Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LOUISVILLE’S ART FESTIVAL ON THE RIVER BIG FOUR™ ARTS FESTIVAL RETURNS SEPTEMBER 12 – 13, 2026

LOUISVILLE, KY – The 10th annual BIG FOUR™ Arts Festival, Louisville’s premier art event on the river, is set to kick off the city’s festival season on September 12-13, 2026. This milestone anniversary celebration will take place at the Big Four® Bridge Lawn in Waterfront Park, offering attendees a unique blend of fine art, live music, and family-friendly activities against the backdrop of the Ohio River.

Following the tremendous success of the 2025 festival, this milestone 10th anniversary event promises to be the most spectacular yet.

Festival Highlights:

– 195 juried fine artists, craftsmen, jewelers, and artisans
– Live music concert stage on the river – Hands-on art activities for all ages
– Festival food trucks and beverages, including beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails
– Beautiful waterfront views and access to the Big Four Walking Bridge

The Big Four Arts Festival has consistently been the most attended (15,000+) two-day event ever held at Waterfront Park. Its prime location, just a two-minute drive from downtown Louisville, attracts patrons from both Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

“2025 was a huge success, and we’re excited to build on that momentum for our 10th anniversary celebration,” said Louis Nunnelley, Festival Director. “The support from both artists and attendees has been phenomenal. We’re proud to present an event that not only showcases incredible artistic talent but also contributes to our community.”

The festival’s commitment to excellence has been recognized with the Rose Award from Louisville’s Tourism Bureau for bringing significant commerce to the city. Additionally, the Big Four Arts Festival has been selected as Top 200 by Sunshine Artist Magazine, achieving #27 ranking in under 8 years.

Event Details:
– Dates: Saturday, September 12, 2026 (10 AM – 7 PM) and Sunday, September 13, 2026 (10 AM – 5 PM)
– Artist Setup: Friday, September 11, 2026 (9 AM – 5 PM)
– Location: Big Four Bridge Lawn, Waterfront Park, 1103 River Road, Louisville, KY 40206
– Admission: $5 (Tickets available at the entrance and on the festival website)
– Parking: Free street parking available, with overflow parking at nearby Lynn Family Stadium lot
– Weather Policy: Rain or shine event
– Security: 24-hour security provided for event space and artist parking areas

The festival showcases a diverse range of mediums including oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, metalwork, glasswork, fiber art, woodworking, and mixed media pieces. All work featured must be original and handmade by the exhibiting artists.

Artists praise the festival’s organization and venue. “What Big Four does is it allows me access to the art-centric city of Louisville, offers a wonderful venue, and it does bring in interested buyers,” says artist Stew Rein. Another participating artist, J. Malagum, noted: “B4AF almost sold me out [on the first day]!”

Artist applications for the 2026 festival begin January 1, 2026, with a deadline of May 10, 2026. The competitive jury process will select 195 artists from an average of 300+ applications submitted each year. Applications are processed through ZAPP with a $35 application fee, and artists may submit up to three applications each.

The jury process involves three experienced art community professionals who score applications based solely on the quality of work as illustrated in submitted digital images. Artists must submit four images for jurying: three representative of their work and one booth shot.

For more information, visit www.bigfourartsfestival.com or contact the festival office at (502) 435-7602.

Media Contact: Louis Nunnelley, Festival Director Big Four Arts Festival Phone: (502) 435-7602 Email: b4b@twc.com