2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival Survival Guide by Bourbon Obsessed | Insider Tips

So You’ve Got Your Kentucky Bourbon Festival Tickets! Now What?

Table of Contents

• Intro
• Ticket Types
• Selling/Transferring Tickets
• Lockers
• Pro Tips
• Events & Presentations
• Bourbon Sampling
• Bottle Purchasing
• Food
• Marketplace Vendors
• Transportation
• Outside Activities
• Lodging
• Bardstown Dining

Your 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival Survival Guide (updated September 3, 2026)

Note: This guide is an independent, unofficial resource created by BourbonObsessed.com based on my experiences at the festival and on information that is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of publication. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival website remains the official information source for the festival.

Congratulations! You were fortunate enough to score tickets to the sold-out 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival! Now you’re likely counting down the days until you can sample from over 300 whiskeys from nearly 70 distilleries, attend premium and pre- and post-festival events, buy bottles, chat with master distillers, and more! With so much going on, you’re probably looking for some guidance on how to make the most of the festival. As a seasoned Kentucky Bourbon Festival attendee, I’m here to help!

Ticket Options: What Did You Buy—and What’s Included?

With all the different Kentucky Bourbon Festival ticket options available, the first place to start is to learn what your ticket entitles you to.

The vast majority of tickets sold are the Weekend Taster (AKA General Admission) tickets. There is also the Sunday-only version, which is aptly called the Sunday Sampler. These tickets get you entry and unlimited re-entry to the festival, a KBF Glencairn tasting glass (full-sized, not the “Wee” Glencairn of last year), unlimited sampling from the almost 70 distilleries and the ability to purchase tickets to premium events. Also included is access to the Bourbon Capital Bites area (food trucks), Marketplace Vendors, Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History and the Bourbon:30 Show viewing area.

There are a variety of VIP ticket packages available (VIP Decanter Club, VIP Flask Force, VIP Bourbon Enthusiast & VIP Oris President’s Club), and they all include everything that the general admission tickets include. In addition, VIP attendees have access to the VIP Lodge (tent), which has catered small bites and snacks throughout the day, a bar with premium pours and cocktails (unlimited), and my personal favorite perk – air-conditioned bathrooms. Also included with all VIP packages is a ticket to Thursday evening’s Bourbon in the Air. If you have read my article about the 2024 festival – Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2024: A Spirited Celebration – you know that I feel that Bourbon in the Air is one of the best parts of the festival.

The VIP Oris President’s Club has many more amenities and perks, and if you are one of the 30 people who bought those $6,995 tickets, you likely know what they are. So, I won’t discuss that ticket package any further here. Beyond that, the other VIP packages only differ in the type of swag that you get.

If you missed out on the original ticket sale, there is an option to purchase tickets that people are reselling. That is available through the official KBF TIXR site, and tickets may come and go as they become available, and may be sold for above the retail price. There is also a waitlist that you can join to buy tickets that were returned and are being sold by the KBF at retail price, if any become available. NOTE: All ticket sales, exchanges and resales ended on Monday August 24, 2026.

You Bought Kentucky Bourbon Festival Tickets And Can’t Go? Now What?

If you bought a wristband(s) and can no longer attend, you can sell your tickets via the official KBF Tixr site. To do so, log in to TIXR, click your initials and select Wallet. Open your KBF order, and if your tickets are eligible, click sell and select the tickets you want to list. Click here for the full instructions 

You can also transfer your tickets to someone else. If the tickets are eligible, you can also do this through your Tixr account. The KBF website says this needs to be done via email, but I think that is out-of-date information.

If you just need to change a name on a ticket but keep it in your account, you can also do that through the Tixr site.

Locker Rentals

All attendees have access to a limited number of lockers, which are located in the main event area. They are at the near end of the “Bourbon Breezeway” which is located in the church parking lot area, opposite the Preservation Distillery booth, and to the left of the VIP Gate as you are walking into the festival. Lockers are available for all ticket holders for a charge. In addition, a substantial number of complimentary lockers are available for VIP ticket holders on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lockers are useful for holding the swag and bottles that you purchase while you wander around the festival. However, there are many more attendees than lockers, so if getting one is important to you, you should plan ahead. Locker rentals are available to purchase prior to the festival online. However, they tend to sell out early on. For VIPs, if you want one of the complimentary lockers, to be on the safe side, you’ll still want to get there early and grab one if you want one, or book one in advance for a fee.

Note that VIP lockers are only located in the Sun Shade area, not in the VIP Tent as they have been in the past. Oris President’s Club ticket holders will each get a locker in the Brindiamo Penthouse. Mobile charging packs are also available at the main locker area. Full details about lockers and reservation information can be found here.

Important Kentucky Bourbon Festival Details & Survival Guide Key Pro Tips

• Festival hours: Fri–Sat 12–6 PM, Sun 12–4 PM; VIP entry begins 11 AM daily.
• The VIP Gate is only for those with VIP tickets from 11AM-1PM each day. No one with a General Admission Ticket or Media Pass will be admitted through the VIP gate until after 1 PM.
• There are two General Admission gates, but only 1 glass pickup area, which is located by the main entry gate.
• Food Vendor hours:
  • Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – 6 PM
  • Sunday: 11AM – 4 PM
  • Some Trucks will close at 2 PM Sunday
  • Some Trucks may open prior to 11 AM Friday – Sunday
• Wristbands: They anticipate wristbands will be delivered to guests Sept. 3-7, 2026. You can update your address or change to Will Call pickup in your TIXR account. Do not put the wristbands on early or remove them between days. If you haven’t received yours, check the Festival Info Page on the KBF website for information. Be sure to follow the provided instructions to activate your wristband or you won’t be able to use it.
• Will Call: Will open 1 1/2 hours prior to the festival each day.
  • Wednesday: 5 PM – 7PM in Evergreen Liquors, in the back by the registers
  • Thursday: 3 PM – 9 PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 9:30 AM – 3 PM
  • Sunday: 9:30 AM – 2 PM
  • If you do not receive your wristband, check the official Festival Info page closer to the event for instructions and to confirm Will Call hours of operation.
• Bring a valid ID
• It is highly recommended to bring an empty water bottle. Water bottles can be filled inside the festival. Drinking water is very important; you need to stay hydrated. It can often be quite hot in Bardstown during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.
• Leave behind backpacks, large bags, coolers, outside food/drink, etc. There is a very large list of prohibited items on the Festival Info page. You are allowed to bring an EMPTY canvas bag with handles to transport bottles home.
• You may bring a clear bag (12″×6″×12″ or smaller), small clutches (4.5” x 6.5”) and small purses/fanny packs (subject to search)
• Wear comfortable practical shoes. This is an outdoor festival on grass. If it rains, there is mud. You don’t want your 4-inch heels to sink in.
• Eat before, during and after the festival. You need to absorb all that bourbon!
• If you have a lanyard that fits a full-sized Glencairn, bring it. It’s great to have your hands free! Lanyards will also be sold at the festival merchandise area and a limited number may be distributed by some distilleries as well. (Note: Last year’s glasses were mini-Glencairns. This year’s full-sized Glencairns will not fit in those lanyards.)
• All attendees get only ONE (1) Full-sized Glencairn Tasting Glass to use for the entire festival. So, bring your glass with you every day!
• You must scan your wristband every time you enter and exit the festival. If you forget to scan it when you leave, you will not be able to enter the festival again, and you will have to go to Will Call to have it reset.

Take Advantage of Special Events & Presentations

In addition to sampling bourbon, there are many additional educational and entertaining activities at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. However, it’s a careful balancing act to take advantage of these special sessions, but still leave yourself enough time to sample bourbon, talk with distillery representatives and other attendees, eat, visit the vendors, and everything else.

• Bourbon:30 Stage – The Bourbon:30 stage is located to the right of the main entrance, as you are walking into the festival. It offers free educational and entertaining ~30 minute sessions, consisting of interviews and panel discussions. They begin on the half hour Friday and Saturday from 12:30pm – 4:30pm, and on Sunday 12:30pm – 2:30pm. The full schedule will be on a sign by the stage and is also available here. These sessions are a great opportunity to hear from luminaries in the industry. It is definitely worth trying to catch at least a few of them. Plus, you can usually find a seat in the shade, so you can take a break out of the sun.
• Master Distillers’ Auction – This auction takes place on Saturday September 12 from 2-4 PM at the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History (in Spaulding Hall) in the second floor Olde Chapel. No Bourbon Festival ticket is required to attend this great event and every dollar earned goes directly to the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History! This year’s auction items include old bourbons, historical items, some collections and true rarities and other really cool stuff. Check it out on Saturday at the Festival! Also, be sure to check out the museum. Admission is free (donations are accepted) and they have some really cool things!
• Premium Events – Premium events refer to panel sessions and presentations that are available at an additional charge. All of the events take place on the Kentucky Bourbon Festival grounds in the Great Tent. Tickets for all premium events can be purchased through your Tixr account or via the link in your original confirmation email. While a few sessions and Bourbon in the Air are sold out, there is still a wide selection of events available. The full list of premium and free events is here.
• The Speakeasy – New for 2026 is The Speakeasy. Walk behind the curtain and into The Speakeasy, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival’s newest lounge experience. This sophisticated, Prohibition-inspired retreat lets guests relax between visits to distillery tents and Premium Events. Tickets are priced at $125 per day and include a different featured guest appearance each day. Tickets are limited and can be purchased in advance as an add-on to your festival ticket.
  • Open Friday & Saturday 12-5:45pm, Sunday 12-3:45pm
  • An exclusive air-conditioned tent with comfortable lounge seating
  • A private bar featuring curated bourbon programming and signature cocktails
  • 3 complimentary drink tickets daily (plus cash bar access)
  • Grab and go light bites
  • Featured guest appearances and special programming
  • Further details can be found here.
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival Raffle – New for 2026, raffle tickets will be sold prior to and during the festival, with the winner drawn at the festival on Saturday at 4 PM. There are some great bottles this year! Bottles must be picked up in person. No shipping will be available. Get more information and tickets here.

Bourbon Sampling – Kentucky Bourbon Festival Survival Guide

Of course, the main attraction of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival is the bourbon sampling. Attendees can sample more than 300 whiskeys from almost 70 distilleries. That’s a pretty daunting task! Remember, bourbon tasting is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. To survive and sample again another day you will need to pace yourself, drink plenty of water, and be sure to eat!

Make a Plan

With so many bourbons to sample, it is good to have a plan. There are maps of the festival grounds available, and one is now available on the KBF home page at kybourbonfestival.com. While it may seem like you will have plenty of time to sample whatever you want over three days, the time goes surprisingly quickly, and it’s easy to get involved with conversations and events and then notice that it’s suddenly closing time. So, it’s wise to keep track of the time and to make a list of any distilleries that you want to visit, and find them on the map ahead of time. Also, supplies are not unlimited, so if there is a bourbon that you really must taste, try to get to that distillery earlier in the day.

What Bourbons Will Each Distillery Have Available To Sample?

Well, that’s a little tough to say, because every distillery handles things differently. However, most will have at least a few samples from their main lineups, as well as a special bottle or two. Those special bottles could be limited releases or single barrels picked specially for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Sometimes, distilleries will only pour their limited releases during specific times, or on an allocated basis.

Also, for VIP ticket holders, in prior years, there have been pours of allocated bourbons available on a limited basis during predetermined time slots in the VIP tents. Generally, these would be poured by a distillery representative, often a master distiller. So, if you have access to the VIP tent, you’ll want to check the schedule and line up a little early, if there is something you really want to try. In addition, the bars in the VIP tent also often have some special pours.

Pro Tip: I mentioned this already, but if you have a lanyard that holds a full-sized Glencairn glass, bring it with you, get one ahead of time or buy it soon after your arrival at the festival. It is very nice to have both your hands free so you can do important things like drink water and eat. They will be sold at the festival merchandise area and there are usually one or two booths giving out or selling lanyards. However, the lines for the free ones have been very long in the past. Again, use your festival time wisely. (Note: last year’s lanyards will only accommodate mini-Glencairns, and this year’s festival glass will be a full-sized Glencairn, so it won’t fit properly in last year’s lanyards.)

Bottles for Purchase

How Do I Buy Bottles?

Most, if not all, of the distilleries at the festival will have bottles for sale. These generally include selections from their main lineups as well as single barrels or other limited releases. If you are looking for a limited release or allocated bottle from one of the large distilleries, it’s a bit of a crapshoot. They do not usually communicate what they will be selling ahead of time. Therefore, if you are hoping to get something special, you’ll want to head to their booth first thing. You won’t be alone, though. People line up outside the VIP and Main gates very early to be the first to get into the festival and rush to the distillery booths.

Also, remember that VIP ticket holders get into the festival an hour before General Admission ticket holders. So, depending on the numbers of bottles available, there may not be enough available for everyone who wants one, especially if you do not have a VIP ticket.

To mix things up, some distilleries may not sell their allocated bottles until later in the day, or they may sell them intermittently throughout the day. It has varied year by year, and distillery by distillery, so keep your eyes open, and feel free to ask at each booth when and if bottles will be sold.

New for this year, the only allocated bottles that Heaven Hill will be selling at their booth are the special Kentucky Bourbon Festival 35th Anniversary Blend and their KBF barrel picks.

2026 KBF Distillers’ Row Series

Last year, the map on the Kentucky Bourbon Festival home page had an asterisk by the name of each distillery that was selling special KBF single barrel bourbons (also known as the 2026 KBF Distillers’ Row Series). I suspect that will be the case this year. You can also find information about many of the single barrels here. All of the whiskeys are available for sampling prior to purchase. However, some of these bottles are often in high demand, and the early bird often catches the worm. So, if there is a particular bottle that you really want, it is best to buy it early on to avoid disappointment. However, distilleries often divide their inventories between the days, so if you miss something on Friday, you may have the opportunity to pick it up another day.

Pro Tips For Getting Bottles That You Want

Pro Tip #1: Lines for allocated bottles can be very long. If you are not near the front of the line, think twice about waiting for hours. Is it worth missing a significant amount of the festival just to get one of those bottles, when there are so many fantastic bourbons out there waiting for you to sample them? Not likely. So go out and find your next favorite bourbon instead of waiting for an overhyped bottle.

Pro Tip #2: Make a plan — decide which allocated bottles you want, and then prioritize them. You may not be able to get them all, so you’ll want to make sure that you head to the line for the bottle you want the most, as soon as you get in the gate. Then have planned out where you will go next. Remember — distilleries may sell different bottles on different days, so always buy what you want when you have the chance!

Pro Tip #3: If you really want allocated bottles and don’t want to spend the entire festival standing on line, get in line at the VIP and GA gates early. Remember, GA gets in an hour after VIP, so there will already be lines. As a GA ticket holder, you want to get on line as soon as possible so that you can get in as close to noon as possible. That will enable you to maximize your time at the festival and have the best chance of getting a bottle. No one wants to stand on line for hours and leave empty-handed. However, be forewarned that since VIP gets in first, the bottle you were looking for could sell out.

Food At The Kentucky Bourbon Festival – Survival Guide 2026

Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea. So, have a hearty breakfast prior to heading to the festival. At the festival, there are also ample opportunities to purchase food. This year, there are around a dozen of the region’s top food trucks in the Bourbon Capital Bites Area. You can’t miss it – you will walk past or close to the food trucks to enter either the VIP or Main gates to the festival. The trucks are located to the left of the main gate. You are free to exit and re-enter the festival grounds as often as you like, although you must have your wristband to get back in. Note that there are a couple of secondary gates that can be used to access the food truck and vendor areas. You don’t have to use the main ones.

If you are a VIP ticket holder, there should be ample complimentary food in the VIP tent. The Oris President’s Club ticket holders will also have food available in the Brindiamo Penthouse, and those with Speakeasy tickets will have light bites available in that area, as well.

Marketplace Vendors

The Marketplace Vendors area will have around 20 vendors selling bourbon-related arts, crafts and other merchandise. It is located just outside of the main festival grounds, on 5th Street to the right of the main gate. Unlimited re-entry to the festival is permitted, but you’ll need to scan your wristband to get back in.

Transportation In and Around Bardstown – Kentucky Bourbon Festival Survival Guide 2026

Bardstown has very limited taxi service, Uber and Lyft. Therefore, getting around takes some planning. If your hotel is within walking distance of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival grounds, then, of course, walking is your best option. If not, you will either have to have a designated driver, hope your hotel has some sort of a shuttle service, or hire one of the local transportation services (which would likely need to be booked in advance). If you plan on calling a taxi or a ride-share service, you could be waiting a very, very long time, possibly forever. So, do not rely on those.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2026 – Louisville Shuttle

A shuttle is available to and from the KBF’s hotel partner, the Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown NuLu. It runs directly from the hotel to the festival and back. Shuttle passes can be purchased for $30 per day through Tixr (like premium event add-ons). These premium motor coaches are provided by Xtreme Transportation to ensure guest comfort. Travel time is approximately 1 hour.

2026 Shuttle Schedule:

• Thursday, Sept. 10: Depart Tempo at 4:30 p.m. / Depart KBF at 10 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 11: Depart Tempo at 9 or 10 a.m. / Depart KBF at 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 12: Depart Tempo at 9 or 10 a.m. / Depart KBF at 6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 13: Depart Tempo at 9 or 10 a.m. / Depart KBF at 4:30 p.m.
• All guests heading to the festival must have a wristband or ticket confirmation information. All guests heading back to Louisville must have a wristband.
• Note that all guests can ride the shuttle to the festival in the morning, however, only those with VIP tickets will be allowed to enter the festival at 11 AM. All General Admission and Media will have to wait until Noon to enter the festival grounds.

Some events provide a limited local complimentary shuttle service, such as Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Route 250 After-Party on Friday night. So, be sure to check to see if your events offer any form of transportation, or make plans ahead of time if they are not within walking distance. If you are heading to Heaven Hill’s Bourbon, Cigars & Jazz after-party on Saturday night, please note that the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience is NOT within easy or safe walking distance of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival grounds, so plan accordingly.

Parking

There is fairly limited parking in Bardstown, as it is mostly on the city streets, and some of those around the Kentucky Bourbon Festival itself will be blocked or have limited access. When you park on city streets, be sure not to block driveways and to stay off of private property.

There are generally a few pay lots available, in the St. Joseph Catholic School parking lot which can be accessed via W Stephen Foster Ave and possibly in the Bardstown High School parking lot, although not on Friday since school will be in session. In the past, parking has also been available in a field off of Broadway. However, if there is a football game at the Bardstown High School on Friday night – with the stadium located off of Broadway – there will be added congestion. If you can walk to the festival or find another source of transportation, it might make your life easier.

Activities Beyond the Festival Grounds – Kentucky Bourbon Festival Survival Guide 2026

After-Parties: There are many events that take place after the festival ends on Friday and Saturday. The most well-known are Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Friday night party, which is called Route 250 this year, and Heaven Hill’s Saturday night party known as Bourbon, Cigars & Jazz. Both of these after-parties require tickets to be purchased in advance, and both almost always sell out. Likewise, Beam Distilling’s Icons Dinner takes place on Saturday evening, after the festival, and also always sells out.

Cheers to Bardstown returns Saturday, September 12. This free Main Street (3rd Street) festival runs into the evening and includes cocktails (for purchase), live music, food trucks (for purchase), and more.

Evergreen Liquors is offering many tastings and other events at their location on 3rd street both during and outside of festival hours. Check their website for the schedule and details.

Other local events: Many of the other local establishments and distilleries will also be having special events during Kentucky Bourbon Festival time. The Events Section of Visit Bardstown’s website should have a comprehensive listing.

Bourbon Capital District: In Bardstown’s designated Bourbon Capital District – which encompasses most of central downtown – guests are allowed to carry alcoholic beverages from one establishment to another, provided they are in a Bourbon Capital District plastic cup. So, if you want to wander from place to place, be sure to ask for your drink to be in one of these cups. Note, however, this does NOT include the Kentucky Bourbon Festival grounds. No outside alcoholic beverages will be allowed in. So, if you feel you need to pre-game before a day of bourbon sampling, finish up before entering the festival.

Lodging

If you are reading this guide now and did not book lodging months ago, you may be in a bit of a pickle. Lodging in and around Bardstown is fairly limited and fills up quickly. Before we lived here, we used to book our lodging for the following year as soon as it was allowable. Louisville has considerably more hotels, but you will have to have transportation in mind, as it is about an hour away. I have also heard of people staying in Shelbyville, which is also about an hour away, and just east of Louisville. You may have to get creative.

Dining Options Other Than At The Kentucky Bourbon Festival

Bardstown has ample dining options, some of which are within walking distance of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival grounds, and others which are a short drive away. There is a comprehensive list on the Visit Bardstown website.

Looking Ahead to 2027

All 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival tickets are sold out. To stay informed for 2027, you can sign up for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival newsletter on the official website and become a “Bourbon Insider”. The dates for the 2027 Festival have not been officially announced at the time of publication of this guide, so stay tuned. The 2027 festival will mark the event’s 36th anniversary.

Have Fun!

I hope my Kentucky Bourbon Festival Survival Guide 2026 will help you get the most enjoyment out of your time in Bardstown. I’ll see you at the festival! Cheers! 🥃

I’m interested in hearing about your experience at KBF and any tips you may have for future attendees. Please message me on Instagram or Facebook, or via this form.

If you would like to read about the 2024 event, check out my article: Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2024: A Spirited Celebration! Additional information about tickets and sponsors for the 2026 festival can be found here: Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2026 Tickets On Sale Date Announced and Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2026 Announces Sponsors and Featured Distillery: New Riff. If you would like to learn more about local distilleries, we have plenty of information in our Distillery Reviews.

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!