Fall Food and Fun Around Kentuckiana: Date Nights, Live Music and Family Favorites

Hey neighbors, Todd Kornack here with TK Realty Group at Schuler Bauer. Cooler weather is here, and the calendar is packed with great places to eat, hear live music and take the kids out. Here is my first weekly roundup of eating and entertainment picks across Central Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Everything below is new for this list, with details I checked for the next week or so.

For Adults: Date Nights, Music, Food and Fun

Wine on the River (Saturday, October 3). Louisville’s 7th Annual Wine on the River takes over the Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. It is a 21 and older tasting with wines from national and international vineyards, local bourbon pours, a souvenir glass and live music. Proceeds support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana. Food is available for purchase. Details at wineontheriverlou.com and Eventbrite.

Louisville Taco Festival (Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4). The 8th Annual Louisville Taco Festival fills Fourth Street LIVE with 20 plus taco and food vendors, tequila tastings, margaritas, live bands, mariachi, contests and more. Kids 10 and under are free, and there is a free kids zone upstairs with a pumpkin patch and painting. Food runs on a voucher system. Details at 4thstlive.com.

Nikki Glaser at Whitney Hall (Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4). If comedy is your date night pick, Nikki Glaser brings The Stunning Tour to Whitney Hall at Kentucky Performing Arts. Shows are listed for 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets through Kentucky Performing Arts.

Jersey Boys on PNC Broadway in Louisville (October 6 through 11). The Tony Award winning story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons plays Whitney Hall next week. Hits like Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. Schedule and tickets at louisville.broadway.com.

Garvin Gate Blues Festival (Friday and Saturday, October 9 and 10). Louisville’s largest free neighborhood street music festival returns for year 31 at Garvin Place and Oak Street in Old Louisville. Friday runs 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a Ladies of The Blues night. Saturday runs noon to 10 p.m. with continuous music on two stages, plus food trucks, drinks and kids activities. Free admission. Details at thegarvingatebluesfestival.com.

Jammin’ at Jeptha with Rodney Atkins (Saturday, October 10). Out east in Shelbyville, Jeptha Creed Distillery celebrates its 10th anniversary with country artist Rodney Atkins on the farm grounds. Expect live music, craft spirits and a special 10th Anniversary Bourbon Release, with a charity tie in for Paws of War. A solid bourbon and music night in Todd country. Details from Jeptha Creed.

New Bites Worth Trying

Bris in Norton Commons. Debi Hatton (Crust & Crumb) opened this modern French inspired bistro on September 16 at 6301 Meeting Street, next door to the bakery. Dinner Wednesday through Sunday, with outdoor seating. Perfect for an East End date night.

Serai on Frankfort Avenue. Chef Sebastian Moh’s Southeast Asian spot opened September 10 at 2311 Frankfort Avenue in Clifton (the old DiFabio’s Casapela space). Dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Great pick if you want something different on the Avenue.

The House of Marigold, Norton Commons (opening October 8). Southern Living’s Best Restaurant in Kentucky for 2024 is expanding to 10715 Meeting Street. Seasonal comfort food and Southern hospitality, with dinner service added at the new spots. Right in Prospect / Norton Commons walking distance from shops.

Week-End Burgers, second location. A second Week-End Burgers opened at 3141 S. 2nd Street after a September grand opening. If you know Todd, you know I love a good burger. Worth a stop.

Cafecito in Old Louisville. The popular coffee truck opened a storefront September 5 at 1212 S. 4th Street, Suite 100. Mexican inspired coffee and pastries. Easy morning fuel before you hit festivals downtown.

For Kids and Families

Boo at the Zoo (select nights starting now). The Louisville Zoos merry not scary Halloween party runs October 1 through 4, then 8 through 11, and more nights later in the month, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Trick or treating for kids 11 and under along a 1.3 mile route, Spooktacular Carousel, spider house and Headless Horseman walk through. Advance tickets required: about $14.25 nonmembers, $8.50 members, ages 2 and under free. Details at louisvillezoo.org/boo.

BowmanFest (Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4). The 10th anniversary of BowmanFest returns to historic Bowman Field with more than 40 aircraft, twice daily aerobatic shows, military vehicles, a classic car show, food vendors and family activities. Saturday includes an IPA 5K on the runway and an evening concert by Juice Box Heroes. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $20 adults, $15 seniors and ages 6 to 15, free for kids 5 and under, veterans, active duty military and first responders. Details at bowmanfest.com.

National Jug Band Jubilee (Saturday, October 3). Free family friendly music noon to 9 p.m. at the Brown Forman Amphitheater in Waterfront Park. Eight bands including headliner Piedmont Blz Acoustic Duo, plus food trucks, craft vendors and kids activities. Details via WAVE / jugbandjubilee.com.

Lark Ranch Lanesville (open through October 31). Just about 20 minutes west of Louisville in Southern Indiana, Lark Ranch has a u pick pumpkin patch, corn maze, mile long open air train, rides, farm animals, slides and fall food. Open September 26 through October 31. Great full day trip from New Albany or Clarksville. Tickets at larkranch.com.

Creasey Mahan Haunted Hike (Sunday, October 4). The 20th Annual Haunted Hike at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve in Goshen runs 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Kids in costumes follow a Fairy Tale Trail with 18 treat stations, face painting, inflatables, harvest hay sculptures and food trucks. Advance tickets $8, event day $10, ages 2 and under free. Rain date October 11. Details at creaseymahannaturepreserve.org and Tour Oldham.

Sauerbeck Family Drive In Trunk or Treat (Saturday, October 10). In La Grange, trunk or treat starts around 6 p.m., then a family movie (Scooby Doo night). About $28 per carload. Arrive by 7 p.m. Details via Sauerbeck Family Drive In and Tour Oldham.

Pumpkin Palooza at the library (Sunday, October 11). Free Halloween fun at the Oldham County Public Library La Grange branch from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Costumes welcome, Storybook Pumpkin Contest, Donut Walk, scavenger hunt, games, face painting and crafts. Free admission. Details at touroldham.com.

My Take

This is the kind of fall I love sharing with neighbors. Grab tacos downtown, sip wine by the river, catch free blues in Old Louisville, or load the kids for Boo at the Zoo and a pumpkin patch in Southern Indiana. Out east, Jeptha Creed and Oldham County give you plenty of reasons to stay close to home too.

What are you most excited to do this month, a date night or a family day? Drop a comment and tell me. I am always looking for the next great burger, pizza or fall festival tip.

DM me or call/text 502-232-1915. Im here to help.