Welcome to summer! Here’s how to enjoy a slice of KY’s hot $13 billion tourism industry
It’s Memorial Day weekend and despite what the calendar says, summer has begun.
And experts across the commonwealth said this summer could be the hottest Kentucky tourism season yet, with a stacked events list expected to bring in hundreds of thousands of visitors.
From a thriving bourbon trail to amusement parks, concerts, fairs and street festivals, most cities in Kentucky have something special on the calendar this summer -- and the attendance numbers to support their popularity.
Kentucky Commissioner of Tourism Mike Mangeot said the state’s tourism industry is thriving right now, and there are more and more events, festivals and attractions people are becoming aware of. Bourbon tourism is going strong, and there’s been an uptick in outdoor activities since the pandemic lockdown, too.
“A lot of folks who needed to get away discovered Kentucky and everything we have,” Mangeot said.
“There’s rock climbing in (Red River) gorge, fantastic lakes and waterways. Visitors then become advocates for us, too. Many times we take for granted what we have locally in terms of attractions. I encourage people to become tourists in their own backyards and go visit one of these state destinations.”
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Louisville Tourism Chief Marketing Officer Stacy Yates said she’s been working with counterparts across the state to increase visitation at Kentucky events.
“Kentucky is a unique state, and we say, ‘It’s that friendly,’” Yates said.
“In our tourism community, you see this in bourbon especially. We are not particularly territorial on where people go. A visit to Kentucky is a win for everyone in Kentucky.”
According to a study by Tourism Economics, 2022 was the best year on record for Kentucky tourism, generating $12.9 billion in economic impact and nearly 92,000 jobs.
In 2022, 75.9 million people traveled to Kentucky and spent $8.9 billion across the state.
The 2022 numbers (the most recent complete numbers) surpassed the previous highest record of $11.8 billion in economic impact in 2019.
While last year’s numbers aren’t finalized yet, it’s possible 2024 tourism economic impacts will blow it away. The 150th Kentucky Derby and the 106th PGA Championship in May brought in an estimated $405 million and $78 million economic impact, respectively, according to Louisville Tourism.
Post-Derby, Kentuckians and visitors have even more to look forward to this summer, including such free festivals as Kentucky Shakespeare, LGBT pride events in June, concerts from singers Lionel Ritchie, Tim McGraw and Olivia Rodrigo, the Kentucky State Fair and various county fairs and more.
VisitLex President Mary Quinn Ramer said the city is expecting 45,000 people and a sellout crowd at Railbird Festival, where Lexington-born Chris Stapleton will headline on June 2.
If you’re looking for a smaller, more unique event, try the Kentucky Beer Cheese Festival in Winchester, races at the Western Kentucky Speedway or performances from the Lexington Theater Company.
But events aren’t the only thing drawing people to experience what Kentucky has to offer, she said.
Since the pandemic restrictions eased, VisitLex has seen a “sustained interest” in experiencing outdoor recreational activities, such as visiting the Kentucky Horse Park or hiking at Raven Run.
“We have been encouraging people to get out there and enjoy the many things there are to do in the Bluegrass, and emphasize the message of ‘this is a great time to get outdoors with your family and do something you haven’t done,’” Ramer said.
For a complete list of Kentucky summer events, visit kentuckytourism.com/events.
Here are some of the highlights:
Cool off at Kentucky Kingdom Hurricane Bay
WHAT: Louisville’s family theme park and water park opened for the 2024 season on May 25 and will run through Jan. 4, 2025. Visit for more than 70 family-friendly attractions, including wave pools, towering slides and rides.
WHERE: 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY
Attend a free Kentucky Shakespeare show
WHAT: The Kentucky Shakespeare season runs from May 29 to Aug. 11, and offers 62 performances from 11 productions, including “Romeo and Juliet,” “The Comedy of Errors” and “The Tempest.”
WHERE: 1340 S. 4th St., Louisville, KY
Celebrate Lexington’s African culture
WHAT: You’ll want to attend this! The third-annual, free Swahili Day festival celebrating the diverse culture of Africans living in Lexington happens is a can’t-miss free event sponsored by the Marafiki Center. Swahili is the third-most spoken language in Lexington. Look for delicious African food, music, arts, crafts, dances, drums, fashion and a live band.
WHERE: 4-9 pm at BCTC’s Newtown Campus, 500 Newtown Pike, Lexington.
Experience a three-course Woodford Reserve bourbon dinner
WHAT: Try a three-course paired Woodford Reserve cocktail dinner in the distillery’s private upstairs dining room with guest speaker Chris Morris, Master Distiller Emeritus for Woodford Reserve.
MORE INFO: This dinner is $95.50 per person, hosted on May 29
See the mermaids and fish at Newport Aquarium
WHAT: Mermaids are back at Newport Aquarium from May 25 to June 23, and this year they’re even swimming with stingrays. Wave hello and stay and watch as they swim underwater with their tropical fish friends.
MORE INFO: Free with general admission at Newport Aquarium, 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY
Take a guided hike on National Trails Day
WHAT: June 1 marks National Trails Day, and Big Bone Lick State Historic Site will be hosting some guided hikes and other events. Sign up early or visit and see where your feet take you. Not near Union, KY? Check out what parks are closer to you instead.
WHERE: 3380 Beaver Road, Union, KY
Visit the free Capital Expo Festival in Frankfort
WHAT: A two-day street festival on June 7-8 with live music, food vendors, arts and crafts, carnival rides, a 5k race and more.
WHERE: Downtown West Second St., Frankfort, KY
See the “Wild Lights” exhibit at the Louisville Zoo
WHAT: The Louisville Zoo’s popular lantern festival has extended its dates until June 16. Visit in the evenings from 7-10 p.m. and see nature come to life with interactive moving displays, including magnificent dragons and a stunning phoenix tunnel.
MORE INFO: Tickets range from $18 to $26 plus a $7 parking fee at the Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevillian Way, Louisville, KY
Go to an outdoor music festival like Railbird Festival
WHAT: Music festival season kicks off in the summer with events across Kentucky, including the following:
Railbird Festival in Lexington, June 1-2
The Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville, June 1-4
Louisville Funk Fest in Louisville, June 21-22
ROMP Music Festival in Owensboro, June 26-29
Food Truck Friday Summer Concert Series in Lawrenceburg, June 7, July 5 and Aug. 2
Attend an LGBT pride festival
WHAT: June is Pride Month, and there will be parades and festivals held all over Kentucky to celebrate. Visit Paducah Pride on June 1, the Kentuckiana Pride event in Louisville June 15-17 and Lexington Pride Fest on June 29 for parades, concerts, drag performances and more.
MORE INFO: For a complete list of Kentucky pride events, visit fairness.org/kypride.
Visit the Kentucky Highland Renaissance Festival
WHAT: Celebrate all things Renaissance on Saturdays and Sundays from June 1 to July 21. Watch jousting, human chess and acrobat shows, listen to live music, play games and shop for artisan crafts with your family.
WHERE: 955 Elm St., Eminence, KY
Attend Winchester’s Kentucky Beer Cheese Festival
WHAT: Celebrate Kentucky beer cheese at the place it was invented with this festival in Winchester, Kentucky, on June 8. Sample beer cheese from local vendors and experience music, games, food and fun for the whole family. MORE INFO: Visit beercheesefestival.app for tickets and more info.
Honor Juneteenth with Soulteenth and SoulFeast Week
WHAT: SoulTeenth Fest will celebrate Black liberation and culture with live music, art and great food at the Moondance Amphitheater in Lexington on June 15, which kicks off Lexington Black Restaurant Week running June 17-23.
WHERE: 1381 Silver Springs Dr., Lexington, KY
Attend a popular musician’s Kentucky concert stop
WHAT: Some extremely popular musicians are stopping in Kentucky on tour this summer. Check out this list and reserve tickets before they sell out:
Lionel Ritchie in Louisville, June 12
Tim McGraw in Lexington, June 15
Justin Timberlake in Lexington, July 9
Olivia Rodrigo in Lexington, July 24
Blink182 in Lexington, Aug. 1
Watch a dirt car race at the Western Kentucky Speedway
WHAT: Attend races and other events at one of the best tracks in Western Kentucky. There’s a bunch to choose from this summer, including the following:
Summer Showdown, June 8
2nd Annual Jerry Gilkey Memorial Street Stock Shootout, June 29
Firecracker 35, July 20
Rusty Bolt Rumble, Aug. 10
Mini Stock Mania. Aug. 31
WHERE: 1245 Happy Lane, Madisonville, KY
Go to a Lexington Theatre Company show
WHAT: Watch Broadway-caliber productions of “Fiddler on the Roof”(July 11-14) and “Jersey Boys” (Aug. 1-4) at the Lexington Theatre Company. The Lexington Theatre Company combines Broadway veterans, rising stars and local professionals for a production that feels just like Broadway.
WHERE: Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St., Lexington, KY
Attend the Summer Beer Fest at Louisville’s Frazier Museum
WHAT: A festival celebrating craft beer and the Frazier Museum’s 20th anniversary will be held on July 27. Try 200 kinds of specialty beer, food, live music and more.
WHERE: 829 W. Main St., Louisville, KY
Watch a ballet performance “Under the Stars”
WHAT: Experience a night of professional ballet, complete with stage, lighting and costumes in Lexington’s Woodland Park. This year’s pre-show youth production will be Ballet 13: A Tribute to Taylor Swift.
MORE INFO: Running July 31 to Aug. 4, with $9 tickets per person at Woodland Park, 601 E. High St., Lexington, KY
Attend the free Woodland Art Fair
WHAT: This fair on Aug. 17-18 is one of central Kentucky’s largest free events with an average attendance of more than 70,000 people enjoying food and drink, live music and nearly 200 artisan crafters.
WHERE: Woodland Park, 601 E. High St., Lexington, KY
Visit the Kentucky State Fair (or your local county fair)
WHAT: The Kentucky State Fair celebrates all things Kentucky and runs from Aug. 15 to Aug. 24 in Louisville, offering classic fair foods, rides, games, competitions, shows and more.
WHERE: Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY
Attend the National Corvette Caravan
WHAT: Often called the world’s largest moving automotive event, the National Corvette Caravan event is Aug. 29-31 in Bowling Green. The event is hosted only once every five years and this year celebrates the 20th anniversary of the National Corvette Museum.
WHERE: 350 Corvette Drive, Bowling Green, Kentucky
