— Best Music Festival
- And the winner is...
- Bourbon & Beyond
The Basics
Founded: 2017
Neighborhood: Highland Festival Grounds, Kentucky Exposition Center
Self-description: “The world’s largest bourbon, food and music festival.”
Website: bourbonandbeyond.comBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 1
Total wins: 1The Voting Academy Says
“As an Audubon Park resident, it is fun to walk over and enjoy the music.”
- And the other nominees are...
- Abbey Road on the River
The Basics
Founded: 2002 (2005 in Louisville)
Neighborhood: Jeffersonville, Indiana
Self-description: “The world’s largest Beatles-inspired music festival.”
Website: arotr.comBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 2
First nomination: 2011, Best Summer FestivalA Nice Internet Review!
“I’ve been to Australia, various Beatles festivals in Europe, Canada, and I’ve held my own Beatles festival. But there’s something magical about this. You’ve got people coming from all over the states, and then people coming from Europe and Canada.”
- Big Stomp
The Basics
Founded: 2017 (formerly PeteFest)
Neighborhood: Waterfront Park
Self-description: “The nation’s first music festival to focus on mental health.”
Website: thebigstomp.comBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 1
A Nice Internet Review!
“Music and mental health are very tied together. Music can be very cathartic and soothing. It’s also sometimes what we turn to as a refuge when we’re suffering.”
- Garvin Gate Blues Festival
The Basics
Founded: 1988
Neighborhood: Old Louisville
Self-description: “A celebration of both the blues and the arts.”
Website: thegarvingatebluesfestival.comBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 1
The Voting Academy Says
“Now one of the longest-running free blues festivals in the United States. It attracts folks from every corner of the city, every income level — a truly diverse crowd.”
- Kentuckiana Pride
The Basics
Founded: 2000 (1980s as a group picnic)
Neighborhood: Waterfront Park
Self-description: “We advocate pride, celebrate achievements and educate leaders.”
Website: kypride.comBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 1
The Voting Academy Says
“Louisville has shown that it’s a rare Southern oasis of welcome and affirmation for the LGBTQ+ community. When Kentuckiana Pride sells out, it is a testament to the progress we’ve made. The aerial videos are spectacular.”
- Louder Than Life
The Basics
Founded: 2014
Neighborhood: Highland Festival Grounds, Kentucky Exposition Center
Self-description: “America’s loudest rock and metal festival.”
Website: louderthanlifefestival.comBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 1
The Voting Academy Says
“I live like three miles away and could hear Korn from my patio last year.”
- Sky Soul
The Basics
Founded: 2024
Neighborhood: Waterfront Park
Self-description: “Louisville’s premier R&B and hip-hop festival.”
Website: skysoulfestival.comBest of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 1
The Voting Academy Says
“Newer fest, bringing the likes of Jagged Edge and Anthony Hamilton and Dru Hill to town.”