Autumn in Kentucky typically brings kinder temperatures and lower humidity, so it is the perfect time to head to one of the amazing Fall Festivals taking place around the state. Whether it is centered on food, art, culture or history, Kentucky has a Fall Festival for you!
Lexington Roots & Heritage Festival
September 6-8, 2024
The Lexington Roots & Heritage Festival celebrates African-American culture with vibrant music, dance, art and food. This family-friendly event features performances, local vendors and cultural exhibits, offering a lively atmosphere that honors and promotes diverse heritage and traditions in the community.
Ravenna Railroad Festival
September 7-8, 2024
This festival celebrates the City of Ravenna’s ties to the railroad, which is what brought this small town to life. The weekend features live music, home-cooked food, a bike parade for the kids and, of course, train rides!
Stave Fest
September 13-14, 2024
Lawrenceburg celebrates the stave, which is the wood used to create a bourbon barrel, with two days of food trucks, a car show and free live music both nights.
visitlawrenceburgky.com/event/stave-fest
Covington Oktoberfest
September 13-15
Festival-goers, sometimes clad in lederhosen and dirndls, enjoy food and live music in the German-inspired neighborhood of Mainstrasse in Covington. Don’t forget to hoist a stein of Braxton beer and say “Prost!”
On Facebook: Covington Oktoberfest
The Banana Festival
September 21, 2024
Fulton, in far Western Kentucky, welcomes crowds to the annual Banana Festival. At one time, Fulton was known as the “Banana Capital of the World,” because 70% of bananas imported to the U.S. passed through the town via rail. Today, the festival includes a cornhole tournament, dunking booth and doggie pageant, and the town remember its roots by including a Banana-Eating Contest, a Banana Brawl and, best of all, one ton of banana pudding for sale!
On Facebook: The Banana Festival
Eddyville Founder’s Day
September 20-21, 2024
Eddyville residents and visitors celebrate the town’s founding, which was sometime around 1798, with an old-time festival complete with a beauty pageant, kids’ games, a car show, live music and a parade. Stick around until the end for a fireworks show.
On Facebook: Eddyville Events
Cow Days
September 20-21, 2024
What could be more fun than a car show, tractor show, Saturday breakfast, 5k race, disc golf, pageants, parade, and country, blues and gospel music concerts? Well, at Greensburg Rotary Club’s Annual Cow Days, kids can milk a life-size plastic Holstein named Annie!
greensburgkyrotary.org/cowdays
Casey County Apple Festival
September 26-28, 2024
Celebrating its 50th year, the Casey County Apple Festival in Liberty honors all things apple. Of course, there are all kinds of apple-infused foods but also craft booths, live music and a variety of family-friendly activities.
Louisville International Festival of Film
September 27-29, 2024
The Louisville International Festival of Film, held annually in the River City, showcases independent films from around the globe. Spanning an assortment of genres and styles, the festival includes screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers and awards.
World Chicken Festival
September 26-29, 2024
For more than 30 years, downtown London has celebrated its ties to chicken, which include the most well-known—Kentucky Fried and Lee’s Famous. Don’t miss the world’s largest stainless-steel skillet (which weighs 700 lbs!) and fries up drumsticks and wings all weekend. There are also carnival games and rides, and free live music. This year’s headliner is Uncle Kracker.
Marion County Country Ham Days
September 27-29
The Lebanon festival began more than 60 years ago to highlight Marion County’s reputation for producing high-quality country ham. This year’s festival features a free concert by Kaleb Cecil & Hotel Whiskey, The Pokey Pig 5K Run/Walk, Pigasus Parade, car show, kids’ area with games and a petting zoo, and the legendary country ham breakfast.
Heartland Harvest Festival
September 28, 2024
The Heartland Harvest Festival in Elizabethtown is a lively celebration of autumn featuring a variety of local craft vendors, food trucks and free kid zone full of fun activities. The festival also features free concerts by Craig Morgan, J.D. Shelburne and Big Black Cadillac.
elizabethtownky.org/heartland-harvest-festival/
St. James Court Art Show
October 4-6, 2024
The St. James Court Art Show in Louisville is a renowned, open-air art festival featuring over 700 artists from across the country. Visitors to the event, which is held in the historic neighborhood of Old Louisville, are surrounded by stunning Victorian mansions as they walk the blocked off streets, meeting with artisans and checking out their wares.
Millstone Festival
October 5, 2024
Featuring live music, a car show and craft vendors, the festival takes place in downtown Richmond. While at the festival, walk through nearby Millstone Park, named for a collection of giant—and heavy—millstones from local mills.
Morehead Arts & Crafts Festival
October 25-27, 2024
The Morehead Arts & Crafts Festival shines a spotlight on the works of local and regional artisans. There will be lots of amazing handmade items to see! Plus, the combination of live music and a wide variety of food adds up to a fun weekend.