It's officially fall, which means it's the perfect time to embrace the cooler temperatures and take in a fall festival (or two!). Here is a list of 10 festivals taking place around Louisville in October.
WHAT: The Jack O' Lantern Spectacular transforms a quarter-mile trail into an organic art gallery with more than 5,000 artistically hand-carved pumpkins in themed settings.
WHERE: Iroquois Park, 1080 Amphitheater Road
WHEN: Timed ticket entry to the amphitheater. Guests enter the Iroquois Amphitheater in 1-hour time slots to begin their journey to the head of the pumpkin trail. Sunday-Thursday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., now through Nov. 2.
COST: Tickets are $15, $13 for seniors, $12 for ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and younger Sunday-Thursday; $20, $17 for seniors, $15 for ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and younger Fridays and Saturdays.
MORE INFORMATION: Food, drinks, and spirits are available for purchase. Tickets are available at Iroquois Amphitheater and online. jackolanternlouisville.org .
More: Here's your complete guide to the 2024 Jack O'Lantern Spectacular at Iroquois Park
WHAT: Juried fine arts and contemporary crafts show featuring over 700 artists from around the United States.
WHERE: Old Louisville on St. James Court, Belgravia Court, Fourth Street, 3rd Street, 1300 Section, West End Baptist Church
WHEN: Oct. 4-5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Rain or shine. Pets are not allowed. stjamescourtartshow.com .
More: From parking to the poster & food, here's your guide to the 2024 St. James Court Art Show
WHAT: Taste, sip and savor! Taste foods from acclaimed local chefs, emerging talent and culinary leaders. Sip premier wine, beer and spirits from the best regional and national brands. Savor the experience with music and live demonstrations.
- Taste: Sample delicious offerings from the following local restaurants and food establishments: Creative Queen, Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company , Malone’s , Noche Mexican BBQ , Nothing Bundt Cakes , Red Yeti , Mesh, Bis, All Thai’d Up , Retta’s Scoops, Cooking With Jan, Mom and Me Treats, Trina Hot Sauce, Proof on Main and Senora Arepa .
- Sips: Sample wine, beer and alcohols from the following: Riva De La Rosa, Riboli Family Wines, Miller Family Wine Company, Optiks, Purple Toad Winery, Basil Hayden, Jim Beam, UpTown Cocktails, Delicato Family Wines, Rivulet Artisan Pecan Liqueur, Codigo 1530 Tequila, Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur, Bluegrass Vineyard and Riboli Family Wines.
WHERE: Waterfront Park, 129 River Road
WHEN: Oct. 5, 1-4 p.m.
COST: $65 general admission, $75 early admission (noon)
MORE INFORMATION: Must be 21 or older with a valid ID. Only service animals are permitted. Guests are encouraged to have a designated driver, ride-sharing, or public transportation. Please consume responsibly . wineandfood.usatoday.com/louisville/
More: Tickets on sale for Courier Journal Wine & Food Experience 2024 event. Here's what to know
WHAT: The fair starts with the groundbreaking ceremony for the AHOY Children’s Museum ; and continues with performances from the Louisville Leopard Percussionists and Squallis Puppeteers, the almost 5K, food, and art.
WHERE: Portland Museum, 2308 Portland Ave.
WHEN: Oct. 5, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: portlandartfair.com .
WHAT: Enjoy a concert by J.D. Shelburne, vendors, a corn maze, food (Jeptha Creed Kitchen, Four Moores, Casa Mia), spirit tastings, bar service, and more.
WHERE: Jeptha Creed Distillery, 500 Gordon Lane, Shelbyville
WHEN: Oct. 5, noon to 6 p.m.
COST: $25, free for ages 3 and younger
MORE INFORMATION: There are no physical tickets, email confirmation, and a valid ID will be used to grant entry to the show. Lawn seating, bring chairs and blankets. Coolers, tents, and outside food/drink are not permitted. jepthacreed.com/event/fall-harvest-festival-2 .
WHAT: The Garvin Gate Blues Festival is one of Louisville’s largest free street music festivals featuring national and local blues artists, vendors, food trucks, and children's activities. Due to MSD roadwork on Oak Street, this year's festival will take place in Central Park the heart of Old Louisville.
Schedule:
- Noon: Zeno Jones
- 12:45 p.m.: Highway 31 Blues Band with Rick Cain
- 2 p.m.: Da Mudcats
- 3:15 p.m.: Travlin’ Mojos w/ Guest Tommy Stillwell
- 4:30 p.m.: Sheryl Rouse & The Bluez Brothers
- 5:45 p.m.: Tanita Gaines & The Gospel and Blues Rescue
- 7:15 p.m.: GA-20
- 8:45-10 p.m.: Cameron Webb’s Soul & Blues Revue
WHERE: Central Park, 1340 S. Fourth St.
WHEN: Oct. 12, noon to 10 p.m.
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: garvingatebluesfestival.com .
WHAT: The outdoor celebration will include German-inspired food, games, live music, and an expanded selection of local Oktoberfest brews from 12 breweries.
Schedule of Events:
- 2 p.m.: Traditional Tapping of the Keg
- 2-4 p.m.: Boom Pah Pah (German Polka Band)
- 4-4:30 p.m.: Yodeling contest
- 4:30-5 p.m.: Best-dressed contest
- 5-5:30 p.m.: Stein hoisting contest
- 5:30-6 p.m.: Schnitzel toss contest
Participating breweries: Against the Grain , Atrium Brewing , Awry Brewing , Country Boy Brewing , Hi-Wire Brewing , Hometown Brewing , Hop Atomica , Mile Wide Beer Company , Monnik Beer Company , Shippingport Brewing Company , Ten20 Craft Brewery , and Trellis Brewing .
WHERE: RePurposed, 615 W. Main St.
WHEN: Oct. 12, 2-7 p.m.
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: Sponsored by Log Still Distillery and Wilson & Muir Bank & Trust. louisvilledowntown.org/steins-on-main .
WHAT: The street painting festival will include more than 100 artists participating with the intent of making an artistic masterpiece on a large scale, directly on the sidewalks of Waterfront Park. Activities include live music, vendors, Via Bambini Kids Zone (games, bounce house, bubbles, and more), Via Colori STEM zone (free make-and-take experiments), food court, street art, and more.
Saturday p erformers :
- Noon-12:45 p.m.: Kyra and the Kassettes
- 1-1:45 p.m.: The Way Back
- 2-2:45 p.m.: Hippy Head
- 3-3:45 p.m.: Grackle
- 4-6 p.m.: School of Rock
WHERE: Big Four Bridge Lawn, Waterfront Park, 129 E. River Road
WHEN: Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
COST: Free
MORE INFORMATION: viacolorikentucky.com
WHAT: Bernheim’s annual celebration of fall features a corn pit, mud pie kitchen, pumpkin rolling, live music, hands-on nature activities, food and drink, and regional art and craft vendors.
WHERE: Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Road, Clermont.
WHEN: Nov. 2-3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COST: Advance tickets, $15, $12 Bernheim members; free for ages 10 and younger.
MORE INFORMATION: bernheim.org .
WHAT: Enjoy chocolate in decadent presentations, from shiny crunch chocolate bars, bonbons, truffles, s'mores, and more. Quench your thirst with Champagne, Prosecco, and premium wines and a sip of fine bourbon and rye, tasty gins, tequilas and whiskies. There will also be a selection of craft beers, ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages.
WHERE: DaVinci Room, Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave.
WHEN: Nov. 4. Two sessions: first session, 12:30-3:30 p.m.; VIP 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Second session, 6-9 p.m., VIP 5-9 p.m.
COST: $59 general admission. $80 VIP
MORE INFORMATION: chocolatewinewhiskey.com/city-events/louisville-chocolate-wine-whiskey-festival .
Reach Features news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Here are 10 festivals, events taking place around Louisville this fall
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