Labor Day may be touted as the last hurrah of summer, but as any local knows, the sun shines bright and hot over Louisville throughout September. Yes, the lifeguards have said goodbye for the summer and the kids are back in school, but don’t let your summer spirit go too quickly.
There are good reasons to get into the summer spirit for another month. The autumn equinox in 2024 will not take place until September 22nd at 8:43 a.m. Daylight saving time does not end until the first Sunday in November.
Before you wrap yourself in pumpkin spice and shake out your thick fall sweaters, extend your summer by visiting a few outdoor festivals, like The Louisville Pride Festival on 14 September, the Gaslight Festival Week from 7-15 September or NuLu Festival on September 28. Catch the last of the outdoor concerts and free movie nights, or challenge yourself and try something exciting you didn’t have the chance to do in July or August.
Here are five ways to hold on to summer, even as Labor Day threatens to say goodbye.
Free outdoor movie nights at the Iroquois Amphitheater
WHAT: The Iroquois Amphitheater offers eight nights of free outdoor movies before the weather gets too cold. Enjoy several nights of free movies under the stars as the Iroquois Amphitheater Movie Series runs through the end of September.
The free film series includes:
- September 5: “Frozen” (PG) and “Sunshine” (R)
- September 6: “The Peanuts Movie” (G) and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (PG)
- September 12: “The LEGO Movie” (PG) and “Bride of Frankenstein” (NR)
- September 13th: “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” (D) and “Friday the 13th” (1980) (R)
- September 19: “GMK: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack” (NR) and “Godzilla Minus One” (PG-13)
- September 20: “Robocop” (R) and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (R)
- 26 September: “Cars” (G) and “The Incredible Rascal” (PG)
- September 27: “Cars 3” (D) and “Furious 7” (PG-13)
WHERE: Iroquois Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Road
WHEN: Every Friday and Saturday in September. The gates open at 6pm and the first parade starts at 7pm.
COST: Free
INFORMATION: www.iroquoisamphitheater.com
Last free outdoor concert of the WPFK Waterfront Wednesday season
WHAT: Louisville’s most popular free outdoor concert series concludes for the season with Dark Side of the Wall, Zaniah and +Flow.
WFPK Waterfront Wednesday, a popular free local concert series, takes place April through September on the Big Four Lawn in Louisville’s Waterfront Park. The lawn opens at 5 p.m., with music starting promptly at 6 p.m. Bring your family early to check out Waterfront KidsDay, a special area for kids and families with hands-on activities and fun. Waterfront KidsDay is open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the show each month.
WHERE: The Big Four Lawn in Waterfront Park is located next to the Big Four Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 25
COST: Free
INFORMATION: lpm.org
End your summer with an adrenaline ride through the Louisville Mega Cavern
WHAT: The Louisville Mega Cavern’s Neon Rush Zip Line Experience is the world’s only completely underground zipline course. The new experience offers a thrilling ride in the dark on six different ziplines, including a dual-racing zipline, two challenge bridges and a narrated tour of the history and geology of underground mining in the area.
WHERE: Louisville Mega Cavern, 1841 Taylor Ave.
WHEN: The Mega Cavern is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
COST: Tickets are $114.99 and are available at louisvillemegacavern.com.
Oktoberfest comes to Downs after dark in September
WHAT: This September, Churchill Downs brings the spirit of Munich to the Twin Spires with a special Oktoberfest edition of Downs After Dark. The celebration includes an exciting night of racing, a beer garden, a yodeling competition, lively polka dancing and the authentic flavors of Germany – with hearty pretzels and sizzling bratwurst on the menu.
WHERE: Churchill Downs, 700 Central Ave.
WHEN: September 28. Doors open at 5pm, first race at 6pm
COST: Tickets start at $20 at churchilldowns.com.
Experience the city center with these free, curated walking tours
WHAT: The Louisville Downtown Partnership recently launched a 45-minute, self-guided walking tour series. The Downtown Louisville Easy App Walking Tour Series is designed to introduce locals and visitors to the rich history, culture and architecture of our vibrant city.
The inaugural series of Downtown Louisville Walking Tours includes historic West Main Street, the Civil Rights Markers and Whiskey Row. Each tour is narrated by Louisville residents, including University of Louisville Archivist Tom Owen, author and daughter of Muhammad Ali Rasheda Ali and Louisville Downtown Partnership Executive Director Rebecca Fleischaker.
WHERE: Spotify partnership with Downtown Louisville.
COST: Free
INFORMATION: Louisvilledowntownpartnership.com
Reach reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].
