Warmer weather is here, and we’re welcoming it with open arms! There are so many events in Louisville this month, both inside and out, to help you kick off the summer fun. If you’ve got some holes in your June calendar, check out our top event picks for this month!
Happy Summer, Louisville! | Image: @wowitsomar
24 Louisville Happenings: June 2019
Thursdays in June 2019: Twilight Thursdays at Churchill Downs
Still got that Derby fever? Head to Churchill Downs every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the thrills of live Thoroughbred racing and $1 beers 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, and the atmosphere is infectious. churchilldowns.com
Through June 2, 2019: Welcome Home Tour & Design Show at Norton Commons
Join Norton Commons for a fabulous tour of 12 stunning and fully furnished geothermal homes, each with unique interiors, for one of the largest home design shows in the region. Centered around the Peppermint Green, a football-field-sized civic space, this design show will be open to the public from May 18 to June 2, Wednesdays & Fridays, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, noon to 6 p.m. Entry is $15 per person. nortoncommons.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, the Wings for Kids event features a wide array of exciting exhibitions, including in-air dog fights, aerobatic airplanes and scaled-down replicas of 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 their aircraft for the public. Other family-friendly activities 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
For nearly 150 years, Louisvillians have taken to Churchill Downs like butter to bread. Add great food and drinks plus 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 twice 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
Envision a fantasy camp for bourbon lovers, and you’ll have the perfect image of The Kentucky Bourbon Affair. Over the course of four days, attendees 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 responsibly! kybourbonaffair.com
June 5, 2019: The Big Run 5K Louisville in Cherokee Park
On June 5, all Fleet Feet Sports locations will participate in The Big Run 5K, a nationwide event coinciding with Global Running Day. Whether you’re a fitness junkie or just looking to log a few extra steps, be sure to head out to the Hogan’s Fountain Pavillion area on the Scenic Loop in Cherokee Park. Fleet Feet Louisville will hold a chip-timed 5K and present every finisher with a commemorative medal and a tech tee. The Big Run 5K begins at 7 p.m. and costs $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
If you like food, drinks, games and free concerts as much as we do, kick off your summer with us on June 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Westport Village. Enjoy a free concert by Radiotronic filled with 70s and 80s hits that will have you dancing the night away. Be sure to bring your own lawn chair. westportvillage.com
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June 7, 2019: Movie Night at Slugger Field
The beloved Louisville Bats are turning the ballpark into the ultimate movie theater, and the fans got to pick the movie! Bring a blanket and sit on the outfield grass or relax in a chair-back seat while enjoying Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse under the lights of Louisville Slugger Field. Tickets are just $3 per person, and popcorn and soda packs are just $5. This event is scheduled to run 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. The event runs 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
Join the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on June 7 and 8 to celebrate all things Greek Louisville’s one and only Greek Fest. Enjoy authentic Greek food, traditional music and dancing, a marketplace, cooking demonstrations and culture tours. The event is free to attend and is sure to be enjoyable for everyone in the family. https://www.louisvillegreekfest.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 the event will be held at The Seelbach, the authentic Argentinian food and drink will easily transport guests to the heart of Buenos Aires. This three-day event will highlight Argentine tango dancing and will also include workshops and private lessons. Class and party times vary throughout the weekend. Tickets start at $299, and a cash bar stocked with 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 Louisville 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, live music 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! district on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9. Be prepared to enjoy a variety of $3 tacos from 15 of the area’s best restaurants and food purveyors. There will also be bars and beverage stations serving margaritas, tequila flights, ice cold beer, water, soda and more. All items will work on a voucher system — there will be various voucher stations throughout the festival, and 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 triathlon designed just for kids. There’s even a 1K course for young athletes with special needs, and 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 will also have an opportunity to win awards during a post-race 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 wonderful cause, CASA of the River Region is hosting a premier bourbon tasting event benefiting abused and neglected children. Guests will have access to 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 ($25 for designated drivers). casariverregion.org
June 9, 2019: Tri Louisville at Waterfront Park
Get in the zone, and race in a Sprint or Olympic Distance triathlon while embracing downtown Louisville. You’ll dive into the Ohio River, ride along a closed bike path and transition to a run through the beautiful Waterfront Park. There’s also a Duathlon option that includes a 2.5K run, 20K bike and final 5K run. All who complete the race will receive a finisher’s medal. The race starts at 7:15 a.m. and registration prices range from $95 to $165. trilouisville.com
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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? The Louisville Bats did! On June 11, the team is inviting all Louisvillians to a baseball game with their 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 will be held on Friday, June 14 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., while the festival and even more pride-filled fun will take place 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. The Kentucky Craft Bash 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, but you will also 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
On June 24, 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 a character meet-and-greet with Moana and Captain America, as well 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 activities. churchilldowns.com
June 26, 2019: Waterfront Wednesday on the Big Four Lawn
Summer’s here, and so is 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) and 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 at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, for the ever-popular race filled with fun, laughter and a lot of color. Whether you walk or run, The Color Run is a unique 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
Now that June is here, let’s start summer off with a bang!
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