Louisville, Kentucky, is about to host one of the most exciting weekends of the year. Bourbon and Beyond 2026 returns to the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Expo Center from September 24 to 27. Over four days, the city will come alive with world-class music, rare bourbon pours, and a culinary lineup that rivals the best food festivals in the country.
This is not just a music festival. It is a full sensory experience built around three of life’s greatest pleasures. Therefore, if you have ever considered attending, 2026 is the year to make it happen.
What Is Bourbon and Beyond?
Bourbon and Beyond is billed as the world’s largest bourbon, food, and music festival. It is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents and has taken place in Louisville every year since its debut. The festival has grown steadily, drawing more than 200,000 attendees in 2025 and generating over $40 million in local economic impact that year alone.
The event covers an enormous footprint at the Highland Festival Grounds, which spans 2.4 million square feet and sits at the junction of I-65 and I-264. Additionally, attendees gain access to Kentucky Kingdom, the adjacent theme park, with 17 rides included as part of festival admission. This combination of music, whiskey, food, and thrill rides makes it unlike anything else on the festival calendar.
Dates, Venue and Key Details
| Detail | Information |
| Festival Dates | September 24–27, 2026 |
| Venue | Highland Festival Grounds at Kentucky Expo Center |
| City | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Hours | Gates open at 12:00 PM each day |
| Age Restriction | All ages welcome |
| Payment | Cashless only (cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, RFID wristband) |
The festival is cashless. All purchases on the grounds use a registered RFID wristband, debit or credit cards, or mobile payment apps. This keeps lines moving faster and removes the need to carry cash throughout the day.
The 2026 Music Lineup: Over 100 Artists Across Five Stages
The headline acts for 2026 are among the most impressive the festival has ever assembled. Each day brings a different set of headliners, giving attendees a strong reason to attend all four days.
| Day | Headliners |
| Thursday, September 24 | Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age |
| Friday, September 25 | Mumford and Sons, Kacey Musgraves |
| Saturday, September 26 | Chris Stapleton, The Red Clay Strays |
| Sunday, September 27 | Dave Matthews Band, Hootie and the Blowfish |
Beyond the headliners, the supporting lineup stretches across five stages and includes Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick, The War on Drugs, Counting Crows, Of Monsters and Men, Marcus King Band, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Jessie Murph, Foster the People, The Flaming Lips, Portugal. The Man, Violent Femmes, Gary Clark Jr., and more than 80 additional acts.
One of the unique features of the festival is the Bluegrass Situation Stage, hosted inside the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar tent. This stage is curated by the Bluegrass Situation and focuses on bluegrass, Americana, jamgrass, and folk music. It has been part of the festival since its very first edition and continues to offer some of the most intimate and memorable performances of the weekend.
The musical range is genuinely broad. A single day might take you from classic rock to indie folk to country to psychedelic pop. This variety is one of the reasons the festival appeals to such a wide audience.
Bourbon Experiences: The Heart of the Festival
Music brings the crowds, but bourbon is the soul of this event. The festival features over 40 bourbon brands, along with a range of tasting experiences designed for both newcomers and serious collectors.
The Kroger Big Bourbon Bar is the central gathering point for whiskey lovers. It offers flights, cocktails, and pours from a wide selection of Kentucky distilleries. Notable brands on hand typically include Blanton’s, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Bulleit Rye, Elijah Craig, Wild Turkey, and Evan Williams.
Additionally, for those seeking something rarer, The Hunter’s Club is the place to go. This exclusive space focuses on vintage and allocated bourbons that rarely appear at public events. Past pours have included bottles from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, such as Bourbon Supreme from 1976, Old Charter from 1960, and Fighting Cock 101 from 1985. These are not bottles you encounter at a typical bar.
Bourbon workshops and guided tastings run throughout all four days. These sessions cover topics such as mash bills, distillation techniques, barrel aging, and tasting vocabulary. They are genuinely educational and enjoyable, whether you are brand new to bourbon or already well-versed in Kentucky whiskey culture.
Culinary Highlights: The Fork and Flask Experience
The food at Bourbon and Beyond goes well beyond standard festival fare. The Fork and Flask culinary stage hosts live chef demonstrations throughout the weekend. Local and national chefs take the stage to cook, talk, and engage with the audience in real time.
The festival grounds feature a wide selection of food vendors that cover everything from comfort food classics to elevated bites. Past and expected vendors include Dave’s Hot Chicken, Prince Street Pizza, Cousins Maine Lobster, Gus’s Fried Chicken, and several local Louisville restaurants.
The Beyond VIP pass tier includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres and curated bites from Chef Anthony Lamas of Louisville’s acclaimed Seviche restaurant. This is one of the more unique perks available at a music festival anywhere in the country.
General admission ticket holders still enjoy a strong food experience. The variety of vendors is large enough to satisfy any appetite, and the combination of street food, regional dishes, and chef-driven concepts means that eating well at this festival requires almost no planning at all.
Tickets and Passes: What to Know Before You Buy
Passes for Bourbon and Beyond 2026 are available through the official website at bourbonandbeyond.com. There are several tiers to choose from, and prices increase as tiers sell out.
| Pass Type | Starting Price (All-In) |
| Single Day General Admission | From $130 |
| 4-Day General Admission | From $375 |
| Mint VIP (4-Day) | From $709.99 |
| Beyond VIP (4-Day) | From $1,999.99 |
| Exacta Pass (B&B + Louder Than Life) | From $550 |
| Student Single Day | Discounted rate (college email required) |
General admission includes access to all festival stages, the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar, bourbon workshops, culinary demonstrations, art activations, and Kentucky Kingdom rides. Mint VIP adds dedicated entry lanes and a commemorative laminate. Beyond VIP adds curated food, premium areas, and express entry.
The Exacta Pass is a new option for 2026. It bundles four-day general admission to both Bourbon and Beyond (September 24–27) and Louder Than Life (September 17–20) into one purchase. This appeals to fans who want to experience both of Louisville’s major festival weekends in a single trip.
Lawn chair passes are available as an add-on starting at $15. All proceeds from chair pass sales go to charity through the DWP Foundation. Note that chairs are not permitted without this pass, and you must carry your chair with you at all times inside the festival grounds.
Camping Options at the Kentucky Expo Center
For those who want the full festival experience, on-site camping is available at the Kentucky Expo Center. Camping opens on Wednesday, September 23, the day before the festival begins.
| Camping Type | Starting Price |
| Car and Tent Camping | From $369 |
| RV Camping (No Hookups) | From $513 |
| RV Camping with Power | From $849 |
| Glamping Packages | From $2,499 |
All camping options include five nights of accommodation, re-entry to the festival during event hours, access to campground showers, and a camp store stocked with food, drinks, and supplies. Glamping packages offer a more luxurious version of the on-site experience, with options ranging from barrel cove tent setups to premium RV configurations.
However, if you prefer hotel accommodations, official hotel packages are available through the festival website. These bundle lodging with festival passes and often include shuttle access to the venue. Louisville hotels fill up quickly during festival season, so early booking is strongly recommended.
Practical Tips for First-Time Attendees
A few simple preparations will make the weekend run much more smoothly.
- Arrive at the venue early. Gates open at noon, and the best spots near stages go fast.
- Register your RFID wristband before arriving to speed up purchases on-site.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The festival grounds are large, and you will walk a great deal each day.
- Bring a light jacket for the evenings. Late September in Louisville can turn cool after dark.
- Plan your schedule in advance. With five stages running simultaneously, having a rough idea of which acts you want to see helps avoid missing key performances.
- Book accommodation well ahead. Whether camping or staying in a hotel, options fill up months before the event.
Conclusion
Bourbon and Beyond 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest edition of the festival to date. Running from September 24 to 27 at the Highland Festival Grounds in Louisville, the event combines an extraordinary music lineup with world-class bourbon experiences and a culinary program that sets it apart from any other festival in the United States. Headliners like Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews Band, and Mumford and Sons anchor four spectacular nights of music, while over 40 bourbon brands, rare pour bars, and celebrated chefs fill every hour in between. Whether you come for the music, the whiskey, the food, or all three, Bourbon and Beyond 2026 promises a weekend that is genuinely hard to match anywhere in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Bourbon and Beyond 2026?
The festival runs from September 24 to 27, 2026, at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Gates open at noon each day.
How much do tickets cost for Bourbon and Beyond 2026?
Single-day general admission starts at $130. Four-day general admission passes start at approximately $375 all-in. VIP options range from around $710 for Mint VIP to nearly $2,000 for Beyond VIP. Prices increase as tiers sell out, so buying early secures the lowest available price.
Is Bourbon and Beyond 2026 all ages?
Yes. The festival is open to all ages. However, every attendee must purchase a full-price ticket regardless of age. Parents are encouraged to bring hearing protection for young children.
What bourbon brands are available at the festival?
The festival features over 40 bourbon brands. Past and expected names include Blanton’s, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Bulleit Rye, Elijah Craig, Wild Turkey, and Evan Williams. The Hunter’s Club also offers rare vintage pours from allocated bottles that rarely appear at public events.
Can I camp at Bourbon and Beyond 2026?
Yes. On-site camping opens on Wednesday, September 23. Options include car and tent camping from $369, RV camping without hookups from $513, RV camping with power from $849, and glamping packages starting at $2,499. All camping options include five nights of accommodation and re-entry to the festival each day.
