Celebrate Louisville: Lesser Known Events You’re Probably Missing

2014/10/24

Celebrate Louisville: Lesser Known Events You’re Probably Missing

Louisville’s calendar of annual events is packed every month of the year. With some big name attractions on the roster, it’s no wonder some of the smaller events are so easily overlooked. Schedule your next visit to coincide with one of these fun happenings to see Louisville in a whole new light.

Louisville skyline – photo by The Pug Father on Flickr CC

Brew at the Zoo

Despite the location, Brew at the Zoo is an adults only event for participants age 21 and older. Each August, the Louisville Zoo caters exclusively to this crowd with a beer and wine tasting from local breweries, wineries, and restaurants. The event also includes live entertainment, a silent auction, and special animal encounters.

The Louisville Zoo is less than ten minutes from the airport, so you can book a conveniently located airport hotel on Hipmunk and enjoy easy access to both spots.

Greek Festival

The Greek Festival takes place annually in June. The festival takes place in downtown Louisville for a weekend, offering Greek food and entertainment. Complete dinners are available for visitors who want a full taste of this classic culture. The 2014 menu featured three options, including a hearty lamb shank dinner complete with a marinated lamb shank, salad, Greek-style green beans, and rice pilaf. A la carte items like gyros, moussaka, and spanakopita are available as well.

The entrance to the Greek Festival is at Main and Fifth. A hotel like the 21c Museum Hotel will put you close to the action.

WorldFest

WorldFest is an international cultural festival with music, dance, and food from around the world. The event is completely free. Check out the three performance stages and nearly 100 artists without putting a dent in your travel budget.

You will want some cash on hand, though, to shop the craft booths. They feature handmade pieces in styles inspired by Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America, and South America. The second day of the Labor Day weekend festival hosts the Parade of Cultures, with participants representing cultures from every part of the globe.

WorldFest takes over the Belvedere at Fifth and Main. Snag a hotel nearby and you’ll have no trouble popping in for every day of the event.

Light Up Louisville

Every year, Louisville takes on a whole new look when Light Up Louisville officially begins the day after Thanksgiving. The festival covers four blocks from Fourth and Main to Fourth Street Live. Santa Claus himself shows up to kick off the event with the official lighting of Louisville followed by fireworks.

The lights remain for the 40 Nights of Lights, which includes a nightly light show with musical accompaniment. A nearby hotel like the Hyatt Regency Louisville will keep you close to the action.

If you can’t wait to mark your calendar and hit one of these Louisville events, check out this handy Hipmunk guide to finding cheap hotels in the city. Is your favorite event missing from the list? Share in the comments below.

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