The days of summer may be long but if we’re just “winging it,” the months can slip by much too quickly. At some point, we’ve all been stunned as Labor Day weekend arrives and we realize, “Where did the summer go?”
That’s where the Courier Journal’s Summer Guide comes to the rescue. From now until the end of September, every weekend — and some weekdays, too — offers one or more attractions to enjoy with family and friends.
To avoid FOMO this fall, a bit of pre-planning for the next 12 weeks can make all the difference. Using our guide as a reference, build your unique roadmap to a summer of fun which can include adventure, culture, music, movies and new experiences to enjoy with friends, family, or on your own.
Take some time now to fill your calendar with summertime possibilities, like celebrating the 100th anniversary of the nationally recognized Kentucky State Parks system (which are free to visit,) or make plans to attend music festivals, holiday and community happenings, free events like Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park, outdoor beer gardens, family entertainment options and all the things the 120th Kentucky State Fair has to offer.
“Something is going on every summer weekend in Louisville,” Rosanne Martin with Louisville Tourism told the Courier Journal. “Out-of-town guests rely on us to find out what’s going in the city and it’s also a great resource for locals who want to keep track of everything going on in Louisville.”
In the same vein, Kentucky Tourism’s Visitors Guide is another terrific resource with information on all Kentucky State Parks and special events happening throughout the summer. You can order a free physical copy of the guide or access it online at kentuckytourism.com.
“We have three pillars of tourism in Kentucky, bourbon, horses and outdoor attractions,” said Kristy Wooldridge, director of communications for Kentucky Tourism “The State Parks are a big part of that. People are coming from all over to experience Kentucky’s natural beauty.”
So what do you say? Are you ready to make the summer of 2024 one to remember?
With a nice mix of free and ticketed events, here are dozens of activities to steer you toward your best summer ever.
Kentucky State Parks rank top in the nation and are free to visit
With 44 state parks, 17 classified as resort parks with overnight accommodations, Kentucky has enough parks to keep you busy every weekend for nearly a year. Additionally, the state’s park system manages over 300 miles of trails including two linear parks, (a rail trail and scenic trail), 13 golf courses, and one interstate park (Breaks Interstate Park ), shared with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“Because of all this, Kentucky State Parks is in the top five [state park] systems in the United States,” said Seth Wheat, director of interpretation and engagement at Kentucky State Parks. “The number of visitors is in the millions but it’s difficult for us to track the exact number because we are among a handful of state park systems in the country that do not charge an entrance admission fee.”
This summer also marks the Kentucky State Park system’s 100th anniversary. In 1924, Kentucky’s General Assembly created a parks commission to determine suitable park sites of unusual natural significance or with important state or national history. The result was Pine Mountain, Natural Bridge, Fort Harrod and Blue & Gray State Parks being entered into the 1926 legislative record as the first four Kentucky State Parks.
To celebrate the centennial, Kentucky State Parks is planning special events, activities and programming throughout 2024. For updates, check the State Parks’s website at parks.ky.gov.
You don’t have to go far to find a Kentucky State Park near Louisville. E.P. Tom Sawyer, 3000 Freys Hill Road, is a 554-acre oasis just 15 miles from downtown Louisville. The park, named for newscaster Diane Sawyer’s father, the former Jefferson County Judge/Executive Erbon Powers “Tom” Sawyer, is home to the largest outdoor swimming pool in Louisville, an outdoor public archery range, the Goose Creek Nature Trail, Supercross BMX tracks, a radio-controlled model airplane airfield, pickleball and tennis courts, a large playground and the first off-leash dog park in the area.
Summer concerts and music festivals in Louisville
From bluegrass and hip hop, to rock n’ roll, heavy metal, and country, there is music in the air nearly every week of the summer. If free outdoor concerts are music to your ears, Louisville is the place to be. There are also once-in-a-lifetime offerings headed to town like Aeorsmith’s “Peaceout Farewell Tour” at KFC YUM Center and the multi-day Bourbon & Beyond and Louder than Life music festivals.
“More so than ever before people want big exciting experiences,” KFC Yum Center Marketing Director Sandra Moran told the Courier Journal. “To be part of a huge crowd at a concert is electric, there is nothing like the energy you get from the artists and the fans. It’s something you will never forget.”
Here are 23 music events taking place in Louisville during July, August, and September:
JULY
- July 4: Waterfront Park Fourth of July, Waterfront Park (free)
- July 5: Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra Independence Day Weekend Concert, America Place at River Ridge (free)
- July 16: Croce Plays Croce, Brown Theatre
- July 18: Night Ranger, Louisville Palace
- July 19: Mama Said String Band, Paristown Hall (free)
- July 20: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Paristown Hall (free)
- July 21: Herb Albert & Lani Hall, Kentucky Center
- July 26-27: The Big Stop Festival, Waterfront Park with headliners St. Paul & The Broken Bones and BADBADNOTGOOD
- July 30: Charlie Crockett, Iroquois Ampheathre
- July 31: WFPK Waterfront Wednesday, Waterfront Park, Modern English, Snacktime, Digby (free)
AUGUST
- Aug. 2-3: Louisville Jazz Fest, Iroquois Amphitheatre
- Aug. 3: Phil Wickham & Brandon Lake, KFC YUM Center
- Aug. 3-4: Stadium Rock 80s, Lynn Family Stadium
- Aug. 10: Sky Soul Festival, Waterfront Park, headliners Anthony Hamilton, Doug E. Fresh
- Aug. 15-25: Kentucky State Fair Concert Series, Kentucky Expo Center
- Aug. 16: Hot Brown Smackdown, Paristown (free)
- Aug. 28: WFPK Waterfront Wednesday, Waterfront Park, headliners Matthew Sweet, Friko, Nise the Nymph (free)
SEPTEMBER
- Sept. 1: Louisville’s Jimmy Buffet Tribute Festival, Paristown
- Sept. 5-8: Cirque du Soleil, KFC YUM Center
- Sept. 12: “Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse,” Louisville Palace
- Sept. 19-22: Bourbon & Beyond, Highland Festival Grounds, Zach Bryan, Dave Matthews Band, Tyler Childers and Neil Young
- Sept. 25: Waterfront Wednesday, Waterfront Park, Dark Side of the Wall, Zaniah, +Flow (free)
- Sept. 26: “Aerosmith: Peace Out the Farewell Tour,” KFC YUM Center
- Sept. 26-29: Louder than Life, Highland Festival Grounds, Slipknot, Slayer, Motley Crue and Korn
Outdoor movies and drive-ins to visit this summer in Louisville
Since the 1950s, watching a movie under the stars has been an annual rite of summer. Here are three local places to catch a flick on a warm summer night.
Downtown Drive-In Movie Series
Waterfront Park Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Road, louisvilledowntown.org
Grab a blanket or folding chair and enjoy a free outdoor movie experience at Waterfront Park’s Brown-Forman Amphitheater. Family-friendly movies start at sundown and are held throughout the summer including “Monsters Inc.” (G), July 19, “Despicable Me” (PG), Aug. 9, “Grease” (PG), Aug. 30, “Ratatouille” (G), Sept. 6, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (PG-13), Sept. 27 and “Coco” (PG), Oct. 11
Sauerbeck Family Drive-In
3210 D.W. Griffith Lane, La Grange, Kentucky, sauerbeckfamilydrivein.com
Pile the family into the minivan, remember money for snacks and head to Suerbeck Family Drive-In. The venue serves up outdoor movies seven days a week including Bargain Tuesdays which are just $6 per person and Retro Wednesdays, which include double features of films like “Jaws,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Grease” and more. For more information on weekly movies, visit sauerbeckfamilydrivein.com.
Georgetown Drive-In
8200 State RD 64, Georgetown, Indiana, georgetowndrivein.com
Since 1951, movie fans have made the 13-mile drive from downtown Louisville to Georgetown Indiana to the Georgetown Drive-In. During its 73-year history, the owners have upgraded a few things like adding a second screen and upgrading the audio to stereo FM radio. However, there is still a feeling of nostalgia at this entertainment venue thanks to being one of the few remaining drive-ins that still maintains a playground for the kids and a few working drive-in window speakers, for those who enjoy that scratchy retro audio sound. For weekly movie information and times, visit georgetowndrivein.com.
Don’t miss these 11 festivals and summer events in Louisville
Looking for a summer festival? Louisville is ripe with activities that range from free Kentucky Shakespeare performances to outdoor beer events and more. Here are 11 not to miss:
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
Now through Aug. 11, Old Louisville’s Central Park,1340 S Fourth St., kyshakespeare.com
The free Kentucky Shakespeare Festival continues its decades-long tradition of providing free live-action performances of some of Shakespeare’s greatest works. The 2024 season includes performances of “Romeo & Juliet” (July 17, 20, 23, 26,) “The Comedy of Errors,” (July 16, 19, 24,) and “The Tempest,” (July 5-14; July 18, 21, 25, 28).
Summer Beer Festivals
Various locations and dates throughout the summer
Louisville’s local beer scene takes center stage at several Beer Festivals throughout the summer. The J-town Beer Festival (July 20) is a neighborhood beer fest bringing together beer, music, and food to support local area businesses.
TheSummer Beer Fest at the Frazier (July 27) takes over Louisville’s Main Street and features over 200 beers on tap outside of the city’s Frazier History Museum.
Old Lou Brew (Aug. 23) is set in Central Park in the Old Louisville neighborhood, home to one of the largest collections of Victorian-era mansions in the country. Brew at the Zoo (Aug.24), is an annual fundraiser for the Louisville Zoo and Steins on Main (Sept. 14) is back for its second year and will take place off of historic Main Street in downtown Louisville.
Red, White, and Bluegrass Bash at Kentucky Kingdom
July 4-6, Kentucky Kingdom, 937 Phillips Lane, kentuckykingdom.com
Kentucky Kingdom is a great place to spend the summer catching a thrill on dozens of amusement park rides and soaking in Hurricane Bay’s outdoor water park. For the summer of 2024, Kentucky Kingdom brings back the Red White and Bluegrass Bash which includes three days of bluegrass music, unique food, and a 15-minute choreographed music and pyrotechnics show.
Water Lantern Festival
July 20, 6-10 p.m., Waterfront Park, Great Lawn, 231 E. Witherspoon St., ourwaterfront.org
The Water Lantern Festival is a family-friendly event that includes, food trucks, design your own lantern, and a group lantern launch at sunset. Tickets available at waterlanternfestival.com.
Dainty Fest and World Championship of Dainty
July 29-31, George Hauck Way, 1000 Goss Ave., schnitzelburg.org
One of Louisville’s most unique free traditions continues into its 54th year with the annual World Championship of Dainty. Held in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood, this obscure German street game has become a cherished tradition that draws crowds onto the sidewalk of George Hauck Way to eat bologna sandwiches, listen to ragtime music, and watch contestants swing a whittled broomstick in hopes of being crowned a World Champion.
The Women’s Cup
Aug. 9-13, Lynn Family Stadium, 350 Adams St., racingloufc.com
The Women’s Cup returns to Louisville this summer with three names on the global football stage set to join Racing Louisville FC for the four-team tournament at Lynn Family Stadium. Italian powerhouse Juventus and South American champion Palmeiras will play in what will be the third edition of The Women’s Cup in Louisville with a fourth international team will be confirmed soon.
The 120th Kentucky State Fair
Aug. 15-24, Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, kystatefair.org
Held annually at the Kentucky Exposition Center, the Kentucky State Fair celebrates its 120th anniversary celebrating Kentucky’s culture, art, agriculture, music and more. The State Fair is also home to The World’s Championship Horse Show.
WorldFest
Aug. 30 through Sept. 2, The Belvedere, 141 N Sixth St., louisvilleky.gov
One of the Louisville region’s largest international festivals, WorldFest is a free event that celebrates with four days of expanded world food, music, dance, culture and education. WorldFest takes place on the Belvedere overlooking the Ohio River.
Big Four Arts Festival
Sept. 7-8, Waterfront Park’s Big Four Lawn, 1101 River Road, bigfourbridgeartsfestival.com
Five dollars gets you a ticket to explore more than 150 juried artists set up during the 7th annual two-day event. The Big Four Arts Festival is held on Louisville Waterfront Park’s Big Four Lawn located at the base of the popular Big Four Walking Bridge overlooking the Ohio River.
Gaslight Festival
Sept. 7-14, downtown Jefferstontown, Free, jtowngaslight.com
The Gaslight Festival, hosted by The Jeffersontown Chamber, brings an estimated 200,000 visitors to enjoy a motorcycle rally, car show, golf scramble, 5K, parade, balloon glow, children’s playground, live entertainment and more than 200 Arts & Crafts and Commercial booths.
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Sept. 13-15 in Bardstown, Kentucky, visitbardstown.com
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail. If hitting the road with your KBT passport in hand is still on your bucket list, this summer is a perfect time to explore the distilleries crafting Kentucky’s iconic spirit. If you prefer to stick closer to Louisville, the popular Urban Bourbon Trail is a curated collection of local bars and restaurants created to complement a day of touring distilleries. The annual Bourbon Festival in nearby Bardstown, Kentucky features over 50 of Kentucky’s top distilleries, music and bourbon-related events.
Summer fun for thrill seekers and outdoor adventurists
Looking for some outdoor or extreme adventures this summer? Look no further than these six events and places to visit:
Louisville Mega Cavern
Open seven days a week, 1841 Taylor Ave., louisvillemegacavern.com
Take a break from the summer heat and enter the Louisville Mega Cavern, where the temperature is a constant 58 degrees. Zipline through the darkness of the caverns, try the only fully underground aerial ropes challenge course in the world, or take the 1.8-mile walking tour of the man-made marvel.
Learn to Sail
Kentucky waterways, saillouisville.org
It’s no surprise watersports are a popular pastime with the Ohio River at Louisville’s front door. From learning to sail to connecting with the local sailing community or racing, Sail Louisville is a homeport for sailing activities in the Louisville area.
Summer Yoga Classes
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 pm – 7:45 p.m., from July to September. Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Road, ourwaterfront.org
Taught by Dorene Rickman of Yoga Louisville Downtown, this one hour and 15-minute outdoor yoga class is held twice a week at Waterfront Park’s Brown-Forman Amphitheater. All skill levels are invited to relax, unwind and connect with nature as you practice. Classes are $10 payable by Cash, Venmo, or Paypal the evening of the class.
Paddleboard Adventures
July 6 and Sept. 7, 9:30 am to 2 p.m., Waterfront Park, 129 W River Road, behind Joe’s Crab Shack, ourwaterfront.org
Curious about stand-up paddleboarding? Paddleboard and Paddleboat with Endless Summer Paddle and the Belle of Louisville is more than a lesson — it’s a day-long adventure. Start with a 1.5-hour instructor-led paddleboarding excursion along the scenic Ohio River. Once the paddleboarding lesson is finished, you’ll change clothes and board the Mary M. Miller for a leisure lunch cruise, also on the Ohio River.
Endless Summer Paddle also offers a paddleboard session followed by a NuLu food tour excursion on the first Sunday of each month.
Labor Day Hike, Bike and Paddle
Sept. 2, 8 a.m. to noon, Waterfront Park, Great Lawn, 231 Witherspoon St., louisvilleky.gov
This annual free community event includes a 4-mile walk, a 12-mile bike ride or a paddle through the McAlpine Locks. Additional free fitness activities include yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, cricket and more. Get there early for a free t-shirt available to the first 2,000 people.
As you can see there are more than enough summertime events and experiences throughout Louisville to keep you active for months but if you decide a road trip is in order, the Bluegrass State has much to offer.
“We are lucky to live in Kentucky because we’ve got everything,” Anita Hatchett, executive director of the Office of Public Affairs, Tourism, Arts and Heritage, told the Courier Journal.”If you go to western Kentucky, you’ve got the flat land and lakes, eastern Kentucky has rolling mountains and outdoor adventures. It’s really like, what do you want, we’ve got it in Kentucky.”
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
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