Highland Festival Grounds Set to Get Louder and Beyond

Two iconic music festivals return to the Kentucky Exposition Center 

Since 2019, Danny Wimmer Presents has called the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) and its Highland Festival Grounds home for Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life. This year, the festivals kick off eight days of live music showcasing over 230 artists on Thursday with the world’s largest music, food, and bourbon festival, Bourbon & Beyond running September 19-21. The 10th annual Louder Than Life will begin the following weekend with a packed lineup from September 26-29. 

Around 270,000 music-loving, multi-national festivalgoers are expected to descend upon Louisville. They will fill the KEC camping area, nearly 90% occupancy at city hotels, and short-term rentals. Bourbon & Beyond is poised to generate an estimated economic impact of nearly $12.5 million, and Louder Than Life is expected to have an estimated impact of $20.9 million.  

“The partnership we have with Danny Wimmer Presents is one we value,” said David S. Beck, President & CEO of Kentucky Venues. “To be the host site of two major festivals is not a role we take lightly, and our team works year-round to make sure the Kentucky Exposition Center is ready to be a worldwide stage.” 

This year, Bourbon & Beyond will also include the Bourbon & Beyond 5k on September 21. Music, snacks, and refreshments will help carry runners and walkers throughout the Kentucky Exposition Center grounds and Kentucky Kingdom. 

For more information about Bourbon & Beyond or Louder Than Life, visit their websites.