Events

Get ready to immerse yourself in the spirit of Frankfort! Join us for a weeklong celebration of bourbon heritage, historic downtown charm, and unforgettable experiences.

Here’s what’s happening:

Throughout the week, we’ll be highlighting a variety of bourbon-related experiences and products that showcase the best of what our area has to offer:
🥃 Bourbon Tours & Experiences

Explore the heart of bourbon country!
Take part in special tours and activities that dive into Frankfort’s rich bourbon history and craftsmanship. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or new to the bourbon world, there’s something for everyone.
🛍️ Bourbon-Inspired Products

Shop local, sip local!
Discover a variety of bourbon-themed products from talented local artisans and vendors — from handcrafted goods to unique souvenirs you can only find here.
🥃 Exclusive Bourbon Tasting Event: Hosted by House of Commons in collaboration with Buffalo Trace Distillery and Capital City Museum
Frankfort Bourbon Week Exclusive Bourbon Tasting – Limited to 40 people. Hosted by HOC: A Bourbon Library and Capital City Museum & Historic Sites
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating Kentucky’s most iconic spirit — bourbon.
🗓 Date: Friday, June 19th
⏰ Time: 5PM – 7PM
📍 Location: Capital City Museum: 325 Ann Street
Enjoy an exclusive tasting featuring rare and premium bourbons, appearances from notable bourbon personalities, and a display of historic bourbon artifacts — all in the heart of downtown Frankfort.
This event is proudly .
🎟 Tickets: TBA
Includes all tastings and full event access.
🔞 Ages 21+ only. Valid ID required at entry.
All proceeds benefit the Capital City Museum and Downtown Frankfort Inc.

🍸 Signature Cocktail Celebration: “The Frankfort”

Last year, we officially crowned The Frankfort as our city’s signature cocktail — a twist on the iconic Manhattan!
This year, celebrate with us during a Signature Cocktail Stroll, tasting unique versions of The Frankfort at downtown bars and restaurants. Cheers to creativity, community, and great bourbon!
🎶 Bourbon Week Kickoff Concert

Friday, June 12, 6:30PM | Downtown Frankfort Summer Concert Series
We’re kicking things off early!
Join us for an electric evening with son of Hank Williams Jr., Sam Williams, bourbon tastings, and a downtown celebration like no other.

Come sip, shop, and stroll your way through Downtown Frankfort Bourbon Week — where bourbon, history, and hospitality come together in the heart of Kentucky!
June 12th, 6:30PM
Bourbon Celebration Concert
Featuring: Sam Williams (Son of Hank Williams Jr.

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.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

SATURDAY, JULY 18

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

Join us for Music in the Garden! Our summer series continues with our second session featuring dynamic duo, River & Rail. Bring a blanket or a chair for an fun evening with Grace and Alex Fincher of Nashville-based Indie Folk/Americana duo, "River & Rail." Sponsored by The City of Frankfort.

Downtown Frankfort is the place to be this summer! The 2026 Summer Concert Series features an exciting lineup that will rock your socks off with incredible live music all season long. Enjoy evenings filled with great bands, delicious food, cold drinks, and the vibrant atmosphere that makes downtown Frankfort such a special place to gather. Bring a chair, bring your friends, and experience the sound of summer on the riverfront.

The Liberty Hall-er America 250 Music Festival is coming to downtown Frankfort on July 3rd 🇺🇸
Live music. Historic vibes. A very big birthday celebration.
Who’s playing?
We’re not spilling just yet… but trust us, you’ll want to be here.
Stay tuned — exciting announcements coming soon!

Downtown Frankfort is the place to be this summer! The 2026 Summer Concert Series features an exciting lineup that will rock your socks off with incredible live music all season long. Enjoy evenings filled with great bands, delicious food, cold drinks, and the vibrant atmosphere that makes downtown Frankfort such a special place to gather. Bring a chair, bring your friends, and experience the sound of summer on the riverfront.

Downtown Frankfort is the place to be this summer! The 2026 Summer Concert Series features an exciting lineup that will rock your socks off with incredible live music all season long. Enjoy evenings filled with great bands, delicious food, cold drinks, and the vibrant atmosphere that makes downtown Frankfort such a special place to gather. Bring a chair, bring your friends, and experience the sound of summer on the riverfront.

Downtown Frankfort is the place to be this summer! The 2026 Summer Concert Series features an exciting lineup that will rock your socks off with incredible live music all season long. Enjoy evenings filled with great bands, delicious food, cold drinks, and the vibrant atmosphere that makes downtown Frankfort such a special place to gather. Bring a chair, bring your friends, and experience the sound of summer on the riverfront.

In the past few years Cherry Poppin’ Daddies have become the kind of band that you would want to book if you were throwing a soiree at the Gatsby mansion. Penning elegant, lush, pitch perfect arrangements of much of the great American songbook, from Cole Porter to Frank Sinatra, the Daddies have surprised many- likely familiar with them from the early 90’s- whose limited exposure to the band undoubtedly consists of an image of spray painted vans careening across the US as an  iconoclastic, misfit part of an already marginalized punk/ska scene.

Davina Sowers and the Vagabonds have created a stir on the national music scene with their high-energy live shows, level A musicianship, sharp-dressed professionalism, and Sowers’ commanding stage presence. With influences ranging from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits, the band is converting audiences one show at a time, from Vancouver to Miami and across Europe.

Downtown Frankfort is the place to be this summer! The 2026 Summer Concert Series features an exciting lineup that will rock your socks off with incredible live music all season long. Enjoy evenings filled with great bands, delicious food, cold drinks, and the vibrant atmosphere that makes downtown Frankfort such a special place to gather. Bring a chair, bring your friends, and experience the sound of summer on the riverfront.