Louisville, Kentucky, knows how to throw a party. Every September, the city transforms into the home of one of the most exciting festivals in the United States. Bourbon and Beyond 2026 runs from September 24 to September 27 at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center. This is the eighth year of the festival, and organizers have described it as the largest lineup in the event’s history.
Over 100 artists will perform across five stages. Rare bourbons will be poured. Celebrity chefs will cook. Roller coasters will spin. There is genuinely nothing else quite like it.
What Is Bourbon and Beyond?
Bourbon and Beyond bills itself as the World’s Largest Bourbon, Food, and Music Festival. That is not an empty claim. In 2025, the festival welcomed over 200,000 fans across four days and generated more than 43 million dollars in local economic impact. It also took home Pollstar’s Global Festival of the Year award for 2025.
The event launched in 2017 with two days and around 50,000 fans. Since then, it has grown steadily into a massive cultural fixture. The festival is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, the same team behind Louder Than Life, also held in Louisville. Additionally, the festival has become a showcase for Kentucky’s food and bourbon culture, not just its music scene.
Dates, Venue and Key Details
| Detail | Information |
| Dates | September 24–27, 2026 |
| Venue | Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center |
| City | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Number of Stages | 5 |
| Number of Artists | 100+ |
| Theme Park Access | Kentucky Kingdom (exclusive to attendees) |
| Passes Available At | bourbonandbeyond.com |
Kentucky Kingdom, the beloved local theme park, is fully integrated into the festival grounds in 2026. Attendees get free access to 18 amusement rides, including the Giant Wheel ferris wheel, Lightning Run rollercoaster, Scream Extreme, and Skycatcher. Air-conditioned indoor dining and select concessions are also included with festival admission.
The 2026 Lineup: Night-by-Night Highlights
The 2026 roster is genuinely stacked. Each day brings a different musical identity while maintaining the eclectic spirit the festival is known for.
Thursday, September 24 — Rock Opens the Weekend
Foo Fighters headline the opening night. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and 15-time Grammy Award winners bring arena-level energy to kick off the weekend. Queens of the Stone Age, The War on Drugs, and Goose round out a Thursday that leans heavily into rock, psych, and jam.
Friday, September 25 — Folk, Indie, and Country Take Center Stage
Friday shifts the mood. Mumford and Sons headline, marking their first Louisville appearance in nearly a decade. Kacey Musgraves brings her cinematic country-pop. Foster the People and Of Monsters and Men add a strong indie dimension. It is a thoughtful, melodic evening that contrasts beautifully with Thursday’s intensity.
Saturday, September 26 — A Kentucky Homecoming
Saturday belongs to Kentucky. Chris Stapleton, born in Staffordsville and one of the state’s most celebrated exports, leads the bill. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and The Red Clay Strays join him for a night rooted in American roots music at its finest. Jessie Murph also performs, adding a younger perspective to the lineup.
Sunday, September 27 — A Classic Send-Off
Dave Matthews Band closes out the festival on Sunday. Hootie and the Blowfish, Counting Crows, Portugal. The Man, Fitz and the Tantrums, Better Than Ezra, Lisa Loeb, and many others fill out a final day loaded with 1990s nostalgia and timeless American rock.
| Day | Headliner | Other Notable Acts |
| Thursday, Sept 24 | Foo Fighters | Queens of the Stone Age, Goose, The War on Drugs |
| Friday, Sept 25 | Mumford and Sons | Kacey Musgraves, Foster the People, Of Monsters and Men |
| Saturday, Sept 26 | Chris Stapleton | Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Red Clay Strays, Jessie Murph |
| Sunday, Sept 27 | Dave Matthews Band | Hootie and the Blowfish, Counting Crows, Better Than Ezra |
Beyond the headliners, the full lineup includes Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Charley Crockett, Father John Misty, The Flaming Lips, 4 Non Blondes, Violent Femmes, Adam Ant, Cheap Trick, Squeeze, Marcus King Band, and dozens more. There is something for nearly every musical taste across the four days.
The Bourbon Experience: World-Class Pours and Rare Finds
Music brings people to the festival. However, bourbon is what makes it truly unique. The Kroger Big Bourbon Bar is the centerpiece of the spirits experience. Dozens of Kentucky’s finest distilleries pour their products across the four days.
Some of the bourbons available at the festival include household names as well as rare and allocated bottles. Blanton’s, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Bulleit Rye, Elijah Craig, Knob Creek, Evan Williams, and Woody Creek are among those confirmed for 2026.
For collectors and enthusiasts, the Hunter’s Club offers something special. This dedicated space focuses on vintage and allocated bourbons. Past editions have featured pours from Blanton’s, Weller, and Eagle Rare — bottles that are notoriously difficult to find in retail stores.
Additionally, the festival offers a selection of historic vintage bourbons. Previous editions have included bottles like Anderson Club 15-Year from 1996, Old Heaven Hill from 1990, Wild Turkey 12-Year Split from 1996, and expressions dating back to the 1960s and 1970s. These rare pours attract serious collectors from across the country.
The Kroger Big Bourbon Bar also hosts the Bluegrass Situation Stage. This intimate space pairs live bluegrass and Americana music with line dancing, giving the bourbon experience its own soundtrack throughout the day.
Food Highlights: Fork and Flask and Louisville’s Best Kitchens
The culinary side of the festival received a major upgrade in 2026. The revitalized Fork and Flask experience, curated by Kroger, brings a fresh energy to the food programming. The concept centers on bold spirit-and-food pairings, unexpected flavor combinations, and a celebration of Louisville’s food scene.
Local restaurants, creative speakeasies, and rising chefs share space with established names. The experience is designed to feel immersive and high-energy, not like a typical festival food court. Therefore, it rewards exploration and slows you down in the best possible way.
The Fork and Flask stage also hosts celebrity chef demonstrations. These live cooking shows are included with general admission tickets. They cover everything from Southern classics to modern cocktail pairings, giving food lovers a genuine reason to arrive early and stay late.
Among the food vendors confirmed for 2026, the festival features names like Dave’s Hot Chicken, Prince Street Pizza, Cousins Maine Lobster, and Gus’s Fried Chicken. VIP ticket holders additionally enjoy curated hors d’oeuvres and bites crafted by Chef Anthony Lamas of Seviche, one of Louisville’s most celebrated restaurants.
Ticket Options and Pricing
Passes are available now at bourbonandbeyond.com. The festival offers flexible options to suit different budgets and experience levels.
| Pass Type | Starting Price | Key Benefits |
| Single Day GA | From $130 | Access to all stages, bourbon bar, culinary demos |
| 4-Day GA | From $375 (all-in) | Full weekend access, Kentucky Kingdom rides |
| Mint VIP | Higher tier | Dedicated entry lanes, commemorative laminate, VIP perks |
| Angel’s Envy Beyond VIP | Premium tier | All areas, exclusive experiences, curated bites by Chef Anthony Lamas |
| Exacta Pass | Combined pricing | GA access to both Bourbon and Beyond and Louder Than Life |
A layaway option lets buyers start with as little as one dollar down, with over six months to pay in full. Student single-day passes are also available at a discounted rate for those with a valid college or university email address.
On-site camping is available for those who want to stay close. Tent and car camping starts at around 369 dollars, while RV camping without hookups begins at approximately 513 dollars.
Tips for Making the Most of the Festival
A little planning goes a long way at an event this size. Here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of the weekend.
- Arrive early on the days you care most about. Popular bourbon tastings and chef demonstrations fill up quickly.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The festival grounds are large, and you will cover a lot of ground between stages.
- Take breaks in the Kentucky Kingdom area, which offers air-conditioned spaces and shade.
- Try the Hunter’s Club for rare pours, but go in the morning before the most limited bottles run out.
- Build your daily schedule around one or two must-see sets and leave room to discover new artists between them.
- Book accommodation in Louisville well in advance. Hotels near the Kentucky Exposition Center sell out months ahead.
Conclusion
Bourbon and Beyond 2026 is shaping up to be the most ambitious edition of the festival yet. Running from September 24 to 27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, it brings together over 100 artists across five stages, an expansive bourbon village pouring some of Kentucky’s rarest and finest whiskeys, and a revitalized culinary program celebrating the best of Louisville’s food scene. Headliners including Foo Fighters, Mumford and Sons, Chris Stapleton, and Dave Matthews Band lead a lineup built for genuine music lovers. The Fork and Flask experience adds serious culinary credibility. The Hunter’s Club satisfies the most devoted bourbon collectors. Whether you come for the music, the whiskey, the food, or all three, this four-day celebration delivers something you simply cannot find anywhere else.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Bourbon and Beyond 2026?
The festival runs from September 24 to September 27, 2026, at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Gates open daily, with exact times posted on the official festival website.
Who are the headliners at Bourbon and Beyond 2026?
The four headliners are Foo Fighters on Thursday, Mumford and Sons on Friday, Chris Stapleton on Saturday, and Dave Matthews Band on Sunday. Over 100 additional artists perform across five stages throughout the weekend.
How much do tickets cost for Bourbon and Beyond 2026?
Single-day general admission passes start at around 130 dollars. Four-day GA passes start from 375 dollars, all fees included. VIP and premium tiers are available at higher price points. A layaway option lets buyers start with as little as one dollar down.
Is food included with festival admission?
Food vendors and celebrity chef demonstrations are accessible with all general admission tickets. However, food and drink purchases from vendors are paid separately. VIP and Beyond VIP ticket holders receive complimentary bites and additional curated culinary perks.
Can I camp at Bourbon and Beyond 2026?
Yes. The festival offers on-site camping at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Standard car and tent camping starts at approximately 369 dollars for the full weekend. RV camping options without hookups begin at around 513 dollars. Book early, as camping spots sell out well in advance.
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