There’s not much that beats Cherokee Park at peak fall foliage. | Photo courtesy Louisville Tourism
Autumn is officially here — but fall colors, we’re just starting to spot you.
If you’ve been on the lookout for red, yellow, and orange leaves in Louisville, you won’t be waiting too much longer. According to the Farmer’s Almanac fall foliage predictions, leaves in the Louisville area are starting to lose their chlorophyll — the compound responsible for their green color. By next week, it shouldn’t be too hard to spot some leaves transforming colors.
Here’s an anticipated timeline of when Louisvillians can expect to see the most colorful foliage:
Tuesday, Oct. 29 — peak foliage, this is the prime time for sightseeing
Tuesday, Nov. 12 — Louisville is past its peak, trees will become increasingly bare
If you’re planning to go leaf peeping, you still have time to plan your trip before the leaves fall. There are many places in the Louisville area that look just a little prettier decorated in fall colors.
The foliage tends to be on full display along the city’s hiking trails — the Anchorage Trail is lined with pumpkins this time of year for an added autumnal attraction.
Local parks are also great areas to find foliage. Pro tip: Don’t miss the opportunity to get a full vista of the fall colors from the Iroquois Park Overlook — the road will be open to cars on Nov. 9 + 10.
Locals often use the foliage as an excuse to hit the road and check out scenic destinations near Derby City. Popular nearby spots include Skyline Drive ~14 miles away, across the river in Southern Indiana, or — if you’re up for a longer road trip — it’s all aboard for a 14-mile train ride at Kentucky’s Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns, Kentucky.
Events
Events
Wednesday, Oct. 23
“Monsters of the American Cinema” | Wednesday, Oct. 23-Sunday, Oct. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | The Henry Clay | $25+ | It’s a play about movies, telling the story of fathers and sons — and ghosts.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Cemeteries of Southwest Jefferson County | Thursday, Oct. 24 | 6-7 p.m. | Southwest Branch Library | Free | Hear from Steve Wiser of the Louisville Historical League on burial locations and notable people interred in them.
Friday, Oct. 25
Trick or Treat at the Ballpark | Friday, Oct. 25 | 5 p.m. | Louisville Slugger Field | $7.50+ | Bring your costumed kids to go trick-or-treating at the home of the Bats, then watch a Halloween movie together on the Slugger Field big screen — it’s sure to be a homerun.
Downtown Silent Disco | Friday, Oct. 25 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Big Four Lawn, Waterfront Park | Free | Sing and dance the night away in your favorite Halloween costume while you enjoy food and drinks and a Trunk-or-Treat addition under the city lights — all ages are welcome.*
The Drop Open Mic: Poem Swap Edition | Friday, Oct. 25 | 7-10:30 p.m. | Logan Street Market | Free | Swap verses with another poet and hear them perform your work on stage.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Louisville Earth Walk | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Shawnee Branch Library | Free | Join in a non-competitive walk + run at this eighth annual celebration of the planet supporting clean water, air, and soil.
Sunday, Oct. 27
Screams of Silent Cinema | Sunday, Oct. 27 | 6 p.m. | Headliners Music Hall | $12 | See a selection of short films featuring live musical accompaniment from Moonwatcher, a psychedelic + ambient loop artist.
Why this Louisvillian doesn’t take life for granted
Presented By UofL Health
He encourages anyone with a cancer diagnosis to choose UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center for their care: “Why? Because I believe the medical staff there is top notch… The equipment, the doctors, the knowledge, and the research all work very well together. And, it’s local.”|Photo provided by UofL Health
“It’s been a long journey, but it’s been a good one,” Alan Rosenberg recalls.
I can hear the bullfrog callin’ me — Green River Distilling Company is coming to Whiskey Row. The new bourbon tasting room is set to open in mid-2025 on West Main Street, near the 21c Hotel. The space will feature a horseshoe-shaped bar, retail + bottle shop, and more.
Seasonal
Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation is hosting several Halloween + trick-or-treat events next week. Events include a crochet class, scary movies, paint + sips, a caramel apple bar, trunk-or-treats, and more. Bonus: Check out our guide to local places where you can secure the bag (of candy) this Halloween.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, join the Mill Creek Watershed Community Cleanup to help clear an important southeastern Louisville waterway. Gloves, trash grabbers, and bags will all be provided. Register before meeting up with other volunteers at Sylvania Park from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Civic
The sad thing about fall foliage, is — well — the (literal) fall. Louisville Metro Public Works leaf drop-off locations open on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Pro tip: Mow over your leaves instead, to use them as mulch for your garden — and never blow your leaves in the street.
History
Get a taste of the past this Sunday, Oct. 27 with the Germantown Pub, Spirits and History Tour from 2 to 4 p.m. Hear a presentation from developer Jeff Underhill at Hop Atomica, then head to Hauck’s Corner + The Merryweather, hearing neighborhood history along the way. It’s free to register.
Sports
Louisville men’s basketball hit 24 three-pointers in Monday’s 106-59 exhibition win over Young Harris College. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
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Five minutes. That’s how quick it is to start advertising with LOUtoday using our self-service ad portal. Explore your options.
Category
Drink
It’s showtime
This will be the second year for the pop-up event. | Photo courtesy Michael Moeller
This weekend, go ahead andmake your millennium at a “Beetlejuice!"-themed pop-up bar at Against the Grain’s Public House in downtown Louisville.
What are the bar’s qualifications?
Ah well, they attended Juilliard, graduated from Harvard Business School, and traveled quite extensively.
They’re going to turn on the juice and see what shakes loose with cocktails from Monk’s Road Bourbon and Gins — including the “Beetle Gin and Juice,” made with dry gin, lime juice, raspberry liquor, and lemon-lime soda.
An appearance from Beetlejuice himself — no need to even say his name
So, if you’re the ghost with the most, babe, stop in Against the Grain on Friday, Oct. 25 + Saturday, Oct. 26.
The Buy
The Buy
The only thing we love more than a trendy find is a timeless one. Check out these five fall and winter fashion must-haves you’ll be wearing for years to come:
The 2025 Kentucky Derby is still 192 days away, but that doesn’t mean the Kentucky Derby Festival isn’t getting prepared.
KDF officials are looking for recipes for the best burger in town. Think you’re top bun? Submit your recipe by Jan. 31. The top eight submissions will come together for a cook-off in March.
