Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, commemorates the day on June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX and announced that all enslaved people were to be freed. This came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued and marked a significant turning point in the fight for freedom and equality.

The Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration is a multi-day celebration of Juneteenth in Louisville. The celebration offers a variety of events honoring the holiday. 

Events include:

• June 16, 7:30 to 11 a.m.: Agape Day
  Local Divine 9 Black Greek fraternities and sororities will partner with Dare to Care to deliver food to communities. “AGAPE” refers to “the highest form of love, charity.”
  5803 Fern Valley Rd., Louisville, KY 40228

• June 16, 6 p.m.: Juneteenth Gala at the Ali Center
  The Juneteenth Gala is sponsored by Norton Healthcare, Fifth Third Bank, Republic Bank and the Office of Equity. It will recognize and award historians and future and present leaders for the tremendous work they have done to improve racial equity within the community. The gala will also focus on Juneteenth culinary dishes and its history. Musical entertainment by Jerry Tolson Orchestra and Frankie Raymore and the Groovemasterz. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased here.
  144 N. 6th St., Louisville, KY 40202

• June 17, 7 p.m.: “The Fannie Lou Hamer Story”
  “The Fannie Lou Hamer Story” is a one-woman play about voting rights activist, Fannie Lou Hamer, through song and storytelling. The event will take place at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage. Tickets are $25 (VIP tickets are $30) and can be purchased here.
  1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY 40203

• June 18, 2 p.m.: Father’s Day & Juneteenth Jazz Brunch
  The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage will host Ansyn Banks Legacy Quintet with guest vocalist Karen Chavis and host Marjorie Marshall. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here. Limited VIP seating is $45.
  1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY 40203

• June 19, 6 p.m.: “Let’s Talk | Bridging the Divide: Load in Nine Times: United States Colored Troops, An Evening with former Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X Walker” at the Frazier History Museum
  Danville native and poet Frank X Walker will debut a collection of poems centered on African Americans in Kentucky during the Civil War. Eighteen of those works will be unveiled as part of the museum’s Commonwealth exhibition. The event is free, but registration is required. Register for this event here.
  829 W. Main St., Louisville, KY 40202

For more information about the Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration, visit juneteenthlou.com. 

Celebrate Juneteenth like you can nowhere else—on the very river that was a symbol of freedom to so many. While onboard, guests are invited to listen to music and watch a theatre performance sharing the story of Lucie and Thornton Blackburn, a couple that found freedom via the Ohio River.

Guided tours of the historic steamboat’s boiler and engine rooms will also be available, where guests can learn about the vintage and modern technology that power the historic vessel.

Two ticket types are available:

• Eat and Drink Tickets: Include appetizer stations and 1 drink ticket.
  • $64.99 for adults (ages 15-64), $62.99 for seniors (ages 65+), $38.99 for children (ages 5-14) and a free ticket for children 4 & under.
• Drink Tickets: Include 1 drink ticket.
  • $39.99 for adults (ages 15-64) and seniors (ages 65+), $18.99 for children (ages 5-14) and a free ticket for children 4 & under.

Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your cruise. Boarding begins 60 minutes prior to departure. Dress code is casual. 

Get your tickets here. 

131 W. River Rd., Louisville, KY 40202

We are our Ancestor’s Dream! The MELANnaire Marketplace Juneteenth Celebration is a remembrance of heritage. Enjoy two days filled with live entertainment, curated experiences, shopping with over 75 Black owned businesses, food vendors, guest speakers, kid zones, and so much more!

The MELANnaire Marketplace Juneteenth Celebration will take place from 12 to 6 p.m. each day at Fourth Street Live!

This event is free and open to the public.

411 S. 4th St., Louisville, KY 40202

WASSSZZZZZUPPPPPP!!! The June After Hours at the Speed is a 90s night! Dress in your best 90s attire and come out for an evening of fun. Gallery talks, artmaking, and tons of 90s music will be scattered throughout the Museum. 

Schedule:

• 5 – 8 p.m.: Artmaking in the Gheens Court
• 5 – 8 p.m.: Vintage clothing pop-up with Hard Times Collective in the Atrium
• 5 – 7:30 p.m.: 90s set with DJ Syimone
• 6 p.m.: Gallery Talk with Curator Tyler Blackwell in Amy Sherald’s Portrait of Breonna Taylor: In the Garden
• 6 p.m.: Speed Cinema screening of Werckmeister Harmonies (Werckmeister harmóniák), tickets sold separately.
• 8 – 9 p.m.: Sound Bath in Gallery 3 with Danielle Smith from Divine Healing
• 7:30 – 10 p.m.: Full Contact Karaoke, sign up for your song today!

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

Grab your ticket early, this night might sell out!

2035 S. 3rd St., Louisville, KY 40208

Celebrate 50 years of hip hop at the Louisville Funk Fest! They’re bringing good music and good times back with an All-Star line-up. It’s time to party, sing & celebrate to the sounds of your favorites!

The festival includes musical performances by Fantasia, Jeezy, Ginuwine, Doug E Fresh, Juvenile and so many more! 

Gates open Friday at 4 p.m., show starts at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, gates open at 3 p.m., show starts at 5 p.m.

Buy single, two-day, General Admission, and VIP tickets here. 

For parking information, visit the PARC website here. For additional information, visit the Funk Fest FAQ page.

129 River Rd., Louisville, KY 40202

PopCon, taking place at the Kentucky Exposition Center, is a convention for fans by fans! PopCon celebrates all aspects of pop culture in one weekend. 

The event will feature games as well as a Nerf War for all ages. Celebrity guests will be at PopCon all three days for fans to meet, including Emily Swallow of The Mandalorian, Dante Basco of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Cooper Andrews of Walking Dead, Justin Cook of My Hero Academia, and more!

Additional activities include a magic show, comic book workshops, dance party, drag show, and much more! Head to their website to see what else you can expect at the Louisville PopCon!

Panels, workshops, live podcasts, activities outside the vendor hall, and special events begin at noon and happen throughout the day until late in the evening on both Friday and Saturday. Activities end at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Purchase tickets here. 

937 Phillips Ln., Louisville, KY 40209

The second annual Race4Justice returns to the Norton Sports and Learning Complex. This event was designed by a women-led student group, inspired by Breonna Taylor and the movement that followed her tragic loss.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to local nonprofits doing justice work in the city.

5-person teams complete a relay of 26 total laps - each lap dedicated to one year of Breonna’s life. Individuals can register for a 1.3-mile run/walk Breonna's life was taken on March 13th. Virtual registration is also available. 

During the race, you will hear speakers and see videos depicting our journey highlighting the work of the event's non-profit partners. The day will also include a celebration of justice with music, and entertainment. Food trucks and vendors will be on-site. It will be a great day to celebrate, move, and act together.

3029 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY 40212

The 2023 Kentuckiana Pride Parade kicks off a full day of festivities starting at noon this Saturday! The parade will begin at the intersection of Campbell St. and Market St., continue through the Nulu area, and end at the Big Four Lawn.

The Kentuckiana Pride Festival will take place on the Big Four Lawn until 10 p.m. with musical performances, drag, vendors, local food trucks, activities for all ages, and more! 

On the Stonewall Main Stage, check out performances by Vincint, Slayyyter, Brooke Eden and many more. The second stage will feature a variety of local drag performers and will showcase the KPF Court.

From 12 to 5 p.m. enjoy the Kids and Family Area with activities such as face painting, corn hole, Plinko, a prize wheel and more!

VIP and General Admission tickets are available. Learn more and get your tickets here. 

1101 E. River Rd., Louisville, KY 40206

Join the Pride Bar Crawl this weekend and have fun jumping from Baxter's 942 Bar & Grill to Chill Bar to Big Bar and more until reaching the final stopping point at Wick's Pizza Parlor! 

With your ticket, you will receive a drink ticket, "Crawl With Us" stadium party cup (to the first 100 check ins), waived cover at all venues, professional photographers, free entry to the after party, and more! The after party will take place at Chill Bar from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Get your tickets here. 20% of event proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project's mission is to end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) young people.

Please remember, never drink and drive. 

942 Baxter Ave., Louisville, KY 40204

Enjoy an eclectic mix of vendors selling vintage, vinyl, antiques, mid-century, art deco, plants, books, repurposed, and more!

Brent Street will be closed down to traffic and filled with over 100 vendors. There will be a special dedicated area for Kentucky's best vintage clothing and streetwear vendors. The Food Hall, Cafe, and Village Market will be open offering plenty of delicious food options. Beverages will also be available for purchase. 

This is a free, family-friendly event open to the public. Dogs on leashes are allowed.

721 Brent St., Louisville, KY 40204

Join the German-American Club for an outdoor Wurstfest Biergarten! Live music, German food, and a great selection of beers and wines will be offered. 

Grilled sausages are being sold from 2 to 5 p.m. on the patio, with the full German kitchen open from 5 to 8 p.m.

Schedule: 

• 4 p.m.: German sausage making demonstration
• 5 p.m.: Face painting for kids
• 5 p.m.: Live band starts
• 5:30 p.m.: Hot dog eating contest 
• 6 p.m.: German sausage making demonstration
• 7 p.m.: Hog calling contest

This is a free, family-friendly event. Service dogs only. 

1840 Lincoln Ave., Louisville, KY 40213

Join Mellwood Art Center for a Dad's Day Cook-Out and Handmade Market! 

Stumps Diner will be serving up hamburgers and hotdogs fresh off the grill with classic sides like macaroni and cheese. Don't make Dad do the work, bring the whole family for lunch! There will be kids' games and activities, live music, vendors, and more!

Mellwood artists and shops throughout the building will be open to the public, plus there are 40,000 square feet of antiques and other cool finds at Mellwood Antiques & Interiors on the lower level.

From noon until 2 p.m. enjoy free live music with local band 2dB in the courtyard!

This is a free, family-friendly event with free parking. Pets on leashes welcome.

1860 Mellwood Ave., Louisville, KY 40206

Celebrate Dad by treating him to Father’s Day at the Zoo.

Enjoy free Zoo admission for dads on this special day courtesy of Ford Motor Company. Have a fun day outdoors together as you spend family time with the animal families at the Zoo. Visit animal dads like gray seal, Boone, father of Finsbay and zebra, Gibbs!

Fathers can simply let the attendant know at the entry gate. For the rest of your party, please purchase tickets online in advance here to avoid ticket window lines. Don’t forget to include your parking pass!

1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213

Join Naive for a summer solstice festival starting with group yoga at 4 p.m.! Starting at 5 p.m. enjoy checking out local artists, fashion, organic foods and products, spiritual guides, and more! Walk around with a summer solstice cocktail and enjoy all the local goods or find a table and dine on cuisine that caters to all diets!

The event will also feature tarot card readings, a crystal pop-up shop, followed by a drum circle and fire ceremony at 9 p.m. 

1001 E. Washington St., Louisville, KY 40204

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

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

Kentucky Shakespeare Festival’s performances are held at the C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater in Central Park, located in the heart of Old Louisville. 63rd season, free admission, Food & drinks available, pets on leash are welcome

Nightly Schedule:
6 p.m. Food Trucks
7 p.m. Kids’ Globe, Will’s Gift Shop, Will’s Tavern
7:15 p.m. Community Pre-show Performance
8 p.m. Performance

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, July 12, 15, 18, 21

Macbeth, June 15-25; July 11, 14, 19, 22 (no performances on Mondays or Tuesdays in June)

Love’s Labor’s Lost, June 29-July 9; July 13, 16, 20, 23

Kentucky Shakespeare’s Globe Players (professional training program for high school students) presents The Two Gentlemen of Verona, July 26-30

Louisville Ballet presents Shakespeare in Dance: Lady M, August 2-6

Louisville Improvisors presents Late Night Shakes, 10:30PM on June 24, July 8, and July 22

Louisville Fringe Festival presents GLOBE Arm Wrestling, 10:30PM on June 17, July 1, and July 15

ASL interpretation will be provided for the following performances:
Thursday, June 22 for Macbeth, Thursday, July 6 for Love’s Labor’s Lost, and Thursday, July 27 for Two Gentlemen of Verona.

1340 S. 4th St., Louisville, KY 40202

June

• St. Paul, June 15th-17th, 6901 Dixie Hwy.
• St. Albert the Great, June 16th & 17th, 1395 Girard Dr.
• St. Raphael, June 16th & 17th, 2141 Lancashire Ave.
• St. Martha, June 23rd & 24th, 2825 Klondike Ln.
• Holy Family, June 24th, 3926 Poplar Level Rd.

July

• St. Aloysius Peewee Valley, July 15th, 212 Mt. Mercy Dr.
• St. John Vianney, July 15th, 4839 Southside Dr. 
• St. Gabriel, July 15th, 5505 Bardstown Rd. 
• St. Agnes, July 20th-22nd, 1918 Newburg Rd.
• St. Rita, July 22nd, 8709 Preston Hwy.
• St. Thomas, July 29th, 870 St. Thomas Ln.