WorldFest
September 1 - 4, 2023
WorldFest, presented by Louisville Third Century and Park Community Credit Union, is celebrating its 21st year and invites you to the Belvedere for four full days of music, food and fun!
WorldFest is a free, family-friendly event that showcases the many different heritages and cultures that make Louisville diverse, inclusive and vibrant city. Head to the Information Tent located at the entrance to the Belvedere to grab your map for the weekend that contains a list of all our vendors as well as the entertainment schedule!
Enjoy free children's activities in the WorldFest International Kids Zone presented by the YMCA of Greater Louisville on the Overlook! Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., bring the kids for face painting, a marble chopstick game, and crafts such as origami, instrument making and more.
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The Parade of Cultures will take place Saturday at noon! Watch as more than 50 groups representing more than 30 cultures dance, walk and celebrate their heritage with us in a beautiful display of colors and pride.
The parade will march from 5th and Market Streets to the top of the Belvedere on the Overlook Stage. Make sure to arrive early to get a great view!
On Saturday and Sunday afternoons you can experience the Global Village with performances by groups such as Mexico Lindo Dance, Cultura Philippines and more at the Overlook Stage!
WorldFest will feature three entertainment stages showcasing more than 70 musical acts, headliners include: Maestro J, Carly Johnson, Milenio, Frankie Raymore & the GrooveMasterz, Brian Elmore & the Big Steel Train and many other talented musicians.
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Multiple dance groups from all over the globe will entertain attendees with impressive choreography and stunning outfits on all three stages.
With more than 70 different food vendors, attendees can taste foods from India, Thailand, Mexico, Jamaica and beyond! For those 21 and over, enjoy a refreshing beer from Stella Artois and Anheuser-Busch with classics from around the world or a top shelf margarita!
Each of the bars in the venue also contain a sign with two QR codes. Scan them to sign up for your chance to win 2 general admission weekend passes to either Louder Than Life or Bourbon & Beyond! Find their logos on the map as well.
On Saturday, bring the family down a little early for a free soccer demonstration by Louisville City FC! They will be on the West Lawn of the Belvedere showing attendees their quick moves and impressive foot skills. Come and see for yourself!
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Don't forget to do some shopping while at WorldFest! With dozens of unique craft and clothing booths to choose from, there is guaranteed to be something that will catch your eye! Explore the GE World Hub and find your new treasure to take home!
This weekend be sure to purchase an exclusive tie-dye WorldFest t-shirt from the Vendor Services booth while supplies last!
New this year, the WorldFest celebration began a little early opening from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday with the support of Louisville Downtown Partnership. Hundreds of people came from around the city to explore the many rows of food and craft vendors and two stage featuring live music! This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Belvedere!
Thursday music on the Fountain Stage featured Tyrone Cotton presented by TAJ Louisville, Steel City Jug Slammers presented the by the National Jug Band Jubilee, and Brigid Kaelin presented by MERF, the Musicians' Emergency Resource Foundation!
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Thursday music on the West Lawn stage featured acts by DJ Dee B, Omari K, NSWV, T Man Williams, GIGI Souljabwoy, Eco Zeal, DJ Oko and an African Dance Tutorial presented by Freedom Senior Services, West End Adult Day Health Care, New Family Urgent Care, and Somali Community of Louisville Inc.!
The Naturalization Ceremony took place at 1 p.m. on Friday. It is hosted by the Louisville Metro Office for Immigrant Affairs at the Muhammad Ali Center and this year welcomed 81 new U.S. citizens into our city!
Come down and enjoy Labor Day weekend with us on the Belvedere! WorldFest hours are:
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Monday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A world of thanks to our sponsors who make this event possible! Our presenting sponsors are Louisville Third Century and Park Community Credit Union! Thank you also to: Passport by Molina Healthcare, Stella Artois & Anheuser-Busch, GE Appliances a Haier Company, YMCA of Greater Louisville, McDonald's of Greater Louisville, Lexington and Southern Indiana, JBS, T-Mobile, Louisville Downtown Partnership, UPS, Office for Immigrant Affairs, 100.5 FM, NewsRadio 840 WHAS, and WLKY.
Special thanks to LG&E, Malibu Rum, Louisville Tourism, Louisville City FC, Derby City Environmental, the Galt House Hotel, Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville Metro Public Works and Assets Signs and Markings Division, Electrical Maintenance, Louisville Metro Facilities and Fleet, Solid Waste Management Services, Louisville Metro EMS, and Louisville Metro Police Department.
Travel the world without leaving the city this weekend at WorldFest!
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Mayor's Hike, Bike & Paddle
September 4, 2023
The Mayor's Hike, Bike & Paddle event returns for the second time in 2023 on Labor Day, Monday, September 4th.
This is the 19th year and 38th edition of Hike, Bike & Paddle presented by Norton Sports Health. The event kicks off at the Waterfront Park Great Lawn at 8 a.m.
Beginning at 8 a.m. there will be plenty of fun, free fitness activities for you to enjoy. These include Yoga with Yoga East, Tai Chi with Nu Chapter Tai Chi Chuan & QiGong Institute, Zumba with Nu Image Fitness, Pound with Natalie Buente, HYP3 with Jermon Guest, Nachale Bollywood Dance Workout, and Cricket with Louisville Cricket Club.
Free t-shirts are available to the first 2,000 people. The t-shirt tent will open at 8 a.m., make sure to get in line early!
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The Hike, Bike & Paddle portion will begin at 10 a.m. after remarks from Mayor Craig Greenberg and the traditional cannon fires.
For those going out on the bike ride, make sure to bring your helmet. For those needing a helmet, the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky will be supplying and fitting helmets while supplies last.
For hikers, this year features four different route options, including one to the base of the Big Four Bridge, one to the RiverPark Place apartments, and the furthest going across the Big Four Bridge into Jeffersonville, Ind. and back. Check out the Hike map here.
For cyclists, they will travel to Shawnee Park and back to the Great Lawn, a total of 12 miles. Check out the Bike map here.
The paddling course will begin shortly after the hikers and bikers take off. The route features five miles of scenic paddling along the Ohio River through the McAlpine Locks (locks close at 11:30 a.m.) to the Shawnee Boat Ramp by noon. TARC will offer a free shuttle for the return trip to the Great Lawn. Check out the Paddle map here.
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Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Norton Sports Health, for their continued support of this great community event! Thank you to our media sponsors WLKY, NewsRadio 840 WHAS, and 98.9 Kiss FM Louisville.
Thank you also to the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky, Waterfront Development Corporation, River City Paddle Sports, Louisville Bicycle Club, Nu Image Fitness, Nu Chapter Tai Chi Chuan & Qigong Institute, Yoga East, Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling, Clarksville Schwinn, The Hiker Babes, 502 Dragons and Derby City Dragon Boats, Louisville Metro Police Department, Louisville Metro Fire Department, Louisville Metro EMS, Louisville Metro Facilities and Fleet, Public Works and Assets Signs and Markings Division, and Transportaion Planning and Technology Services!
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  Make sure to follow the Around Lou Social Media pages to stay up to date on even more fun happening Around Lou!
September 2nd, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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