Last year, Bourbon and Beyond drew over 100,000 fans to the Highland Festival Grounds. | Photo courtesy Danny Wimmer Presents
September is going to be a jam-packed month for Louisville. With music festivals, art fairs, and community gatherings, there’s always something to keep you busy.
(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)
Music + festivals
Ben Folds | Friday, Sept. 5 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Kentucky Center for the Arts | $46+ | The singer and songwriter known for his time in the band “Ben Folds Five” + songs like “Rockin’ the Suburbs” is teaming up with the Louisville Orchestra.
Algonquin Park Jazz Festival | Saturday, Sept. 13 | 12-7 p.m. | Algonquin Park | Free | Line dancing, food trucks, and a whole lot of live jazz await you at this community event.
The great outdoors
Louisville Pawpaw Festival | Saturday, Sept. 6 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Louisville Nature Center | Free | Enjoy guided hikes, workshops, and tastings, all centered around this prehistoric fruit.
Flutter Fest 2025 | Monday, Sept. 8-Sunday, Sept. 14 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | This annual festival celebrating the migration of the monarch butterfly takes place all week long, all over town.
For the family
BugFest | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Clermont | Free | Celebrate all things buggy with kids activities, live animals, music, and food.
Worldfest | Friday, Aug. 29-Monday, Sept. 1 | Times vary | The Belvedere | Free | This four-day festival will feature three entertainment stages, 100+ international vendors, a children’s activity zone, and more.
DOOM GONG Album Release Show | 7 p.m. | Headliners Music Hall | $17 | The new album Annihilator drops this week — catch a live performance with other regional rock bands.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Louisville Bats Nulu Night | 7:15 p.m. | Louisville Slugger Field | $18+ | Enjoy $6 Signature Bats cocktails, $6 select craft beers, post-game fireworks, and Birdzerk entertainment — the first 1,500 fans will get a RiverBats replica jersey.
Turkish Lamp Making Workshop | Saturday, Aug. 30-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Times vary | Western Branch Library | $73 | Learn to make a colorful mosaic lampshade from glass tiles at this hands-on workshop.
Sunday, Aug. 31
Bourbon Barons of Cave Hill Golf Cart Tour | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Cave Hill Cemetery & Arboretum | $25 | Get a tour of the historic cemetery and see where some of the biggest names in bourbon found their final resting place.
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A new affordable housing building is now open on West Market Street in Russell. The Richmond is named after former Louisville Urban League President and CEO Ben Richmond and has 15 units for low- to moderate-income families. (Louisville Business First)
Civic
The Louisville Metro Government will host a series of listening sessions throughout September for the future of the Belvedere, including the design of the space + future activities and programming. The first will be Monday, Sept. 8 at the Iroquois Library.
Outdoors
And if you’re not done sharing your opinion, Jefferson Memorial Forest is seeking input on its new Master Plan. Fill out a survey online or visit representatives at Worldfest this weekend + the St. James Court Art Fair in October.
Biz
A New Albany software startup is hopping the river and moving its headquarters to Louisville. Vsimple, which runs software for manufacturing + construction companies, is expected to create 200 jobs through a $5 million investment in Derby City. (Louisville Business First)
Correction
Looks like we took a wrong turn. Yesterday, we mistakenly said that I-64 would be closing for repairs in 2026, but it’s actually I-65 that will shut down next summer. Did you know? Even-numbered US interstates run east-west, while odd-numbered interstates run north-south. (WDRB)
Ranked
UofL landed at No. 309 on Forbes’ list of the top 500 colleges in the country this year, down from its No. 252 spot last year. Bellarmine University also narrowly made it onto the list at No. 493. (Courier Journal)
Travel
Delightful breezes, warm Gulf waters, local events, and coastal trails make fall the perfect time to explore Alabama’s Beaches. From kayaking to hiking and dolphin cruises, every adventure feels better without the summer crowds. Plan your fall getaway.*
Sports
Isaac Brown’s potential to become Louisville’s greatest running back takes center stage in this episode. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Cardinals with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Featured Deal
Best-selling activewear and everyday apparel up to 60% off? Athleta’s taking an extra 30% off sale items now through Monday, September 1. Shop the sale.*
The Buy
Meridian’s original hair trimmer, now 40% off for Labor Day. This unisex shaver was built for beards, chest, legs, and bikini lines, is 100% waterproof, and was top rated by Elle, Esquire, GQ, and Forbes. Psst — Shop tons of great markdowns like this one while Labor Day sales last.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Now that you know what’s on the docket for September, let’s take a look even further ahead. Nativity Academy, a tuition-free private middle school, is hosting a fundraiser at the Olmstead on Thursday, Oct. 2. The school is currently looking for donations of bourbon, gift cards, and other auction items. If you’re interested in helping out, contact Lauren Alderman.
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