These 9 Kentucky Towns Have The Most Unique Festivals
Kentucky is known for bourbon, bluegrass, and horse racing, but step away from the bigger city hustle and bustle and you’ll find small towns hosting some of the folksiest festivals in the country. From quirky celebrations of food to events that honor local history and heritage, these gatherings offer travelers a deeper dive into Kentucky's close-knit communities. Here are nine towns in Kentucky that host festivals you won’t find anywhere else.
Benton: Tater Day Festival
Benton, a town of about 4,800 in Marshall County, is home to Tater Day, one of the oldest continuous trade days in the US. Dating back to 1843, it began as a simple sweet potato exchange and has since grown into a multi-day event featuring a demolition derby, a sweet potato pie bake off, and a dog show. Where else can you watch cute puppers parade around while you munch on sweet potato pie?
London: World Chicken Festival
London, population of about 8,000, proudly calls itself the "Fried Chicken Capital of the World" with its World Chicken Festival. This annual event held the last full weekend of September honors Col. Harland Sanders, founder of KFC, whose first restaurant — where he developed the famous secret recipe that would later fuel the KFC restaurant empire — was in nearby North Corbin, Kentucky. Visitors can watch fried chicken cooked in the world’s largest skillet, sample endless chicken dishes, and even take part in chicken-themed contests. It’s finger-lickin’ fun with a distinctly Kentucky twist.
Cadiz: Ham Festival
The small town of Cadiz (around 2,500 residents) transforms each October for the Trigg County Country Ham Festival. With roots going back to the 1970s, the highlight is the state’s largest country ham biscuit. Beyond food, the event includes pig races, a petting zoo, carnival rides, and live music, making it one of the state’s most beloved small-town traditions.
Bardstown: Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Bardstown, with just over 13,000 residents, is often called the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” Its Kentucky Bourbon Festival draws enthusiasts from across the globe each September. This celebration includes bourbon tastings, master distiller panels, and a special event where visitors can watch barrels being rolled in a traditional competition. It’s a "spirited" festival unlike any other.
Lebanon: Country Ham Days
Taking place in Marion County, Kentucky, near the town of Lebanon, is the much-anticipated Country Ham Days. This festival is dedicated to, you guessed it, ham. Kentucky sure loves its pork. Established in 1969, Country Ham Days includes a "Pigasus Parade," hot air balloon rides, an antique tractor, and the beloved “Pokey Pig 5K.” Families return year after year for the food, music, and nostalgia baked into every slice of country ham.
Harrodsburg: Pioneer Days
As Kentucky’s oldest town (founded in 1774) and the oldest permanent American settlement west of the Appalachians, Harrodsburg celebrates its roots with the Pioneer Days festival. With about 9,000 residents, this town invites visitors to step back in time with historical reenactments, pioneer crafts, and storytelling. The highlight is the “Pioneer Village,” where blacksmiths, weavers, and woodworkers demonstrate traditional trades.
Murray: Freedom Fest
Murray, home to Murray State University, hosts Freedom Fest, a July Fourth celebration that has earned a reputation as one of the most spectacular in the state. There is a parade, live concerts, and a petting zoo. The festival brings the community together for a weekend of patriotic fun. A highlight is the Murray Bank Fireworks Extravaganza, one of the largest fireworks displays in western Kentucky. The festival reflects the town’s strong sense of community and pride, drawing residents and visitors alike. With its small-town charm and big celebration spirit, Freedom Fest offers a memorable way to celebrate Independence Day.
Berea: Spoonbread Festival
Known as Kentucky’s arts and crafts capital, Berea also dishes up a one-of-a-kind food event: the Spoonbread Festival. Spoonbread, a soft, soufflé-like cornmeal dish, takes center stage each September. Alongside food tastings, visitors can enjoy carnival rides, live performances, and the Spoonbread Festival Car Show. This festival blends Appalachian heritage with culinary pride.
Carrollton: Bands and BBQ
Carrollton, a river town of about 4,000, hosts Bands and BBQ, a mashup of live music and barbecue competitions. Held along the scenic Ohio River, the festival features a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned cook-off, drawing pitmasters from around the region. Visitors can sample smoked delicacies while enjoying live bands against a riverfront backdrop.
Whether you want to eat fried ham and fried chicken to your heart's content or watch a demolition derby, Kentucky’s small towns offer more than just friendly faces and charming scenery, they host some of the most vibrant festivals you’ll find anywhere in America. These events are more than entertainment, they are celebrations of local culture, history, and tradition. Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or simply someone who loves community gatherings, these nine Kentucky towns deliver experiences worth the trip.
