Labor Day may be touted as summer's last hurrah, but as every local knows, the sun shines bright and hot over Louisville through September. Yes, lifeguards have signed off for the summer and the kids are back in school, but don't be too quick to shift out of your summer mindset.
There is good reason to embrace another month of summer vibes. The 2024 autumnal equinox doesn't happen until 8:43 a.m., Sept. 22. Daylight saving time doesn't end until the first Sunday in November.
Before you douse yourself in all things pumpkin spice and shake out your thick fall sweaters, stretch out your summer by hitting up a few outdoor festivals like Louisville Pride Festival on Sept. 14, the Gaslight Festival Week from Sept. 7-15 or NuLu Fest on Sept. 28. Take in the final outdoor music concerts and free movie nights or challenge yourself to try something thrilling you didn't get to in July or August.
Here are five ways to hang onto summer even after Labor Day has threatened to bid it adieu.
Free outdoor movie nights at Iroquois Amphitheater
WHAT: Iroquois Amphitheater gives you eight nights of free outdoor feature films to enjoy before the weather gets too chilly. Enjoy multiple evenings of free flicks under the stars as the Iroquois Amphitheater Movie Series continues through the end of September.
The free movies series includes:
- Sept 5: "Frozen" (PG) and "Sunshine" (R)
- Sept 6: "The Peanuts Movie" (G) and "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" (PG)
- Sept. 12: "The LEGO Movie" (PG) and "The Bride of Frankenstein" (NR)
- Sept. 13: "Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit" (G) and "Friday the 13th" (1980) (R)
- Sept. 19: "GMK: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack" (NR) and "Godzilla Minus One" (PG-13)
- Sept. 20: "Robocop" (R) and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (R)
- Sept. 26: "Cars" (G) and "Smokey and the Bandit" (PG)
- Sept. 27: "Cars 3" (G) and "Furious 7" (PG-13)
WHERE: Iroquois Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Road
WHEN: Every Friday and Saturday in September. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the first move starts at 7 p.m.
COST: Free
INFORMATION: iroquoisamphitheater.com
Final free outdoor concert of WPFK Waterfront Wednesday season
WHAT: Louisville’s favorite free outdoor concert series wraps up for the season with Dark Side of the Wall , Zaniah , +Flow .
WFPK Waterfront Wednesday , a popular free local concert series, takes place from April to September on the Big Four Lawn in Louisville’s Waterfront Park. The lawn opens at 5 p.m., with music beginning promptly at 6 p.m. Bring the family early to visit Waterfront KidsDay, a dedicated area for kids and families to do hands-on activities and fun. Waterfront KidsDay will be open from 5-8 p.m. during each month’s show.
WHERE: The Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park is located next to the Big Four Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge.
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 25
COST: Free
INFORMATION: lpm.org
End your summer with an adrenaline zip through Louisville Mega Cavern
WHAT: Louisville Mega Cavern’s Neon Rush Zip Line Experience is the world's only fully underground zip line course. The new experience offers a thrilling glow-in-the-dark ride on six different zip lines, which include a dual-racing zip, two challenge bridges, and a narrated tour of the region’s underground mining history and geology.
WHERE: Louisville Mega Cavern, 1841 Taylor Ave.
WHEN: The Mega Cavern is open 9 a.m.- 8:30 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
COST: Tickets are $114.99 and available at louisvillemegacavern.com
Oktoberfest comes to Downs After Dark in September
WHAT: This September, Churchill Downs brings the spirit of Munich to the Twin Spires with a special Oktoberfest edition of Downs After Dark . The celebration will include an exhilarating night of racing, a Biergarten, a yodeling contest, lively polka dancing and the authentic flavors of Germany – with savory pretzels and sizzling bratwurst to the menu.
WHERE: Churchill Downs , 700 Central Ave.
WHEN: Sept. 28. Gates open at 5 p.m., first race at 6 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $20 at churchilldowns.com
Experience downtown with these free, curated walking tours
WHAT: The Louisville Downtown Partnership recently launched a 45-minute, self-guided walking tour series. The Downtown Louisville Easy App Walking Tour Series is designed to immerse locals and visitors in the rich history, culture and architecture of our vibrant city.
The inaugural series of the Downtown Louisville Walking Tours includes historic West Main Street, Civil Rights Markers, and Whiskey Row. Each tour is voiced by Louisvillians, including University of Louisville Archivist Tom Owen ; author and daughter of Muhammad Ali, Rasheda Ali ; and Louisville Downtown Partnership executive director Rebecca Fleischaker .
WHERE: Louisville Downtown Partnership Spotify .
COST: Free
INFORMATION: Louisvilledowntownpartnership.com
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Free outdoor movie nights, walking tours and concerts: 5 things to do after Labor Day
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