Bourbon & Beyond
Whether you’re a bourbon connoisseur or simply enjoy a good cocktail, you can’t miss Bourbon & Beyond. Head to Louisville in your RV this fall.
Event information
Bourbon & Beyond transforms Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center into a four-day bourbon, food, and music paradise running in September. The festival offers comprehensive onsite RV camping with dedicated spaces accommodating up to 6 campers per site, featuring both RV camping with 30/50 amp power hookups and no-hookup options starting at 20' x 45' approximate spaces. Located at the junction of I-65 and I-264 in Louisville, the venue now covers 2.4 million square feet and includes exclusive Kentucky Kingdom theme park access with 17 rides daily. RV campers enjoy five nights of camping (Wednesday-Sunday), re-entry privileges, access to complimentary showers, a camp store, and food trucks. Louisville's excellent RV rental market and nearby campgrounds like Louisville South KOA provide perfect alternatives for extended stays while exploring Kentucky's bourbon country and outdoor attractions.
What Makes Bourbon & Beyond Special?
Bourbon & Beyond represents the ultimate convergence of Kentucky's three greatest cultural treasures: world-class bourbon, exceptional music, and legendary hospitality. This four-day festival creates an immersive experience where music lovers can explore rare bourbon tastings, celebrity chef demonstrations, and live performances by both legendary and emerging artists across multiple stages.
The 2025 festival marked a major expansion, doubling in size to 2.4 million square feet and integrating the Kentucky Kingdom theme park exclusively for festival attendees. This means your festival pass includes access to 17 amusement rides daily, from the Giant Wheel Ferris wheel to Lightning Run roller coaster, creating a unique festival experience unlike any other music event in the world.
What sets Bourbon & Beyond apart is its authentic Kentucky setting—you're not just attending a festival, you're experiencing the heart of bourbon country, where legendary distilleries like Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, and Woodford Reserve call home. The festival's Hunter's Club features rare, vintage, and experimental bourbon expressions, including Blanton's, Eagle Rare, and George T. Stagg, that you can't find anywhere else.
For your bourbon and music adventure, explore Louisville RV rentals for the largest selection near the festival grounds, or discover New Albany RV rentals just across the Ohio River for competitive pricing and easy Kentucky Exposition Center access.
Tickets
Bourbon & Beyond offers various ticket and camping combinations to match different budgets and experience preferences, from general admission to luxury VIP packages.
Festival Tickets: Single-day general admission starts around $100, with four-day general admission passes ranging from $300 to $400. VIP experiences, including Mint VIP and Beyond VIP, range from $450-1000+, depending on package inclusions and proximity to stages.
RV Camping Costs:
- RV Camping (No Hookups): Base pricing for 20' x 45' space
- RV Camping with Power: 30/50 amp electrical service included
- Oak Cove RV Glamping: Fully powered RV with AC in premium locations
- Early Arrival Pass: Access beginning 9 am Wednesday (additional fee)
- 4-Day Overnight Camping Vehicle Pass: Required for companion vehicles
Additional Costs:
- RV pump-out services (cash only, first-come-first-served)
- Food, beverages, and bourbon experiences within the festival
- Merchandise and souvenirs from 100+ vendors
- Transportation if using off-site accommodation
Money-Saving Tips:
- Book camping and tickets early for the best pricing
- Consider car + tent camping for a budget-friendly option
- Take advantage of the included Kentucky Kingdom access (typically $30+ separately)
- Bring allowed items like sealed water bottles to reduce vendor purchases
How Do I Rent an RV Near Louisville for Bourbon & Beyond?
The Louisville metropolitan area provides exceptional RV rental access, positioning you perfectly for Highland Festival Grounds while serving as your gateway to exploring Kentucky's bourbon trail and natural attractions.
Louisville offers the most comprehensive selection and sits directly where the festival takes place. From compact Class B campervans perfect for couples exploring bourbon distilleries to spacious Class A motorhomes ideal for large festival crews, Louisville provides every RV type needed for your bourbon adventure.
New Albany, located just across the Ohio River in Indiana, presents excellent value alternatives with easy access via I-65 directly to the Kentucky Exposition Center. This location offers competitive pricing while keeping you within 15 minutes of the festival grounds.
Both locations provide strategic access to Kentucky's bourbon trail, Churchill Downs, Mammoth Cave National Park, and the scenic beauty of Kentucky's rolling hills and horse country.
Explore Bourbon & Beyond RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
Highland Festival Grounds sits conveniently at the junction of I-65 and I-264 in Louisville, providing easy access from multiple directions. The venue is located adjacent to Louisville International Airport with multiple entrances to paved parking lots. I-65 runs north-south through Louisville, while I-64 provides east-west access through the city. Traffic patterns will be modified during festival days, so follow posted signs and consider arriving early to avoid peak congestion.
Parking areas
The expanded festival layout includes two main entrances—Highland Entrance and Cardinal Entrance—designed to ease traffic flow and reduce entry wait times. Kentucky Expo Center parking is within walking distance of Highland Festival Grounds. Day parking is available in designated lots, while RV camping provides dedicated areas specifically for overnight stays throughout the festival weekend.
Public Transportation
Louisville's TARC (Transit Authority of River City) serves the festival area with affordable bus service. The festival organizers partner with surge-free taxi services and expanded shuttle options to provide alternative transportation during the event. A new TARC + PARC downtown parking deal offers convenient park-and-ride options for day attendees who prefer not to drive directly to the venue.
Where to stay
Onsite
Highland Festival Grounds at Kentucky Exposition Center offers comprehensive onsite RV camping designed specifically for festival attendees, providing the ultimate convenience and community experience.
Onsite RV Camping Features:
- Dedicated RV areas with 20' x 45' approximate spaces
- Accommodates up to 6 campers per RV site
- Both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service options are available
- Five nights of camping (Wednesday 12 pm - Monday checkout)
- Re-entry privileges to the festival grounds throughout the weekend
- Access to complimentary campground showers and restrooms
- On-site camp store for ice, food, drinks, toiletries, and supplies
- Food trucks and concessions within camping areas
- RV pump-out services available for a nominal fee (cash only)
Important RV Guidelines:
- Must arrive in your RV to occupy RV camping areas
- An RV must be parked on each RV campsite
- Early Arrival Pass allows 9 am Wednesday access (9 am vs. standard 12 pm)
- ADA accessible campsites and showers available
- Accessible shuttle service between RV campgrounds and festival grounds
- Generator use is permitted within reasonable hours and noise levels
Nearby
If onsite camping sells out, Louisville South KOA provides an excellent nearby option with full hookups, swimming pool, hiking trails, and outdoor theater just 30 minutes from the festival grounds. My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown offers 39 sites with full hookups and puts you at the heart of Kentucky's bourbon trail, 40 miles south of Louisville.
Getting around
Bikes, golf carts, skateboards, scooters, dune buggies, off-road motorcycles or other vehicles will not be allowed on the festival grounds. While most parts of the venue are accessible, the park has some natural terrain which can be challenging to navigate, especially if it rains. Patrons with mobility disabilities may want to consider enjoying the festival with a companion who can assist them.
What to pack
Clothing
September in Louisville brings ideal festival weather with daytime highs around 75-80°F and cool evenings dropping to 55-60°F. Pack comfortable layers, including breathable daytime clothing and warmer options for evening shows when bourbon tastings and music continue late into the night. Kentucky's autumn weather can be unpredictable, so include rain gear and a medium-weight jacket for potential weather changes.
Gear
Bring your festival essentials, including comfortable walking shoes for navigating the expanded 2.4 million square foot grounds, a clear bag meeting festival security requirements, and portable phone chargers for capturing memories throughout the four-day event. Don't forget cash for RV pump-out services and vendors who may not accept cards. Consider bringing lawn chairs if you purchase a Lawn Chair Pass in advance—these allow seating in designated General Admission areas but are not permitted in VIP sections.
Health & Safety
Pack sunscreen, reusable water bottles (sealed factory bottles allowed, or bring empty bottles for free water station refills), and basic first aid supplies. The festival is rain or shine, so prepare for potential weather, including severe thunderstorms that could temporarily pause events. Stay hydrated throughout bourbon tastings and remember that Kentucky's September sun can be intense during afternoon hours.
Where to eat
Cooking
RV camping permits cooking within your designated campsite area using your onboard kitchen facilities and portable grills operating on 16-oz propane containers or smaller. This is perfect for preparing traditional Kentucky fare like country ham, bourbon-glazed dishes, or simple festival fuel to keep your energy up between sets and bourbon tastings.
Restaurants
Louisville's acclaimed food scene extends well beyond the festival grounds, featuring everything from traditional Kentucky barbecue and hot browns to innovative farm-to-table restaurants showcasing local ingredients. The city's proximity to bourbon distilleries means many restaurants offer exceptional bourbon pairings and Kentucky-inspired cuisine worth exploring during your extended stay.
Vendors
Bourbon & Beyond features celebrity chef demonstrations hosted by Chris Santos and Ed Lee, plus curated food experiences showcasing local restaurants and unique festival fare. The festival's Bourbon Experience includes guided tastings and workshops led by bourbon experts and celebrity chef Amanda Freitag. Food vendors accept various payment methods, and the festival offers RFID wristbands that can be loaded with funds for convenient purchasing.
Safety
Security
Highland Festival Grounds maintains comprehensive security throughout the festival, including bag checks at all entrances and regular patrols across the expanded grounds. All attendees enter through designated security lanes, with special Lawn Chair Pass security lanes for those bringing permitted seating. The festival works closely with Louisville Metro Police and emergency services to ensure patron safety throughout the four-day event.
Weather
Bourbon & Beyond operates rain or shine, though severe weather, including thunderstorms, lightning, excessive wind, or hail, may temporarily pause or evacuate the festival as directed by emergency personnel. September weather in Louisville is generally pleasant, but Kentucky's climate can shift quickly. The festival provides real-time weather updates and safety instructions through their mobile app and social media channels.
Medical
First aid stations are located throughout the festival grounds with trained medical professionals on duty during all event hours. Emergency services maintain a presence throughout the weekend, with clear emergency exits marked on festival maps. The festival's Health & Safety page provides detailed information about medical services and emergency procedures for all attendees.
