If this is your first Derby season, prepare yourself newbie. The next 2 weeks are crazy and full of a ton of great events. Stick close to us and we’ll help you not only survive the madness, but do it in style.
So what’s on radar this week? Bikes, Bats and Block Parties! We’ve handpicked the best events in Lou just for you who are New2Lou. Looking for more great events around town? Check out our sweet New2Lou calendar thanks to the fine folks at Do502. Never again will you find yourself out of the social loop. And don’t forget to give us a follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; you’ll be glad you did!
Wednesday (4/22) Waterfront Wednesday - It’s time to head out to the waterfront with 10,000 of your closest friends! Waterfront Wednesday kicks off next Wednesday and continues on the last Wednesday of every month. Featured artist this month: Shakey Graves, JD McPherson, and Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers. Music starts at 6 pm. Free and open to the public.
Wednesday (4/22) Taste of Kentucky Derby Festival - Grab a taste of Louisville’s finest restaurants and beverage companies tonight at Louisville Slugger Field from 5:30 - 8:30 pm! Bourbon tasting, bloody mary contest, wine tasting and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit Dare to Care Food Bank. Tickets are $80.
Thursday (4/23) - Friday (5/1) Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville Concert Series - The Kentucky Derby Festival concert series on the Waterfront kicks off this week and keeps on kicking’ through Derby! Admission is free with a Pegasus Pin, pick one up at any local Kroger. Enter to win one on our Facebook page. View the full concert lineup at discoverkdf.org/krogers-fest-a-ville.
Thursday (4/23) Wave3 News Concert Series - Work downtown? Grab lunch on the KFC Yum! Center plaza! This FREE Concert Series kicks off this Thursday at 11:30 am - 1 pm. Food trucks, live music and more! Free and open to the public. Featured artist is The Louisville Crashers.
Thursday (4/23) Kentucky KicksA$$ Derby Kickoff Party! - So you know Kentucky KicksA$$ right?!? Around Derby time Kentucky really shines and becomes the envy of all other states. In celebration of this, join the Original Makers Club and Kentucky for Kentucky for their KickA$$ party. Tickets are $50.
Friday (4/24) Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn - Bela Fleck, one of the world’s best banjo players, and Abigail Washburn, uber-talented banjo player/singer, have joined forces and will be performing at the KCD Theater this Friday night. Tickets start at $47, but there are only a few left so get on it!
Saturday (4/25) Opening Night at the Downs - You best brush up on your horse betting skills before the big day (THE Kentucky Derby). Churchill Downs officially kicks off it’s spring racing season this Saturday! Gates open at 5 pm. First post is at 6 pm. Live music by Tony & The Tanlines from 8-11:30 pm. Tickets start at $10.
Saturday (4/25) Louisville Orchestra Block Party - Join the Louisville Orchestra as they celebrate the final concert of the 2015-16 season with an all out block party! Enjoy music, food and festivities all in the middle of main street. Party kicks off at 5 pm and is FREE and open to the public.
Sunday (4/26) Tour de Lou - Join the Kentucky Derby Festival and the Louisville Bicycle Club this Sunday at Tour de Lou! The bike event is for all ages and all levels of experience. The Tour de Lou route is an open course that starts and finishes at Waterfront Park near Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville. Register here.
On the Radar
Monday (4/27) Louisville Bats - Not only is it Derby season, it’s almost baseball season! And lucky us, we are not only home to THE Louisville Slugger, but also home to the Louisville Bats. Grab a friend and cheer on the home team at Lousville Slugger Field! Game starts at 6:35 pm and tickets start at $12.
Tuesday (4/28) - Thursday (4/30) Dawn at the Downs - Rise and shine folks. This early alarm is totally worth it, trust us. Dawn at the Downs is popular Derby tradition where folks head down to the track to grab breakfast and watch the Kentucky Derby contenders warm up on the world famous track. Tickets start at $22.
Wednesday (4/29) Great Steamboat Race - Watch the race between the two Belles, the Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati from Waterfront Park or grab a front row seat on your boat of choice. Tickets for the Belle of Louisville are $130 (includes food & drinks, and entertainment) and Belle of Cincinnati are $60 (cruise only) or $80 (food, cruise, and bourbon tasting). For tickets call (502) 584-FEST.
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