Support Us Button Widget

2022 fall festivals in Louisville, KY

Check out these 5 fests happening through November in Derby City.

An aerial shot of a crowd gathered outside standing and sitting on orange outdoor furniture.

Pork-loving patrons at the 2019 Porktoberfest at Copper and Kings.

Photo provided by the Butchertown Neighborhood Association

We’re here to sweat the fall stuff and the first day of fall — aka the autumnal equinox — is tomorrow, Sept. 22.

Orange-colored gourds + crimson mums have already hit local retailers, like Paul’s Fruit Market, but fall festivities are on the rise. So, we put our gourds together and found 5 fall festivals taking place this harvest season that are sure to be unbe-leaf-ably fun.

🍁 Middletown Peddlers Mall Fall Kick-off Outdoor Festival | Middletown Peddler’s Mall | Sun., Sept. 25 | 12-5 p.m. | Free to attend | Shop for vintage treasures, sample food from Valley Dairy Freeze + enjoy music and giveaways.
What we’re falling for: Fresh flowers from Rosedale Mercantile

🍁 Porktoberfest | Copper & Kings Distillery | Fri., Oct. 7 | 5-10 p.m. | Free to attend | This annual pork-inspired cook-off will feature local restaurants + chefs competing in four categories — Judges’ Choice, Best Vegetarian, Most Creative, and Best Dessert — for their pork dishes + patrons can purchase tickets to sample them all.
What we’re falling for: We’re hoping Copper & Kings chef Josh Lehman enters his fried pork sandwich currently on the menu at the rooftop restaurant.

🍁 Belknap Fall Festival | Douglass Loop | Fri., Oct.7-Sat., Oct. 8 | Various times | Free to attend | Peruse over 100 local vendors, hear local bands + savor food trucks and craft beer.
What we’re falling for: The Louisville Leopards Percussionists’ performance

9 people stand in a line holding empty steins at chest height in a competition to see who can hold it up the longest.

Stein hoisting competition at a previous Belknap Fall Festival.

Photo provided by Belknap Fall Festival

🍁 Kentucky Bat Festival, E.P. Tom Sawyer Park | Sat., Oct. 22 | 4-7 p.m. | $25 | Enjoy live bluegrass music, BBQ + local brews, a silent auction, and of course, live bats at this fundraiser for the Second Chances Wildlife Center.
What we’re falling for: Meet + greet with “batinfluncer” Pepperoni

🍁 ColorFest, Bernheim Forest | Sat., Nov. 5-Sun., Nov. 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Included with admission to the forest | This two-day fest will feature live music, hands-on nature activities for kids + a Kentucky arts and crafts vendors all in the picturesque autumn setting of the arboretum.
What we’re falling for: The beer garden — which is new this year

More from LOUtoday
Spoiler alert: Traffic isn’t great. We dove into the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s congestion data so you don’t have to.
Including gifts for significant others, retirees, holiday parties, young people, and gifts that ship fast.
The boutique hotel is one of 5,000 hotels in the world to receive a Michelin Key.
If you’re looking for some haunted listening for your fall walks, we’ve got you covered.
Experience Louisville’s autumn magic at ColorFest, featuring vibrant fall foliage, family-friendly activities, and local food.
November is going to be a colorful month in Derby City, and there are plenty of places to look at the leaves before they fall.
Big changes are coming to TARC next year.
No cash? No problem. Whether you are spending a day or a lifetime in Louisville, these are some of the best offerings that won’t break the bank.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Discover the history of Louisville Cemetery — from prominent Black founders to Derby-winning jockey William Walker Sr. — in our latest look at the city’s historical markers.