It’s officially fall, and we could not be more excited! Bidding farewell to days by the pool and summer sunshine is always a little bittersweet, but the holidays and pumpkin spice lattes make the transition a little sweeter. There’s so much going on this time of year. This month, especially, is full of exciting events and things to do in the ‘Ville. Here are the top events to add to your October calendar.
It’s pumpkin time!
Through October 31, 2019: Fifth Third Bank’s Dracula at Actors Theatre
It’s never too early to get into the Halloween spirit. Join Actors Theatre of Louisville for their adaptation of Dracula. For two hours, this suspenseful classic will captivate and thrill. Don’t worry — you’ll get a 15-minute intermission to catch your breath and relax. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 p.m. on Sundays, with earlier weekend matinees available as well. Tickets prices vary and do not include processing fees. actorstheatre.org
Through November 2, 2019: Waverly Hills Haunted House
The Waverly Hills annual haunted house is open every Friday and Saturday night through November 2. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and close at midnight. If you are in line by midnight, you will be admitted into the haunted house. Haunted house admission tickets are $20, and VIP tickets are $60. A VIP ticket will get you a 30-minute tour of the upper floors, where you’ll learn the history of Waverly Hills Sanatorium and experience the paranormal. Also, as a VIP you get to skip the line because you are led straight into the haunted house at the completion of your upstairs tour. therealwaverlyhills.com
October 2, 2019: Taste of Louisville
Eat, drink and be merry, all while supporting your community! Enjoy the original Taste of Louisville event on October 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Kentucky Restaurant Association’s Louisville Chapter has been putting together a collection of the city’s finest restaurants and chefs for the Taste of Louisville for the past 45 years, but this event is about more than just food! Since 1974, Taste of Louisville has raised over $250,000 for local charities. Tickets to this delicious shindig are $65. thetasteoflouisville.com
October 4 through 6, 2019: St. James Court Art Show
Get ready, Louisville! It’s that time of year again — time for the St. James Court Art Show. This year marks the 62nd year of the old Louisville favorite, and it will run from Friday, October 4, through Sunday, October 6. You are sure to find something that strikes your fancy, as there are more than 750 artists from across the country gathered together to display their talents. Hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will happen rain or shine, and admission is free. stjamescourtartshow.com
October 5, 2019: KMAC Bash at KMAC
The annual Bourbon Bash at KMAC has a new name! Still a celebration of bourbon and art, this year’s Bash will include tasty bites from LEE Initiative chefs, Maker’s Mark bourbon cocktails and a specialty bar featuring Brown-Forman products. The Mocktail Project is serving up alcohol-free beverages. Music by DJ Sam Sneed and the art of the KMAC Triennial Crown of Rays exhibition will complete the event. General admission tickets are $100, and raffle tickets are $25 each. This event takes place from 8 p.m. to midnight. KMACmuseum.org
October 5 and 6, 2019: Bowman Field Aviation & Military Heritage Festival
The Bowman Field Aviation & Military Heritage Festival will be held Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6. The Bowman Field Friends are hosting this event to help the community experience the Golden Age of Aviation. Come to Bowman Field to witness rare vintage aircraft from all over the United States, and take a ride in an original restored Ford Tri-Motor and a DC-3 aircraft, two airplanes that operated at Bowman Field when it was Louisville’s primary airport. Children under 5, veterans and active military are admitted free of charge, 16 and under admission is $5 and general admission tickets are $10. For hours and additional information, visit bowmanaviationfest.com
October 5 and 6, 2019: Strassenfest on Fourth Street Live!
Ready to celebrate all things German? Strassenfest on Fourth Street Live! is a two-day beer festival, so put on that lederhosen and try brews from Goodwood Brewing, West Sixth, Mile Wide, Holsopple, a special tapping of Gordon Biersch’s Fest Bier and more. You’ll also get to chow down on authentic German food provided by Germany’s #1 Food food truck, plus chicken dancing, stein hoisting, vintage photo bus and a kids’ zone. And, live music and entertainment provided by Cirque Louis, Prost!, Rheingold and Zinzinnati Bierband will have you dancing all night long. Ticket includes entry into Strassenfest on both Friday, October 5, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, October 6, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. ticketfly.com
October 8 through November 3, 2019: Louisville Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
The Louisville Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is always a crowd favorite. This year’s event will be held at Iroquois Park, starting on October 8 and running through November 3. There are 5,000 uniquely carved pumpkins lighting up the walking trail, which spans one-quarter mile, and carvers work tirelessly throughout the month to constantly keep freshly carved pumpkins out. The pumpkin trail will be illuminated from dusk to 11 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Tickets start at $10. jackolanternlouisville.com
October 11 and 12, 2019: Foxhollow Hoedown
New this year at Foxhollow comes the Harvest Hoedown, a two-day celebration of all things fall to benefit Dare to Care. Attendees will enjoy a farm party on October 11, at the “Don’t Be A Square Dance,” complete with live music from The Ghosts of Paul Revere, Justin Wellsand and Crestwood’s own Whiskey Valley Boys, plus tons of fun fall activities. This event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the Harvest Celebration is from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m on October 12. Proceeds benefit Dare to Care Food Bank and Foxhollow Farm’s Outreach Program. foxhollow.com
October 12, 2019: Wine on the River at Waterfront Park
Calling all wine enthusiasts! From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, more than 25 vineyards, distributors and wineries will be on the Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park. Attendees will receive a passport to keep track of their favorite red, white or bubbly during this fun and educational event. Tickets are $65 plus tax and include admission to the event, a souvenir tasting glass, samples of all beverages, a passport brochure and a donation to Boys and Girls Haven. Non-drinking tickets are available for $20, and VIP tickets are $75. Patrons must be 21 or older to attend, and they must present a valid ID. wineontheriverlouisville.com
October 13, 2019: The IRONMAN
The IRONMAN Louisville is shedding its reputation as a hot, difficult race with its cool, fall date on October 13. The October weather will provide a calm, cool swim in the Ohio River to start, then transition onto the South Great Lawn at Waterfront Park before taking off on a 112-mile scenic bike ride through the city. After the cycling portion of the event is complete, a 26.2-mile flat running course, which passes by Churchill Downs and the University of Louisville, will lead you to the finish line at Fourth Street Live! Presented by Norton Sports Health, this year’s IRONMAN Louisville has 40 qualifying slots for the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship. ironman.com
October 18, 2019: The Pink Prom at Mellwood Arts Center
On Friday, October 18, at Mellwood Arts Center, get gussied up in your finest prom attire and walk the pink carpet, then dance the night away in support of breast cancer research. Every year, The Pink Prom is named one of the top charity events in the city of Louisville. There will be a live DJ set from DJ K-Dogg & Ryan Coxx. Tickets range from $40 to $90 with 100% of sales going to the Norton Cancer Institute. Attendees must be 21 and older; the event begins at 8 p.m. thepinkprom.com
October 19, 2019: JDRF One Walk
Each year, JDRF One Walk brings together more than 900,000 people from across the country to change the future for people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This fun, family-friendly event gives people with T1D and their friends, family and coworkers the opportunity to raise money for life-changing T1D research. This year’s walk will be held at Churchill Downs on Saturday, October 13. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the walk starts at 11 a.m. jdrf.org
October 19, 2019: Louisville Wine & Food Experience at Norton Commons
This day-long tasting event features local Louisville chefs along with a cooking demonstration by chef, restaurateur, author and judge on Food Network’s “Chopped,” Alex Guarnaschelli. It is in Kentucky, after all, so you can expect plenty of great booze, beer and wine as well. This event takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and tickets start at $65. wineandfood.courier-journal.com
October 19 and 20, 2019: Pumpkin Festival at Sunny Acres Farm
Sunny Acres Farm’s annual Pumpkin Festival will return October 19 and 20 from noon to 5 p.m. Head out to the farm for a day of family fun with a corn maze, hayrides, a petting zoo and much more. There is a $5 entry fee, but kids ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge. facebook.com
October 19 and 20, 2019: Via Colori Street Painting Festival
Once a year, Kentucky is transformed into a creative canvas. Via Colori Street Painting Festival brings together artists, volunteers, businesses and nonprofits to raise awareness, funds and community partnerships for foster children across the state. The event is free and open to the public and will be held at the Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park. There will be street painting, musicians on three stages, vendors to shop and plenty of food. The event will directly benefit New Beginnings Family Foundation, a nonprofit that provides therapeutic foster care and medical care to special needs children who are displaced from their biological family. viacolorikentucky.com
October 26, 2019: Halloween for Huntington’s Disease at the Mercury Ballroom
The best Halloween party Louisville has to offer happens this October 26! The party runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Mercury Ballroom. Be prepared for the unusual, as theatrics and performances will surround you. Guests V-Groove and DJ Mike Ballard will be in attendance, keeping you dancing all night long. Free White Castle cheeseburgers will be delivered at 11 p.m., and over $3,000 in prizes will be given out. Ticket prices range from $25 to $75. hdsahalloween.com
October 26, 2019: Boo Dell at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens
This Annual Community Halloween Festival is an October family favorite. This October 26, kids of all ages can enjoy trick-or-treating along the Trail-o-Treats from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Plus, tons of local businesses will entertain with their creative, themed booths and costumes. Hayrides, a straw maze, scavenger hunts and the popular Mr. Magic, performing from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., will make for a day of fun for all. Admission is free for members, non-member children 5 and under, and military. Tickets are $5 (plus processing fee) for non-member seniors and children ages 6 through 17, and tickets are $9 (plus processing fee) for non-member adults. yewdellgardens.org
We hope you enjoy the most incredible month of the year!
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