By Lilli Dubler, Building Kentucky
Woodland Art Fair, Aug. 19, 2017, Photo by Amy Wallot
Summer is festival season in the Commonwealth! Check out what’s going on across the state for the next few weeks.
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Louisville
Louisville Street Food Festival
July 22-23
Don’t miss the first ever Louisville Street Food Festival at Fourth Street Live! Try 20 of the area’s best food trucks along with live music and activities for all ages.
2023 Summer Beer Fest at Frazier
July 29
Try over 200 specialty beers on Main with The Frazier History Museum! Enjoy the block party with brews, food and retail vendors, live music and a fun zone with games and activities. The event will run from 5-8 p.m.
St. Matthews Potato Festival
August 5
Step back in time and celebrate all things spuds! Enjoy a day of live music, food, activities and more from noon to 6 p.m.
The Big Stomp
August 18-19
Enjoy a weekend of music and activities at Jones Fields. The proceeds from the festival benefit The Pete Foundation and help stomp the mental health stigma.
USA Today Wine & Food Experience
August 19
One of 11 cities on the nationwide tour, USA Today is hosting an event showcasing Louisville’s best food and drinks. Enjoy numerous vendors, demonstrations and live music at Waterfront Park starting at 1 p.m.
Old Lou Brew Craft Beer Festival
August 25
Enjoy craft beer from local independent brewers, live music, food trucks and games in Central Park.
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Central Kentucky
Hops and Vine Craft Beer and Wine Festival – Richmond
July 22
Enjoy local food and drinks at the 10th Annual Hops and Vine Festival benefitting Animal League for Life. Festivities kick off at 2 p.m. on S. 2nd St. in Richmond.
2023 Kentucky Highland Renaissance Festival – Eminence
July 22-23
Don’t miss the last weekend of the Kentucky Highland Renaissance Festival: Celtic Weekend! Enjoy food, live music and activities to close out the 2023 festival.
Kentucky Heartwood Music Festival – Frankfort
July 29
Celebrate the environment with music, food, art and activities. The event will run from 3 -10 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door, kids are free.
African American Heritage Festival – Springfield
August 4
Celebrate the 19th annual African American Heritage Festival from 6-10 p.m. at Court Square on Main Street! The event is free to attendees.
Soul of 2nd Street Festival – Danville
August 4-5
Join the Danville-Boyle County African American Historical Society in celebrating Danville’s African American heritage with food, vendors, live music, children’s activities and historical displays at Constitution Square.
Berea Celtic Festival – Berea
August 17-20
Immerse yourself in Celtic tradition with food, drinks and activities at various locations around Berea! Prices vary by venue.
Woodland Art Fair – Lexington
August 19-20
Discover unique, hand-crafted items from over 180 artists and craftspeople! Patrons can also look forward to live music, food trucks and drinks from local breweries and vineyards.
Spotlight’s 20th Season Kick-off Celebration – Berea
August 26
Come for a fun-filled day of food trucks, live music, vendors, car show, carnival games, inflatables, giveaways and more! Wristbands are $5 for all activities; festivities will start at 11 a.m. and conclude at 7 p.m.
Crave Food + Music Festival – Lexington
August 26-27
Spend the weekend enjoying food and drink vendors, live music performances and activities for the whole family at Masterson Station Park.
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Eastern Kentucky
North Folk Music Festival – Hazard
July 28-29
Music-lovers can look forward to performances, food, drinks and vendors on Main Street in Hazard. Tickets are $10 per night, festivities begin at 5 p.m.
Stanton Corn Festival – Stanton
August 5-6
Explore vendors and enjoy a weekend full of food, live music and competition in Powell County!
NIBROC Festival – Corbin
August 9-12
Celebrate 71 years of community tradition in Corbin! Enjoy carnival rides, live entertainment, food, crafts, vendors, activities and more.
2023 Laurel County Homecoming – London
August 11-12
Held at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, this event features live music, food vendors, moonlight market, trail run, contests and more to celebrate Laurel County heritage!
Natural Bridge Artisan Festival – Slade
August 18-20
Explore incredible craft vendors, live music and a quilt show at Natural Bridge State Resort Park.
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Northern Kentucky
Bacon, Bourbon & Brew Festival – Newport
July 21-23
Join Christian Moerlein Brewing for food, drinks and live music at Newport Festival Park!
GoettaFest I 2023 – Newport
July 27-30
Glier’s Goetta invites you to a two-weekend “Celebration of all Things Goetta” at Newport’s Festival Park at the Levee. Attendees can look forward to live music, family fun and delicious Glier’s Goetta. Admission is free and open to the public.
Backroads Wine Festival – Morning View
July 29
Spend the afternoon at Atwood Hill Winery tasting samples from seven different wineries, enjoying food trucks and listening to live music. The event will run from 3-9 p.m. rain or shine for attendees over the age of 21. Parking and admission are free and tasting tickets will be available for purchase on-site.
GoettaFest II 2023 – Newport
August 3-6
Enjoy another weekend of goetta with Glier’s Goetta!
Great Inland Seafood Festival – Newport
August 10-13
Enjoy the freshest seafood in the Tri-State paired with drinks and live music. Admission is free to the public, no tickets required.
Oktoberfest – Maysville
August 11-12
Raise a stein to Maysville’s German heritage and enjoy Bavarian polka bands, beer trucks, sauerkraut, bratwursts, wiener dog races and more in Historic Downtown Maysville.
2023 Remembering Woodstock Festival – Verona
August 19
Join Schoolyard Winery for a groovy night of drinks, food and live music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the festivities from 3-9 p.m.
Festival on the Lake – Alexandria
August 19
Spend the evening at AJ Jolly Park with live music, food, drinks, craft vendors and a kid zone. Tickets are $5 at the gate, kids 12 and under are free.
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Western Kentucky
Sandy Lee Watkins Songwriters Festival – Henderson
July 26-29
Enjoy acoustic performances by some of Nashville’s award-winning singers and songwriters. Attendees can expect an up close and personal experience while hearing stories about how and why their favorite songs were written.
Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival – Henderson
August 11-12
Enjoy a weekend of live music, children’s activities, food, folklife displays and more at the award-winning Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival. Festivities will begin at noon and will conclude at 10 p.m.
Hops on the Ohio Beer Festival – Owensboro
August 12
Attendees over the age of 21 are welcome to enjoy craft beer, wine and spirits at the Owensboro Convention Center from 1-5 p.m. General Admission tickets are $45, Designated Driver tickets are $10.
Dog Days of Summer Festival – Auburn
August 12
Join Auburn Kentucky Tourism for food trucks, vendors, raffles, games and more in Downtown Auburn!
Lake Cumberland Bluegrass Festival – Russell Springs
August 18
Enjoy a lineup of live music and food trucks at the 19th Annual Lake Cumberland Bluegrass Festival. Enjoy the shows from 1-9 p.m. Central Time.
Kenlake Hot August Blues Festival – Hardin
August 25-26
Don’t miss the last year of the Kenlake Hot August Blues Festival! Enjoy a weekend full of music, vendors and more.
Greensburg Music Festival – Greensburg
August 26
Join Westmoreland Cultural Trust for a day filled with music, art and food vendors. Don’t miss the Courtyard Karaoke After Party at 9:30 p.m.
