Ready to see LOU in bloom? Fromlive music and Kentucky Derby celebrations to garden shows and seasonal festivals, spring is where Derby City thrives.

Get ready to experience the natural beauty of Louisville and all spring has to offer with this guide featuring 43 spring events happening between March and May.

Festivals

Norton Commons Art Festival | May 18-19 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | North Village Town Square, 6324 River Beauty Loop, Prospect | Free | Shop over 100 artisan vendors including painters, jewelry makers, potters, soap milliners, photographers, woodworkers, and more. Local food trucks will be on hand as well.

Spring into Derby Art Market | April 11-14 | Times Vary | Paristown, 720 Brent St., Louisville | Free | Jump into Kentucky Derby season by shopping local + regional art exhibitor pop-ups while listening to live music from The Juice Box Heroes and the Kaintuck Band.

Portland Festival | May 31-June 1 | 3329 Northwestern Pkwy., Louisville | Free | This annual spring festival was moved to fall last year, but will return to its traditional time in 2024. Enjoy carnival fare + rides.

The Belle of Louisville came to Louisville in 1962. | Photo by Belle of Louisville Riverboats

Kentucky Derby Festival

The month leading up to the Kentucky Derby is when Louisville flies highest and loudest. From Thunder Over Louisville to Great Balloon Race, there are ~70 events during the annual Kentucky Derby Festival. Entry to several events comes with a pegasus pin, which can be purchased for $7 in advance or $10 at entry.

Block Party | April 13 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center, 3029 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville | Free | Enjoy 20 food trucks + entertainment, including live music, visual artists, DJs, dancers, poets, theater acts, spoken word, and comedy.

Fillies Derby Ball | Galt House Hotel Grand Ballroom, 140 N. 4th St., Louisville | $250-$3,500 | Get dressed up for an evening of “Old Hollywood Glam" + dance to live music from Radiotronic.

Taste of Derby Festival | 5:30-8 p.m. | Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St., Louisville | $90 | Sample the best LOU's foodie scene has to offer with dishes from ~50 restaurants. All proceeds from the event benefit the Dare to Care Food Bank.

Volleyball Classic | April 20-21 + 27-28 | Baxter Jacks, 427 Baxter Ave., Louisville + Seneca Park, 3151 Pee Wee Reese Rd., Louisville | Free | Watch teams compete in one of the largest and oldest outdoor volleyball tournaments in the country in both sand and grass categories.

Fest-a-ville + Chow Wagon | April 25-May 3 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (12-10 p.m. on Sunday) | Waterfront Park, 231 E. Witherspoon St., Louisville | $7-$10 | Hear live music + enjoy entertainment like wrestling while you chow down on carnival fare like elephant ears, corndogs, and burgers.

Valhalla opened in 1986 and has hosted several PGA events, including the 2008 Ryder Cup + three PGA Championships. | Photo by PGA of America/Valhalla Golf Club

Sporting Events

Gardening

Locust Grove Gardeners' Fair | May 13-14 | 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Ln., Louisville | $4-$8 | Shop over 30 vendors, selling plants, flowers, vegetables, gardening tools, art, and more. Plus, enjoy animal demonstrations to get a sense of farm life.

Live Music

Uncle Boojie's Roots Revue | May 24 | 3-11 p.m. | Old Forester's Paristown Hall, 731 Brent St., Louisville | $10-$85 | This new festival will strum its way into your heart with several Bluegrass acts.

Poorcastle Festival | May 17-19 | Breslin Park, 1400 Payne St., Louisville | $25 | This "Festival for the Rest of Us" is celebrating 10 years in 2024. In fact, it's outlived the festival it spoofed — Forecastle Festival.

Bonus: Check out our list of must-see concerts this year.