City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: Since 1998 the Louisville Blues-n-Barbecue Festival has been heating up midsummer in the Derby City with the intoxicating sounds of New Orleans and Memphis—and lots of great barbecue—at the Water Tower off of Zorn Avenue. Admission is $6 before 6 p.m. or $9 after, and kids 10 and under are free. Parking doesn’t cost anything at this event that takes place on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Independence Day. For more information, contact the sponsor, Bisig Impact Group, at www.bisigimpactgroup.com/blues.

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: Lebowski Fest is a celebration of all things related to the 1998 Coen brothers’ cult comedy, The Big Lebowski. For two days in the fall, fans of the film, also known as “achievers,” come from far and wide to party with an array of Dudes and Walters and Maudes, not to mention a nihilist or two. It features unlimited bowling, white russians and oat sodas, costume and trivia contests, special guest performers, massive movie screenings, and more. The First Annual Lebowski Fest was held in 2002 in Louisville, but subsequent fests have been held in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Austin, Seattle, London, and Edinburgh, and every year different cities join the list. For more information go online at www.lebowskifest.com.

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: Since 1904, the Kentucky State Fair has defined the Bluegrass State like no other event. Every year in August, this unique festival at the grounds around the Kentucky Exposition Center offers 11 consecutive, 16-hour days of non-stop excitement for the entire family. The Web site at www.kystatefair.org has the daily schedule and fare admission information, in addition to a useful map that is a great tool to help plan in advance for entering through the gates, parking, and catching a shuttle ride.

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: On the last Saturday in August, Bardstown Road—normally a lively place—becomes a hotspot for the dead. The undead, that is. Dressed in their favorite and goriest zombie attire, thousands turn out for a walk at 8:29 p.m. from the corner of Bardstown Road and Eastern Parkway down to Bearno’s Pizza, where the party begins at 9 p.m. Along the way, zombies “attack” passersby and other non-zombies, so if you’re in the vicinity and not dressed the part, prepare to be ravished by a brain-famished mutant. Zombie movies are shown, and a DJ is there to liven things up. Prizes are awarded as well, for King, Queen, Hottest, and Grossest Zombies. The event is free and open to people of all ages. Find out more at www.louisvilleisforlovers.com.

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: On the last weekend in September, the Meijer grocery chain sponsors Kentucky’s largest balloon event at the Bluegrass Balloon Festival. In addition to morning races and evening glows, the festival features afternoon races and tethered rides to give the crowds an idea of what it’s like to float in one of the more than 70 balloons assembled. The fun continues with lively music, good food, and a fireworks spectacular that lights up the sky over historic Bowman Field on both Friday and Saturday nights. Admission is normally $10 per car or $3 per individual. Learn more at www.bluegrassballoons.com.

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: Every year during the second weekend in October, thousands of blues lovers flock to the area around Oak Street and Garvin Gate in Old Louisville for the Garvin Gate Blues Festival. The festival, which is the largest free neighborhood street music fest in town includes a live stage with fantastic blues, in addition to foods and drink vendors and artisan booths. Proceeds from sponsorships and vendor sales benefit the Garvin Gate Neighborhood Association, one of more than a dozen Old Louisville neighborhood organizations. For more information visit their official Web site (garvingatebluesfestival.com).

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: One of the region’s favorite fall festivals, Harvest Homecoming has been drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the riverside town of New Albany during the second weekend in October for more than four decades. Conceived as a way of bringing together people to enjoy the talent, history, and natural beauty in southern Indiana, the event features a multitude of food and craft booths, farmers’ market items, rides, and attractions. In addition, there are lots of contests and live music to make it a festival the entire family can enjoy. More details, including a calendar of events, can be found on the official Web site at www.harvesthomecoming.com.

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: The Spirit Ball has become one of the social highlights of the Halloween season in the Derby City. Billed as a Victorian-inspired masquerade party, it takes place the Saturday before Halloween at the opulent Conrad-Caldwell House Museum on charming St. James Court. From 8 p.m. to midnight, revelers gather in historic Old Louisville to keep old traditions alive and celebrate the fall season. For $150 per person, the evening includes live music and dancing, expertly mixed cocktails, and gourmet fare, in addition to bourbon tastings, fortune-tellers, a silent auction, and more. All proceeds benefit the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum. Learn more about this adults-only costume gala by calling (502) 636-5023 or by going online at www.thespiritball.com.

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: The Derby City’s kickoff to the holiday season begins with a dazzling display of twinkling lights, music, and free craft activities for children and families on the Friday after Thanksgiving each year at Jefferson Square Park in front of City Hall. The festivities usually begin at 3 p.m. with a variety of live entertainment and fun activities, and Santa Claus makes his appearance at 7 p.m. The evening culminates with a Zambelli fireworks display and the changing of the lights at the top of the AEGON Center, Louisville’s tallest building; the white lights change to green and red for the remainder of the year. For more information about this popular event, visit the city’s link at www.louisvilleky.gov/CommunityRelations/LightUpLouisville.

City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals