Bourbon and Beyond is an amazing weekend, but it isn't cheap. Between tickets, food, drinks, parking, and hotel, costs add up fast. The bourbon program especially surprises first-timers. Budget realistically before you arrive rather than tracking spend on the fly inside the festival.
Tickets
All ticket prices below are confirmed from the official Bourbon and Beyond passes page as of June 2026. All prices are all-in with fees included. Each price tier has a limited number of passes and goes up once that level sells out. Check bourbonandbeyond.com/passes for current availability.
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 |
VIP Options
| Ticket | Price (all-in) |
|---|---|
| Thursday Mint VIP | From $364 |
| Friday to Sunday Mint VIP | $375 (final level) |
| 4-Day Mint VIP | $946 (final level) |
| Single Day Beyond VIP (any day) | $735 (final level) |
| 4-Day Beyond VIP | $2,360 (final level) |
| 8-Day Exacta (Bourbon and Beyond + Louder Than Life) | $814 (final level) |
The 4-Day GA pass usually works out to the lowest cost per day. At $475 all-in for four days that works out to around $119 per day. Single day tickets range from $197 to $225. If you are attending more than two days the 4-Day pass saves money at current pricing. Source: official Bourbon and Beyond passes page.
Parking
On-site parking at the Kentucky Expo Center has run around $40 per day based on 2025 WDRB coverage. Verify current 2026 pricing at bourbonandbeyond.com/parking-info. The Park and TARC option lets you park at the PARC garage downtown for less and ride the TARC bus to the gates and back. For most attendees the Park and TARC option is both cheaper and less stressful than driving and parking on-site, particularly for exit traffic after headliners. Source: WDRB citing festival and TARC information for 2025.
Food and Drink Inside the Festival
Food and drink prices at Bourbon and Beyond are high even by big-festival standards. The figures below are sourced from r/BourbonAndBeyond attendee reports covering 2023 to 2025. Prices for 2026 have not been confirmed and may differ. Always verify on site.
| Category | Reported range (2023 to 2025 attendee reports) |
|---|---|
| Value items (bagel, two tacos, empanada) | Around $8 to $13 |
| Typical single food item (pizza slice, mac and cheese) | Around $15 to $22 |
| Beer | Around $10 to $20 depending on size and type |
| Cocktails and bourbon drinks | Around $15 to $20 |
| Neat bourbon pours (common labels) | Around $16 to $30 per ounce |
| Neat bourbon pours (rare and allocated) | $75 to $125 or more per ounce |
Recent attendees suggest budgeting around $100 to $125 per person per day if you are eating twice on site and having several drinks. One attendee reported spending around $125 per day in 2024 combining lunch, dinner, and drinks. As a rule of thumb, budget about $20 for each food or drink purchase. Source: r/BourbonAndBeyond, 2023 to 2025.
Treat bourbon tasting as its own separate budget. If you plan to explore the festival's signature bourbon offerings, treat that as a separate daily budget from food and regular drinks. A few specialty pours can add $60 to $100 or more to your day on their own.
With no re-entry, you can't step out for cheaper food. Standard GA passes do not allow re-entry once you are inside. Camping wristband holders and certain hotel package holders get re-entry privileges. Check bourbonandbeyond.com for details. Everything you eat and drink comes from inside the venue. Eating a solid meal before you go in each day is the easiest way to cut what you spend on food inside. Source: official Bourbon and Beyond FAQ.
Hotels Near the Kentucky Expo Center
Hotel rates during Bourbon and Beyond weekend run higher than standard Louisville rates due to demand. Book early. For a full breakdown of hotels near the Kentucky Expo Center with specific properties, distances, and price ranges, see the hotels near Louisville guide. That guide covers both Bourbon and Beyond and Louder Than Life at the same venue.
Camping
On-site camping is available at Bourbon and Beyond and sold separately from festival admission. Camping wristband holders get re-entry privileges each day. You will need to factor the camping pass into your overall budget along with your festival ticket. Check bourbonandbeyond.com/camping for current camping pricing and availability.
Other Costs to Plan For
- Lawn Chair Pass: Required if you want to bring a chair. Check the official passes page for current pricing.
- Merch: Official festival and artist merchandise is sold inside. Budget separately if merch is on your list.
- Charging lockers: Available as an add-on purchase. Bringing your own small portable charger is the cheaper option.
- Tips: Food vendors and bartenders inside the festival typically expect tips. Factor this into your daily food and drink budget.
- Incidentals: Items you forget at home will be available near the venue at premium prices. Come prepared.
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