Here are 8 food, drink, music & art festivals to attend this month in Louisville
It's fall, which means the leaves are changing, the weather is getting colder, and the spooky Halloween season is right around the corner.
If you're looking for something to do, here are eight festivals and events taking place around Louisville in October (and beyond):
13th Annual Jack O'Lantern Spectacular
WHAT: The Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular transforms a quarter-mile trail into an organic art gallery with more than 5,000 artistically hand-carved pumpkins in themed settings.
WHERE: Iroquois Park, 1080 Amphitheater Road
WHEN: Timed ticket entry to the amphitheater. Guests enter the Iroquois Amphitheater in 1-hour time slots to begin their journey to the head of the pumpkin trail. Sunday-Thursday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Oct. 2 to Nov. 2.
COST: Tickets are $16, $13 for seniors, $12 for ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and younger Sunday-Thursday; $22, $17 for seniors, $15 for ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and younger Fridays and Saturdays.
MORE INFORMATION: Food, drinks, and spirits are available for purchase. Tickets are available at Iroquois Amphitheater and online. jackolanternlouisville.org.
69th Annual St. James Court Art Show
The crowds passed by the St. James Fountain as they looked at art Saturday at the St. James Court Art Show. Oct. 05, 2024
WHAT: This juried fine arts and contemporary crafts show was named No. 2 “Best Fine Art and Design Show” in the country in 2025 by Sunshine Artist Magazine and features over 600 artists from around the United States.
WHERE: Old Louisville on St. James Court, Belgravia Court, Fourth Street, 3rd Street, 1300 Section, West End Baptist Church
WHEN: Oct. 3-5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 3 and 4; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5.
3rd Annual Fall Harvest Festival
A barrel head at Jeptha Creed Distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Aug. 12, 2022
WHAT: Enjoy music by Joel Shewmake, Martin McDaniel, and Brooks Herring; vendors, corn maze, food, spirit tastings, bar service and more. Sponsored by Independence Bank.
WHERE: Jeptha Creed Distillery, 500 Gordon Lane, Shelbyville
WHEN: Oct. 4, noon to 6 p.m.
COST: $25, free for ages 3 and younger
MORE INFORMATION: There are no physical tickets, email confirmation and a valid ID will be used to grant entry to the show. Lawn seating, bring chairs and blankets. Coolers, tents, and outside food/drink are not permitted. jepthacreed.com/events.
30th Annual Garvin Gate Blues Festival
Locals listen to Da Mudcats perform on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 during the Garvin Gate Blues Festival at Central Park in Louisville.
WHAT: The Garvin Gate Blues Festival is one of Louisville’s largest free street music festivals featuring national and local blues artists, vendors, food trucks, and children's activities. Due to MSD roadwork on Oak Street, this year's festival will take place in Central Park the heart of Old Louisville. The Garvin Gate Blues Festival Kickoff will be held at Stevie Ray Blues Bar (230 E. Main St., Oct. 9, 7-10 p.m.). Performers: Deuce ‘N A Quarter (7:30-8:30 p.m.) and The Gina & Johnny Band (9-10 p.m.).
Friday:
Main Stage:
- 6 pm.: Da Mudcats
- 7:30 p.m.: Deuce 'N A Quarter
- 9 p.m.: Duke Tumatoe with The Brass To Mouth Horns
The House Lounge Stage:
- 7:05-7:25 and 8:35-8:55 p.m.: Curtis Marlatte & Les Blues Attaque
Saturday:
Main Stage:
- Noon: Jay Jackson & Mississippi Adam Riggle
- 12:45 p.m.: Stray Cat Blues Band
- 2 p.m.: Robbie Bartlett Band
- 3:15 p.m.: The Revelators
- 4:30 p.m.: Tyrone Cotton & Screamin’ John Blues Band
- 6 p.m.: Laurie Jane & the 45s
- 7:30 p.m.: The Gina & Johnny Band
- 9 p.m.: Ben Levin featuring blues hall of fame member Bob Stroger
The House Lounge Stage
- 1:35-1:55, 2:50-3:10 p.m.: Jim Masterson Band
- 4:05-4:25, 5:35-5:55 p.m.: Toni Green
- 7:05-7:25, 8:35-8:55 p.m.: Rusty Ends & Hillbilly Hoodoo
WHERE: Central Park, 1340 S. 4th St.
WHEN: Oct. 10, 6-10 p.m.; Oct. 11, noon to 10 p.m.
COST: Free
7th Annual Louisville Taco Festival
WHAT: Spend the day indulging in endless tacos at the biggest taco festival in Kentucky that features food vendors, a Tequila Expo Area, margarita bars, a taco and hot chili pepper eating contest, Lucha Libre Wrestling, a kids zone, cornhole and tailgate games, kids pumpkin painting and piñata smashing, churro stand, entertainment and more.
WHERE: Fourth Street Live, 411 S. 4th St.
WHEN: Oct. 11, 2-8 p.m.; VIP noon to 8 p.m.
COST: Pre-sale and limited tickets start at $9.99 for general admission; and $49.99 for VIP and includes early admission (noon), VIP private bar and restroom, four drink vouchers, five taco vouchers, complimentary nacho bar (noon to 2 p.m.) and gift bag; free for ages 10 and younger.
3rd Annual Steins on Main: Oktoberfest Celebration
Against the Grain is releasing it biennial release of its 70K Imperial Stout. This award winning beer boasts intense flavors of silky chocolate, sweetness, subtle notes of bourbon, caramel, and vanilla.
WHAT: The outdoor celebration will include German-inspired food, games, contest, Boom Pah Pah (German Polka Band), an expanded selection of local Oktoberfest brews from more than 12 breweries and happy hour (2-3 p.m., at participating breweries will offer $1 off beers).
Schedule of Events:
- 2 p.m.: Traditional Tapping of the Keg
- 2-3 p.m.: Happy hour discounts
- 2-4 p.m.: Boom Pah Pah
- 4-4:30 p.m.: Yodeling contest
- 4:30-5 p.m.: Best-dressed contest
- 5-5:30 p.m.: Stein hoisting contest
- 5:30-6 p.m.: Schnitzel toss contest
Participating breweries: Against the Grain, Atrium Brewing, Awry Brewing, Butchertown Brewing, Country Boy Brewing, Falls City Beer, Holsopple Brewing, Hometown Brewing, Hop Atomica, Mile Wide Beer Company, Monnik Beer Company, Shippingport Brewing Company, Ten20 Craft Brewery, Trellis Brewing, and West Sixth Brewing.
WHERE: RePurposed, 615 W. Main St.
WHEN: Oct. 18, 2-7 p.m.
COST: Free
17th Annual Via Colori Street Painting Festival
WHAT: The street painting festival will include more than 150 artists participating with the intent of making an artistic masterpiece on a large scale, directly on the sidewalks of Waterfront Park. Activities include live music, vendors, Via Bambini Kids Zone, food trucks, street performers, cosplay, costumed characters and of course street art.
WHERE: Big Four Bridge Lawn, Waterfront Park, 129 E. River Road
WHEN: Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
COST: Free
Colorfest
WHAT: Bernheim’s annual celebration of fall features giant slides, mud pie kitchen, pumpkin rolling, live music, hands-on nature activities, food and drink, and more.
WHERE: Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Road, Clermont
WHEN: Nov. 1-2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COST: Advance tickets, $15, $12 Bernheim members; free for ages 10 and younger.
Reach Features news clerk Gege Reed at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Here are 8 food, drink, music & art festivals to attend this month in Louisville
