Free Things to Do in Louisville, KY

Louisville, Kentucky, is a suburban wonderland with all the amenities you could ever ask for. With its friendly neighborhood feel, there are plenty of options when it comes to finding fun activities that are entirely free of charge.

Beechmont Open Air Market

The Beechmont Open Air Market runs every Saturday from May until September and has a relaxing, neighborhood vibe.

The market features produce from local farmers, processed food goods, and wares by local artisans and crafters. You can also join a yoga class while you’re there.

So stroll through the market and check out all of the seasonal goodies the Beechmont Open Air Market has to offer.

Big Four Arts Festival

The Big Four Arts Festival is an annual event held in Louisville the weekend after Labor Day.

Located alongside the gorgeous Big Four Bridge, the festival stretches 4-acres and showcases over 200 local, national, and international artists.

These artists use various mediums to express themselves, including paint, metal, wood, charcoal, glass, and photography, so you’re sure to find art pieces that you love.

There are so many incredible art displays here that you might not have time to see them all.

Free Fishing Weekend

The Free Fishing Weekend is an annual event in Kentucky in early June. Families can fish on waterways throughout the state without paying for a license or permit.

Several free fishing events are planned in and around Louisville, including competitions with prizes, hot dog lunches, and games.

Take advantage of this great opportunity for free family fun and get your kids excited to be out in nature.

Kentucky Derby Festival

Each spring, residents of Louisville gather to celebrate the new season and the famous Kentucky Derby race at the Kentucky Derby Festival.

The festival has free admission for visitors with a Pegasus Pin. It includes many fun activities such as a large fireworks display, a marathon, hot air balloons, a steamboat race, the Pegasus Parade, and a rubber duckie race in the river known as the Ken-Ducky Derby.

Plus, several other fun events are held at Waterfront Park during the Kentucky Derby Festival, including the Chow Wagon Kickball Showdown, rides, and music concerts.

Public Art Walk

Louisville is also home to some impressive art installations along the waterfront. A downloadable map is available for free online to guide you along a self-guided tour.

See “Tetra” by Charles O. Perry, “Gracehopper” by Tony Smith, “Flock of Finns” which is a tribute piece to folk artist Marvin Finn, and “Lincoln Memorial” by Ed Hamilton.

The scenery alongside these huge art pieces is stunning too. They are all within steps of the Ohio River, the Harbor Docks, and the Big Four Bridge.

Spraygrounds

Louisville is a great place in the summer to be a kid or a kid at heart. With 30 different spraygrounds and spray pads throughout the city, you’re sure to have tons of fun while also staying cool.

So wear your bathing suit and run through the jets, hang out under the water buckets, or stroll through the water tunnels.

The Parklands of Floyds Fork

The Parklands of Floyds Fork is the perfect place for outdoor recreation in Louisville. It consists of four large parks covering nearly 4,000 acres with any amenity you could possibly hope for.

From its many paved hiking trails to its Garden Gateway and Chestnut Grove, you will delight in all the views nature provides here. Use the boat launch for your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, or bring your fishing gear and see what you can catch.

The kids will love running around the playground, splashing at the sprayground, flying kites at the Egg Lawn, and having a picnic under a pavilion.

There is not enough time in one day to experience everything this gem has to offer.