Looking for the biggest and best music festivals in Kentucky 2024? Well, look no further, as I’ve put together this list of Kentucky festivals 2024 has to offer!
Because well, Kentucky is one incredible place to party. Across the state and throughout the year, you can gather with other members of the community to enjoy top-notch music (and great Southern cooking). And above all, what better way to celebrate the Kentucky’s natural beauty than a festival? Below is the list of must-attend music festivals in Kentucky that will keep you dancing and grooving all year long.
And be sure to read my guides on Festival Hydration Backpacks, Festival Camping Packing List, Festival Shoes, and Festival Gadgets to help you make the most of your time!
Kentucky Music Festivals 2024
1) Louder Than Life Festival
Credit: Louder Than Life Festival
When: September 26-29, 2024
Where: Louisville, Kentucky
https://www.louderthanlifefestival.com/
Louder Than Life is easily one of the most iconic and best Kentucky festivals! In fact, in 2022 it was awarded the “Festival of the Year”, and for good reason. Offering it’s attendees a world-class production, stacked line-up, incredible camping, food vendors, and so much more – the team behind Louder Than Life clearly know what they’re doing! For rock and heavy metal fans, this festival is a no brainer and a must attend every year!
2) Bourbon and Beyond Festival
Credit: Bourbon and Beyond Festival
When: September 19-22, 2024
Where: Louisville, Kentucky
Offering 4-days of music, massive stages, and incredible Kentucky festival vibes, Bourbon and Beyond have placed themselves as a key player in the festival game. In 2022, they broke attendance records, but who can be surprised at that with such a STACKED line-up. Past headliners include Kings of Leon, Alanis Morisette, Pearl Jam, and SO many more. The production level is next game, there is a ton of amazing food and drink vendors, and the atmosphere is remarkable. There’s no better way to spend your September than soaking up 4-days at B&B!
3) Forecastle Festival
Image: Inc. Magazine
When: May, 2024 (hiatus in 2023)
Where: Louisville, Kentucky
https://www.forecastlefest.com/
“YOUR MUSICAL ADVENTURE AWAITS. A place to come together, Forecastle, brings artists from around the world to the waterfront of Louisville for a whale of a good time. Kentucky marks the spot when it comes to bourbon – seriously, 95% of the world’s bourbon is produced here! As a result, Forecastle is about much more than just the music. It’s a celebration of unrivaled local eats, drinks, and Kentucky flair! As you cruise around the grounds, sip on some bourbon, soak in the waterfront views, and shop from some of the best in the Commonwealth.
Unfortunately, Forecastle Festival has decided to take the year off in 2023, but I’ve kept them on this list as they’ve brought some of the biggest names in the electronic music industry out to Kentucky (and hopefully they return in 2024).
4) Romp Fest
When: June 26-29, 2024
Where: Owensboro, Kentucky
Daviess County’s Yellow Creek Park, a 150-acre facility famous for its nature trails, winding creek and fishing lake, and sweeping tree-lines, plays host to ROMP each year. A full line-up of artist-led instrument workshops takes place throughout the day, as ROMP artists interact with fans and players of all ages and skill levels. Other workshops and forums include songwriting, clogging and flat-foot dancing, yoga (all levels), and bluegrass jamming 101.
Additional offerings at ROMP Festival include organic and farm-to-table food vendors, craft vendors featuring Kentucky Proud products, art installations and professionally-led children’s activities. Attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam throughout the weekend, as well as dance the night away at the late night stage, featuring nationally acclaimed acts in the park’s rustic Pioneer Village.”
5) The Big Stomp
Credit: The Big Stomp
When: June 26-27, 2024
Where: Louisville, Kentucky
“Located on a beautiful 90-acre private nature preserve adjacent to Louisville’s renowned Parklands, The Big Stomp is a festival that stomps the mental health stigma. Our immersive, multi-day experience takes a fresh, inclusive, modern approach. With social activities and mindful programming, we provide education, awareness, and resilience tools. Together we are rocking the elephant in the room – changing the way mental health is communicated while fostering an environment of openness and fearlessness. Music is a universal language that brings us together. With two days, three stages, and multiple genres (from rock to bluegrass to electronica and beyond) enjoy national acts and the best emerging ones too…learn and discover anew!”
6) Great American Brass Band Festival
When: May 30-June 1, 2024
Where: Danville, Kentucky
“The Great American Brass Band Festival is a Festival that celebrates brass music and is in its 33nd year. The Festival happens every June in beautiful downtown Danville, Kentucky. The Festival is a free, family-friendly event. Bands and visitors come from all over the United States and beyond. The Great American Brass Band Festival is a community event showcasing brass band music through performance and education. The Festival preserves brass band music and explores its cultural influences through a variety of programs and presentations, featuring the best brass musicians in the world.”
7) Poorcastle Music Festival
When: May 17-19, 2024
Where: Louisville, Kentucky
https://www.facebook.com/Poorcastle
Poorcastle Festival – A festival for the rest of us.
“Est. In 2013 with indie roots, Poorcastle has grown into the magical (& always affordable) experience we all know and love. Every year hundreds of musicians, local businesses, artists & vendors collide to create an unforgettable weekend for the Louisville community. Poorcastle festival Inc. Is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, with proceeds benefiting youth-based music organizations in Louisville.”
8) Summer Motion Festival
When: July, 2024
Where: Ashland, Kentucky
https://www.facebook.com/SummerMotion/
Family friendly festival at Ashland’s Central Park & River Port
“Summer Motion has presented the people of Ashland, KY some of the best country, rock, and Motown groups in the world at NO COST to attendees, and in an alcohol free environment. Fireworks, games, rides, and more!”
9) Black Mountain Jamboree
When: October 4-5, 2024
Where: Lake Cumberland, Kentucky
https://www.blackmountainjamboree.com/
BOUTIQUE — UNIQUE — FAMILY FRIENDLY FESTIVAL
“Join us for a weekend of killer music and camping in the heart of Lake Cumberland. Enjoy a curated lineup of rising Americana, rock and country acts, hiking trails to the lake and all the fresh air and stars you can stand.”
10) Kentucky Reggae Festival
When: TBC, 2024
Where: Louisville, Kentucky
http://www.kentuckyreggaefestival.com/
“The sound of steel drums. The savory smell of Caribbean-inspired food. That’s just part of what makes the Four Roses Bourbon Kentucky Reggae Festival Louisville’s premiere Reggae event. You’ll love the authentic, delicious dishes from food vendors like A Piece of Jamaica Grill. You’ll find unique treasures among the arts, crafts, jewelry, and more in the Caribbean Vendor Market. And you won’t be able to stop swaying to the contagious, soul-satisfying sounds of live Reggae music. Come and escape to the islands – without ever leaving the city.”
11) Master Musicians Festival
When: July 18-20, 2024
Where: Somerset, Kentucky
www.mastermusiciansfestival.org
“The Master Musicians Festival is an outdoor two-day music festival held annually in July in Somerset, Kentucky. Established in 1994, the event is organized by an all-volunteer board of directors on the campus of Somerset Community College.”
12) The Moonshiner’s Ball
When: October, 2024
Where: Riverside, Kentucky
https://themoonshinersball.com
“The Moonshiner’s Ball is an annual music festival that was started in 2014 by a rag-tag group of musicians and music-loving friends, including members of the band Blind Corn Liquor Pickers. Since 2018, the fest has taken place at Rockcastle Riverside, a beautiful and secluded private concert venue and campground located in the Daniel Boone National Forest, a little over an hour southeast from Lexington, Kentucky. With an average attendance of 1200-1500 kind souls, this small, grassroots festival allows plenty of space to spread out, steal away from the crowds and commune with nature.
Meticulously curated by a team of music lovers, The Moonshiner’s Ball embraces a diverse variety of music, with the unofficial tagline “folk by day, funk by night.” We take great pride in our region, and love to spotlight our favorite Kentucky acts, but are also excited to host some of our favorite musical discoveries from well beyond our state on our two stages. Genres range from bluegrass, Americana and singer-songwriter to funk, R&B, electronica and beyond.”
13) PlayThink Festival
When: June 12-16, 2024
Where: Harrodsburg, Kentucky
“PlayThink is a summer adventure in the Appalachian Foothills that will transform your heart.”
Am I missing any amazing Kentucky festivals 2024?
If you’ve heard of any cool festivals, events, or concerts that deserve a place on this list, be sure to reach out!
I’d love to keep my list of music festivals in Kentucky as up to date as possible!
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