Events

Cost: $25 Non-Members, $15 Members  

Sip and stroll your way across Historic Downtown Frankfort as we regale you with local tales of drunkenness and debauchery, corruption, and criminal activity – stories not safe for the history textbooks! Learn about the inspiration for Edgar Allan Poe’s only written play, stories of the mafia in Kentucky, and connections to the legendary E.H Taylor. Taste the history with special historic drinks available for purchase when we stop in at the local pubs in The Mix District. Come have some fun with history!   

Must be 21 to participate.  Alcohol is optional (of course), and if you prefer to sip as you walk, the local pubs participate in Frankfort’s MIX District. The cost does not include drinks, which can be purchased at the local establishments on the tour.

Meet outside the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Tours require a minimum registration to take place. If that number is not met, an alternate tour date will be offered, or a full refund will be given. For groups of 10 or more, book a private experience here: Tours | Visit | Kentucky Historical Society.

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East Nash Grass exemplifies the best of what bluegrass has to offer—as being named the 2024 IBMA New Artist of the Year would suggest. But their breathtaking talent as singers, instrumentalists, and composers is just the beginning. While other acts chase their tail in search of nostalgia, the secret to East Nash Grass lies in their unflinching ability to be themselves.

Yet it’s their irreverent, adventurous, and audacious tendencies as next-gen performers that light a fire under audiences. Their ability to hone this edge was forged in the crucible of a dive bar outside of Nashville, TN that they all but single-handedly put on the (bluegrass) map during their seven-year weekly residency.

After hundreds of sets (and countless late-night jams), through personnel changes, industry changes, and a never-ending string of unprecedented world events, East Nash Grass has coalesced in to a hair-raising ensemble.



MUSEUM AFTER DARK IS BACK!Join us at Capital City Museum for a celebration of all things spooky & strange in Frankfort! Kick off the Halloween season in style Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 6PM to 9PM.Costumes are encouraged! What to Expect:- Psychic Readings: Get a glimpse into your future or guidance from the universe when you…

more: Museum After Dark

Bourbon Street on Broadway is back and bigger than ever! Join us downtown for a spectacular evening filled with sights, sounds, and surprises for the whole family.
Experience the thrill of fire performers, aerial artists, circus acts, belly dancers, stilt walkers, human statues, magicians, hula hoopers, and more. Move to the beat at our crowd-favorite Silent Disco, and bring the kiddos to our exciting Kids Zone, packed with tons of free activities designed just for them!
Come hungry—local food trucks and drink vendors will be serving up delicious bites and sips all evening long.
It’s a free, open-to-all celebration of creativity, community, and carnival vibes—right in the heart of downtown Frankfort.

Kentucky’s Premier Bourbon Tasting Experience

Bourbon on the Banks Festival®, is an annual celebration of Kentucky’s finest bourbons, taking place along the historic Kentucky River at River View Park in Frankfort, KY. Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 3, 2026, and get ready for an unforgettable experience

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Special Access: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Early Entry: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | General Admission: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Twilight 4p.m. – 6 p.m.

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What to Expect

Immerse yourself in a world of exceptional bourbon, craft spirits, and more as you explore tastings from 70+ distilleries, plus select breweries and wineries. Meet the distillers themselves, get behind-the-scenes stories, and engage in one-on-one conversations with industry experts to gain unique insights into the craft and culture of bourbon.

Enjoy live music from talented regional artists, savor delicious offerings from local food vendors, and browse unique bourbon-inspired artisan goods. Plus, take home a piece of the experience—bottled spirits and wine will be available for purchase on-site.

Must be 21+ to attend.
Only service dogs (on leash and under handler control) are permitted.

Join us for a day of bourbon, culture, and camaraderie on the banks of the Kentucky River!

Join us for a bewitchingly delightful evening of magic, mystery, and spirits at Witches Night Out – a cocktail stroll through the heart of Downtown Frankfort. Embrace the enchantment on the spookiest night of the year.

This is your chance to unleash your inner witch and celebrate the season with fellow Halloween enthusiasts.
 Halloween Themed Cocktails: Participating bars and restaurants will serve up an array of cocktails specially crafted for the occasion. Sip on concoctions like “Witch’s Brew,” “Elixir of Enchantment,” and “Midnight Spell”.
 Spooky Shopping: Explore our charming downtown shops, each offering bewitching Halloween-themed items and unique finds. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect costume accessory, décor for your haunted home, or a magical gift, our local boutiques have everything you need to make this Halloween unforgettable.
 Live Music: Enjoy enchanting tunes by Twist of Fate, setting the perfect spooky vibe on St. Clair Street.
 Intuitive Card/Psychic Readings: Peer into the future and uncover secrets as skilled intuitive readers offer throughout the evening on St. Clair Street.

More info to follow

Haunting on the Hill is back for 2026!
Book your free hayride tickets now:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/haunting-on-the-hill-2026-tickets-1998979325975?aff=oddtdtcreator

Sign your business up now for Frankfort's favorite Halloween event!!!
Haunting on the Hill: Trick-or-Treat Trail
Registering for the Trick-or-Treat Trail means that you will be responsible for giving out candy along the trail.
Sign up now at https://forms.gle/m1Va21aMkqrGs3rc7

It's October in Liberty Hall, the guests have gathered for dinner, and there's been a murder! Join the Bluegrass Mystery Theatre for a one-night-only performance of "A Treat To Die For" inside historic Liberty Hall. Libations and hors d'oeuvres provided as you work with your fellow party-goers to crack the case! $45 per person.

Join us for the eeriest and most exciting race in the region! The Black Cat Chase 3K, presented by Frankfort Regional Medical Center, brings together the community for thrills, chills, and Halloween fun!

With Halloween-themed festivities, such as costumes, Halloween music, and more, this event is perfect for the entire family. Whether you choose to participate by yourself, with a friend or spouse, school or work group, or with the whole family, the Black Cat Chase 3K will be sure to deliver high quality entertainment for everyone involved. The start/finish of the race will once again be held in Downtown Frankfort in front of the Old Capitol lawn!

Registration Details:

July 27 - Aug. 23 Race Fee: $27
Aug. 24 - Sept. 20 Race Fee: $32
Sept. 21 - Oct. 11 Race Fee: $37
Oct. 12-23 Race Fee: $40

Registration is NOW OPEN!

Packet Pickup Details:

Thursday, October 22, 4 - 7 p.m. | Prevention Park YMCA
Friday, October 23, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Prevention Park YMCA
Friday, October 23, 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Old Capitol-Broadway Street

Fake News is a 13-piece tribute to the incomparable Huey Lewis & The News — complete with a 5-piece horn section recreating the legendary Tower of Power sound. Every hit is performed 100% LIVE by the musicians on stage. No backing tracks. No shortcuts.

Get ready to be transported "Back In Time" as Fake News plays ALL of Huey's greatest hit the way you remember them - all performed inside an elaborate stage production that leaves no doubt that the Heart of Rock and Roll is still beating!

Downtown Frankfort Inc. is excited to invite you to a thrilling evening of family-friendly Halloween fun. This event is perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to celebrate Halloween in a safe and festive environment. Let’s light up the night with laughter, joy, and Halloween magic! We can’t wait to see you there.

Kids’ Trick or Treat: Visit local downtown businesses and trick-or-treat stations along Broadway Street from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. A big thank you to our Candy Sponsors: Dr. Black’s Eye Associates, Whitaker Bank & Roger’s Funeral Home

Face Painting Station: Get into the spirit with fun face painting from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

Spooky Halloween Music: Enjoy eerie tunes during trick-or-treating to set the perfect Halloween mood from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

Thriller Parade: Watch the iconic Thriller Parade as it makes its way down St. Clair and Broadway Street at 7:00 PM.

Bring your best costumes and get ready for a night of family-friendly fun!

Kim Wilson, the legendary harmonica virtuoso and frontman of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, is preparing for what may be his most personally meaningful tour yet. The upcoming "A Tribute to Chicago Blues" tour represents a homecoming of sorts for Wilson, who cut his teeth playing alongside the very architects of the Chicago blues sound during the genre's golden era.

The "Tribute to Chicago Blues" tour will feature a mix of classic chestnuts and deeper cuts from the Chicago blues catalog. "There will be a lot more traditional songs in the set," Wilson explains. "We haven't decided exactly how we're going to mix it up yet, but I'm hoping I can do this for a little while, to be honest with you."

However, Wilson will maintain his traditional approach of not using set lists. "I prefer to let the energy of the crowd and the performance dictate the evening's direction.”

Candlelight Weekend  is our most beloved regional event of the year! Happening the second weekend in November (starting on Thursday), join us as we kick off the holiday season with a magical weekend of festive fun and joy.

Downtown Frankfort will come alive as we light up the heart of the city, bringing holiday cheer to everyone!

The Kings of Queen are the hottest Queen tribute in the country, if not the world. Given that he’s been dubbed as the reincarnated Freddie Mercury, frontman Emo Alaeddin is quite the spectacle.

Although there may be others, no other Queen tribute comes close to The Kings of Queen.

Equally important to sounding like Queen, the frontman Emo Alaeddin has a striking resemblance to Freddie Mercury.

A Doublewide, Texas Christmas is an outrageously funny, fast-paced holiday comedy play written by the popular playwright trio Jones, Hope, and Wooten. It centers on the eccentric residents of the tiniest town in Texas as they fight to save their community from county double-crossing while preparing for a disaster-prone nativity contest.

Steve Fossen and Michael Derosier, bassist and drummer for the band Heart during the 1970s and early 1980s, are now touring as Heart By Heart. "Our mission is to perform the classic Heart music as faithfully as we can," Fossen says. The band features vocalist Somar Macek, guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Lizzy Daymont and guitarist Chad Quist. Heart By Heart presents a powerful, dynamic show that includes all the favorite Heart hits as well as deep album cuts that fans will love.

Fossen and Derosier are the powerful driving engine behind Heart's classic hits like “Barracuda”, “Straight On”, “Crazy On You”, “Magic Man”, “Even It Up”, “Dog & Butterfly”, “Heartless”, “Kick It Out”, and more. First formed by Steve Fossen in 1969, Heart went on to release six top-10 albums and landed 20 hit singles on the Billboard top 40 chart. In recognition of their contributions to these iconic recordings, and to Heart’s first seven years of national and international touring, Fossen and Derosier were inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of the original Heart lineup in 2013.

Sam Bush is an American mandolinist who is considered an originator of progressive bluegrass music. In 2020, he was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame as a member of New Grass Revival. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame a second time in 2023 as a solo artist.