Top Things to do in Louisville, Kentucky this Spring

Nicknamed Bourbon City, Louisville is buzzing this Spring with a stacked lineup of events. Kentucky’s largest city will play host to two of the year’s biggest sporting events this May, along with two promising music and pride festivals taking place on the city’s waterfront starting Memorial Day Weekend. With a perfect score on the HRC’s Municipal Equality Index, know that you can drink your Bourbon straight in Louisville, but that you don’t have to be.

Kentucky Derby | May 4

Considered the longest continually held sporting event in North America, the Kentucky Derby the celebrating its 150th running in 2024. Held at the iconic Churchill Downs racetrack, "the most exciting two minutes in sports" takes place annually in Louisville during the first Saturday in May, as up to twenty Thoroughbreds race head to head for a chance at being named Kentucky Derby champion. Be sure to dress to impress as the event is part race, part party, part fashion show, with more than 100,000 people dressed in bowties, fancy socks, and oversized hats.

PGA Championship | May 13-19

Less than 10 days after the Kentucky Derby, the 2024 PGA Championship will be held at the Valhalla Golf Club in East Louisville. One of the four men's major championships in professional golf, this prestigious event moves around the US annually and has not been held in Louisville since 2014.

GAZEBO Festival | May 25 & 26

Louisville-born Jack Harlow recently announced the inaugural GAZEBO Festival, a music festival that he will co-headline with multiple GRAMMY Award winner, SZA, on May 25 & 26 at Louisville’s Waterfront Park. The line-up also includes James Blake (DJ Set), Omar Apollo, PinkPantheress, Vince Staples and more. The two-day event will feature 26 acts on two stages and highlight some of Louisville’s local food and culture. The Waterfront Park location uniquely marries the energy of downtown Louisville with more than 85 acres of green space on the Ohio River.

Kentuckiana Pride Parade & Festival | June 15

Held at Louisville’s Waterfront Park, the Kentuckiana Pride Parade & Festival has been a tradition in downtown Louisville for more than 20 years. Start the day with the annual Pride parade down East Market Street in the popular NuLu neighborhood as it marches 1.5 miles toward the Ohio River and the iconic Big Four Bridge. This year's headliners include Icona Pop, Chappell Roan, and Robin S. More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the event, one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in the state.

Find more information about Louisville and the city’s upcoming events, here: https://www.gotolouisville.com/