Summer isn’t over just yet so don’t go thinking that the sunny fun is gone. We have a list of killer events that will make the changing seasons seem like a breeze. Enjoy these 19 fun, funky and downright fabulous Louisville events this September.
We’re ready for the best September yet! Image: @SampsonTheGhost
20 Louisville Events: September 2019
Through September 2, 2019: WorldFest at the Belvedere
Travel around the world in one weekend – right here in downtown Louisville! WorldFest, one of the region’s largest international festivals, celebrates its 17th anniversary with four days of expanded world food, live music, dance, culture and education. This event takes place in downtown Louisville at the Belvedere. Admission is free, and food and crafts are available for purchase. The event is from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., August 30 through September 1, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on September 2. louisvilleky.gov
September 1, 2019: Rock the Water Tower at Louisville Water Tower Park
Get amped and celebrate summer’s end Kentucky-style with a glass of bourbon, some live bluegrass music and savory barbecue. Rock the Water Tower is a day of fun, marking the end of the sunny season at Water Tower Park. The fun starts at 2 p.m. and lasts until 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 online and are $16 at the gate, so come out and celebrate the end of summer with live music outdoors with friends! rockthewatertower.com
September 2, 2019: Subway’s Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle at Waterfront Park
Bring the entire family for this free, healthy hometown event. Fitness demonstrations, including yoga, tai chi and Zumba, along with vendor booths promise a great day. Followed by this fun, there is a hike, bike ride or a paddle on the Ohio River. This event is not a race and is open to participants of all levels! The fun-filled adventure is from 8 a.m. to noon. louisvilleky.gov
September 6 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 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 with a 3 p.m. matinee and 7 p.m. on Sundays with a 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets start at $40, plus processing fees. actorstheatre.org
September 6, 2019: Newfields: A Place for Nature and the Arts Bus Tour
Join the Waterfront Botanical Gardens on a trip to Newfields, a 152-acre cultural campus that includes the Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Garden, Lilly House, and the Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. Spend the entire day until 5 p.m. exploring the gardens, historic buildings and art galleries of Newfields that will inspire you to get your creative juices flowing. The fee is $155 and includes transportation, admission, refreshments, snacks, and lunch. Depart Louisville at 8:45 a.m. and arrive back home at 7:30 p.m. waterfrontgardens.org
September 7, 2019: Highlands Festival 2019
On September 7, head out for the 15th Annual Highlands Festival from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy 100 local art and craft vendors, food from seven of your favorite bars and restaurants, beer from Goose Island, a family fun area with face painter, bouncy house, balloon animals for the kids, as well as live music from regional band Soul Circus from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and returning Highlands Fest favorite, Wax Factory from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Highlands Fest t-shirts will be for sale at the south end of the event, and the festival has asked for everyone to please bring a $1 donation for The Arrow Fund, an animal rescue advocating for animal rights and rehabilitating severely tortured, abused and neglected animals. highlandsfest.com
September 7 & 8, 2019: Big Four Arts Festival
Each year, The Big Four Arts Festival invites guests to start the weekend of fine art, food and entertainment off with their Preview Party. Guests for this evening event have exclusive access to the entire Big Four Arts Festival to view the art of the guest artists, enjoy delicious food and beverages and, of course, have the chance to buy limited edition works of art before the general public. The Big Four Arts Festival will feature more than 200 juried artists, international cuisine, children’s activities and entertainment. The free event is supported by artists, vendors and local sponsorship and takes place at the Big Four Bridge at Waterfront Park. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on September 7 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 8. bigfourbridgeartsfestival.org
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September 12, 2019: Give for Good Louisville
Give for Good Louisville, a 24-hour day created online to inspire people to give generously to one or more of 500+ local nonprofits, will take place on Thursday, September 12. It’s always a huge success and, once again, the Community Foundation of Louisville and their partners will maximize the community’s generosity with Golden Tickets, prizes and bonus dollars. Together, we can make this the biggest day of local giving for our community. To learn more, visit giveforgoodlouisville.org
September 8 through the 15, 2019: Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival
The annual Gaslight Festival is the region’s fifth-largest festival and takes place this September 8 through September 15. This popular event has everything under the sun— a motorcycle rally, live entertainment, a balloon glow and a golf scramble, all celebrating and showcasing the talents of this small town. The fun starts September 8 with the poker rally and continues throughout September 15. Visit the website for a full list of events and times. jtownchamber.com
September 14, 2019: National Jug Band Jubilee at Brown-Forman Amphitheater
Rain or shine, it’s Jug Band Jubilee time. This free event will take place Saturday, September 14 at the Brown-Forman Amphitheater located next to the Big Four Bridge on the Waterfront from noon until 11 p.m. Enjoy local vendors and food, as well as workshops and, of course, great music! As this is a family-friendly event, no alcohol, coolers or pets are allowed. jugbandjubilee.com
September 14, 2019: Bike to Beat Cancer
Celebrate over a decade of making a difference for families, friends and neighbors beating cancer at Norton Cancer Institute! Whether you’ve never been on a bike before, want to participate but can’t be there, or are ready to hit the road, they have an option for you! Choose from a 15-,35-, 65-, or 100-mile ride, a 5-mile Family Ride, an hour long Spin Ride or a Virtual Ride. They also need volunteers to help support and cheer on our riders. foundations.nortonhealthcare.com
September 14, 2019: KMAC Free Family Fun Day
One Saturday of every month, join KMAC educators in the Education Studio at the KMAC Museum for Free Family Fun Day. Enjoy a free drop-in workshop for families and friends of all ages from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and make a variety of free art activities. kmacmuseum.org
September 20-22, 2019: Kentucky Opera presents Carmen at Brown Theatre
Opera lovers, rejoice! Carmen is coming to Louisville from September 20 through 22 at the Brown Theatre. This timeless classic is sure to bring the excitement and maybe even a few tears. Tickets start at $20. The first show is Friday at 8 p.m. and the second show will take place Sunday at 2 p.m. You won’t want to miss it! kentuckycenter.org
September 20 through the 22, 2019: Bourbon and Beyond at Waterfront Park
Head to the Waterfront for a weekend of bourbon, food and music. With incredible artists like the Foo Fighters, John Fogerty, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Zac Brown Band, Leon Bridges and many more, it may just give Forecastle a run for its money – you can even camp out in your RV! Ticket prices vary based on packages. To learn more, visit bourbonandbeyond.com.
September 21, 2019: Hope Gala at The Omni
Put your fancy shoes on because it’s time to dance the night away at The Omni Hotel. The Hope Gala is a one-of-a-kind evening, featuring great food, dancing, a spectacular auction and live music by Groove Essentials. With your support, the American Cancer Society will use the money raised to save lives by helping people stay well and get well, finding cures and fighting back against cancer. This event will begin with a VIP hour and silent auction at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $250. hopegalalouisville.org
September 25, 2019: The University of Louisville Kentucky Author Forum presents Dani Shapiro Author of Inheritance
Dani Shapiro is the author of the memoirs Hourglass, Still Writing, Devotion, and Slow Motion and five novels including Black & White and Family History. She will be in Louisville on September 25 at The Kentucky Center starting at 6 p.m. with an interview with the author in the Bomhard Theater. Tickets to this event start at $25, and dinner tickets are $120. You won’t want to miss it! thekentuckycenter.org
September 27 through the 29, 2019: Louder than Life Festival at The Kentucky Expo Center
Let’s get loud, Lou! The Louder than Life Festival will feature an incredible lineup with featured artists like SlipKnot, Guns N’ Roses and more. Tickets for one day start at $79.50 and weekend passes start at $189.50. louderthanlifefestival.com
September 28, 2019: Downs After Dark: Bourbon & Beats at Churchill Downs
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, September 28. Bet the ponies, drink a cocktail and listen to live music. Tickets start at $10, and gates open at 5 p.m. with the first race at 6 p.m. churchilldowns.com
September 28, 2019: Stampede for VIPS 5K at Bowman Field
Lace up your running shoes and support the Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) for their annual Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates Stampede for VIPS 5K at Bowman Field. The event raises funds for VIPS and has race winner categories to celebrate runners who are blind or visually impaired. Plus, every participant will receive a t-shirt and a brailed medal. The event starts at 8 a.m. and tickets are $30 until September 9, $35 after September 9, and $40 the day of registration. vips.org
September 29, 2019: 11th Annual NuLu Fest
We all love NuLu for its shopping, food and ambiance, and we are so proud of how far this area has come in recent years. The 11th annual NuLu Fest celebrates the revitalization of Louisville’s East Market District. Live music, micro-brewed beers, lots of local food and retail booths by area vendors will be on hand for the festivities, which will last from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. at the 600, 700, and 800 blocks of East Market Street. Oh, and did we mention it is FREE? Don’t miss the fun! nulufest.com
Have a great September, Lou!
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