Excited for summer? We are, too! There are so many events to enjoy in June, inside and outside. Take a look at some of our top picks for June events in Louisville that are worth checking out. Stay cool!
Canoeing in the summer is a favorite activity. Be sure to check out this article on the best places around town to hit the water! Image: Jason Meredith
Thursdays in June: Twilight Thursdays at Churchill Downs
Enjoy the thrills of live Thoroughbred racing and $1 beers after work in the Paddock Plaza. Listen to live music, try fare from local food trucks and get betting 101 tips from resident handicappers. Gates open at 4 p.m., general admission is just $3 and $1 beers are available from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. churchilldowns.com
June 2, 2017: Denim and Diamonds Gala
The 10th Annual Denim and Diamonds fundraiser for Parkinson Support Center is Friday, June 2 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Lane. Wear your finest cowboy attire and enjoy a live auction, cocktails and a seated dinner. Tickets start at $200 for this fundraiser for Parkinson’s Disease research. For more information: parkinsoncenter.org.
June 2-4, 2017: Louisville Tango Festival
The second annual Louisville Tango Festival will take place June 2-4 at The Gillespie. The festival combines a breathtaking venue with the very best dancers, teachers and musicians, along with authentic food and drink, to bring the feel of Buenos Aires to Louisville. The three-day event will highlight Argentine tango dancing to live music and guest DJs. Workshops, private lessons, dancing until 3 a.m. and a Great Gatsby Party will be features of the festival. Saturday, June 3 will include showcases featuring performances by international tango stars and the live tango band Cuarteto Tanguero. Delicious Argentine food and a cash bar that includes Argentine wine and beer will be available. Registration is open at louisvilletangofestival.com
June 3, 2017: Outrunning Autism 5K and Fun Walk
Come out for the 12th Annual Outrunning Autism 5k Fun Walk. This year’s walk will be held at The Parklands of Floyds Fork–Beckley Creek Park on Saturday, June 3 with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. Outrunning Autism is a race event for all ages and fitness levels and is also a great family event with a Vendor Village, bounce house, bubbles, face painting, character appearances and promises to be loads of fun. Your participation or donation will help FEAT continue to provide education, training, support and programs for families affected by autism in Kentuckiana. Learn more and register at kintera.org
June 4, 2017: Family Adventure Day at Churchill Downs
Bring the kids to Churchill Downs for a day of racing and family activities including pony rides, inflatables, petting zoo, stick horse races in the Paddock, face painting and more. Tickets are $8 when purchased online in advance, and include unlimited access to all kid-friendly activities. $1 of every Family Adventure ticket is donated to Norton Children’s Hospital. churchilldowns.com
June 4, 2017: The Prelude for Waterfront Gardens
The Waterfront Botanical Gardens is hosting their annual fundraiser, The Prelude, to support the building of the Education Pavilion and its surrounding gardens. There will be libations and hors d’oeuvres by Atria Hospitality and performances by artists from the Louisville Ballet and Dick Sisto. The event will take place on the site of the future Waterfront Botanical Gardens, at the corner of River Road and Frankfort Avenue. There will be valet parking available and field-friendly footwear is encouraged. Tickets are $175 per person and are available at waterfrontgardens.org
June 6-11, 2017: Kentucky Bourbon Affair
Imagine a fantasy camp for bourbon lovers, and that’s exactly what The Kentucky Bourbon Affair™ is. This five-day bourbon experience features behind-the-scenes tours, private barrel selections and specialty events at the world’s most iconic distilleries and famous Louisville hot spots. Buy one pass for all five days or go a la carte. For more information, including a schedule of events, see kybourbonaffair.com.
June 8, 2017: Bourbon and Bowties
The eight annual Bourbon & Bowties will honor 13-year-old Mason Christensen, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 9. A special Bird Dog Bay bowtie, tie and an exclusive Bourbon & Bowties bangle have been designed in Mason’s honor, which will all be available for purchase at the event. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres prepared by some of Louisville’s top chefs, music and a live and silent auction all benefiting Norton Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Hospital Foundation. Purchase a raffle ticket for your chance to win a $100 gift card to each participating Bourbon & Bowties restaurant ($2,600 value). Tickets begin at $150 and the chef’s experience is $300. For more information visit nortonchildrens.com.
June 9, 2017: Foxhollow Farm’s Summer Concert Series
June 10, 2017: Bourbon by the Bridge
CASA of the River Region is hosting a premier bourbon tasting event benefiting abused and neglected children. Those attending the event along the Waterfront will enjoy live jazz music and heavy hors d’oeuvres during the event, which will last from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 10 at the Big Four Bridge Lawn. Individual tickets are $75 and designated driver tickets are $25 each. For more information and to purchase your ticket: casariverregion.org.
June 10, 2017: The Boys & Girls Club of Kentuckiana’s The Big Event – Club Gatsby: A Night in the Roaring 20s
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana will host “The Big Event – Club Gatsby: A Night in the Roaring 20s” on Saturday, June 10 at 6:00pm at the Louisville Marriott Downtown, 280 W. Jefferson Street. The fundraiser – which includes a silent and live auction, cocktails and dinner – is presented by Brown-Forman. To purchase tickets, visit my.bidpal.net, and for more information, call (502) 585‐5437 or email [email protected].
June 11, 2017: TriLouisville
Why not TRI for a day!? Race while fully taking on downtown Louisville. Hop into the Ohio River and ride along a fully closed bike course. Cruise through the skyline and transition to a run through the beautiful Waterfront Park. Cross the finish line and add Tri Louisville to your bank of extraordinary races. Admission ranges from $65 to $129. Register online at trilouisville.com
June 16 & 17, 2017: Kentuckiana Pride Festival
Join thousands of people on the Belvedere for the Kentukiana Pride Festival on June 16 and 17. This year’s festival will feature two stages, a family zone and over 100 vendors. Before the festival, the Kentuckiana Pride Parade heads down Main Street from Floyd to 5th on Friday, June 16. Admission is $5 each day. kypride.com
June 17, 2017: Downs After Dark
Louisvillians love going to Churchill Downs, especially at night with the lit racetrack and great entertainment. The next Downs After Dark is scheduled for Saturday, June 17. Bet the ponies, drink a cocktail, enjoy a great dinner and listen to live music. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the first race at 6 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here: churchilldowns.com.
June 17, 2017: 11th Annual Soul Food Festival
The Soul Food Festival is an inviting event that highlights the aroma of soul food cooking in the air, while bringing together family and friends in a social atmosphere for an evening of entertainment and empowerment information. Gates along the Waterfront open at 2 p.m. and the show starts at 4 p.m. General admission tickets are $35. ilovesoulfood.com
June 24, 2017: The Popcast Live!
Milk and Honey Tees is bringing The Popcast Live! to town on Saturday, June 24 at the Tim Faulkner Gallery at 7 p.m. The live show will have the same heart as the weekly episodes, but with the added bonuses of Knox’s fear of public speaking and Jamie’s unedited filter. Fortunately for them, to buoy the evening, your favorite podcast hosts will be joined by Anne Bogel, host of the What Should I Read Next podcast and creator of Modern Mrs. Darcy. Plus, the audience will be an integral part of the evening in word and deed. The sum total of the evening will be glazed with Kentucky brown accents and filled to the brim with controversial but emphatic opinions on all things pop culture. You will not be educated on any important matters, but you will be entertained. knoxandjamie.com
June 24, 2017: Kentucky Guild of Brewers Craft Bash
On Saturday, June 24, the Kentucky Guild of Brewers will host its first annual Kentucky Craft Bash at Waterfront Park’s Festival Plaza. The Kentucky Craft Bash will be the state’s largest beer festival in the Commonwealth, featuring over 30 Kentucky breweries and more than 70 varieties of beer. Not only will you be able to enjoy the Kentucky brews you’ve come to love, you will be able to sample experimental beers that will never go into widespread distribution, and beers rarely found outside of a brewery’s taproom or brewpub. General admission tickets are $50. kycraftbash.com
June 24 & 25, 2017: Bike MS — Bluegrass Bourbon Ride
On Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25, Bike MS: Bluegrass Bourbon Ride will take cyclists on a grand Kentucky experience. Cyclists will begin in Lawrenceburg and travel to Heaven Hill Distillery. Routes will take cyclists through horse country and the infamous Bourbon Trail. On Saturday evening participants will enjoy dinner at Heaven Hill Distillery. Cyclists will then overnight in Bardstown with hotel or camping options. Sunday morning cyclists will head back to Lawrenceburg where they will enjoy an afternoon of finish-line festivities. There is a registration fee of $35 and a minimum fundraising goal of $300. For more information: bikewayw.nationalmssociety.org.
June 27, 2017: Louisville Storytellers Project — Summer of Love
The Courier-Journal‘s Louisville Storytellers Project presents evenings of true stories told live by notable figures in the community and our neighbors in a TED Talk format. These first-person stories curated around community topics aim to entertain, connect and inspire. The next Storytellers Project will take place on Tuesday, June 27 at 7 p.m. The theme of the event is “Summer of Love: the highs, lows and outright bizarre world of love”. There will be a cash bar before and during the show, and tickets start at $10. storytellersproject.com
June 28, 2017: Waterfront Wednesday
It’s time again for the WFPK Waterfront Wednesday Concert Series. June’s free concert on the Big Four Lawn will feature music from Pokey LaFarge, Robyn Hitchcock and Carly Johnson. Grab your chairs and blankets, pack a snack and head down to the riverfront to enjoy an evening of music. wfpk.org
June is here, so enjoy all that summer has to offer!
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