Poppy Mountain Music Festival
2025-09-20 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | KY
Over 100 bands travel here the third week of September each year to share their love of music. A diverse array of transportation will allow you to explore an entire world of bluegrass. Immerse yourself within the 1400 acres of beautiful Kentucky hills.

Digital Passport

Rewarding YourLove of Music

Track your travels along the Kentucky Music Trail with the free passport app. Simply visit participating sites to collect “check-ins”—the more milestones you reach, the more giveaways you could qualify for including concert tickets and VIP merch.

Let’s Go

International Home of the Legends Thumbpicking Weekend
2025-09-26 08:00 - 2025-09-28 17:00
Each year, the world’s most skilled guitarists gather in Muhlenberg County for the International Home of the Legends Thumbpicking Weekend, a prestigious event that honors the rich Thumbpicking tradition rooted in Kentucky. Held over a weekend at the Merle Travis Music Center, this event brings together both seasoned pickers and rising stars.

The weekend includes a contest that follows a thrilling format where the top five competitors in each category from the preliminary round advance to the finals. The stakes are high, with the winner in each category walking away with a coveted Gretsch guitar, complete with a hardshell case. The weekend also hosts the induction of members into the Thumbpicking Hall of Fame and a grand finale concert in the evening after the contest.

Digital Passport

Rewarding YourLove of Music

Track your travels along the Kentucky Music Trail with the free passport app. Simply visit participating sites to collect “check-ins”—the more milestones you reach, the more giveaways you could qualify for including concert tickets and VIP merch.

Let’s Go

Bourbon and Beyond
2025-09-26 08:00 - 2025-09-28 17:00
Where the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon heritage meets the soul of live music, Bourbon & Beyond stands as a flagship event on the Kentucky Music Trail. What began as a pioneering celebration has grown into a cultural phenomenon, drawing over 120,000 attendees to Louisville each year. This festival doesn’t just feature music; it’s an all-out showcase of the very best Kentucky has to offer—combining world-class performances, signature bourbon experiences, and the region’s celebrated culinary scene.

Set against the backdrop of the Bourbon capital of the world, Bourbon & Beyond creates a festival experience like no other, with a lineup that spans genres and generations. From indie rock to blues, Americana to country, the music echoes the diversity of Kentucky itself. Add in bourbon tastings straight from the barrel, and you’ve got a weekend that captures the true spirit of the Bluegrass State.

Digital Passport

Rewarding YourLove of Music

Track your travels along the Kentucky Music Trail with the free passport app. Simply visit participating sites to collect “check-ins”—the more milestones you reach, the more giveaways you could qualify for including concert tickets and VIP merch.

Let’s Go
