June will be here before we know it, and summer will be in full swing. Some of the best summer activities involve getting out and enjoying the nice weather and exploring the city. Luckily, Louisville doesn’t disappoint when it come to events and activities in the summer months. In June alone there are plenty of events to enjoy whether you’ve got kiddos or you’re just looking for fun with friends.
To help you jump into summer, we compiled a list of festivals and events happening in Louisville in June. We’ve broken them down by category and linked to more information for each event.
Art, Festivals, & The Great Outdoors
Butchertown Art Fair | June 3 & 4
Louisville is not short on art, and the Butchertown Art Fair is a shining example. Over 100 artists from across the country will be showcasing their work in Butchertown. There will also be food trucks, drinks, and entertainment.
Crescent Hill Garden Tour | June 3
It’s a wonderful time of year to spend the afternoon outdoors, and there’s no better way than to meander through beautiful gardens. Crescent Hill’s Garden Club is hosting a tour of 10 private gardens, which gives you the opportunity to stop and smell the roses while enjoying a relaxing afternoon in the great outdoors.
I am Ali Festival | June 3 – July 15
Marking the one-year anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing, the I am Ali Festival celebrates Ali’s legacy and all that he stood for. In addition to events happening throughout the community and hosted by a wide range of businesses, the Muhammad Ali Center will be hosting events throughout June as a part of the festival.
- June 9 – Youth Festival – featuring art and education
- June 16 – Giving Festival – a series of fun and inspiring service projects
- June 23 – Health and Fitness Festival
- June 30 – Screenings of “When We Were Kings” and “The Trials of Muhammad Ali”
Upper Highlands Festival | June 10
This family fun event will feature over 50 vendors, food trucks, live music, kid-friendly activities, a petting zoo, and so much more! The festival will give visitors a taste of everything the Upper Highlands has to offer.
Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour | June 10 & 11
Old Louisville is known for its picturesque Victorian homes and quaint charm, but there are also hidden gems waiting to be found on the Hidden Treasures Garden Tour. In addition to a serene stroll through private gardens, visitors will have a chance to meet vendors and ask master gardeners questions. There will also be art displayed and a silent auction to benefit the preservation of historic homes.
Summer Antiques Market | June 25
Antique dealers from around the region will come together to offer antiques in all shapes and sizes and fit for every budget. Visitors can expect everything from furniture to fine silver. Admission will include a tour of the historic house museum and the opportunity to explore the beautiful Locust Grove property.
Music, Food, Movies, & More
First Friday Hop | June 2
Downtown Louisville has a lot to offer, and on the first Friday of every month boutiques, eateries, galleries, shops, and many more places celebrate that by having extended hours. This evening event is a great way to start the weekend as you explore Downtown Louisville and over 40 different locations/businesses.
Cards Under the Stars Kickoff | June 2
Take the kids to the University of Louisville’s Belknap campus to enjoy a free movie series all summer long. The season kicks off with “Moana,” and “The Lego Batman Movie” will play later this month. Before the movie, there are games and activities for the kids. And concessions are offered by Cafe 502 and SnoWhat Snowballs.
Germantown Schnitzelburg Blues Festival | June 2
Grab a lawn chair and head over to Germantown and Schnitzelburg to enjoy the annual Blues fest. This free festival features a great lineup of blues musicians.
Iroquois Amphitheater Movie Nights | June 5
The Iroquois Amphitheater’s Movie Nights returns again this summer to offer great free entertainment. The season kicks off with the Wizard of Oz, and later in June features the Secret Life of Pets and Madea’s Big Happy Family.
Zoofari | June 10
Love interacting with animals at the zoo? Want to support these animals and the future of the zoo? Get up close and personal with the animals at the Louisville Zoo while enjoying food and drinks for a night that benefits the zoo. This 21+ evening includes a silent auction, the opportunity to adopt an animal, and entertainment.
Kentucky Science Center Summer Movie Series | June 23
What’s cooler than the classic Sci-fi movies? Watching Sci-fi movies in a 4-story digital theater! The Kentucky Science Center is hosting a summer movie series, which highlights the science “what-ifs” inspired by Science Fiction movies. June’s showing features “Inception.”
Kentucky Craft Bash | June 24
Do you enjoy beer and love Kentucky? If so, the Kentucky Craft Bash is for you! This event is Kentucky’s largest beer festival, featuring brews only from the state of Kentucky. Over 30 breweries will be represented with over 70 varieties of beer. There will also be rare experimental and taproom-only beers for you to try.
Waterfront Wednesday | June 28
Once a month, throughout the summer, local WFPK hosts Waterfront Wednesday featuring musicians from around the country as well as Louisville natives. Join hundreds of other music fans and enjoy the show either from the Big Four Lawn or the Walking Bridge. There’s also food trucks and local vendors.
We hope this list helps you get a good start to your summer in Louisville! There is much to do and see and that’s part of the reason we love Louisville so much. Have fun exploring and experiencing Louisville!
