LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The weekend is upon us, and there are plenty of things to do and see across Kentuckiana.
Here are a selection of events, markets, concerts and more happening Friday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025.
Kentucky State Fair
Kentucky's favorite summer tradition is officially underway, and there's plenty of fun to be had for the whole family.
The 2025 Kentucky State Fair kicked off Thursday and runs through Aug. 24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org or find the fair on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
The fair has hundreds of activities scheduled during its 11-day run. You can plan ahead with the online daily schedule, available here.
Fair hours for this weekend:
- Gates
- Thursday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 17 - 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Barns
- Thursday, Aug. 14 to Saturday, Aug. 23 - 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Indoor exhibits
- Thursday, Aug. 14 to Saturday, Aug. 23 - 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Thrill Ville
- Thursday, Aug. 14 and Monday, Aug. 18 through Thursday, Aug. 21 - 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 15 and Friday, Aug. 22 - 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 16 and Saturday, Aug. 23 - 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 24 - 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, August 17: Military Sunday
- Active military and veterans, as well as their families, can attend the fair for free. Military ID is required. There is a limit of four free tickets, and parking is not included. Wristbands for Thrill Ville will be discounted 20% and available on-site. There is a limit of four wristbands per valid military ID.
Texas Roadhouse FREE Concert Series
- Friday, August 15: Sister Sledge ft. Sledgendary with special guest C+C Music Factory
- Saturday, August 16: Blue Öyster Cult with special guest Great Southern
- Sunday, August 17: Roots & Boots including Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, and Sammy Kershaw
The concert area opens daily at 6:30 p.m. and concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Effective Monday-Thursday after 6 p.m. and Friday-Sunday all day, fairgoers under 18 years old entering the fair must be accompanied by a chaperone 21 years of age or older. Proof of age is required. IDs will be verified at the gate.
Each adult can only chaperone 6 minors at a time. Groups larger than 6 individuals under the age of 18 will require an additional chaperone for every 6 minors.
View the entire policy and other conditions for admission on the Fair policy page.
Online ticket prices are currently $12 and include free parking. At participating Kroger locations, tickets are $9 through Aug. 13. Children 5-years-old and under are free.
Tickets are available here.
All-day wristbands for Thrill Ville are available now for $30 in advance when purchased online or at a participating Kroger location through Aug. 13. That will increase to $35 Aug. 14. Wristbands will also cost $35 during the fair and include "at least" 50 rides, including the Ferris wheels.
World's Championship Horse Show
The world’s most prestigious horse show returns to Freedom Hall August 16-23. The 121st event features more than 200 classes of Saddlebred horses and thousands of participants from around the country competing for over $1.5 million in prizes and World’s Champion titles.
Tickets are on sale now here.
Corn Island Storytelling Festival 2025
The Corn Island Storytelling Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary this Saturday, Aug. 16, at 3rd Turn Brewing Oldham Gardens in Crestwood, Kentucky, from 1-10 p.m. and will feature food, drinks and performances from 10 storytellers. Tickets cost $17.85 per person, but kids 12 and under get in for free.
Founded in 1975 by Kentucky author and poet laureate Lee Pennington, the festival has grown into one of the state’s most well-known gatherings celebrating oral tradition.
New this year, there will be a petting zoo on-site from 1-4 p.m. There are also three on-site restaurants and a full bar, with food and drinks available from 3rd Turn Oldham Gardens.
Organizers said this year’s golden celebration features 10 storytellers who will bring their unique voice and vision to the stage:
Family Fun:
- Eddie Price – Little Miss Grubby Toes Children Stories: 1 p.m.
- Sarah McCartt-Jackson – Children Born on the Wrong Side of the River – Poetry: 1:30 p.m.
- Geoff Baggett – Revolutionary War in a Trunk: 2 p.m.
- Reta Underwood – Painted Turtle Woman: 3 p.m.
- Bill Samuels, Jr. From Moonshine to Bourbon: A Family Business (Maker's Mark): 4 p.m.
- Kevin Hardesty Daniel Boone – First Kentuckian: 5 p.m.
- Eddie Price Widders Landing: 6 p.m.
Ghost Stories:
- Mary Hamilton – Feeding Nightmares: 7 p.m.
- Tom Freese – Ghost Stories, Witches & Haunted Battlefields: 8 p.m.
- Marie Mitchell & Dr. Mason Smith – The Battletown Witch and Other Haunts: 9 p.m.
To learn more, click here.
23rd annual Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival
The 23rd annual Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival returns to Madison, Indiana, this weekend.
This event has grown into one of the biggest BBQ and blues festivals in the region where you can enjoy national touring musicians, BBQ, beer, wine, bourbon and entertainment.
Experience the KCBS BBQ competition, Backyard BBQ amateur competition on Friday, BBQ Village, Kidz Q BBQ competition, Indiana Vintage Market on Saturday, lawn games and more.
Music Lineup
- Friday, Aug. 15: Gates open at 5 p.m
- Jordan A. Wilson Coalition with Jimmy Davis — 6 p.m.
- Bywater Call — 8 p.m.
- GA-20 — 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 16: Gates open at 11 a.m.
- Jeff Shew & The Late-Night Crew — 11:30 a.m.
- Jack Whittle — 1:30 p.m.
- Ricky Nye Inc Featuring Noah Wotherspoon — 3:30 p.m.
- Ben Chapman — 5:30 p.m.
- Robert Jon & The Wreck — 7:30 p.m.
- Shemekia Copeland — 9:30 p.m.
BG Johnson Band will be performing in between bands near the beer garden.
To get tickets to the Madison Ribberfest, click here.
Paranormal Cirque
Paranormal Cirque is bringing its extraordinary talents to Louisville this weekend.
The show runs from Aug. 15-18 at Lynn Family Stadium.
This cirque show is unlike any other, with performers from all around the world with no safety nets. Audiences can expect not-so-normal acrobats of the air, illusionists, freaks, mysterious creatures and more.
It's a new show poised between fun and the most uninhibited fear that will transport you to a dark world. A crazy yet fun fusion between circus, theatre and cabaret for a paranormal experience like no other.
Anyone 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
To learn more, click here. Tickets start at $27.67 and can be purchased by clicking here.
Paristown Flea Market
The Paristown Flea returns this weekend. Discover a treasure trove of vintage finds, funky junk,and one-of-a-kind curiosities.
Shop an eclectic mix of vendors offering vinyl records, antique furniture to art deco pieces, houseplants, repurposed goods, books and more.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or just browsing for something unexpected, Paristown Flea is your destination for all things unique, nostalgic and delightfully offbeat.
The Paristown Flea runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at 731 Brent Street.
For a calendar of events at Paristown, click here.
These are just a handful of events scheduled for this weekend. Click here to look at what else is happening across Kentuckiana this weekend.
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