Bourbon & Beyond, Louder Than Life announce site expansion, access to Kentucky Kingdom
This story has been updated with additional information.
Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life have announced major improvements coming to this year's multi-day music festivals, which are held annually at the Highlands Festival Grounds, 937 Phillips Lane.
The back-to-back festivals, held Sept. 11-14 (Bourbon & Beyond) and Sept. 18-21 (Louder Than Life) will include free access to Kentucky Kingdom for festival guests, an immersive merch experience inside the climate-controlled Kentucky Exposition Center, more tree-shaded areas throughout the grounds, double the number of general admission Lawn Chair Passes, a second festival entrance, and more.
In addition, a seventh stage has been added to Louder Than Life inside the park, featuring a dozen new music artists.
“This move has been years in the making, and we’re thrilled to finally bring it to life. With Bourbon & Beyond, and Louder Than Life both growing year over year, we knew it was time for more space, more comfort, and more ways to elevate the fan experience beyond just the music,” Danny Wimmer, president of Danny Wimmer Presents, said in a statement. “The new layout delivers so much to be excited about: expanded shade, indoor experiences, air-conditioned areas, and — thanks to our collaboration with Kentucky Kingdom — an amusement park inside the festival. It’s a truly unique addition that brings incredible value to fans, along with more food options, more ways to cool off, and so much more to explore. I’m ecstatic because this is just the beginning of something truly special for our festivals in Louisville.”
VIP ticketing will also see upgrades, including a 35% larger MINT VIP section, a new three-story shaded viewing platform, and a large shade structure for additional coverage throughout VIP area.
Getting to and from the festival site has also been improved thanks to the addition of a second festival entrance, a dedicated rideshare/taxi area, and improved shuttle service.
In addition, Bourbon & Beyond will be more than doubling its GA Lawn Chair Pass capacity and releasing morefor purchase. Current passholders will have first access starting Aug. 7 at noon before any remaining passes are released to the public on Aug. 8 at noon.
Bourbon & Beyond will return for a seventh year with over 120 music artists and headliners Phish, The Lumineers, Benson Boone, Jack White, Noah Kahan, Goo Goo Dolls, Cage the Elephant, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band and Sturgill "Johnny Blue Skies" Simpson.
A massive crowd enjoyed the music as Tyler Childers closed out the fourth and final day of the Bourbon & Beyond music festival in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
Louder Than Life returns for an 11th year with more than 160 bands performing on seven stages. Headliners include Slayer, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Avenged Sevenfold, Sleep Token, Breaking Benjamin, Deftones and Bring Me.
In 2024, Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life generated a total of more than $33 million in economic impact, according to Louisville Tourism, and drew more than 300,000 attendees, booking over 60,000 hotel room nights and creating a visitor boom at local restaurants and other businesses, including bourbon distilleries along the Urban Bourbon Trail. For tickets and information, visit bourbonandbeyond.com and louderthanlifefestival.com.
Here's what else to know:
What's new at Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life?
New this year, festivalgoers heading to the Highland Festival Grounds, 927 Phillips Lane, can expect these improvements at Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life:
- An immersive merch experience inside the climate-controlled Kentucky Expo Center, featuring festival gear, additional activations, and lounge seating
- More tree-shaded areas throughout the grounds to beat the heat
- Expanded turf zones at the main stages and GA areas
- A more spacious layout designed to let fans stretch out, sway easy, and savor every moment betweensets
- An added main entrance to help ease the flow and get fans in the gates quicker
Can I buy a chair pass to Bourbon & Beyond?
The National performed on the fourth and final day of the Bourbon & Beyond music festival in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
Yes! Bourbon & Beyond will be more than doubling its GA Lawn Chair Pass capacity in 2025 and releasing morefor purchase. Current passholders will have first access starting Aug. 7 at noon before any remaining passes are released to the public on Aug. 8 at noon.
What do I need to know about access to Kentucky Kingdom during the festivals?
Fans enjoyed the music as Tyler Childers closed out the fourth and final day of the Bourbon & Beyond music festival in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
All Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life festival passes now include:
- Free access to amusement rides inside Kentucky Kingdom from 2-9 p.m. daily (closed to the public during the festivals)
- Attractions include the Giant Wheel (ferris wheel, with extended hours), Lightning Run roller coaster, Scream Extreme and Skycatcher, for a total of 18 fan-favorites
- Extra shaded areas, picnic spots and restrooms
- Select concessions, shopping and air-conditioned indoor dining
- The Kentucky Kingdom Water Park will not be open/accessible to festival patrons or the public duringthis time
What to know about MINT VIP passes
Fans of Teddy Swims watch him perform on the Barrel Stage at Bourbon & Beyond on Saturday. Sept. 21, 2024
MINT VIP is now 35% larger than ever before, with an expanded layout designed for extra comfort, with a brand-new three-story shaded viewing platform offering an elevated view of both main stages (replacing former outdoor patio. There is also an added large shade structure for additional coverage throughout VIP area.
What bands are performing on the seventh stage at Louder Than Life?
Crowd surfers came in waves during the Silly Goose set at Saturday's Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville, Ky. Sept. 23, 2023
A seventh stage has been added to Louder Than Life inside the park featuring a dozen new music artists, including XweaponX, Haywire 617, Silly Goose, Unearth, War of Ages, Convictions, Upon A Burning Body, The Browning, Fight From Within, Orthodox, Fox Lake, and 156/Silence.
What does the expanded venue for Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life look like?
Here's a look at the new venue layout for Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life:
Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life are adding more venue space, access to Kentucky Kingdom, more chair passes, an additional stage and more.
Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life are adding more venue space, access to Kentucky Kingdom, more chair passes, an additional stage and more.
Reach lifestyle and entertainment reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected]
