LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With just a couple of months of summer vacation, sometimes it's a struggle to try to find something to do.
If you're wanting to make this year the best summer so far, check out some of the events down below!
June 2023
- June 3
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Main Library
This summer marks the 10th anniversary for the Summer Reading & Cultural Pass Kickoff according to a press release. The Cultural Pass offers free admission to students under the age of 21 to over 50 arts and cultural venues across Kentuckiana.
- Jun 3-Jun 4
- Free
- 800 Block of Franklin Street
- 10 a.m.
This annual art fair is located in one of Louisville's oldest neighborhoods and features more than 60 diverse artists according to their social media.
- June 3
- Free
- Festival starts at 4 p.m. at Big Four Station Park and goes until 11 p.m.
The 6th annual Pride Festival "promotes Southern Indiana as a place where kindness and diversity thrive" according to their website. The festival is family-friendly until 9 p.m. but after that, the festival will be 18+ according to a press release.
- June 3 - June 4
- Free
- 3:30 p.m. (event starts), 7 p.m. show begins
Help support children with special needs all across Kentuckiana. Find out how you can donate now.
A special show at Old Forester's Paristown Hall will be hosted by WHAS11’s Shay McAlister and 840 WHAS Radio’s Terry Meiners.
- June 4
- 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Trager Family JCC
According to their website, this event will feature Israeli music, food trucks, falafel, cocktails & mocktails, arts and crafts, a kid zone and a market featuring local artists.
- Starts June 7
- 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- The first performance will be "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
This summer marks the 63rd season of the free Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. Food trucks open at 6 p.m. The Kid's Globe, Will's Gift Shop and Will's Tavern opens at 7 p.m. followed immediately by Community Pre-show Performance: Dancensation Showbiz Kids at 7:15 p.m. according to their website.
The shows start at 8 p.m.
- June 10
- 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- General Admission tickets are $25-$45, and VIP tickets are $45-$65
- Fourth Street Live!
This 21-and-over event is perfect for adults who want to sample wine all afternoon and enjoy games and live entertainment.
- June 16
- 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Tickets start at $40
- Waterfront Park
The concert series dates all the way back to 1994 and is a multi-city event with other shows happening across the country.
- June 17
- 10 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Paristown Hall
Vendors bring all kinds of items like antiques, art deco pieces, plants and books for people to peruse according to the website.
- June 17
- Noon to 1 p.m.
- Intersection of Campbell Street and Market Street through NuLu and ends at Big Four Lawn
- June 17
- Noon to 10 p.m.
- Waterfront Park
For a list of Juneteenth events, click here.
- June 24-June 25
- $25, and pre-registration is required.
- Horine Program Field -- 12304 Holsclaw Hill Rd, Louisville, KY, United States
This nationwide event connects people with the outdoors; Jefferson Memorial Forest will provide the campfire, s'mores and evening activities according to the website. Campers can then spend all of June 25 exploring the forest.
July 2023
- July 1
- Jeffersonville RiverStage
- 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Carley Pearce heads to the RiverStage in downtown Jeffersonville for the return of "Jeff Goes Country."
- July 4
- 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Waterfront Park
Not only will the Louisville Orchestra be playing, but other family activities and food trucks will be present as a professional fireworks display goes off over the Ohio River according to the website.
The following items are prohibited: Glass, coolers, fireworks, pets, outside food & alcohol, amplification devices, signage larger than 24” x 24”, bicycles and skateboards.
- July 4
- Doors open at 5 p.m.
- Paristown
- Tickets start at $12 if they’re bought in advance, VIP is $45
This family-friendly event will have local food and live music going at Christy’s Garden, as well as the Brent Street Artisan Market shoppers can visit.
And who doesn’t love donuts? The first-ever Kentuckiana Donut Hole Eating Championship is happening this day as well according to the website. Competitors will try to eat as many donut holes as possible in five minutes to win a $1,000 grand prize.
- July 4
- 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Peterson-Dumesnil House in Crescent Hill
The 38th annual Crescent Hill July 4th Festival promises games, exhibitor booths, live music and an auction to help celebrate our nation’s independence.
- July 4
- 10 a.m. to noon
- Historic downtown Jeffersonville
- July 29
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Shawnee Boat Ramp
Everyone is encouraged to explore and have an adventurous day at Shawnee Park; canoes, fishing poles and archery equipment will be provided according to the website.
August 2023
- Aug. 17- Aug. 27
- Early bird tickets are $9
- Kentucky Exposition Center
This year's state fair theme is "Summer Summed Up" and introduces the inaugural Beerfest as well as the return of the Texas Roadhouse Concert Series.
- Aug. 18- Aug. 19
- Weekend passes start at $69
- Jones Field near Parkland's Turkey Run Park
The nation’s first music festival to focus on mental health is now in it's seventh year, and it will feature more than 30 musical acts. As well as music, this two-day festival also offers a full slate activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
This is an ongoing list and will be updated with more events and information as it becomes available.
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