It’s officially fall and we could not be more excited. Bidding farewell to summer sunshine and pool days is always a little bittersweet but the holidays and hot chocolate season are right around the corner. There’s so much going on this time of year — October is full of exciting events and things to do in the River City, and here are the top events we recommend!
It’s pumpkin time!
Louisville Events: October 2016
October 1, 2016: Bourbon Bash at KMAC
The annual KMAC Bourbon Bash will be held on Saturday, October 1 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. This year’s Bash will celebrate 35 years of art and bourbon in their newly renovated space. Bobby Benjamin of Butchertown Grocery will be pairing bourbons with culinary dishes, live music and a DJ set will be bumping during the event, as well as interactive art experiences and fine bourbon tastings. General admission tickets are $100 and on sale now. KMACmuseum.org
September 30 – October 2, 2016: St. James Court Art Show
Get ready Louisville because it’s that time of year again. That’s right, it’s time for the St. James Court Art Show. This year marks the 60th year for the Old Louisville favorite and it will run from Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 2, 2016. You are sure to find something that strikes your fancy, as there are more than 750 artists from across the country gathered together displaying their crafts for this one weekend in Old Louisville. Hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. stjamescourtartshow.com
October 5, 2016: Taste of Louisville
Louisville has landed the No. 2 spot on USA Today’s Top Foodie Cities in America. Full of locally owned and operated restaurants — ranging from traditional to eclectic — there’s something out there for everyone. Wednesday, October 5, 2016, marks the 43rd annual Taste of Louisville. The Kentucky Restaurant Association, Louisville chapter, has put together a collection of the city’s finest restaurants and chefs to raise money for local charities. This year, a portion of ticket sales benefits Seven Counties Services and Harbor House of Louisville. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Louisville Executive Aviation. thetasteoflouisville.com
October 6, 2016: Kentucky College of Art and Design’s Annual Gala
On Thursday, October 6, 2016, the Kentucky College of Art and Design will honor Laura Lee Brown at their annual Gala. All of the money raised will go to student scholarships and all who donate will receive a photographic print from Laura Lee Brown who will have a show of her own work exhibited at KyCAD the following week. Cocktails are served at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. This event is sold out. ycad.spalding.edu
October 7, 2016: Colors of Courage
Do you want a chance to see Louisville’s own “Linkin Bridge” live and in person, rather than just on television? Now is your chance! They will be playing at the Hope Scarves annual fundraiser, Colors of Courage, on Friday, October 7. There will be live music from these wonderful singers, an auction and food courtesy of River Road BBQ. Tickets to the event are $75 and raffle tickets are $20. All proceeds go towards Hope Scarves and metastatic breast cancer research. The event starts at 7 p.m. and will be held in the backyard of Natalie and Reise Officer at 11905 LaGrange Road in Anchorage. hopescarves.org
October 8, 2016: Foxhollow Farm Fall Festival
Foxhollow Farm hosts its ninth annual Fall Festival, a fun-filled celebration of autumn, on Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no admission charge but parking is $10 per car for the entire day and there is a small charge for various activities. Proceeds benefit Maryhurst. Read our profile on Foxhollow Farm here. foxhollow.com
October 8 – 9, 2016: Inaugural Bowman Field Aviation Heritage Festival
The inaugural Bowman Field Aviation Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9 at Bowman Field. The Bowman Field Friends are hosting this event to help the community experience the Golden Age of Aviation. The event will place rare vintage aircraft from all over the United States and offer rides in an original restored Ford Tri-Motor and DC-3 aircraft, two airplanes that operated at Bowman Field when it was Louisville’s primary airport. Children under 5 are free; 16 and under are $5; and general admission tickets are $10. bowmanaviationfest.com
October 13 – November 6, 2016: 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 through Sunday, November 6, 2016. There are 5,000 uniquely carved pumpkins lighting up the walking trail, which spans one-quarter mile that will be illuminated from dusk to 11 p.m. during the week (Sunday-Thursday) and until 12 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Carvers work tirelessly throughout the month to constantly keep freshly carved pumpkins out. jackolanternlouisville.com
October 13 – 16, 2016: Historic Old Louisville’s Victorian Tales of Terror
The Society of the Unseen Hand will lead you through Old Louisville on this part walking, part outdoor theater tour in search of a ghost. This event will surely send you quivering into the Halloween season. Tours leave from the Historic Old Louisville Information Center every 10 minutes and last between 45 and 60 minutes. Tours start at 7 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance;$25 the night of the event. Space is limited, so purchase your ticket as soon as possible. oldlouisville.org.
October 15, 2016: Wine on the River
Calling all wine enthusiasts! On Saturday, October 15, 2016, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., 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 — all while supporting Dare to Care Food Bank. Your ticket —$55 plus tax in advance; $65 plus tax the day of the event — includes admission to the event, a souvenir tasting glass and samples of all beverages. Patrons must be 21 or older to attend and present a valid ID. wineontheriverlouisville.com
October 15, 2016: 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 co–workers — the opportunity to raise money for life-changing T1D research. They walk to help JDRF ease the incredible burden of this disease for the millions affected until there is a world without T1D. This year’s walk will be held at Churchill Downs on Saturday, October 15, 2016. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the walk starts at 12:30 p.m. jdrf.org
October 16,2016: Wanderlust 108
Wanderlust 108 is the world’s only mindful triathlon. Start off the journey with a 5k run or walk, then follow it up with 75 minutes of yoga flow accented with a DJ and top it all off with a 30-minute guided meditation. Once the triathlon is complete, take a stroll through the Kula Market, which will feature local crafts and organic foods. Additional workshops in aerial yoga, acroyoga, hooping and slacklining will also be offered. Wanderlust 108 is sure to clear your mind and relax your body. wanderlust.com/108s
October 22, 2016: Susan G. Komen Kentucky’s 12th Annual Pink Tie Ball
On Saturday, October 22, 2016, Susan G. Komen Kentucky will be celebrating its 12th Annual Pink Tie Ball at the Louisville Marriott Downtown. Start time is 6 p.m. with signature cocktails and a silent auction, followed by dinner, a live auction and the program/presentation. Seventy-five percent of the funds raised this evening will benefit the local community with breast health education, screenings and treatment support; 25 percent will fund breast cancer research. komenkentucky.org
October 23, 2016: Gavin DeGraw and Andy Grammer
Multi-platinum recording artists Gavin DeGraw and Andy Grammer are teaming up for a national tour, which will make a stop in Louisville at The Kentucky Center on Sunday, October 23, 2016, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $42.50. For more information and to purchase your tickets, click here: kentuckycenter.org
October 24, 2016: Wendy Whelan — To the Pointe: A Conversation with Emily Bingham
Millions know Louisvillian Wendy Whelan as America’s premier ballerina. Get to know the real Wendy when she sits down for an intimate conversation to talk about her future and embracing her creative power on Monday, October 24, 2016, at the Kentucky Center. There will be a pre-show reception at 5:30 p.m. featuring appetizers from Wiltshire Pantry and the talk begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25; Student tickets available in person with ID for $15. kentuckycenter.org
October 29, 2016: Waverly Hills Haunted House
The Waverly Hills annual haunted house fundraiser, A Time to Fear, is open every Friday and Saturday night, September 23 through October 29, 2016. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and close at 12 a.m. If you are in line by 12 a.m., you will be admitted into the haunted house. Haunted house admission tickets are $20; VIP tickets are $60. A VIP ticket will get you a 30-minute tour of the upper floors where you learn the history of Waverly Hills and experience the paranormal. Also as a VIP, you get to skip the line outside because you are led straight into the haunted house at the completion of your tour. therealwaverlyhills.com
October 29, 2016: Boo Dell at Yew Dell
The seasonal favorite Boo Dell at Yew Dell is on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at the Yew Dell Botanical Gardens. Kids of all ages can enjoy trick-or-treating along the Trail-o-Treats from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dozens of local businesses will entertain with their creatively creepy booths and costumes. Hayrides, a straw-maze and scavenger hunts round out a day of fun for all. The popular Mr. Magic will perform from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $5 per carload or a $1 suggested donation per person when you walk-in. yewdellgardens.org
October 29, 2016: Olmsted Park Conservatory Boo La La Halloween Ball
Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s annual Halloween fundraiser party will be held at the Louisville Executive Aviation Hangar at Bowman Field on Saturday, October 29, 2016. The costume/black-tie ball will feature cocktails, dinner, dancing and a costume contest. Cocktails are served at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $250 per person with dinner or $75 for admission after 9 p.m. for cocktails and dancing. olmstedparks.org.
October 30, 2016: An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma
Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra will collaborate with internationally renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, for a special performance of Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto as part of the L.O. WOW! Series on Sunday, October 30, 2016, at 4:30 p.m. at The Kentucky Center. Tickets are now sold out. kentuckycenter.org
**********
Your calendars should be full by now but if you need even more reasons to get out and explore Louisville, download the free SB App. It’s the best of Louisville at your fingertips!
