The tradition is back and bigger than ever! The Portland Festival is a 100% volunteer-run celebration created by the community, for the community. Now in our 52nd year, we are working hard to showcase the energy and heart of one of Louisville’s oldest neighborhoods.
A Bigger, Better Parade: WE WANT YOU!
We know the parade has been a bit quiet lately, but we are changing that for 2026! Our Parade Planning Committee is starting up soon, and we are on a mission to make this the biggest, loudest, and most vibrant parade Portland has seen in years. Whether you have a youth group, a community organization, or just a great idea, sign up to compete in our 2026 Parade Contests:Best Overall Float & Best Kids’ Float
- Best Group Performance
- Best Portland Spirit
- Best Classic Car & Best Cool Car
- Best Costume / Mascot
We are looking for local art, performance groups, creative floats and more. The parade kicks off Saturday, June 6th at 12:00 PM, leading directly into the festival fun. Check our Facebook page for applications and to join the planning committee—we’ll be posting meeting dates there as they are scheduled! You can also email us at parade@portlandfestival.org for applications or committee info.
New for 2026: The “Best of the West” Stage
We are thrilled to introduce the Best of the West Stage, a premier addition for 2026! This dedicated space is designed for the West End’s finest performers to shine, featuring everything from rising youth stars and local performers to interactive community contests.
The 2026 Main Stage Band Lineup
Dust off your dancing shoes for two days of incredible live music:
- Friday, June 5th:
- The Ventura Band (5:30 PM – 7:30 PM)
- Lindsey Lane Band (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM) – A returning crowd favorite!
- Saturday, June 6th:
- Shumate Blues Revival (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Atomic Groove Machine (5:30 PM – 7:30 PM)
- Off the Hook (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
You Asked, We Listened: 100+ Vendors & 8 Food Trucks!
We know the community has been asking for more variety, and we are making it happen! We’ve stepped up our game significantly this year with 8 food trucks and over 100 vendors and counting. Come hungry and ready to shop:
- Unique Art: 3D Printing, Driftwood Art, Glass, Resin, and Ceramics
- Handcrafted Style: Artisan Jewelry, Permanent Welded Jewelry, Handbags, and Artisan Hats
- Home & Wellness: Hand-poured Soaps, Crystals, Succulents, Plants and Custom Wood Engravings
- Treats & More: Freeze-Dried Snacks, Salsa, and Specialty Spice Blends.
- Cold Beer: Available for guests 21+
A Call for Your Old Photos
As we celebrate 52 years, we want to honor the people who paved the way. We are looking for old photos of the Portland Festival from years past—whether they are snapshots from the 1970s or family photos from the 1990s. If you have any tucked away in your albums, please email us at Info@portlandfestival.org. Help us preserve our history for generations to come!
A Special Community Thank You
A massive shout-out to Richard Sullivan, a local artist located right here on Bank Street. Richard is graciously donating his time and talent to design our 2026 Festival Poster. A former professional baseball player, Richard is now a world-class artist who even offers classes in the community! We are so lucky to have him in the Portland Community! We encourage everyone to support his work and check out his studio.
We also want to join the community in thanking the Portland Museum and the Portland Anchor for their continued and unwavering support of this festival. We couldn’t do this without our neighborhood partners!
Save the Dates
Location: Outdoors at N 33rd St and Northwestern Parkway, Louisville, KY – near the newly renovated Portland Library.
- Festival Kickoff: Friday, June 5th | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- The Parade: Saturday, June 6th | 12:00 PM
- The Main Event: Saturday, June 6th | 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
How to Sign Up:
To join the parade, apply as a vendor, or sign up to volunteer, visit our Facebook page for all links and updates:
facebook.com/portlandfestivalky
Questions? Email us at Info@portlandfestival.org.
