Bourbon & Beyond | What to know before you go to one of Louisville's biggest music festivals | Local News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Bourbon & Beyond returns to the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville Sept. 11–14 and this year, it's bigger than ever.

The music and bourbon festival has doubled in size to 2.4 million-square-feet, with expanded grounds that now include Kentucky Kingdom and two entrances for easier access. More than 110 bands will perform, including Phish, Noah Kahan, Sturgill Simpson, The Lumineers and Jack White, on bigger stages.

Crews are working around the clock to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans.

"This is a major, major event that is worthy of setting the record for one of the biggest festivals that is happening in North America this year," said Chamie McCurry, general manager of Danny Wimmer Presents—the production company behind Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life.

This year's edition of the four-day music festival also comes with extra shade, a second entrance, stages spread further apart, and an indoor merch area inside the Expo Center. Also this year, festivalgoers have Kentucky Kingdom all to themselves, included in the ticket price, for experiences like night rides on the Big Wheel with sky-high views of the festival.

"I don't know where else you can ride a coaster while listening to your favorite band live," McCurry said.

Foodies can also get their fix at Fork & Flask, the culinary arts experience with celebrity chefs and master distillers showing off Kentucky flavor.

"Bourbon and Beyond really is our love letter to the Commonwealth of Kentucky," McCurry said.

Parking runs $40 per day on-site, but you can skip the hassle by taking a taxi. Taxis stay surge-free in Lot G of the Expo Center, and TARC shuttles run from downtown to the festival grounds.

"Get familiar with the festival map, understand parking and just set yourself up to have an unbelievable experience here," McCurry said.

Safety is also top of mind, with doctors and nurses on-site 24/7, more than 1,000 security guards and high-tech crowd mapping.

The festival isn't going anywhere anytime soon—Danny Wimmer Presents inked a 10-year deal to keep the festival in Louisville, along with its counterpart, Louder than Life—which is held the weekend after Bourbon & Beyond on the same grounds at the Expo Center.

"We could not be prouder we are introducing people from all over the country and all over the world to Bourbon and Beyond and then they want to come back," said McCurry.

Headed to the festival? Below is a compilation of everything you need to know before heading out the door.

What's New in 2025

Festival Grounds Doubled – Now covering 2.4 million square feet, including Kentucky Kingdom.
Two Entrances – Highland Entrance and Cardinal Entrance for faster entry.
Expanded VIP Experience – Nearly triple the space with new layouts, more shade, and a three-story deck.
Bigger Video Screens – Upgrades at the Barrel and Oak stages for improved sightlines.
Kentucky Kingdom Access – Admission includes 17 rides daily, with night rides on the Giant Wheel.
Air-Conditioned Merch Hall – Official festival merchandise inside the Expo Center for a cool break.
Improved Transportation Options – Surge-free taxis, expanded shuttles, and a new TARC + PARC downtown parking deal.

Festival Hours

Festival gates open daily at 11 a.m.
Kentucky Kingdom rides open from 2-9 p.m.
The Giant Wheel stays open until 10 p.m. for night rides.

Parking and Transportation

General Parking

Kentucky Expo Center parking is within walking distance of the Highland Festival Grounds. General parking is $40 per day in Lots E, F, H, B, W, and V, available via KEC Gate 1, 4, and 6. Vehicles that leave during the show must re-purchase parking upon re-entry.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is available in Lot B (via Gate 1) on a first-come, first-served basis with a valid placard or plate.

Rideshare & Taxis

The designated rideshare area will be located above the Northern Cardinals Entry/Exit in Lot G. Rideshare vehicles will not be allowed to enter at any other KEC parking gate unless they pay the parking fee.

Taxis will also be available here and will remain surge-free throughout the weekend.

Official Downtown Shuttle

Starting 90 minutes before doors until 1 hour post show, shuttles will run between the Kentucky International Convention Center and Kentucky Expo Center. Shuttles will drop off/pick up near the (South) Highlands Venue Entrance.

TARC + PARC Partnership

Concertgoers can park downtown at the PARC garage (115 W Jefferson) for just $15, which includes roundtrip TARC service for everyone in the car. The ride will take approximately 25 minutes each way.

From the PARC garage, riders board the #2 bus at 1st and Liberty. Buses will run every 15–20 minutes and drop off at Phillips Lane and Freedom Way near Gate One. Returning downtown, riders board near Gate Four at Crittenden Drive between the Cracker Barrel and El Nopal. TARC says "after the concert, buses will run until at least midnight.”

Road closures, no parking zones

Louisville Metro Police provided a list of road closures and no parking zones for the four-day festival.

Phillips Lane will be closed Thursday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. until 1 a.m.

There will also be nightly ramp and lane closures to allow for traffic to exit the festival.

LMPD said the same closures will be in effect the following weekend for the four-day Louder Than Life music festival.

For access to the Kentucky Expo Center, LMPD suggests using Preston Highway to Gate 6, or Crittenden Drive to Gate 4. Gate 1 will be available until 9 p.m. Rideshare is required to use the entrance off Crittenden at Cracker Barrel.

To look at the full list of closures and no parking zones provided by LMPD, click here.

2025 Bourbon & Beyond parking map — *(Map courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents)*

Safety

Organizers say safety remains a priority, employing over 1,000 security guards, help from Louisville Metro Police and federal partners, and doctors and nurses on site 24/7.

Bourbon, Food, and Experiences

The Fork & Flask Stage will return with celebrity chefs and local talent, including Chris Santos, Edward Lee, Claudette Zepeda, Esther Choi, and Anthony Lamas. Bourbon tastings will feature brands like Old Forester, Angel's Envy, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace.

Beyond the Music

Bourbon & Beyond is part of the biggest eight days of music in the United States, with Louder Than Life following Sept. 18–21 at the same venue. Together, the two festivals are expected to bring record-breaking crowds to Louisville.