Upcoming Events
Back the Byway
The Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway event is an off-road adventure that showcases the rugged beauty of Eastern Kentucky’s trails. Designed for overlanding and off-road enthusiasts, the event offers guided trail rides, scenic views, and a chance to explore the challenging terrain of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Participants can expect a weekend full of mud, rocks, camaraderie, and unforgettable backcountry exploration.
Mountain Mushroom Festival
The Mountain Mushroom Festival in Irvine, Kentucky is a fun-filled weekend celebrating Appalachian culture, morel mushrooms, and Kentucky agates. The event features a 5K race, mushroom hunting and cooking contests, live music, craft vendors, a parade, car show, and an agate and gem exhibit. With the 2025 theme “Shrooming Around” featuring Bigfoot, it’s a quirky, family-friendly festival packed with local flavor and small-town charm.
Herpetology Weekend
Herpetology Weekend at Natural Bridge State Resort Park is an annual event dedicated to the study and appreciation of reptiles and amphibians. The event features a variety of activities designed for both enthusiasts and the general public.
Savor Spring: A Family RV Event by 50 Pies
Come help us celebrate warm weather, Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day with an 8 day family RV event at Firefly Hills RV Park. We, the @50piesfamily, are looking forward to continuing to spread our mission in Kentucky of creating community connections through #culinarykindness. The event will be a celebration of food, community and very specially all the moms on Mother's Day.
South Fork KY River Kayak Adventure
The South Fork KY River Kayak Adventure is a 7-mile paddle event hosted by the Crazy Kayak Adventures Club of Ohio in collaboration with the local community. Participants will enjoy a scenic journey along the South Fork of the Kentucky River, experiencing the natural beauty of the area. The event is open to all skill levels, offering a fun and engaging experience for both novice and experienced kayakers.
Wild & Scenic Red Riverfest
The annual Wild & Scenic Red RiverFest is a celebration of Kentucky’s only National Wild & Scenic River! Enjoy live music, local food, art, educational booths, and family-friendly fun—all while supporting river conservation and the beauty of the Red River Gorge.
Red River Gorge Bigfoot Festival
The Red River Gorge Bigfoot Festival is a fun-filled celebration of all things mysterious and wild! Held in the heart of Eastern Kentucky, this family-friendly event features live music, food and craft vendors, guest speakers, Bigfoot-themed games and contests, and plenty of outdoor fun. Whether you're a true believer or just along for the fun, expect a weekend full of laughter, local flavor, and maybe even a Bigfoot sighting or two!
Richmond Pride Celebration
The Richmond Pride Festival is an annual event in Richmond, Kentucky, dedicated to celebrating and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. Typically held in early June at Irvine McDowell Park, the festival offers a vibrant atmosphere with live music, performances, drag shows, food trucks, and local vendors. This free, family-friendly event fosters inclusivity and community spirit, welcoming everyone to join in the celebration of love and equality.
Beattyville Bourbon & Moonshine Festival
The Beattyville Bourbon & Moonshine Festival celebrates Kentucky’s rich distilling heritage with tastings from local bourbon and moonshine producers, live music, craft vendors, and Appalachian culture. It’s a fun-filled weekend where tradition meets community spirit, right in the heart of Lee County.
Annual L&N Day
L&N Day in Berea is a celebration of the town’s rich railroad history, honoring the legacy of the Louisville & Nashville (L&N) Railroad. Held at the historic L&N Depot, the event features model train displays, local vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities, all while showcasing the important role the railroad played in shaping Berea’s past. It’s a fun and educational day for train enthusiasts and history lovers alike!
Beer Cheese Festival
Local breweries and cheese makers come together to showcase their finest creations, offering attendees a taste of the region’s best brews and cheeses. The festival is a celebration of craftsmanship and culinary expertise, providing a platform for these artisans to highlight their unique products.
Daniel Boone Days Celebration
Daniel Boone Days in Owsley County is a lively celebration of Appalachian heritage and frontier history, honoring the legacy of legendary explorer Daniel Boone. This annual festival features local crafts, traditional music, food vendors, a parade, and family-friendly activities that showcase the spirit and culture of Eastern Kentucky. It’s a fun and festive way for the community to come together and celebrate their roots.
Berea Craft Festival
The Berea Craft Festival welcomes over 100 artists and craftsmen along with great local food and a remarkable lineup of entertainers each year to the Historic Indian Fort Theater for a magical weekend in the mountains!
The Boone Forest Rally
The Daniel Boone Forest Rally is a high-adrenaline motorsport event held on the rugged gravel roads of Eastern Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest. As part of the American Rally Association series, it features top rally teams racing through challenging forest terrain, offering spectators an unforgettable mix of speed, skill, and scenic Appalachian beauty.
Breathitt County Honey Festival
The Breathitt County Honey Festival is an annual event held over Labor Day weekend in Jackson, Kentucky, celebrating the region's Appalachian heritage and beekeeping traditions. The festival features a variety of activities, including live music performances, a lively parade, arts and crafts from local and statewide artists, and a range of food vendors offering local delicacies. Family-friendly events such as the Kids Fest and the Honey Run, which includes a 5K, 10K, 2-mile walk, and a Kid Fun Run, provide entertainment for all ages. The festival fosters a strong sense of community, culminating in a community-wide church service on Sunday.
Louisville Orchestra Concert
The Louisville Orchestra’s In Harmony tour brings world-class music to communities across Kentucky, and we’re thrilled that one of its historic stops is right here in Beattyville! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience a live performance from the orchestra in the heart of the hills.
Danville Pride Festival
Attendees can anticipate a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere featuring a variety of activities and entertainment. The festival will host numerous vendors and artists showcasing their work, along with food trucks offering diverse culinary options. Live performances and music are also planned, contributing to the festive environment.
The Woolly Worm Festival
The Woolly Worm Festival in Beattyville, Kentucky, is an annual celebration rooted in local folklore that attributes weather-predicting abilities to the woolly worm, also known as the banded woolly bear caterpillar. According to tradition, the 13 segments of the woolly worm's body correspond to the 13 weeks of winter; black segments signify harsh, cold weeks, while light brown segments indicate milder conditions.
Berea Earth Warriors Concert Series: Nurtured by Nature
An annual event in Berea, Kentucky, that combines live music performances with environmental activism to raise awareness about important ecological issues. Attendees can enjoy a variety of musical genres while participating in workshops, listening to guest speakers, and engaging with the community to promote environmental stewardship.
Beattyville Flood Relief Concert & Riverside Run
Live music will be on stage directly after the Riverside Run 5k awards at the Beattyville Town Square! Local musicians want to help raise flood relief funds for Beattyville and are getting together to have a benefit concert. Grab lunch at a local restaurant and come on down to the Beattyville Town Square.
Our neighbors in Powell County have a full calendar of small and large events worth checking out—see what’s happening!