Summer is here, and we’re welcoming it with open arms! There are so many events this month, both inside and outside, to kick off summer. These are our top picks for June, and they are definitely worth checking out.
Happy Summer, Louisville! | Image: @wowitsomar
22 Louisville Happenings in June
Thursdays in June 2019: Twilight Thursdays at Churchill Downs
Still got that Derby fever? Head to Churchill Downs this month on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the thrills of live Thoroughbred racing and $1 beers after work in the Paddock Plaza. Listen to live music, enjoy local food trucks and get betting tips from resident handicappers. General admission tickets are just $5 — the atmosphere is infectious. churchilldowns.com
June 1 & 2, 2019: Wings for Kids at Bill Fluke Airfield E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park
Brought to you by the River City Radio Controllers, this event features a wide array of exciting flying exhibitions, including in-air dog fights and combat, aerobatic airplanes and scale vintage airplanes. Nationally recognized and award-winning pilots from throughout the Midwest and beyond come to this airshow to demonstrate their flying skills and model aircraft for the public. Other fun activities for the whole family include candy drops from radio-controlled airplanes, inflatables, face painting and flight simulators. nortonchildrens.com
June 1 & 15, 2019: Downs After Dark at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs to a Louisvillian is like bread to butter. Mix these two plus a lit racetrack, great food & drinks and exceptional entertainment, and you’ve got a night to remember! Downs After Dark is where nightlife meets thrilling racing. Lucky for us, this event takes place on two different days this month: June 1 and June 15. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the first race goes off at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $12. Go bet the ponies, drink a cocktail, enjoy a great dinner and listen to live music! churchilldowns.com
June 4-8, 2019: Kentucky Bourbon Affair
Imagine a fantasy camp for bourbon lovers … that’s exactly what The Kentucky Bourbon Affair is. Over the course of four days, you will experience behind-the-scenes tours, private barrel selections and special events at the world’s most iconic distilleries and famous Louisville hot spots. This unique bourbon experience is unlike any other. Prices and times are dependent on each individual event. Enjoy! kybourbonaffair.com
June 5, 2019: The Big Run 5K Louisville in Cherokee Park
On a health kick? Head out to the Hogan’s Fountain Pavillion area on the Scenic Loop in Cherokee Park on June 5. All Fleet Feet Sports locations will participate in the The Big Run, a nationwide event coinciding with Global Running Day. Can you think of a better way to celebrate this day in our beautiful city? Fleet Feet Louisville will hold a chip-timed 5K where every finisher receives a commemorative medal and a tech tee! The Big Run 5K is at 7 p.m. and $35 to enter. There is also a free Kids Dash for kids 10 and under from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. runsignup.com
June 6, 2019: Concerts in the Village at Westport Village
Do you like food, drinks, games and free concerts? We sure do! Kick off your summer with us on June 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a free concert by Radiotronic filled with uplifting 70s and 80s hits that will have you dancing the night away. Be sure to bring your own lawn chair. westportvillage.com
June 7, 2019: Movie Night at Slugger Field
They’re turning the ballpark into the ultimate movie theater and the fans get to pick the movie! Bring a blanket and sit on the outfield grass or relax in a chair back seat as they show a movie under the lights of Louisville Slugger Field! Tickets are just $3 per person and popcorn & soda packs are just $5! This event takes place from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. milb.com
June 7, 2019: Denim & Diamonds Gala at Sawyer Hayes
Time to break out your blue jeans and bling! Rock your finest country-chic attire at the 12th Annual Denim & Diamonds fundraiser for the Parkinson Support Center. Come out to Sawyer Hayes to enjoy a live auction, great cocktails, a seated dinner and dancing into the night.Attendees will sample a variety of bourbon and whiskeys while participating in our silent/live auctions and dancing the night away. The event is from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and tickets start at $200. denim-diamonds.parkinsoncenter.org
June 7 & 8: 2019: Louisville Greek Fest 2019 at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
It’s all Greek to us on June 7 & 8 for the Louisville Greek Fest. Enjoy authentic Greek food, live traditional music and dancing, a marketplace, cooking demonstrations and culture tours. This event is free to attend. facebook.com
June 7-9, 2019: Louisville Tango Festival at The Seelbach
The 4th annual Louisville Tango Festival combines a breathtaking venue with the very best dancers, teachers and musicians. Although you’ll be at The Seelbach, the authentic Argentinian food and drink bring the feel of Buenos Aires. This three-day event will highlight Argentine tango dancing to live music and guest DJs. You will also enjoy workshops and private lessons. Class and party times vary throughout the weekend. Tickets start at $299, and a cash bar that includes Argentine wine and beer will also be available. louisvilletangofestival.com
June 8, 2019: Zoofari! One Wild Night 2019
Ready to go on a safari? You can at the zoo! Get up close and personal with the Zoo’s animals while also enjoying hors d’oeuvres, a gourmet sit-down dinner, themed cocktails, a silent auction, the opportunity to adopt an animal during the live auction, music entertainment and the company of friends and colleagues from around the community. The theme of this year’s event is the Festival of Colours and will highlight the new Snow Leopard and Colobus Monkey exhibits. This event takes place from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and tickets start at $90. facebook.com
June 8, 2019: Louisville Taco Festival at Fourth Street LIVE!
The 2nd Annual Louisville Taco Festival is returning to the action-packed Fourth Street LIVE! on Saturday, June 8 & Sunday, June 9, 2019. Enjoy access to over a dozen bars & restaurants and be prepared to enjoy 15 of the area’s best restaurants & food purveyors dishing out a variety of $3 tacos (sold separately). There will be bars and beverage stations serving margaritas, tequila flights, ice cold beer, water, soda & more. All items will work on a voucher system – there will be various voucher stations throughout the festival & all vouchers will be used as cash. Additional vendors will be on hand to sell other food (cotton candy, cakes, desserts etc) as well. facebook.com
June 8, 2019: Cool Kids Tri at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park
Join Norton Healthcare for a professionally staged athletic event designed “Just for Kids.” Because every kid should get a chance to participate in sports, they’ve added a 1k course for young athletes with special needs! Buddies will be available if needed. Each child will receive a T-shirt, finisher medal, official race bib and swim cap for those who are swimming. All participants also will have an opportunity to win awards during a postrace celebration. Just like Olympic and sprint events, participants will be body marked, wear official chip timers and race a course with professional equipment and a music system. Tickets are $25. TriLouisville.com
June 8, 2019: Bourbon by the Bridge under the Big Four Bridge
If you’re in the mood to drink for a cause, listen up! CASA of the River Region is hosting a premiere bourbon tasting event benefiting abused and neglected children. Guests will enjoy a wide variety of distilleries that will offer all-you-can-taste pours and cocktails. Live music will set the perfect mood as the sun sets over the river. Ladyfingers Catering will also provide heavy hors d’oeuvres. The event will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. under the Big Four Bridge, and tickets are $75 and $25 for designated drivers. casariverregion.org
June 9, 2019: Tri Louisville at Waterfront Park
Why not TRI for a day!? Get in the zone, and race while embracing downtown Louisville. Dive into the Ohio River, cruise through the skyline while riding along a closed bike path and transition to a run through the beautiful Waterfront Park. Cross the finish line to receive a finisher’s medal, and add Tri Louisville to your bank of extraordinary races. The race starts at 7:15 a.m., and registration prices range from $95 to $165. trilouisville.com
June 9, 2019: The Prelude: Cirque du Jardin at Waterfront Botanical Gardens
The Waterfront Botanical Gardens is hosting their annual fundraiser, The Prelude, for a sneak peek of the Graeser Family Education Center. Join them for libations, a farm-to-table supper and performances from the Louisville Ballet, CirqueLouis, Scott T. Smith, and many more. This event will take place directly on Frankfort Avenue — where city meets garden. The fundraiser runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and tickets are $200 per person. Field-friendly footwear is encouraged! waterfrontgardens.org
June 11, 2019: Dog Day Nights at Slugger Field
Who let the dogs out? Slugger Field did! On June 11, the Louisville Bats invite you to a baseball game with your pup. Tickets are $8 for people and $3 for dogs, with all proceeds from dog tickets going to the Kentucky Humane Society. kyhumane.org
June 14 & 15, 2019: Kentuckiana Pride Festival at the Big Four Lawn
Join thousands of people on the Big Four Lawn for the Kentuckiana Pride Festival! This year’s parade and concert are on Friday, June 14, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., and the festival and more pride-filled fun are on Saturday, June 15 from noon to 11 p.m. VIP passes start at $70, and general admission tickets start at $5. kypride.com
June 22, 2019: Kentucky Craft Bash at Waterfront Park
For one day this summer, the Kentucky Guild of Brewers and HopCat will transform Louisville’s Waterfront Park into the state’s largest, most exclusive taproom. Yep, that’s right! The Kentucky Craft Bash is back this year at Waterfront Park. This event will feature over 40 Kentucky breweries and more than 100 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 unique, experimental beers too. General admission tickets are $45, VIP tickets are $55 and DD tickets are just $10. VIP ticket holders are admitted at noon and all others are allowed entry at 1 p.m. with tastings and fun lasting until 5 p.m. kycraftbash.com
June 24, 2019: Family Adventure Day at Churchill Downs
Bring the kids to Churchill Downs for a day of racing and lots of fun! Family friendly activities will include pony rides, inflatables, a petting zoo, stick horse races, face painting and more. Family Adventure Day will also feature activities such as a character meet-and-greet with Moana and Captain America, and fun activities such as an obstacle course! Gates open at 11:30 a.m., and activities run through 6 p.m. Tickets start at $8 and include unlimited access to all kid-friendly activities offered. churchilldowns.com
June 26, 2019: Waterfront Wednesday on the Big Four Lawn
Along with summer comes the WFPK Waterfront Wednesday Concert Series! June’s free concert on the Big Four Lawn will feature music from Jukebox the Ghost w/Louisville Civic Orchestra, Erika Wennerstrom (of Heartless Bastards), Electric Garden. Each free concert attracts large audiences to mingle, dance and enjoy the river in a family-friendly park atmosphere with a cash bar and upscale festival fare. Grab your chairs and blankets, pack a snack and head down to the Big Four Lawn to enjoy an evening full of music and fun! wfpk.org
June 29, 2019: The Color Run at Waterfront Park
The Color Run is coming back to Louisville for their ever popular 5K filled with fun, laughter and a lot of color. Come out to Waterfront Park on Saturday, June 29, at 8 a.m. for the happiest 5K on the planet! Whether you walk or run, this race is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness and individuality. Along with a participation medal, you’ll bring out your inner kid by getting blasted with vibrant paint colors. Participation fees start at $24.99. thecolorrun.com
June 29, 2019: Louisville Brunch Crawl in the Highlands
Grab your girl gang because it’s time to brunch! On June 29, the Highlands will host a Louisville Brunch Crawl filled with bubbles and waffles. Tickets start at $17.99 and VIP tickets are $59.99. You won’t want to miss it. Cheers! facebook.com
June is here, so start summer off with a bang. Stay cool, Lou!
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