Special Events Labor Day Weekend and Boo at the Zoo tickets now on sale!

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Councilman Kevin Kramer

Metro Councilman Kevin Kramer

601 W. Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202
502.574.1111
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Scott Harrington

 

Legislative Assistant
Phone: 502-574-3456
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Labor Day Weekend - Special Events

Join us this Labor Day weekend for a celebration of cultures at WorldFest Friday, August 30th through Monday, September 2nd & get active and celebrate healthy lifestyle at Mayor's 20th Hike, Bike, and Paddle on September 2nd! Find more details below. We're excited to see you there! 

Worldfest 2024

The 22nd annual WorldFest, Louisvilleʼs premier international festival, attracts more than 150,000 attendees over the four-day festival this Labor Day weekend.

WorldFest celebrates and showcases the international cultures and communities that make up the City of Louisville and neighboring areas. WorldFest is a free to attend and open to all ages, featuring entertainment stages, Parade of Cultures, Global Village, and more!

What to Expect:

  • Three entertainment stages showcasing international, national, regional and local performers all weekend long.
  • Nearly 150 International vendors featuring international arts, merchandise, food, and beverages.
  • A Global Village highlighting cultures and customs from all over the world.
  • A World of Information that informs citizens about services for our international residents.
  • A Children’s International Activity Zone to learn about cultures and customs, arts, crafts, and more.
  • A Parade of Cultures with nearly 1,000 participants celebrating all the diverse cultures in Louisville.
  • A Naturalization Ceremony pronouncing new Americans to Louisville as new citizens: This event will take place Friday, August 30, 2024 1:00 p.m., at Muhammad Ali Center, 6th floor.

If you are interested in participating in the WorldFest Parade of Cultures, please email Dorian at dorian@jwagnergroup.com

Find entertainment schedule and vendor directory on the WorldFest website below!


Mayor's 20th Hike, Bike & Paddle this Labor Day

HBP 2024

Join Mayor Craig Greenberg for the Labor Day Hike, Bike & Paddle! Choose between cycling through the heart of Louisville, walking through the Waterfront Park, or paddling down Ohio River through McAlpine locks. HIKE!

This year’s hike will consist of a 4-mile walk with multiple marked turnaround points throughout. Travel from the Great Lawn and follow the Ohio River east to RiverPark Place and back. The furthest distance will cross the Big Four Bridge into Indiana and come back. 

BIKE!

Cycle from the Great Lawn, through NULU, out to Cherokee Park and back for nearly 8.5 miles. The roads will be closed for you to safely travel to the Cherokee Park and volunteers will be guiding cyclists throughout the course. 

PADDLE!

Paddlers will have the option of launching at the Harbor Lawn or the U of L Boat Docks and paddle downstream to meet the other paddlers. This year’s paddle will go from the Harbor Lawn downriver to the McAlpine Locks, through the locks and to the Shawnee Park Boat Ramp. 

All paddlers must wear a life vest. Paddles without a vest will not be permitted to go through the McAlpine Locks. 

This year participants can rent a limited number of kayaks for FREE. Kayaks and all required equipment will be available on a first come first serve basis. Participants will have to sign a waiver and get instructed on water safety. Come to the event early and find a Shack Yaks trailer to secure your reservation. 

Paddle Boards are allowed at the Mayor's Hike, Bike, & Paddle! The paddle boarders will need to completely step off their boards and onto one of the rescue boats when going through the McAlpine locks before we can lock the group down. No sitting down on the board is allowed, paddle boarders must be on the boat. Every single person will be required to wear a life jacket even if they are on a boat.

GET ACTIVE!

Beginning at 8 a.m. there will be plenty of fun, music, and free fitness activities for you to enjoy. Get involved in activities like Yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, Fitness classes, and Workout circuits to celebrate Labor Day weekend. Detailed schedule of classes coming soon!

FREE t-shirts are available to the first 2,000 people. The t-shirt tent will open at 8:00 a.m., so make sure to arrive promptly to get in line!

The Hike, Bike, and Paddle portions will starts at 10 a.m.

Find routes and more information on Hike, Bike, and Paddle website below!


Tickets for “Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer” on sale to public today

Boo at the Zoo

The Louisville Zoo’s ever-popular Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer is celebrating 43 years of merry, not scary fun! Tickets go on sale today at noon and are available at louisvillezoo.org/boo. This beloved event is a Louisville tradition and will begin early this year starting Sept. 28 and running through Oct. 27 (Thursday – Sunday nights).

Tickets are all-inclusive and include Boo at the Zoo admission, parking, Spooktacular Carousel, “not-so-itsy-bitsy” Spider House and the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow attraction.

Children and adults are invited to dress up in their wildest costumes for the after-hours event.

Boo at the Zoo turns the Zoo into a living storybook, complete with favorite characters brought to life. There will be music, photo opportunities around every corner and, of course, a safe place to trick-or-treat for kids 11 and under. Guests are encouraged to bring their own trick-or-treat bags, but reusable treat bags will be available for purchase at the Zoo’s Gift Shop for $2 (while supplies last).

Tickets:

Tickets for Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer are $13.50 for all non-members 3 and older and $7 for all members 3 and older. Children 2 and under are free and do not require a ticket.

Members and guests can purchase tickets online at louisvillezoo.org/boo, with their chosen date and arrival time. Ticket capacity is limited each night with popular nights expected to sell out quickly.

A limited number of Meijer “anytime tickets” can be purchased at participating Meijer stores for $11.50 starting September 20, 2024. Visit louisvillezoo.org/boo for a list of stores.

Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer is a rain or shine event.

Sponsors:

Boo at the Zoo is presented by Meijer and sponsored by Great Clips, Norton Children’s, PNC Grow Up Great and UPS. With additional support provided by Councilman Pat Mulvihill & District 10 residents, Ky Saves 529, Nu Yale and USA Image.  

Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer provides critical support every year to the Zoo’s animal care programs, visitor experience and conservation education.

 

Event Hours:

On Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer event days:

The Zoo will close early for regular daytime visitors. Gates will close at 3 p.m. with guests being allowed to visit until 4 p.m.

The party starts at 5 p.m. and Halloween guests will enter the Zoo at their ticketed time until 9 p.m. At 10 p.m., the trick-or-treat route will close, and all guests must exit the Zoo.

 

Special Dates:

Sensory-Friendly Hours at Boo at the Zoo

Sunday, October 20; Enter 5 – 6:30 p.m., enjoy until 7 p.m.

This night will feature a sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience during these special hours with fewer lights, lower music and smaller crowds. Tickets are very limited so purchase early to reserve your spot.

 

Allergy-Friendly Night

Wednesday, October 23

This special night features peanut-free treat booths and added non-food treats like stickers, pencils and more.

 

PNC Grow up Great Mobile Learning Adventure

October 3 – 6

PNC Grow up Great Learning Adventure tent will be at the Zoo’s entrance Oct. 3 – 6.

 

Costumes:

The Zoo encourages all visitors to wear family-friendly costumes. Adults may join in the fun, however full costume masks that cover the entire face are not permitted for adults.

To learn more about the event and Boo at the Zoo presented by Meijer activities, visit louisvillezoo.org/boo.

Animals:

While you may catch a glimpse of some of our animals, most of the Zoo’s animal ambassadors will not be viewable in the evenings so they can rest and maintain their regular schedules.

Regular Zoo Hours:

The Zoo is open daily year-round. Hours through September 22, 2024 are 10 a.m. € 5 p.m. (stay until 6 p.m.). The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more info.

Boo at the Zoo

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