Our waterfront hotel has got its finger on the pulse of the city. From the fun shops and a variety of dining options on Fourth Street to the cultural institutions at the Kentucky Center, you'll never be lacking for things to do.
July 30
F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop. 6–10:30pm. Frankfort, Mellwood & Story aves., 550-2054, www.fatfridayhop.org.
August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Cherokee Triangle Summer Concert Series. 7–9pm. Willow Park, 459-0256, cherokeetriangle.org.
August 5–8
Street Rod Nationals. Thurs. 8am–5pm; Fri. 9am–6pm; Sat. 7am–6pm; Sun. 8:30am–3pm. Kentucky Exposition Center, (901)452-4030, www.nsra-use.com.
August 6
First Friday Trolley Hop. 5–11pm. Downtown Art Zone, Main & Market sts., 583-1671, www.firstfridaytrolleyhop.com.
August 6, 13, 20, 27
Rockin' The Village Summer Concert Series. 7–10pm. Westport Village, Herr Ln. at Westport Rd., 581-8800, westportvillage.com.
August 7
Triathlon XXIX. 6:30am. E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park, 3000 Freys Hill Rd., 429-7270, www.parks.ky.gov.
Street Rod Biergarten. 6–10pm. German-American Club, 1840 Lincoln Ave., 451-3100, www.german-americanclub.com.
August 13
Friday Night Live! 5–10pm. 2823 Frankfort Ave., 893-0241, www.sjkids.org.
August 14
St. Joseph Annual Orphans' Picnic. Noon–Midnight. 2823 Frankfort Ave., 893-0241, www.sjkids.org.
August 19–29 Kentucky State Fair. 9am–10pm. Kentucky Exposition Center, 367-5002, www.kystatefair.org.
August 21
St. Joseph Children's Home Volleyball Open. 10am–6pm. 2823 Frankfort Ave., 893-0241, www.louvb.com.
Southern Parkway Mile and 8K Run. 5pm–Midnight. Southern Pkwy., from Woodlawn Ave. to New Cut Rd., 239-8239, 368-2443, www.swagssportshoes.com.
Biergarten. 6–10pm. German-American Club, 1840 Lincoln Ave., 451-3100, www.german-americanclub.com.
August 25
WFPK Waterfront Wednesday Concert. 5–10pm. Waterfront Park, Harbor Lawn, 574-3768, 814-6500, www.louisvillewaterfront.com or www.wfpk.org.
F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop. 6–10:30pm. Frankfort, Mellwood & Story aves., 550-2054, www.fatfridayhop.org.
August 28
Big Ol' Backyard BBQ. 5:30pm. Home of the Innocents, 1100 E. Market St., 596-1025, www.homeoftheinoocents.org.
Hummingbird Festival. Noon–3pm. Yew Dell Gardens, Crestwood, 241-4788, www.yewdellgardens.org.
August 29
Ford Ironman Louisville. 6am–Midnight. Waterfront, 4th Street Live! & LaGrange. (813)868-5912, ironmanlouisville.com.
September TBA
Volksfest. Noon–Midnight. Bluegrass Brewing Company, 636 E. Main St., 419-2412, www.bluegrassbrew.com.
September 2–5
Derby City BMX Grand Nationals. 8am–3pm. E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park, 3000 Freys Hill Rd., 499-6299, derbycitybmx.org.
September 3
Rockin' The Village Summer Concert. 7–10pm. Westport Village, Herr Ln. at Westport Rd., 581-8800, westportvillage.com.
First Friday Trolley Hop. 5–11pm. Downtown Art Zone, Main & Market sts., 583-1671, www.firstfridaytrolleyhop.com.
September 3–4
WorldFest. 11am–11pm. Belvedere, 456-8110, www.worldfestlouisville.com.
September 4
Pioneer 5K Run/Walk. 8–10am. Seneca Park, 582-8931, www.rivercityraces.com.
September 4–6
Kentucky Bluegrass Music Festival. Water Tower, 3005 River Rd., 583-0333, www.bisig.com.
September 6
Cherokee Triangle Summer Concert. 7–9pm. Willow Park, 459-0256, cherokeetriangle.org.
Mayor's Healthy Hometown Subway Hike & Bike. 9am–1pm. Waterfront Park, Great Lawn, 456-8110, www.hikeandbikelouisville.com.
September 10–11
Middletown's Family Fun Festival. Fri. 6–10pm; Sat. 10am–10pm. Wetherby Park & Old Main St., 338-9440, www.middletownsfamilyfun.org.
September 11
Original Highlands Arts and Music Festival. 11am–Midnight. 900 block of Baxter Ave., 509-6656, www.originalhighlands.com.
District 5 Community Celebration Festival. 3–8pm. Shawnee Park, 574-3905.
Memory Walk, 1.5 mile. 8:30–11am. Waterfront Park, Great Lawn, 451-4266, www.alz.org/kyin.
September 11–12
Mellwood September Art Fair. 10am–6pm. 1860 Mellwood Ave., 895-3650, www.mellwoodartcenter.com.
September 12–19
Gaslight Festival. Watterson Tr., Jeffersontown, 267-1674, www.jtownchamber.com.
September 12 Gaslight Thunder Rally. 10 am.
September 14 Gaslight Festival 5K Walk/Run. 7 pm.
September 16 Gaslight Festival Parade on Taylorsville Rd. 6–8pm.
September 17–19 Gaslight Festival. Fri. 7–10pm; Sat. 9am–10pm; Sun. Noon–6pm.
September 17
Magic Under the Stars. 8pm. Iroquois Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Rd., 905-2512, www.lmcmagic.com.
September 18
National Jug Band Jubilee. Noon–Midnight. Waterfront Park, Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 599-7636, www.JugBandJubilee.org.
Kidney Walk. 8:30–10am. Waterfront Park, (800)737-LIFE, www.nkfk.org or www.kidneywalk.org.
Sept. 17 – 18
Schnitzelburg Octoberfest. Fri. 6pm–Midnight; Sat. 10am–Midnight. Hickory & Burnett sts., 637-9515, www.neighborhoodlink.com/louisville/saclinc.
September 18
Schnitzelburg Art Fair. 10am–8pm. Hickory & Burnett sts., 637-9515, www.neighborhoodlink.com/louisville/saclinc.
September 18–19
Art In The Highlands. 10am-5pm. Louisville Collegiate School, 2427 Glenmary Ave., 479-0345, www.loucol.com.
100 Years on the Ohio. Sat. 10am–5pm; Sun. 10:30am–4:30pm. Riverside, the Farnsley-Moorman Landing, 7410 Moorman Rd., 935-6809, www.riverside-landing.org.
September 19
The Hunger Walk, 5K Run & Walk. 2:15pm. Waterfront Park, Festival Plaza, 966-3821, www.thehungerwalk.org.
September 24
F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop. 6–10:30pm. Frankfort, Mellwood & Story aves., 550-2054, www.fatfridayhop.org.
September 24–25
Oktoberfest. 5pm–Midnight. German-American Club, 1840 Lincoln Ave., 451-3100, www.german-americanclub.com.
September 24–26
Bluegrass Balloon Festival. 7am–10pm. Bowman Field Airport, 491-1076, www.BluegrassBalloons.com.
September 25
Big Brown Truck Pull. 9:30am–3pm. 4th Street Live!, 326-5002, www.soky.org.
September 25–26
Captain's Quarters Regatta and Art Show. 10am–6pm. Captain's Quarters Riverside Grill, 5700 Captain's Quarters Rd., 899-1311, www.saillouisville.org/rccsp.
Louisville Street Rod Show. Sat. 8am–5pm; Sun. 8am–3pm. Iroquois Park, 644-1885, www.louisvillestreetrods.
Ride to Conquer Cancer. 8am. (877)688-BIKE, ridetovictory.org.
September 25–October 10
World Equestrian Games. Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Pkwy., Lexington, (888)934-2010, alltechfeigames.com.
September 26
Fall Antiques Market. 10am–4:30pm. Historic Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Ln., 897-9845, www.locustgrove.org.
September 27
Wendy's Family Day. 5–8pm. 3301 Cane Run Rd., 254-7130, ext. 201, casafamilyday.org.
September 29
WFPK Waterfront Wednesday Concert. 5–10pm. Waterfront Park, Harbor Lawn, 574-3768, 814-6500, www.louisvillewaterfront.com or www.wfpk.org.
October 1
First Friday Trolley Hop. 5–11pm. Downtown Art Zone, Main & Market sts., 583-1671, www.firstfridaytrolleyhop.com.
October 1–3
St. James Court Art Show. Fri. & Sat. 10am–6pm; Sun. 10am–5pm. St. James Court and surrounding streets in Old Louisville, 635-1842, stjamescourtartshow.com.
October 2
NULU Festival. 10am–11pm. 700 block E. Market St., 451-5032, eastmarketdistrict.com.
Fourth District Community Barbeque. Noon-3pm, Liberty Green, 574-1104.
Down Syndrome of Louisville "On the Move" Walk & Run. Run 8:15am; Walk 9:30am. Waterfront Park, 495-5088, www.downsyndromeoflouisville.org.
Light The Night Walk. 5:30–9pm. Waterfront Park, 584-8490, www.lightthenight.org/ky.
Highlands Cup 5K Run/Walk for HCM and Pancake Breakfast. 8am.
October 2–10
Week in the Highlands. Bardstown Road corridor, 451-3695, www.highlandsweek.org.
Oct. 3
Highlands-Douglass Big Rock Jazz Fest. 2–7pm.
Dog Walk. 11am. St. Elizabeth's Church, 1026 E. Burnett St., 551-2403, www.neighborhoodlink.com/saclinc.
October 4
Homecoming in the Highlands. 6–10pm. Baxter Ave., from Christy to Highland aves., 852-6186, louisville.edu/alumni/calendar.
October 8
Caufield's Halloween Parade. 7pm. Bardstown Rd., Baxter Ave. from Mid City Mall to Lexington Rd., 292-3033, www.baxterparades.com.
In the Park After Dark. 8–11pm. E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park, 3000 Freys Hill Rd., 429-7270, www.parks.ky.gov.
Oct. 8–9
Belknap Fall Festival. Fri. 6-10p.m., Sat. 10am–7 pm.
Garvin Gate Blues Festival. Fri. 6:45–11pm; Sat. 3–11pm. Garvin Place at Oak St., 896-9833, garvingatebluesfestival.com.
October 9
Southwest Community Festival. 9am–5pm. Sun Valley Park, 6505 Bethany Ln., 368-1196, southwestfestival.org.
Highview Community Festival. 11am–4pm. 7519 Outer Loop., 239-7375.
Susan G. Komen Louisville Race for the Cure. 8:15–10:30am. Waterfront Park, 584-2873, www.komenlouisville.org.
Oct. 10
Farmington Harvest Festival. Noon–5pm.
Great Louisville Fire Drill. 1–5pm. Waterfront Park, 574-3701, www.louisvilleky.gov/LouisvilleFire.
Southwest Center's Hot Rod Car Show. 10am–4pm. 8009 Terry Rd., 935-1848, www.thesouthwestcenter.com.
Great Chili Cook Off. 1–10pm. 644 Baxter Ave., 589-4957, www.phoenixhill.com.
2nd Sunday Health Event. 2–6pm. Iroquois Park & Amphitheater, 228-5237, www.2ndsundayky.com.
October 8–10, 14–17, 21–24, 28–30
The World's Largest Halloween Party! Louisville Zoo, 459-2181, www.louisvillezoo.org.
October 16
Mayor's Healthy Hometown Fall Hike. 10am–2pm. Jefferson Memorial Forest, 368-6856, www.memorialforest.com.
October 23
Brightside/UPS Community-Wide Cleanup. 8am–Noon. 574-2613, www.brightsideinc.org.
Home Run 10K run, 5K run/walk. 9am. Bernheim Forest, 596-1025, www.homerunforkids.org.
October 29
Park Paranormal Excursion. 8pm–Midnight. E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park, 3000 Freys Hill Rd., 429-7270, www.parks.ky.gov.
Trick or Treat in The Village. 6–8pm. Westport Village, Herr Ln. at Westport Rd., 581-8800, westportvillage.com.
F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop. 6–10:30pm. Frankfort, Mellwood & Story aves., 550-2054, www.fatfridayhop.org.
October 30
Boo Dell. 11am–3pm. Yew Dell Gardens, Crestwood, 241-4788, www.yewdellgardens.org.
October 30–31
18th Century Market Fair. 10am–4:30pm. Historic Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Ln., 897-9845, www.locustgrove.org.
November 5
First Friday Trolley Hop. 5–11pm. Downtown Art Zone, Main & Market sts., 583-1671, www.firstfridaytrolleyhop.com.
November 6
Cave Hill 2-Mile Walk & Flag-In to Honor Fallen Veterans. Walk 10am; Flag-In 11am. Breckinridge School, 1351 Payne St., 243-8981, www.TheUSflag.com.
November 12–14
Festival of Trees & Lights. Fri. 9am–5pm & 6–9pm; Sat. & Sun. 9am–6pm. Slugger Field, 629-KIDS, www.HelpKosairChildrensHospital.com.
November 18–January 3, 2011
KaLightoscope Christmas. 9am–9pm. Galt House Hotel, 140 N. Fourth St. & Belvedere, 589-5200, www.KaLightoscope.com.
November 19
Light Up Okolona. 5:30pm. Lone Oak Park, 574-1124.
November 19–January 2, 2011
Lights Under Louisville. 6–10pm. 1841 Taylor Ave., 855-6342, www.louisvillemegacavern.com.
November 24
Light Up Lyndon. 5:30–7:30pm. Lyndon City Hall, 515 Wood Rd., 423-0932, 339-9115, www.cityoflyndon.org.
November 26
Light Up Louisville. 3–10pm. Jefferson Square Park, 6th & Jefferson sts., 456-8110, www.lightuplouisville.org.
Holiday Market. 3–10pm.
Run Run Rudolph 5K Run/Walk. 3pm. Through downtown, 292-0782.
Winter Wonderland Parade, 6–7:30pm. 228-5237.
Lighting of Jefferson Square and Metro Louisville Christmas tree. 8:30pm.
November 26–December 31
Holidays Around the World. Daily 9am–5pm (Except Christmas day & 3–10pm on Nov. 26). Metro Hall, 527 W. Jefferson St., 228-5237, www.lightuplouisville.org.
November 26
F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop. 6–10:30pm. Frankfort, Mellwood & Story aves., 550-2054, www.fatfridayhop.org.
December 3
Light Up the Village. 6–9pm. Westport Village, Herr Ln. at Westport Rd., 581-8800, westportvillage.com.
First Friday Trolley Hop. 5–11pm. Downtown Art Zone, Main & Market sts., 583-1671, www.firstfridaytrolleyhop.com.
December 3–4
Winterfair! Fri. 2–8pm; Sat. 9am–5pm. 4936 Brownsboro Rd., 425-6943, tjuc.org.
December 4
Bardstown Road Aglow. 5pm–? The Highlands, 721-8636, www.bardstownroadaglow.com.
Old Tyme Christmas on Frankfort Avenue. 9am–8pm. Frankfort Ave. area, 899-2357, www.frankfortave.com.
December 4–5
Old Louisville Holiday House Tour and Festival. Noon–6pm. Old Louisville, 635-5244, holidayhousetour.com.
December 4–5, 11–12, 18–19
Zoo Holiday Event. Louisville Zoo, 459-2181, www.louisvillezoo.org.
December 10
Highview Holiday Fest. 6–8pm. Central Government Center, 7201 Outer Loop & Highview Park, 762-9608, www.fchum.org.
December 11
Light Up Fern Creek. 4–6pm. Fern Creek Fire Dept., 6200 Bardstown Rd., 762-9608, www.fchum.org.
December 11
Traditional Trimmings. 11am–1pm. E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park, 3000 Freys Hill Rd., 429-7270, www.parks.ky.gov.
Christmas Tree Decorating. 3pm. Texas & Burnett sts., 551-2403, www.neighborhoodlink.com/louisville/saclinc.
2011
January 7
First Friday Trolley Hop. 5–11pm. Downtown Art Zone, Main & Market sts., 583-1671, www.firstfridaytrolleyhop.com.
January 28
F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop. 6–10:30pm. Frankfort, Mellwood & Story aves., 550-2054, www.fatfridayhop.org.
February 4
First Friday Trolley Hop. 5–11pm. Downtown Art Zone, Main & Market sts., 583-1671, www.firstfridaytrolleyhop.com.
February TBA
Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Kentucky. 9:30am–3pm. Tumbleweed, 2301 River Rd., 326-5002, events.soky.org.
February 26
F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop. 6–10:30pm. Frankfort, Mellwood & Story aves., 550-2054, www.fatfridayhop.org.