Mayor Craig Greenberg will host the Mayor’s Night Out event on Thursday, May 18th. 

Louisville residents are encouraged to come and meet Metro Government leaders and department heads, ask questions, and share comments and suggestions on improving city services. This event will take place at the South Louisville Community Center. It is free and open to the public.

Represented at the Mayor’s Night Out event: 

• Office for Women
• Office for Immigrant Affairs
• Office of Equity
• Office of Sustainability
• Office of Philanthropy
• Human Relations Commission
• Metro Animal Services
• Office for Safe & Healthy Neighborhoods
• Emergency Services
• Metro 311
• Revenue Commission
• Office of Management & Budget
• Economic Development
• Codes and Regulations
• Planning and Design
• Parks & Recreation
• Public Works
• Public Health & Wellness
• Resilience & Community Services
• Air Pollution Control District
• Louisville Fire Department
• Louisville Police Department
• Louisville Water Company
• Louisville Free Public Library
• Louisville Zoo
• KentuckianaWorks
• LG&E
• MSD
• Parc 
• Louisville Metro Housing Authority
• Brightside

As well as members of Metro Council & Kentucky State Representatives.

South Louisville Community Center - 2911 Taylor Blvd, Louisville, KY 40208 

Every third Friday, the Museum will once again be open until 10 p.m. Each After Hours event comes alive with an eclectic mix of music, performances, cash bar & food available by Wiltshire at the Speed, and of course art! Come experience the Speed “after hours” as you’ve never experienced it before.

May After Hours theme is: Spring Fling

Dust off that derby hat once more and wear your best spring floral attire!

Schedule:

• 5 – 8 p.m. | Art-Making in the Gheens Court
• 5 – 6:30 p.m. |Rounding the Circle: The Mary and Al Shands Collection,local artist panel discussion. Join artist whose work is presented in the Loft Gallery for a panel in Speed Cinema. After the discussion head upstairs to the Loft Gallery to engage with their pieces and network. The panel will be moderated by Joey Yates, Curatorial Director of KMAC Museum.
• 6:30 p.m. | Gallery Talk in our newest exhibition, Kentucky Women: Alma Wallace Lesch with Curator Scott Erbes.
• 6 – 9 p.m. | Fiber Arts Presentation by Little Loom House centered around artist Alma Wallace Lesch in the Kentucky Gallery
• 7 p.m. | The Eight Mountains(Le otto montagne) screening in the Speed Cinema, tickets sold separately
• 7:45 – 9:45 p.m. | Roadie in the Grand Hall

Get your tickets here. 

2035 S. 3rd St., Louisville, KY 40208

Nightlife meets thrilling racing! Drink a cocktail, listen to live music, and watch racing under the lights at Downs After Dark.

There will be several awesome activities to take part in and plenty of music and fun to be had! Flex your favorite pair of sneakers, engage with local artists, dance along with your favorite local DJs, and watch racing under the lights.

Local artists will be throughout the track creating art and constructing photo moments.

Personalize your sneakers, real time customization with artist Clay Mata. Choose between the twin spires, horses, roses, or lilies. 

Capture your Downs After Dark experience with the roaming photo booth.

Stage line up:
5:15 - 8 p.m.: DJ Getzy
8:30 - 11: 30 p.m.: DJ Glittertitz

Must be 18 and older to attend Downs After Dark. Get your tickets here. 

700 Central Ave., Louisville, KY, 40208

Poorcastle Festival 2023, A Festival for the Rest Us, returns this weekend to Breslin Park!

Starting Friday, enjoy performances from bands like Turbo Nut, Kiana & the Sun Kings, Galactic, Qwerty, Future Fossils and many more!

Gates open at 1 p.m. each day. View the official lineup and schedule here.

All ages and pet-friendly festival. Free to kids 12 years old and under.

Vendor Requests, Sponsorship Inquiries, Media Pass Applications, and more information at www.poorcastle.com

Get your tickets here.

1400 Payne St., Louisville, KY 40206

The 15th annual Forest Fest is taking place at Jefferson Memorial Forest this weekend and guarantees a day filled with Bluegrass music, arts & crafts, family activities, food booths and fun!

This event is sponsored by Metro Council and free to the public.

This is an all-ages, family-friendly event. It is free to the public with a $15 parking fee (cash only).

12304 Holsclaw Hill Rd., Fairdale, KY 40118

Celebrate spring with fun for the whole family, including the ever-popular Faerie Village.

Join Bernheim on May 20th for their annual celebration of spring. This free event includes tons of great activities for children of all ages!

Activities include:

• Nature Discovery Experiences – including bees & beekeeping, birding, trees, invasive plants, stories hidden in plants, nature quiz, beavers, animal signs
• Paint by Nature
• Faerie Village
• Faerie and Gnome Costume Tent
• Faerie Crafts - Faerie crowns and wands!
• Faerie and Gnome Parade – line up at 1 p.m. and Parade at 1:30 p.m.
• Jam with Mr. Dan during the parade!

This is a free event. $15 recommended donation per car for non-members still applies.

2075 Clermont Rd., Clermont, KY 40110

Springfest in Toonerville Trolley Park, near the corner of Brook & Oak Street in Historic Old Louisville, return for the 11th year! With nearly 10,000 visitors, tons of vendors, food trucks and artists, the Old Louisville neighborhood is brimming with excitement!

Springfest is Old Louisville's biggest springtime festival and neighborhood market and is always free and open to the public. Springfest kicks off at 10 a.m. and rocks, eats, and shops until 7 p.m.!

Handmade artists and vendors, non-profits, and food trucks will be on hand selling their wares and services. There will be unique local art, upcycled goods, jewelry, pottery, clothing, handmade soaps, wood crafts, and artisanal food.

Hang in the Park or enjoy bourbon slushies all while sampling some of Louisville's finest gourmet food trucks!

Enjoy live music from regional and local artists along with a DJ in the Springfest Beer Garden!

1215 S. Brook St., Louisville, KY 40203

Bluegrass Pugfest is a celebration of the Pug and social event for humans, Pugs, and non-Pug family members held on an annual basis to benefit Pug rescue organizations around the country. Attendees can browse over 50,000 square feet of vendors, silent auctions, rescue booths, and Pug competitions (costume, races, custard eating, talent, King/Queen, and more).

Bluegrass PugFest will go from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. See the full schedule here!

PugFest Rules:

• All Pets must be up-to-date on vaccinations.
• No selling or advertising of dogs – violators will be banned from the event.
• All dogs must be on a FIXED-LENGTH LEASH – NO “FLEXI-LEASHES” Allowed.
• No Aggressive Dogs Allowed.
• Attendees expressly release Kentucky Exposition Center and Bluegrass Pugfest, Inc. and its Board of Directors and Volunteers from any liability related to the event, incidents, or injuries.
• Attendees agree to adhere to the rules of Bluegrass Pugfest, Inc. and those of Kentucky Exposition Center, and to adhere to the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Kentucky Exposition Center – West Hall
937 Phillips Ln., Louisville, KY 40209

Visit the North Village Town Square for the 7th Annual Norton Commons Art Festival. Enjoy over 100 artisan vendors including talented painters, jewelry makers, potters, soap milliners, photographers, mixed media artists, woodworkers, and more.

Local food trucks will offer tasty treats & drinks and beer & wine will be available for purchase. There will also be live music and a kids’ zone, ensuring fun for all ages!

Parking and admission are free. 

6324 River Beauty Loop, Prospect, KY 40059

Waterfront Botanical Gardens is hosting their first Bonsai Weekend this spring in collaboration with the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society!

Highlights of the weekend include:

• Dozens of bonsai on display
• Non-juried show
• Bonsai demonstrations
• People’s choice awards
• Japanese cultural demonstrations (Sunday only)

This special bonsai exhibit will occur on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. Admission is free!

1435 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206

Mindfest is a free community mind strengthening event infused with music, food, entertainment, art, yoga, vendors, panel discussions, and more.

The MindFEST mission is to break stigmas surrounding mental health, connect families with mental health services, and create a fun, family oriented, learning environment that promotes mental health.

MindFest LLC organizes and shares mental health resources with the community during our annual festival. We also host engaging, fun and educational activities that promote mental health and wellbeing.

MindFest 2023 is taking place at Roots 101. Get your tickets here.

124 N. 1st St., Louisville, KY 40202

The inaugural “Riesling Riders” fest will be taking place at Nouvelle Wine & Bottle in Nulu! This festival celebrates a stunning grape which is very misunderstood (no, it’s not just a sweet wine).

There will be 8 different Riesling by the glass to try, and more. There will also be an extensive bottle list of 15 different producers and styles.

Squeezebot will be performing some funky, polka, out-of-this-world music as well as food for purchase from Uncle D's Barbeque. 

This event is free to attend, 21+ only.

214 S. Clay St., Louisville, KY 40202

Bark & Brunch by the Bridge is a pop-up food truck experience that invites park & pet lovers to enjoy their Sundays at Waterfront Park!

The event series will feature local food trucks, vendors, a bubbly bar, and jazz music. Bring your friends, your pet, a blanket, an appetite and have brunch on the Big Four Lawn. This event directly supports two wonderful non-profits, the Kentucky Humane Society and Waterfront Park!

Food trucks include:

• Lil Cheezers
• The Cocktail Truck

If you’re interested in being a food vendor, please contact Adam Nugent adam@festivalcuisine.com

1101 River Rd., Louisville, KY 40202

Louisville Free Public Library,
In partnership with the National Compassion Fund (NCF), and the Community Foundation of Louisville, invite you to join the upcoming Town Hall Meeting about the Love for Louisville Old National Bank Survivors Fund. Attendees will receive copies of the draft protocol, which outlines the proposed process for who is eligible to apply for gifts and how those gifts will be distributed. Attendees will also be given a chance to ask questions and may submit public comments to LON@NationalCompassion.org.
Light refreshments will be provided. Street and handicapped parking is available.
Not able to attend in person? Watch the Town Hall live stream from the National Compassion Fund's Facebook page.
For questions at the Town Hall Meeting, please email comms@cflouisville.org.
Click here to learn more about the Community Foundation's relief efforts from gun violence.

Louisville Free Public Library - 301 York Street, Louisville KY, 40203

The Food Truck Clinic is a one-stop-shop where food and beverage vendors can get the green light from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW), Louisville Division of Fire and Jefferson County Fire Service, and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to legally sell food and drinks to the public.

Every Thursday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., from now until Oct. 19, food trucks and other mobile vendors can stop by the alley at Armory Place, behind the Metro Development Center to get their permits to operate.

The Food Truck Clinic not only benefits vendors, but community members, too. Each Thursday, the public is invited to the clinic to enjoy food and beverages after food trucks get the go ahead to open.

444 S. 5th St., Louisville, KY 40202

The region's largest lantern festival comes to the Zoo in a whole new way! Experience the stunning locations, flora and fauna from Around the World as you stroll through the Zoo under the light of enormous, handcrafted, silk-covered lanterns. Don’t miss your Zoo aglow with more than 50,000 LED light bulbs. The wonder of Wild Lights is sure to create glowing smiles and bright, everlasting memories.

Dramatic archways illuminate the way on a magical journey encompassing the famous landmarks, flora and fauna of six continents. Feast your eyes on dramatic cultural displays celebrating the rich heritage and craftsmanship of lantern artisans. Engage with interactive, animated and color-changing displays. Commemorate your visit with awe-inspiring photos at our stunning photo opportunity locations. Kids (and kids at heart) can become part of the magic while swaying on our glowing moonlight swings or exploring the panda game station! The wonder of Wild Lights is sure to create glowing smiles and bright, everlasting memories.

Advance tickets are required and are valid for the date and time listed on your ticket only. Be sure to apply the $7 parking fee to your order, otherwise you will be charged at the Zoo’s admission windows. Purchase your Wild Lights tickets here! 

1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213

Each Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. experience Food Truck Wednesdays at 4th Street between Jefferson and Market Streets! Louisville Downtown Partnership has curated many amazing food trucks to serve lunchtime patrons each Wednesday!

The street will be closed off to vehicular traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each week. Food trucks will serve food from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come on over to 4th Street and eat some delicious, local food!

S. 4th Street between Jefferson and Market, Louisville, KY

Every weekend at Nouvelle Bar & Bottle enjoy this free summer jazz series featuring a multitude of great musicians! You will catch some of Louisville's finest jazz musicians playing some super deep cuts while you sip on wine and cocktails.

The Garden Jazz Series is 21+ only. 

Garden Jazz Series schedule: 

• Friday, May 12th: Carly Johnson Jazz Duo
• Saturday, May 13th: Winton Reynolds Jazz Duo (keys & TBD)
• Friday, May 19th: Jailynn Noel & Andy Oberhausen Jazz Duo (bass & sax)
• Saturday, May 20th: Rob Nickerson & Ray Keys Jazz Duo (sax & organ)
• Friday, May 26th: Carly Johnson & Craig Wagner Jazz Duo
• Saturday, May 27th: Kiana Del & Jailynn Noel Jazz Duo

214 S. Clay St., Louisville, KY 40202