While May in Kentucky means all things Derby-related, there are other family-friendly events taking place around the Derby City! Here’s our May guide to family-friendly events in Louisville – a little bit of everything from baseball to a Renaissance fair to Spring on the farm!
Dawn at the Downs
now until May 4th | 7 am to 10 am
Churchill Downs | 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
Admission: free
Watch the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders conduct morning workouts while enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast. Dawn at the Downs is a popular tradition for both Louisvillians and visitors, giving Kentucky Derby fans the opportunity to see the contenders train for the big race, while listening to expert commentary. Be sure to park in the white lot and enter through the Paddock Gate.
Louisville Youth Orchestra Concert
Sunday, May 1st | 4 pm
Iroquois Amphitheater
An afternoon of pops music by all ensembles of the Louisville Youth Orchestra. The concert featuring nine Louisville Youth Orchestra ensembles will be held at 4 pm on Sunday, May 1, at Iroquois Amphitheater. A longtime Derby Festival Favorite, the Louisville Youth Orchestra Concert will feature ten Louisville Youth Orchestra ensembles. Enjoy the show and support our young musicians! The beautiful setting in Iroquois Park will offer music lovers a scenic and relaxing venue for this popular concert. Admission is free with a 2022 Pegasus Pin.
For more information call (502) 896-1851 or visit www.lyo.org.
Great Bed Races
Monday, May 2nd | 6 pm
Kentucky Exposition Center
Grab four of your co-workers, build a bed on wheels, decorate it, dress in a ridiculous costume—and then race to the finish. On race day, thousands of enthusiasts will gather to cheer you on, along with more than 30 teams. All the while, on-air personalities from WAVE TV anchor with live coverage from every angle, from the crowd to the parade of beds, to every last heat. That pretty much sums up the Kentucky Derby Festival Great Bed Races!
1:00 PM: Tailgate Party Starts
6:00 PM: Parade of the Beds
7:00 PM: Races Begin
Admission: FREE with 2022 Pegasus Pin®
$10 KEC Parking fee.
Entry Fee: $150/team (includes 5 participant t-shirts and 5 collectible event pins)
Liberty Financial Great Steamboat Race
Wednesday, May 4th
The Liberty Financial Great Steamboat Race has been taking place on the Ohio River since 1963, as part of the original Kentucky Derby Festival events. Ask any local, this event has become a Louisville tradition in the leadup to Derby weekend! One of the longest standing traditions of the Kentucky Derby Festival, the 2022 event will pit 3 vessels against each other in this race on the river! The Belle of Louisville, Belle of Cincinnati and American Countess will compete for bragging rights on the Ohio River. The race lasts about 2 hours, finishing back at the Wharf, where the Race’s Victor is awarded the pair of Silver Antlers.
Marvel Super Hero Night
Saturday, May 14th | game starts at 7:05 pm
Slugger Field | 401 East Main Street Louisville, Kentucky
We’re headed to the Multiverse! The Bats will don specialty Doctor Strange-themed jerseys for their game against Toledo. Marvel’s character Spider-Man will also be on-hand throughout the evening to meet fans and pose for pictures!
The How-To Festival
Saturday, May 14th | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Main Library | 301 York Street, Louisville, KY 40203
Want to learn how to be circus performer? Can your own vegetables? Keep bees in your backyard? Make cake sculptures? These are just some of the more than 50 things you can learn in five hours at the Library’s annual How-To Festival.
Louisville Bats vs Toldeo Mud Hens
Tuesday, May 10th to Sunday, May 15th | games start at 6:35 pm OR 7:05 pm
Slugger Field | 401 East Main Street Louisville, Kentucky
International Food Truck Festival
Saturday, May 14th | 11 am to 10 pm
Big Four Lawn, Waterfront Park
This multi-national food truck festival is what your taste buds have been craving. Come join is at the Big 4 Bridge in Louisville for a family fun-filled day of performances and food! From American to Mexican to Thai to Korean, we have gathered the best and local international flavors for you.
CycleNation Tricycle Race
Saturday, May 14th | 2 pm to 5 pm
Clark County YMCA | 4812 Hamburg Pike Jeffersonville, IN
Everyone is a winner! Ages 2-8 are welcome to join us for a fun and competitive tricycle race during American Heart Association’s Southern Indiana CycleNation event from 2 pm – 5 pm at the Clark County YMCA. Visit cyclenation.org/soin to learn more about CycleNation. For questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Racing Louisville FC vs Houston Dash
Saturday, May 14th | starts at 8 pm
Lynn Family Stadium | 350 Adams St, Louisville, KY
Gardeners’ Fair/Spring on the Farm
Saturday, May 14th to Sunday, May 15th | 10 am to 4:30 pm
Locust Grove | 561 Blankenbaker Ln, Louisville, KY
Under the roof of Locust Grove’s beautiful new open-air pavilion, you’ll find first-person interpreters talking about 18th century farming practices. And, as always, you can purchase food at Locust Grove’s concession stand as well as delights from food trucks and Gelato Gilberto. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both days. Admission: $8 for adults; $4 for children 6–12; free for children under 6.
Southern Indiana Renaissance Festival
Sunday, May 14th to May 21st | 10 am to 6 pm
Prepare thyself for your Fairytale Fantasy coming to life in our 15th Century Castle! Rub elbows with Peasants, Pirates, Vikings, Faeries, Princess, Duke and Duchess, the Queen and thou may even be Knighted by the King! Stroll through our village filled with renaissance entertainment, food & drink.
Racing Louisville FC vs San Diego Wave
Wednesday, May 18th | starts at 7:30 pm
Lynn Family Stadium | 350 Adams St, Louisville, KY
Old Louisville Springfest
Saturday, May 21st | 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Toonerville Trolley Park | 1215 S Brook St, Louisville, KY 40203
Louisville City vs Monterey Bay FC
Saturday, May 21st | starts at 7:30 pm
Lynn Family Stadium | 350 Adams St, Louisville, KY
Louisville Bats vs Omaha Storm Chasers
Tuesday, May 25th to Sunday, May 29th | games start at various times
Slugger Field | 401 East Main Street Louisville, Kentucky
Abbey Road on the River
Abbey Road on the River Celebrating the Music and Legend of the Beatles, Downtown Jeffersonville, Indiana, May 26-May30, 2022! Enjoy hundreds of Beatles and 60’s themed concerts all in one place for 4 consecutive days presented by 60 bands. 25,000 music fans from across the universe have been regularly attending Abbey Road On The River since 2002. They come with friends, with kids, with grandkids, and even alone because no one is ever alone at Abbey Road On The River.
Louisville City vs FC Tulsa
Saturday, May 28th | starts at 2 pm
Lynn Family Stadium | 350 Adams St, Louisville, KY
What family-friendly events will you attend this month? Have something we should add to the list? Email us at [email protected] and share your photos with us on Instagram using #MomsAroundLouisville!
