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 17 fun, funky and downright fabulous Louisville events this September.
We’re ready for the best September yet! Image: @SampsonTheGhost
17 Louisville Events: September 2018
Through September 3, 2018: 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 16th 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 31 through September 2, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on September 3. louisvilleky.gov
September 1 & 2, 2018: 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 two days of fun, marking the end of the sunny season at Water Tower Park. The fun starts on both days at 4 p.m. and lasts until 11 p.m. Tickets start at $10, so come out and celebrate the end of summer with live music outdoors with friends! kentuckybluegrassfestival.com
September 3, 2018: Subway’s Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle at Waterfront Park
Bring the entire family for this free, healthy hometown event. Various fitness demonstrations, including yoga, tai chi and Zumba, along with numerous 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 7 through October 31, 2018: 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. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 p.m. on Sundays with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sundays as well. Tickets start at $40, plus processing fees. actorstheatre.org
September 8, 2018: Highlands Festival 2018
On September 8, head out for the 14th 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 local band Wax Factory from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and returning Highlands Fest favorite, The Leopolion Effect 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 8 & 9, 2018: 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 80 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 8 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 9. bigfourbridgeartsfestival.org
September 9, 2018: Apple Patch 30th Anniversary Picnic at Foxhollow Farm
Apple Patch is excited to celebrate their 30th anniversary with a picnic! From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., attendees will enjoy hayrides, face-painting and bouncy houses for kids, along with tasty barbecue and live music from Delafaye and Danny Flanigan at Foxhollow Farm. Tickets are $20 per vehicle for parking, which includes a meal of brisket, barbecue chicken, farmer’s bowl (vegetarian option), sweet potato salad and mac ‘n’ cheese. It’s an additional $5 per activity wristband for hayrides, face-painting and inflatables. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase. louisvilletickets.com
September 13, 2018: 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 13. 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 givelocallouisville.org.
September 14-16, 2018: Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival
The annual Gaslight Festival is the region’s fifth-largest festival and takes place September 14 through 16. 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 at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 14 and continues throughout the weekend. Visit the website for a full list of events and times. jtownchamber.com
September 15, 2018: CQ Music Festival for Waterstep
The 7th Annual CQ Jam for WaterStep will be held at Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille on Saturday, September 15, from 3 p.m. to midnight. The fundraiser will benefit WaterStep, a local organization that works to save lives around the world with safe water, and will feature nine hours of entertainment, including a performance by the Southern Sirens, Soul Circus, Radiotronic and J.D. Shelburne. General admission is $20 in advance and $30 at the door. facebook.com
September 15, 2018: National Jug Band Jubilee
Rain or shine, it’s Jug Band Jubilee time. This free event will take place Saturday, September 15, 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 15, 2018: reGeneration Fair
Waterfront Botanical Gardens is hosting their annual, family-friendly reGeneration Fair on Sunday, September 15, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be environmental demonstrations, such as beekeeping and water filtration, as well as crafts, animals, live music, food trucks and drinks. Louisville Visual Art will also be on site hosting their Plein-Air Paint Out, with judging and artwork sales at 3 p.m. This is a free event. waterfrontgardens.org
September 22 & 23, 2018: Bourbon and Beyond
Head to the Waterfront for a weekend of bourbon, food and music. With incredible artists like John Mayer, Sting, Lenny Kravitz, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters 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 22, 2018: Maroon 5: Red Pill Blues Tour
Maroon 5 needs “a girl like you” to come out and sing along at their Red Pill Blues Tour on September 22 at 8 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center. Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine will be onstage and ready to rock for his Louisville fans, so be there or be square. Tickets start at $46. ticketmaster.com
September 22, 2018: 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 Linkin’ Bridge. With your support, the American Cancer Society will use the money raised to saves 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 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $150. hopegalalouisville.org
September 29, 2018: Downs After Dark: Bourbon & Beats
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 29. Bet the ponies, drink a cocktail and listen to live music. Be sure to rock your shades of purple for this one! Tickets start at $10, and gates open at 5 p.m. with the first race at 6 p.m. churchilldowns.com
September 29, 2018: 10th 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 10th 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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