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Your guide to the NuLu Bock & Wurst Fest

It’s a truly goated event.

March 19, 2025 • 
Sarah Shadburne, Jeff Milby
Adults and children run down a city street with baby goats behind them, while a crowd cheers in the background.

Kids running with kids — the day’s events include baby goat races.

Photo courtesy NuLu Bock & Wurst Fest

Table of Contents
What's up, Bock?
The best of the wurst
Goats? No kidding around
More fest fun

Come Saturday, NuLu will be filled with Bock-style beer, Kentucky wurst sausages, live music, and goats racing down East Market Street.

The NuLu Bock & Wurst Fest, a Louisville tradition once called Bock Day, dates back to 1858 but was cut short due to Prohibition in 1919. Now in its seventh year of modern celebration, the free, family-friendly festival will kick off at 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 22.

Three pints of beer sit on a table next to drink coasters, while festival goers move in the background.

Against the Grain will be one of a dozen breweries bringing their Bock beers to the fest.

Photo courtesy NuLu Bock & Wurst Fest

What’s up, Bock?

Bock beer is a German lager that’s typically a dark amber color with a light hoppiness + strong malt flavor. It dates back to 15th-century Einbeck, a northern German town that still exists today. The town’s name sounded like “Einbock” in the Bavarian accent of the region at the time — which in turn sounds like the German word for billy goat.

Drink up — 15 breweries will be tapping kegs, including Atrium, Against the Grain, Monnik, and Shippingport Brewery.

NuLuBockFestSelec t03252023-87.jpg

The People’s Choice for the Best of Wurst Fest is selected by online vote.

Photo courtesy of NuLu Bock Fest

The best of the wurst

What goes best with German beer? German sausage, of course. One restaurant will be crowned Best of the Wurst Fest for their sausage-making skills.

Children and adults race along the street with festively dressed goats at the NuLu Bock Fest.

The Louisville Aggies, a local 4H group, run alongside the goats as they race.

Photo courtesy of NuLu Bock Fest

Goats? No kidding around

Louisville doesn’t have Nanny Goat Strut + Billy Goat Strut alleys just for the cute names. According to local legend, people used to watch goats hoof it down these back streets.

The modern Bock Fest includes eight goat races that will start with a blessing of the goats and Bock beer at 12 p.m.

More fest fun

Beer, wurst, and goat racing. What more could you want? Well, that’s the thing about LOUtoday — we love giving you more to do.

  • Kid-friendly activities. Bock Fest is for the kids, and we don’t just mean goats. Don’t miss the petting zoo and goat kissing booth.
  • The NuLu 502 “Micro Marathon.” Grab a drink at Nouvelle before the race starts at 11:30 a.m., then sip and strut in your most unserious outfit. Registration is $20.
  • Bob Fest. Celebrate the music of Bob Dylan at this free event from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Last Refuge. There will be live performances and local art to shop. Bonus: The Last Refuge won the Judge’s Choice for best wurst.
  • Support local businesses. Bock Fest is a celebration of all things NuLu — so after the festivities, shop and grab a drink or a bite to eat. Show the block some Bock love.