options. The evening also includes a special showcase of local talent, dubbed βWaterfrontβs Most Talented,β before concluding with a spectacular fireworks display over the Ohio River. ourwaterfront.org
July 8, 2025: Clash of the Cocktails
Kick off NuLu Summer Fest with a tiki-themed showdown from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lou Lou on Market. Watch NuLuβs top bartenders compete for a $500 prize and a featured spot at Summer Fest. Guests can sample their Bacardi 8 creations, enjoy Lou Lou appetizers, and vibe to live music from Small Batch Brass Band. Tickets are $45. nulu.org
July 11, 2025: Adult Summer Camp Day
Reconnect with your adventurous side from 9β―a.m. to 3:30β―p.m. at Bernheim Forest. Enjoy a nature-based escape featuring guided hikes, kayaking, artful journaling, playful outdoor crafts, and more β all designed just for adults. Tickets include snacks and a commemorative bandana, and are $60 for members and $70 for non-members. Registration closes on July 10. bernheim.org
July 12, 2025: 10th Jtown Beer Fest
ββRaise a glass at the 10th Annual Jtown Beer Fest, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gaslight Pavilion. Enjoy 75+ craft beers, wines, and spirits, plus food trucks, games, prizes, and live music from headliner Mary, Mary. Donβt miss the Coxβs Cigar Tent, German American Bank Shade Lounge, and the official afterparty at Bearnoβs Pizza on Taylorsville Road. General admission is $45, and designated driver tickets are available for $10. jtownbeerfest.com
July 12, 2025: LouCity vs. CDβ―LeganΓ©s
Celebrate fΓΊtbol with an international friendly as Louisville City FC welcomes LaLigaβs CD LeganΓ©s to Lynn Family Stadium for the clubβs first-ever international friendly against Spanish competition. The game starts at 8 p.m., with gates opening 90 minutes before kickoff so attendees can enjoy a lively fan zone, inflatables, miniβpitch games, and $2 happy hour. Tickets start at $24. loucity.com
July 13, 2025: 8th Annual Taste of Independents
Get a taste of Louisvilleβs best local eats from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Noble Funk Brewing Company. This culinary celebration features more than 40 tasting booths, craft drinks, live music, and more β all while benefiting APRON Inc., a nonprofit supporting local food and beverage workers. Early bird tickets purchased by July 7 are $65. General admission is $75, and tickets for industry workers are $50. secure.qgiv.com
July 25 & 26, 2025: The Big Stomp
Stomp the stigma around mental health during The Bigβ―Stomp at Waterfront Parkβs BrownβForman Amphitheater. Now in its 10th year, this twoβday festival blends live music, mindful programming, and mentalβhealth awareness with headliners like Murderβ―Byβ―Death and Theβ―Recordβ―Company, with more than a dozen acts across two stages. Enjoy music, yoga, sound baths, equine therapy, and more. Twoβday passes start at $68, and kids ages 14 and younger enter free with a paid adult. thebigstomp.com
July 25 & 26, 2025: Christmas in July Cocktail Classes
Shake up some holiday cheer at Christmas in July cocktail classes at Liquor Lab Louisville. In this festive, hands-on experience, guests craft three holiday-inspired cocktails β like cool twists on cozy classics like the Hot Toddy β with expert guidance from Liquor Lab mixologists. Classes are held at 6:30 p.m. on July 25 and noon, 3 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. on July 26. Tickets are $65 per person. sevenrooms.com
July 25 β 28, 2025: 55th Annual World Championship Dainty Contest and Dainty Fest
Get ready for a quirky Louisville tradition over four days in Schnitzelburg. Kick off Friday with the Dainty Silent Disco, then enjoy live bands, raffles, and cake wheels on Saturday at The Merryweather. Sunday brings a community parade, family fun, face painting, dunk tanks, and the legendary bolognaβsandwich-eating and pickleβjuice-chugging contests. The grand finale: Mondayβs free, open-air Dainty Contest on George Hauck Way, featuring food trucks, a beer garden, and trophies for the champs. schnitzelburg.org
July 26 & 27, 2025: Santaβs Summer Safari
Get ready for a frosty twist on summer from 10β―a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Louisville Zoo. Santa and Mrs. Claus are trading snowflakes for sunshine and join in winter-themed fun with animal enrichment presentations, games, and festive activities for kids. Admission is included with zoo entry or membership. louisvillezoo.org
July 29 β August 3, 2025: The Wiz
Catch the Tony Award-winning musical The Wiz, coming to The Kentucky Center from July 29 to August 3. Audiences are swept to βSomewhere Over the Rainbowβ in this soulful, joyous reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, brought to life with dazzling costumes, engaging choreography, and a vibrant, allβstar cast. Run time is 20 hours and 20 minutes long with one intermission, and is recommended for ages 5 and older. Showtimes vary, and can be purchased at louisville.broadway.com.
Have a jamming July, Louisville!
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Lennie Omalza
Originally from Hawaii, Lennie Omalza is a Louisville-based freelance writer of over 18 years. Lennie is a yoga-loving foodie who travels as often as she can and enjoys writing about food, homes, and weddings. You can find more of Lennie's work at Eater, Hawaii Home & Remodeling, and The Louisville Courier-Journal.