Kentucky Festivals Are For The Whole Family
State Wide
By Ben Mackin
Published: July 16, 2024
There are few better ways to get a sense of a town than by attending a festival. Whether you are from across the county or across the ocean, a festival can not only give you a window into the locality’s culture and identity, but it lets you participate. For a few hours or days, whether you traveled from across the county or across the ocean, you are a member of the community.
Here are some of the festivals taking place all over Kentucky during the summer and fall.
Glier’s Goettafest, Newport - Late July to early August
Have some goetta. Some whatta?
For the uninitiated, goetta (pronounced “get-uh”) is a German breakfast sausage that combines pork, beef, oats, onions and assorted spices.
Goetta is a staple in Northern Kentucky. So much so that they hold the Gliers Goettafest at the end of July and beginning of August on the banks of the Ohio River in Newport. This event pulls out all the stops; live entertainment, family-focused goetta games, and super inventive food, what makes it all so grand is the gathering of the goetta-lovin’ community who travels from all corners of the country.
Corn Festival, Stanton – Early August
Looking for some vegetables to go with all that Goetta? How about some corn? On the first weekend of August, Stanton, a small town about an hour east of Lexington, holds the Corn Festival.
Since 1990, this three-day event attracts thousands of people from all over the country to celebrate one of the great American agricultural products, corn.
This festival features wall to wall family fun with local and regional food and artisan booths, a beauty pageant, a 5k race, and music from all over Kentucky.
Berea Celtic Festival, Berea - Mid-August
If you have an interest in Irish culture and heritage, the small college town of Berea is where you want to be on the third weekend of August.
Dating back to 2009, the Berea Celtic Festival brings in musicians and singers from all over Kentucky, as well as anyone who takes a special interest in authentic traditional grassroots Celtic music. Festivities include concerts, dance, lectures, theater, workshops, and presentations.
Great Inland Seafood Festival, Newport - Mid-August
On the banks of the Ohio River some of the best restaurants in Kentucky set up shop and offer their best seafood dishes. No matter what kind of fish or shellfish you prefer, from whole Maine lobster, to Caribbean inspired fish tacos to generous helpings of paella, the Inland Seafood fest has something you’ll love.
Butterfly Festival, Oak Grove – Early September
The festival promises a variety of engaging activities, including arts & crafts, face painting, a balloon artist, a photo booth, the bubble zone, and more, making it perfect for families. Enjoy captivating stage shows suitable for all ages. Best of all, admission and parking are completely free. Food trucks will be available for delicious treats, and visitors can interact with live butterflies in the Butterfly House.
Over the last three decades Roots and Heritage Festival has been a pinnacle of regional diversity providing entertainment & education for all ages. Celebrating African-American culture through food, vendors and performances, the festival has been recognized as one of the top 20 events in the southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Festival of the Horse, Georgetown, early September
The Festival of the Horse is a popular 3-day event that features more than a dozen local and regional artists. Countless vendor booths, ranging from handmade woodwork and crafts to jewelry, apparel and home décor line Main Street. Two of the festival's most popular events include the Colt & Filly Review Parade and the Grand Parade of Horses. Both of which highlight the best of the regions equine community.
While all that is going on you will notice the tantalizing scent of barbecue as it wafts through downtown. Local food vendors will offer some of the best gourmet burgers and international foods in Georgetown. Wash is all down with variety of fun beverages and local craft brews. A Fireman’s Chili Cook-off, cornhole tournament and carnival rides add to the Festival atmosphere, along with family-fun events, including the Colt & Filly Review Parade & Grand Parade of Horses.
Banana Festival, Fulton - Mid-September
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Held in the western most part of Kentucky, the Banana Festival honors the role Fulton played in bringing fresh fruit to the region. In the 1880s Fulton became the hub of transportation of Bananas to the South. For the last six decades this small town pulls out all the stops to celebrate all things bananas. This includes banana bake offs, banana scavenger hunts, music, food, and arts and crafts.
NuLu Fest, Louisville - Late September
Once named "One of the Coolest Neighborhoods in North America," Louisville's East Market District, or NuLu, will have its annual neighborhood street fest on the last Saturday in September. Known for its art galleries, unique retail stores, and some of the most popular restaurants in the city, the neighborhood block party will feature live music, regional micro-brewed beers, Bourbon, and numerous food and retail booths by local vendors.
World Chicken Festival, London – Late September
The World Chicken Festival promises a lot of fun and entertainment in one weekend, making this one of Kentucky’s largest festivals. The festival is home to the World’s Largest Stainless Steel Skillet with over 3 decades of family fun including crazy contests, free music entertainment, vendors from across the country, carnival rides, and delicious food from non-profit organizations. The festival benefits over 50+ local nonprofits.
CC River Folk Festival, Calvert City – Early October
CC River Folk Festival is a beloved family-friendly music festival in Kentucky that offers a foot-stomping good time for all ages! Taking place at the Calvert City Memorial Park Amphitheater Stage, this festival features local and regional musicians as well as food, crafts and fall décor.
Garvin Gates Blues Festival, Louisville - mid-October
Set in Old Louisville, Louisville's largest free street music festival is well attended by blues fans from near and far. This annual tradition is celebrating its 29th year of arts and blues music featuring local and regional performers. In addition to continuous live entertainment, the festival will feature an array of food and drink vendors. The festival takes place on Oak Street between 4th & 6th. You can find the full musical lineup and schedule on their website.
Jackson’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival, Bowling Green – weekends September through October
This family favorite event is always at the top of our list! With Halloween approaching, the color is orange and the theme is family fun at Jackson's! That means Wagon Rides to the Pumpkin Patch, Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins and Apples, The Corn Maze, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Straw Castle, Face & Hair Painting, The Goat Ranch, and The Cider Slider children’s slide. Not to mention all the great food including Jackson's Orchard Hot Dog Cart! Did we mention Caramel Apples and Slushies? Visit the website here.
This list barely scratches the surface of amazing Kentucky events. For a complete list of festivals and so much more, checkout Kentucky Tourism.
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