Louisville, Kentucky, knows how to throw a party. Every September, the city transforms into the epicenter of American music, food, and whiskey culture. This year is no different. Bourbon and Beyond 2026 returns to the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center from September 24 through September 27, 2026. Four days, over 100 artists, dozens of bourbon brands, and some of the best food in the South — all in one place.
Whether you are a first-time attendee or a returning festival veteran, this guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect trip.
Event Overview: What Makes This Festival Unique
Bourbon and Beyond is not just a music festival. It bills itself as the world’s largest bourbon, food, and music festival — and for good reason. Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, the event drew more than 200,000 attendees in 2025 and generated over 40 million dollars in local economic impact. That kind of scale is hard to match.
The festival combines live music across five stages with premium bourbon tastings, hands-on distillery workshops, celebrity chef demonstrations, and curated food experiences. Additionally, the 2026 edition is the first to follow immediately after the Louder Than Life festival, which runs September 17 through 20 at the same venue. That scheduling shift makes late September in Louisville one of the busiest and most exciting festival weekends in the entire United States.
Dates, Venue and Getting There
| Detail | Information |
| Festival Dates | September 24–27, 2026 |
| Venue | Highland Festival Grounds, Kentucky Exposition Center |
| City | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Nearest Airport | Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport |
| Highway Access | Junction of I-65 and I-264 |
| Event Format | All Ages, Four Days |
The venue sits adjacent to Kentucky Kingdom, an amusement park that adds an extra layer of entertainment nearby. The location is easy to reach by car, rideshare, or shuttle. Louisville’s downtown hotels are a short drive away, and many attendees use the festival’s official hotel packages to stay close to the action. Camping is also available on site, with gates opening on Wednesday, September 23, for early arrivals.
2026 Headliners and Day-by-Day Lineup
This year’s lineup is one of the most ambitious in the festival’s history. Each day brings a distinct musical flavor, from hard rock to country, folk, and everything in between.
| Day | Headliners | Notable Acts |
| Thursday, Sept 24 | Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age | The War on Drugs, Goose, Gary Clark Jr. |
| Friday, Sept 25 | Mumford & Sons, Kacey Musgraves | Of Monsters and Men, Foster the People, The Flaming Lips |
| Saturday, Sept 26 | Chris Stapleton, The Red Clay Strays | Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Jessie Murph, Marcus King Band |
| Sunday, Sept 27 | Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & The Blowfish | Counting Crows, Portugal. The Man, Fitz and the Tantrums |
Beyond the headliners, the full lineup spans over 100 artists across five stages. Additional names include Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick, 4 Non Blondes, Violent Femmes, Angus and Julia Stone, Better Than Ezra, The Fray, Amos Lee, Noah Cyrus, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, and many more. The Bluegrass Situation Stage, curated by BGS for the eighth consecutive year, focuses on bluegrass, Americana, and folk acts inside the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar tent.
With this much variety, there is genuinely something for every taste across every single day.
Tickets and Pass Options
Passes are already on sale through the official festival website at bourbonandbeyond.com. Prices vary by experience level, and early buyers lock in the lowest available tier before prices increase.
| Pass Type | Single Day Price | 4-Day Price |
| General Admission | From $130 | From $375 (all-in) |
| Mint VIP | From $277 | From $829 |
| Angel’s Envy VIP | From $626 | From $2,249 |
| Exacta Combo Pass (Louder Than Life + B&B) | Available | Available |
| Student Single Day GA | Discounted | N/A |
General Admission gives you access to all festival stages, celebrity chef demonstrations, bourbon workshops, the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar, and the Wine Garden. Mint VIP adds dedicated entry lanes and a commemorative laminate. Angel’s Envy VIP is the premium tier, offering the most exclusive access and perks across all four days.
A student discount is available for single-day General Admission tickets by verifying a college or university email at checkout. Additionally, a group referral program rewards fans who bring friends — groups of ten or more can earn a ten-dollar refund per person on their ticket.
The Exacta Pass covers both Bourbon and Beyond and Louder Than Life and is a strong option for fans who want two full festival weekends for one bundled price.
Camping, Glamping and Hotel Options
Accommodation choices range from budget-friendly tent sites to fully serviced glamping packages.
| Accommodation Type | Starting Price |
| Car and Tent Camping | From $369 |
| RV Camping (no hookups) | From $513 |
| Premium RV with Power | From $936 |
| Barrel Cove Glamping (2 people) | From $2,843 |
| Hotel Package via Jampack | From $1,166 per person |
Camping opens on Wednesday, September 23, the night before the festival begins. All campers receive re-entry access between the campgrounds and festival grounds during event hours, access to showers, and a camp store stocked with essentials. Note that electricity and water hookups are not included unless specifically selected at checkout.
For those who prefer a hotel, the official travel partner Jampack bundles festival passes with three to five nights at nearby Louisville hotels. These packages are worth considering for groups who want everything handled in a single booking. However, booking early is essential since Louisville hotels fill up fast during festival season.
Bourbon and Food Experiences
The music is only part of the story. The bourbon and food programming is equally impressive and runs throughout all four days.
The festival hosts over 40 bourbon brands, including Blanton’s, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Bulleit Rye, Elijah Craig, Knob Creek, and Evan Williams. Rare and vintage pours are also available, with selections dating back decades. Past editions have featured bottles from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s — a genuine draw for collectors and serious bourbon enthusiasts.
Hands-on master classes with renowned distillers give attendees an inside look at the craft of bourbon making. These sessions are popular and tend to fill up quickly. Booking in advance through the festival is strongly recommended.
On the food side, celebrity chef demonstrations spotlight Southern cuisine and dishes inspired by Kentucky’s spirit-soaked culture. The curated food hall inside the festival grounds features regional restaurants and flavors that complement the bourbon experience. Therefore, coming hungry is very much part of the plan.
Accessibility and Practical Information
The festival takes accessibility seriously. ADA viewing platforms, accessible parking, and a welcoming policy for service animals are all in place across the grounds. Dedicated lanes for Mint VIP and Angel’s Envy VIP ticket holders reduce wait times at entry points.
Locker rentals are available for single-day or full-weekend use. Each locker measures approximately eight inches high, twelve inches wide, and eighteen inches deep — enough space for a backpack or purse. This is a useful option for anyone who wants to keep their hands free while moving between stages.
The festival is all ages, meaning families can attend together. However, alcohol service follows standard Kentucky state laws, and ID checks apply at all bourbon tasting areas.
Tips for First-Time Attendees
A little planning goes a long way at a four-day event of this size. Here are some things worth keeping in mind before you go.
- Download the official festival app when it becomes available. Set times and stage maps are easiest to navigate there.
- Arrive early on your first day to get familiar with the grounds. Five stages spread across a large venue takes time to learn.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will cover a lot of ground between stages and tasting areas throughout each day.
- Bring a reusable water bottle. Hydration stations are available on site, and September in Louisville can still run warm.
- Book bourbon master classes and chef experiences early. These sell out well before the festival dates arrive.
- If you are camping, pack for cool nights. Late September temperatures in Louisville can drop significantly after dark.
- Follow the official social media channels for last-minute schedule updates, surprise additions, and announcements.
Conclusion
Bourbon and Beyond 2026 is shaping up to be the festival’s biggest and most exciting edition yet. Running from September 24 to September 27 in Louisville, Kentucky, it brings together over 100 artists, world-class bourbon, and outstanding food in one of the country’s most spirited cities. Headliners like Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews Band, and Mumford and Sons anchor a lineup that spans rock, country, folk, and beyond. Pass options cover every budget, from single-day General Admission to four-day VIP packages with glamping. Whether you are there for the music, the bourbon, the food, or all three, this is one September weekend well worth planning around.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Bourbon and Beyond 2026?
The festival runs September 24 through September 27, 2026, at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Camping opens on Wednesday, September 23, for early arrivals.
Who are the headliners at Bourbon and Beyond 2026?
The four headlining acts are Foo Fighters on Thursday, Mumford and Sons on Friday, Chris Stapleton on Saturday, and Dave Matthews Band on Sunday. Each day also features a strong co-headliner: Queens of the Stone Age, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, and Hootie and the Blowfish respectively.
How much do tickets cost for Bourbon and Beyond 2026?
Single-day General Admission starts at $130. Four-day GA passes start at $375 all-in with fees included. Mint VIP four-day passes start at $829, and Angel’s Envy VIP four-day passes start at $2,249. Student discounts are available for single-day tickets with a valid university email.
Is there camping available at the festival?
Yes. On-site camping is available at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Options include car and tent camping from $369, RV camping from $513, premium RV sites with power from $936, and Barrel Cove glamping packages from $2,843 for two people. Camping opens on September 23.
What bourbon experiences are available at the festival?
The festival hosts over 40 bourbon brands with tastings, rare vintage pours, and hands-on master classes led by professional distillers. The Kroger Big Bourbon Bar operates throughout the event. Booking master classes in advance through the official website is recommended as spots fill up early.
