What is Bourbon and Beyond
Bourbon and Beyond is a four day music and food festival held every September in Louisville, Kentucky, produced by Danny Wimmer Presents. It combines a serious music lineup across multiple stages with an equally serious commitment to Kentucky bourbon, celebrity chef culinary demonstrations, and exclusive bourbon workshops. The result is a festival that draws both music fans and food-and-drink enthusiasts.
The 2026 edition takes place at the Kentucky Expo Center, the same venue as Louder Than Life the week before. Five stages, 100 plus artists, and a lineup that spans rock, Americana, country, and everything in between. The headliners alone cover an enormous range: Foo Fighters on Thursday, Mumford and Sons on Friday, Chris Stapleton on Saturday, and Dave Matthews Band on Sunday.
Unlike a lot of festival lineups, Bourbon and Beyond tends to attract a crowd that is as interested in what is happening at the bourbon bars and chef demos as at the stages. If you go purely for the music, you'll still have a full weekend. If you dive into the food and bourbon program too, the festival feels completely different.
The Venue
Bourbon and Beyond 2026 takes place at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The venue sits where I-65 meets I-264, right next to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Multiple entrances connect to paved on-site parking lots and the grounds are large enough to accommodate five stages across the four day run.
Louisville is the heart of Kentucky bourbon country, and the city leans into it during Bourbon and Beyond weekend. The Kroger Big Bourbon Bar and Wine Garden are central gathering points on the grounds alongside the celebrity chef culinary demonstration areas and the exclusive bourbon workshops that are part of the festival's identity beyond just the music.
No re-entry for most ticket holders. Standard GA passes do not allow re-entry once you are inside for the day. Camping wristband holders get re-entry between the campground and the festival during event hours. Certain hotel packages may also include re-entry privileges. Check the current FAQ and passes page for details. Source: official Bourbon and Beyond FAQ.
Getting There
The Kentucky Expo Center sits at the junction of I-65 and I-264 in Louisville, making it easy to reach by car from most directions. Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport sits directly adjacent to the venue.
On-Site Parking
On-site parking is available at the Kentucky Expo Center for $40 per day, first-come, first-served, with access via several gates. Cash and card are both accepted. The official site recommends arriving early. Vehicles that leave during the show lose their spot and must repurchase on re-entry. Overnight parking is not permitted. Source: WDRB citing festival information for 2025.
Park and TARC
The Park and TARC option covers both Bourbon and Beyond and the prior week's Louder Than Life at the same venue. Park at the PARC garage at 115 W Jefferson Street downtown for a nominal daily fee that includes roundtrip TARC bus service for everyone in your car. Board the number 2 bus at S 1st Street and W Liberty Street and exit at Phillips Lane and Freedom Way near Gate 1. TARC buses run every 15 to 20 minutes and until at least midnight after shows. Return service from near Gate 4 at Crittenden Drive. Source: WDRB citing TARC and festival information.
Park and TARC is the move for most attendees. On-site parking runs $40 per day and exit traffic after headliners is consistently described as slow and frustrating. The TARC bus drops you close to the entrance, runs until midnight, and costs significantly less. For groups the per-person cost is even lower.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft both serve Louisville. Expect surge pricing at the end of each night. Pickups near Gate 1 can be chaotic after headliners. Walking to a different gate or a few blocks from the main exit before requesting your ride typically improves both pricing and wait time.
Where to Stay
Bourbon and Beyond offers on-site camping if you want to stay on the grounds. Camping wristband holders are the only GA attendees with re-entry privileges each day. Hotel options near the Kentucky Expo Center and in downtown Louisville serve everyone else.
Bourbon and Beyond takes place the week after Louder Than Life at the same venue. If you're doing both festivals, consider one rental from September 17 to 27 so you can get a weekly rate and avoid moving mid-trip.
For a full breakdown of hotels near the Kentucky Expo Center with specific properties, distances, and price ranges, see the hotels near Louisville guide.
Tickets
All passes are final sale with no refunds or exchanges. Your pass comes as an RFID festival wristband. Festival admission, camping, and parking are all sold separately. All prices below are all-in with fees included, confirmed from the official Bourbon and Beyond passes page as of June 2026. Check bourbonandbeyond.com/passes for current availability as inventory at listed price levels is limited.
General Admission
| Ticket | Price (all-in) |
|---|---|
| Thursday GA | From $197 |
| Friday GA | From $214 |
| Saturday GA | From $225 |
| Sunday GA | From $214 |
| 2-Day GA | From $390 |
| 4-Day GA | From $475 |
| 4-Day GA 4-Pack | From $1,854 |
| Single Day GA Student Pass | $130 |
Mint VIP
Mint VIP includes all GA access plus dedicated entry lanes, a commemorative laminate, a VIP viewing area in front of both main stages, shaded lounge with live stage audio and video, outdoor seating with stage views, dedicated merch booth, air-conditioned restrooms, and premium food and bar options available for additional purchase.
| Ticket | Price (all-in) |
|---|---|
| Thursday Mint VIP | From $364 |
| Friday Mint VIP | $375 (final level) |
| Saturday Mint VIP | $375 (final level) |
| Sunday Mint VIP | $375 (final level) |
| 4-Day Mint VIP | $946 (final level) |
Angel's Envy Beyond VIP
Beyond VIP includes all GA and Mint VIP access plus express entry lanes, the Beyond VIP lounge and shaded viewing platform, all-inclusive beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the Beyond VIP area, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and curated bites from Chef Anthony Lamas of Louisville's Seviche restaurant, complimentary Wi-Fi, air-conditioned restrooms, and first right to renew for 2027.
| Ticket | Price (all-in) |
|---|---|
| Single Day Beyond VIP (any day) | $735 (final level) |
| 4-Day Beyond VIP | $2,360 (final level) |
Additional Options
| Option | Price (all-in) |
|---|---|
| 8-Day Exacta Pass (Bourbon and Beyond + Louder Than Life) | $814 (final level) |
| General Admission Lawn Chair Pass | See official passes page |
| GOVX discount | Save up to $20 |
Lawn chair pass available. Bourbon and Beyond offers a General Admission Lawn Chair Pass that allows you to bring a chair into designated lawn chair areas. In GA, chairs are not permitted without this pass. Check the passes page for current rules and availability. Check the official passes page for current pricing and availability. Source: official Bourbon and Beyond passes page.
The Lineup
The following lineup and day assignments are confirmed from the official Bourbon and Beyond 2026 lineup poster. Always check bourbonandbeyond.com/lineup for the most current version. Set times will be announced closer to the festival.
What to Know Before You Go
Bag Policy
The following bag policy is confirmed from the official Bourbon and Beyond bag policy. Source: bourbonandbeyond.com.
Approved bags:
- Clear small backpacks up to 12" x 6" x 12"
- Clear drawstring bags up to 16" x 13"
- Clear totes up to 12" x 6" x 12"
- Solid or clear hip and waist packs up to 7.5" x 4.1" x 2.6"
- Small bags and purses (crossbody ok) up to 4.5" x 6.5"
- 1-gallon resealable plastic storage bags
Not approved: oversized tote bags, solid and mesh tote bags, large backpacks (solid or clear), diaper bags, hydration packs, solid and mesh drawstring bags, cooler bags, oversized purses. Mesh bags are not considered clear bags.
Allowed Items
- Cell phones and small portable chargers
- Non-aerosol sunscreen
- One factory-sealed bottle of water (20 oz max) or one empty plastic refillable water bottle (no Hydroflasks or Yetis)
- Binoculars
- Towels up to 30" x 58" (prohibited from standing-only marked areas)
- Small point-and-shoot digital cameras
- Hats and sunglasses
- Earplugs
- Sealed packs of cigarettes and cigars
- Vape pens and e-cigarettes
- Chairs with a valid General Admission Lawn Chair Pass
Prohibited Items
- No outside chairs without a lawn chair pass
- No blankets (towels allowed in non-standing areas)
- No large bags, backpacks, or duffle bags
- No CamelBaks or hydration packs
- No metal containers including Yetis or Hydroflasks
- No aerosol cans
- No coolers or picnic baskets
- No outside food or beverages (exception: one factory-sealed 20 oz water bottle)
- No glass containers
- No umbrellas
- No inflatable lounger air sofas
- No strollers
- No video cameras or GoPros
- No audio recording devices
- No laptops or tablets
- No professional cameras or cameras with removable lenses
- No selfie sticks
- No lasers or laser pointers
- No drones
- No hula hoops or totems
- No balloons, beach balls, confetti, or glow sticks
- No whistles or air horns
- No fireworks or explosives
- No musical instruments of any kind
- No weapons of any kind
- No drugs or drug paraphernalia
- No pets (service animals excepted)
- No colors or patches
- No chains, chain wallets, or spikes
- No walkie-talkies or two-way radios
Security staff may update the prohibited items list at any time at their discretion. Always check the official info page before the festival. Source: official Bourbon and Beyond FAQ.
Re-Entry Policy
Re-entry is not permitted unless you are camping on site with a camping wristband or purchased a Hotel plus Admission Package through JamPack. Once you enter the venue each day you cannot leave and return. If there is an emergency requiring you to leave, speak to a supervisor at the gate. Source: official Bourbon and Beyond FAQ.
Gate Times
Official gate times for 2026 are TBD and will be announced closer to the event. Historically gates open between 11AM and noon. Check bourbonandbeyond.com for confirmed 2026 hours as the festival approaches. Source: official Bourbon and Beyond FAQ.
Insider Tips
On-site parking is $40 per day and the exit after headliners is consistently slow. The TARC bus from the downtown PARC garage runs every 15 to 20 minutes, drops you near the entrance, and runs until at least midnight. For a group it costs less per person than parking and skips the traffic entirely.
The bourbon program is a real draw at this festival and the prices reflect it. Standard pours of common labels run $16 to $30 per ounce. Allocated bottles go higher. If you want to explore the bourbon side of the festival, decide on a daily bourbon budget before you arrive rather than tracking it on the fly.
Bourbon and Beyond is one of the few major festivals that allows chairs in GA with a dedicated pass. If sitting down during sets matters to you, buy the Lawn Chair Pass when you buy your festival ticket. You cannot bring a chair without it.
Lines at porta-potties get long once headliners start and it is hard to get back to a good spot in GA once you leave. Build a bathroom break into your schedule 20 to 30 minutes before the main acts start rather than waiting until you need to go urgently.
Food prices run high. Attendees who eat a solid meal before entering each day and grab one item inside spend significantly less than those buying multiple full meals on site. If you want to eat inside, look for the smaller vendor stands where tacos and simpler items tend to be cheaper than the main food courts.
Bourbon and Beyond crowds are generally described as chill but dense during headliners. Wear your hip pack or small bag in front of your body rather than behind you, particularly in crowded GA areas near the main stages.
Four days in Louisville in late September means warm afternoons, cooler evenings, and a lot of walking. Veterans consistently say the people who pace their drinking, stay hydrated, and take shade breaks make it through all four days in much better shape. The Sunday headliners are Dave Matthews Band and Hootie and the Blowfish. Treat yourself well enough on Thursday and Friday to actually enjoy them.
The grounds range from grassy fields to gravel near the stages. Four days of that on tired legs adds up. Wear shoes you are already comfortable in, bring good insoles if you have them, and do not break in a new pair at a multi-day festival.
From the Community
Real knowledge from people who have attended Bourbon and Beyond multiple times. The kind of stuff that does not appear on any official page.
The following section reflects general knowledge and community experience from festival attendees. It is general knowledge content. Verify any specific claims directly with the festival before your trip.
The bourbon prices will surprise you even if you expect them to be high
Attendees consistently report that knowing bourbon is expensive at the festival and actually experiencing the prices are two different things. The cheapest 1-ounce pour one attendee found in 2024 was over $20. Common labels like Buffalo Trace run around $16 per ounce and Blanton's around $30. Rare and allocated bottles go to $75 and above. An Old Fashioned at the Wild Turkey booth at around $15 was described as one of the better value drinks on the grounds. Source: r/BourbonAndBeyond.
Find the value food spots early
The most expensive food tends to be in the main food court areas. Attendees who found better value in 2025 mentioned a $13 pizza and $13 for two tacos near the Revival and 100 Proof stage as some of the better deals on site. Exploring the smaller vendor stands early in the day before lines get long is worth the time. Source: r/BourbonAndBeyond.
Stay off to the side for headliners if you want to move freely
The crowd in front of the main stages during headliners gets dense. Positioning yourself off to the side rather than pushing toward the center gives you a good view while keeping you free to move. If you want to leave before the headliner ends to beat the parking traffic, the side of the crowd also gives you a cleaner exit path.
The days are longer than they feel on paper
Gates open around 11AM and headliners run past 10PM. That is a long day on your feet, especially across four days in a row. Attendees who budget in a shade break or sit-down moment each afternoon report feeling significantly better by day three and four than those who push through without stopping.
What to Pack
Bourbon and Beyond has a clear bag requirement and no re-entry for most ticket holders. Everything you need for the full day comes in with you on the first entry. Pack to the bag policy and pack for the weather.
- Approved bag: A clear hip pack, clear small backpack up to 12x6x12 inches, or small crossbody up to 4.5x6.5 inches. Check the full bag policy above before you pack. Going with just a hip pack or waist pack gets you through security fastest.
- One factory-sealed water bottle (20 oz max) or one empty plastic refillable bottle: No Hydroflasks, Yetis, or metal containers. Free water stations are available inside.
- Non-aerosol sunscreen: No aerosol cans permitted. Late September in Louisville still means real afternoon sun.
- Compact poncho: September weather in Louisville can bring fast-moving rain. A poncho that fits in your bag is worth having since you cannot leave and return if the weather turns.
- High fidelity earplugs: Four days of live music at volume. Bring a backup pair.
- Small portable charger: A full day of the app, photos, and group messaging drains your phone. Keep it small enough for your approved bag.
- Light layer for the evening: Late September evenings in Louisville cool off noticeably. A light hoodie in your bag gives you options for the late headliner sets.
- Comfortable shoes with insoles: Grassy fields and gravel near the stages across four days. Wear shoes you already trust.
- Lawn Chair Pass if you want one: Chairs are not allowed without it. Buy it in advance at bourbonandbeyond.com/passes.
- ID: Required for alcohol purchases. Required at 21 plus areas.
- Cash: Some vendors prefer it. On-site parking accepts cash or card.
- Official app downloaded and set up: Do this at your hotel before you lose reliable signal inside the grounds.
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