LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Phineas and Ferb were right; while there are over 100 days of summer vacation, sometimes finding the right way to spend it is difficult to do.
So WHAS11 has found some pretty cool events happening this year that might pique your interest.
Good Times: Summer Concert Series
- May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 17
- The Central Green outside the Bolt+Time complex at 1400 Main Street in Clarksville
The Town of Clarksville's inaugural Good Times: Summer Concert Series will feature live music, food trucks and a beer garden courtesy of Ten20 Craft Brewery according to their website.
Abbey Road on the River
- May 23-May 27
- Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville
This year marks 22 years of the annual Abbey Road on the River over in southern Indiana. Recognized as the largest Beatles-inspired music festival, people should expect to be surrounded by "peace, love, and rock-n-roll" according to their website.
Tickets for the annual Beatles celebration start at $60.
For the full lineup, click here.
GAZEBO Festival
- May 25-May 26
- Waterfront Park in Louisville, Kentucky
The inaugural GAZEBO Festival, created by Louisville-native Jack Harlow, will feature 26 acts on two stages.
General admission weekend tickets are available starting at $255.
VIP tickets will also be available, with them including access to a lounge with air conditioning, premium restrooms, dedicated bar and food offerings, and a merchandise tent. VIP ticket buyers will also have access to dedicated VIP entrance lanes into the festival and up-close viewing at both stages. VIP tickets include a branded clear tote bag and a limited edition festival line-up t-shirt.
For more information on ticket options, please click here.
Officials said a portion of proceeds from every ticket will benefit various community organizations in the city through the Jack Harlow Foundation.
71st annual WHAS Crusade for Children
- June 1-June 2
The annual WHAS Crusade for Children fundraising event is the first weekend of June, and 100% of each donation helps children with special needs.
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
- May 29-Aug. 11
- C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater Central Park in Old Louisville, 1340 South Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40208 - Free
Starting at 6 p.m. with some food trucks, the 64th annual Kentucky Shakespeare Festival is a family-friendly event that draws hundreds to Old Louisville.
The Kid's Globe, Will's Gift Shop and Will's Tavern opens at 7 p.m. followed immediately by Community Pre-show Performance at 7:15 p.m. according to their website.
The shows start at 8 p.m.
- June 15
- Lynn Family Stadium
- Gates open at 2 p.m. following Louisville FC versus NJ/NY Gotham FC in the purple lot. It ends at 11 p.m.
Known as Kentucky's official Juneteenth event, the festival will have more than 100 minority businesses and feature activities for all ages according to officials. Tickets aren't available yet, but check the link for updates.
- June 15
- NuLu
The parade will kick off at noon, and the festival will take place between noon and 10 p.m.
The parade route will start in Nulu and end at the festival entrance at the Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park.
Various streets will be closed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the parade.
Louisville celebrates Kentuckiana Pride 2023
Festival tickets are on sale now for $10, with VIP packages starting at $109.00. Ages 5 and under/ 65 and over don't require a ticket.
To purchase your ticket, please click here. The full lineup is listed here.
Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration
- June 8-June 19
The fourth annual Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration's theme is "Our Story, America's Glory" according to organizers. This year's celebration will have events like a walking tour, a summer day camp and a concert.
For a full list of events, click here.
- July 6
- Louisville Zoo
The ROARchestra, a partnership between the Louisville Zoo and the Louisville Orchestra, is a family-friendly event that combines the joys of the Zoo and orchestra into an unforgettable experience.
The doors to the zoo open at 7 p.m. on July 6; adult tickets are $30, children 3 to 11 years old are $15 and kids 2 years and younger can get into the event for free. Parking is including with the admission.
Tickets can be found here.
The Big Stomp
- July 26-July 27
- Jones Fields
The Big Stomp, formerly known as PeteFest, will return to Jones Fields in southeast Jefferson County. It's a festival that "stomps" on the mental health stigma.
Some experiences from 2023 included a zen den, equine therapy, Carmichael's Bookmobile and a mocktail lounge. This year they're also offering glamping according to their website.
Proceeds go to The Pete Foundation.
For more information on tickets, click here.
Dainty Fest
- July 29-July 31
- Free
Anyone who recently turned 45 years old, this one is for you; the 53rd annual World Championship Dainty Contest is returning to the Schnizelburg neighborhood.
If you haven't heard of Dainty, the rules are simple: use a stick to hit a piece of wood as far as you can. The one who hits it the furthest, wins.
But that's easier said than done.
- Aug. 10
- Gates open at 3 p.m.
- 129 River Road, Louisville Kentucky, 40202
Soul artists Anthony Hamilton featuring the Ton3s, Keke Wyatt, Dru Hill and Doug E Fresh will grace the Waterfront on Aug. 10 this year. Sky Soul Festival celebrates art, culture and community according to the Sky Foundation Org's website.
Tickets start at $50, and you can buy them here.
State Fair
- Aug. 15-Aug. 24
Tickets for the annual state fair aren't on sale yet, but they are supposed to go live this spring. Click here to keep an eye on when they go live.
Big Four Arts Festival
- Sept. 9-Sept. 10
- Big Four Bridge Lawn
- Adults are $5, children 12 years old and younger get in free
Featuring more than 150 local and international artists, the Big Four Arts Festival is returning to the Waterfront. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 10,
Bourbon & Beyond
- Sept. 19-Sept. 22
Bourbon & Beyond will be back at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Expo Center from Sept. 19-Sept. 22.
The festival will host more culinary and bourbon-related experiences throughout the jam-packed weekend.
PHOTOS | Bourbon & Beyond 2023 makes grand return to Louisville
General admission 4-day tickets are being sold starting at $269.99, with single day GA tickets being sold for $119.99. You can purchase your ticket here.
You can also purchase camping or parking accommodations for the festival here.
Find out who is performing at this year's festival here.
Louder Than Life
- Sept. 26-Sept. 29
Louder Than Life is celebrating its 10th year, and wow does this year's lineup hold up to that milestone. Slipknot, Slayer, Mötley Crüe and Korn will be headlining the 2024 lineup.
This year, there will be five stages with nearly 150 musical acts.
General admission 4-day tickets are being sold starting at $289.99, with single day GA tickets being sold for $119.99. You can purchase your ticket here.
You can also purchase camping or parking accommodations for the festival here.
Click here to find out who is performing.
This story will be updated as more events are scheduled.
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