Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Louisville

Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.

An image of the Louisville KY Waterfront park with the big four bridge, a hot air balloon, and crowds of people moving through booths

Pegasus Pins will be available for purchase at the Fest-A-Ville gates.

Photo via Louisville Tourism

Table of Contents

Lucky you. You just found LOUtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Louisville each month.

Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend visiting this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back, as we update our guide monthly.

Concerts

Bob Dylan: “Rough And Rowdy Ways” Tour | Monday, April 6 | 8 p.m. | Louisville Palace | $180+ | There are still a few tickets left to see this rock icon live and up close.

Zach Bryan, Kings of Leon & J.R. Carroll | Saturday, April 11 | 7-9 p.m. | L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium | $61+ | This country star will be joined on stage by Kings of Leon and J.R. Carroll.

Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers: “Indigo Park” Tour | Saturday, April 11 | 8 p.m. | The Brown Theatre | $46+ | This Grammy winner and erstwhile member of the Grateful Dead is on the road to promote his new album.

John Legend | Sunday, April 12 | 8 p.m. | Kentucky Center for the Arts | $91+ | We’re telling All of You to catch this R&B legend live.

Ethel Cain: “Willoughby Tucker Forever” Tour | Wednesday, April 29 | 8 p.m. | Iroquois Amphitheater | $93 | This Florida-based artist will donate $1 from every ticket sold on this tour of her second studio album to The Ally Coalition, supporting the trans community.

A pair of silver mint juleps glasses being cheersed in front of a horse statue

The traditional silver Julep cup lets you see just how frosty the drink inside is.

Photo by Louisville Tourism

Derby

April Derby Drag Brunch | Saturday, April 11 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | High Stakes Rooftop | Price of purchase | Wear your Derby best and feast on a classic American breakfast with all-you-can-eat pastries.

Mint Julep Making Class | Wednesday, April 15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Waterfront Botanical Gardens | $45 | Learn the history and craft of the Derby’s signature cocktail.

3rd Annual Kentucky Derby Festival Afternoon Tea | Sunday, April 19 | 1-3 p.m. | The Brown Hotel | $145.90 | Sip, snack, and chat in this historic hotel’s Crystal Ballroom — Derby attire encouraged

Fest-a-Ville Great Balloon Glow | Thursday, April 23-Friday, April 24 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | TurfMutt Great Lawn | Free with Pegasus Pin | Watch the balloons gear up for the big race down on the waterfront.

Taste of Derby | Thursday, April 30 | 7-10 p.m. | Kentucky International Convention Center | $629+ | Sample dishes from celebrity chefs, walk the red carpet, and sip Derby staples from an open bar.

Freshly planted tree saplings sprout from the ground.

TreeFest is the place to be if you want to help Louisville’s urban canopy.

Image via WHAS11

Outdoors

Riverside’s Annual Plant & Herb Sale | Saturday, April 11 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremon Landing | Free | Shop annuals, perennials, herbs, and native plants to stock your garden this season — there will also be an early-bird sale Friday, April 10.

TreeFest 2026 | Saturday, April 11 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Thurman-Hutchins Park | Free | Plant a tree, climb a tree, take a tree home, and more at this annual outdoor event.

Spring break

Spring Break Nature Discovery Days | Tuesday, April 7-Friday, April 10 | 12:30-3:30 p.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Clermont | Free | Kids of all ages can enjoy the springtime weather with hands-on discovery activities, crafts, and trail excursions.

Spring Adult Camp | Friday, April 10 | 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Clermont | $60 | Explore the outdoors alongside volunteer naturalists with short hikes, journaling, and more.

(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:

  • Go to our Events page.
  • Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
  • Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
  • Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.