BEYONCE IN LOUISVILLE - 7-17-2023 (3).JPEG

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- There are a lot of events that happen each year in and around Louisville, and 2023 was no exception.

Beyoncé brought her "Renaissance" world tour to L&N Stadium, Louisville's own Jack Harlow got his own Hometown Hero banner, and Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life returned bigger and better than ever.

Here's a rundown of some of the most notable events that happened this year:

The year started off strong, with cast members of the 2004 comedy "Napoleon Dynamite" visiting for a screening of the film. A moderated panel followed with John Heder, who played Napoleon, Efren Ramirez, who played Pedro, and Jon Gries, who played Uncle Rico. Sweet! 

In February, WDRB News hosted the inaugural WDRB Bark Bowl. The studio was packed with puppies from the Kentucky Humane Society. The puppies stormed the studio with tails wagging and high energy action on the field, with a lot of jumping, biting and even a few ferocious growls. You can re-watch the adorableness by clicking here.

This summer was jam-packed with events. In May, Louisville's own Jack Harlow was honored with his own "Hometown Hero" banner on Broadway near downtown. The banner is part of a series of similar ones around the city commemorating influential Louisvillians, including Muhammad Ali, Diane Sawyer and Jennifer Lawrence. 

In July, the local "Beyhive" was buzzing when Beyoncé brought her "Renaissance World Tour" to L&N Stadium in Louisville. While the concert experienced a slight delay because of a threat of storms, that didn't stop thousands of fans from pouring into the stadium, some waiting in line all day buzzing with excitement. 

IMAGES | Beyonce' fans get creative with fashion for concert in Louisville

Lots of bling made it into the wardrobes! 

In August, Barry Manilow made a stop in Louisville and celebrated a southern Indiana teacher while he was in town. Manilow performed at the KFC Yum! Center, but before his performance, he met with Floyd Central High School's orchestra teacher, Doug Elmore. Elmore won the Barry Manilow Music Project contest and won $5,000 "Manilow Bucks" to buy instruments for his school's program, along with $5,000 in cash.

September brought the return of two major music festivals. Bourbon & Beyond was up first, bringing thousands of fans to the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center for the four-day event. The lineup of artists included Brandi Carlile, The Killers, The Black Keys, Bruno Mars, Billy Strings, Duran Duran, The Black Crowes, Blondie, Hozier and many more. The festival also includes a lineup of bourbon and culinary programming. 

In December, the organizers for the festival announced that the festival would be back in 2024, bigger and better than ever before with two more stages, 50 more bands on the lineup, and an expanded culinary and bourbon experience. Next year's Bourbon & Beyond is scheduled for Sept. 19-22. The lineup is typically released in the spring/summer months.

IMAGES | Final day of Bourbon & Beyond 2023 held at Kentucky Expo Center

The weekend after Bourbon & Beyond, Louder Than Life brought in a record 180,000 people back to the Highland Festival Grounds at the Expo Center. The four-day event featured about 100 acts, including Green Day, the Foo Fighters, Tool, Pantera, Avenged Sevenfold, Weezer and more. Fans from all 50 states and 22 countries traveled to Louisville to take in the live shows. 

IMAGES | Avenged Sevenfold, Falling In Reverse and Pantera rock day 3 of Louder Than Life

September also saw the return of Broadway hit "Wicked" to downtown Louisville. The show had a 17-day run at The Kentucky Center. Set-up for the $13 million production came to life in two-and-a-half days. It's last run in Louisville was in 2015. The latest run at Whitney Hall consisted of 23 shows, kicking off the 2023-24 season of PNC Broadway in Louisville. "Wicked" was followed by a run of "TINA: The Tina Turner Musical." Up next is the "Frozen" musical, which runs from Jan. 24 through Feb. 4. To purchase tickets and learn more about the season, click here.

In December, the Kentucky Derby Museum hosted an all-day celebration called "Race to 150," 150 days until the 150th Kentucky Derby. Preparations for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby have been underway for quite a while, and there are several events leading up to the big day in May. 

To read more about how the museum is commemorating the 150th Derby, click here.

Tickets for Kentucky Derby 150 are already on sale. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

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