LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bourbon and Beyond Music Festival takes flight this weekend at the Highland Festival Grounds in Louisville. The event is billed as the largest bourbon and music festival in the world, with bourbon tastings, culinary demonstrations and, of course, music.
From Sept. 14-17, over 65 musicians and groups will perform, including Bruno Mars, The Killers, Brandi Carlile, The Black Keys, Duran Duran, Billy Strings, The Black Crowes, The Avett Brothers and many more.
Here’s what you should know before you head to the festival grounds this weekend:
Transportation and parking
The Highland Festival Grounds at The Kentucky Expo Center is at the junction of Interstate 65 and I-264 in Louisville and has multiple entrances to paved parking lots. The grounds are located next to 1-65 and the Louisville International Airport.
When it comes to parking and transportation, there are several options.
General parking at the Kentucky Expo Center is available daily for $30 a day. Visit any of the Entrance Gates at the Kentucky Exposition Center — including Gate 2, Gate 4 and Gate 6 — for general parking. All parking lots open at 10 a.m. each day; organizers advised festival-goers to arrive early.
There is a designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up at Gate 1 of the Kentucky Expo Center.
Cyclists and scooters can make use of the self-service bicycle parking at Bourbon and Beyond across from the main festival entrance.
Transit Authority of River City (TARC) will offer a special “TARC and PARC” service. Patrons can park their vehicles at the PARC garage at 115 W Jefferson Street for $12. That price includes the cost of a TARC ride to and from the festival. Upon parking, participants will receive a special ticket good for the round-trip ride. PARC operations staff will be on hand at the garage to distribute tickets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the festival.
Payment options
Bourbon and Beyond will be a cashless event. Credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Android Pay, Tap to Pay and registered radio frequency identification (RFID) wristbands are all accepted forms of “cashless” payment types. Reverse ATMs will be on site, allowing people to exchange cash for a prepaid Mastercard for a $4.95 fee per card. Cash is accepted for parking.
Permitted items and bag policy
The festival does have a bag policy and some items are not allowed into the festival. All entrances will have metal detectors and organizers advised giving extra time for screening.
Organizers strongly encouraged guests not to bring bags of any sort; there is a bag policy for small bags. Clear bags or totes are allowed under the bag policy. Solid or clear waist packs, small bags and purses are also allowed. Most larger and solid colored bags are not allowed.
The following items are also permitted:
- Cellphones and small portable charges
- Sunscreen (non-aerosol)
- One factory-sealed bottle of water (20 oz. max size) or one empty plastic refillable water bottle (no Hydroflasks or Yetis)
- Binoculars
- Towels and light blankets
- Small, point-and-shoot digital cameras
- Hats and sunglasses
- Earplugs
- Sealed packs of cigarettes and cigars
- Vape pens and e-cigarettes
Fest tech
As with many music festivals, Bourbon and Beyond offers a mobile app. The app includes the schedule. lineup, a festival map and plenty of other info.
Ticket availability
Passes for the festival are still available. You can purchase tickets and find plenty of other information on the Bourbon and Beyond website.
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