What to Know Before Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2026

A Quick-Reference Guide for Festival Ticket Holders Sept. 10–13, Bardstown, KY

The fact that you’re reading this means you most likely have tickets, and soon enough, you’ll have a wristband on the way. So the only thing left (other than booking your stay) is to walk into Spalding Hall on Sept. 10–13 knowing exactly what to expect, what to bring, and what will get you turned away at the gate if you forget it.

Entry Basics

• 21+ only. Valid ID is required at entry, regardless of ticket tier.
• Tickets are required. The festival typically doesn’t sell at the gate, so don’t plan on walking up without one already in hand.
• Entry times: VIP gates open at 11 AM and general admission at 12 PM, Friday through Sunday. Thursday’s Bourbon in the Air, 6–9:30 PM, is included with every VIP tier, but a standalone ticket for it is required for GA ticket holders.

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Your RFID Wristband

Every ticket ships as an RFID wristband ahead of the event. 2026 wristbands are expected to reach guests Sept. 3–7. It’s your ticket: it gets scanned for entry and for any events you enter, and you’ll need a valid ID with it every time.

• Don’t put it on until you’re actually at the festival. Once it’s on, leave it on until the end of the festival.
• Cutting it off voids it. Lost or damaged wristbands may carry a replacement fee.
• If your shipping address has changed, or you’d rather switch to will-call pickup, that’s handled through your TIXR account. 

What You Can (and Can’t) Bring Allowed -An empty, refillable water bottle -A personal folding lawn chair -Clear bags, or small bags/clutches within the posted size limits -A handheld umbrella -A basic camera for photos and video -A registered service or companion animal (pets are not permitted) Not Allowed -Any outside alcohol -Weapons, fireworks, or illegal substances -Liquids, food, or beverages brought from outside -Large bags or luggage -Bikes, scooters, skateboards, wagons, carts -Laser pointers, spray paint, mace, or pepper spray -Tents or canopies -Pets -Outside glassware (KBF glassware only) -Balls, frisbees, drones, or other flying objects -Signs or banners -Every bag gets checked at the gate, and refusing a search can mean you don’t get in.

That should not be treated as an exhaustive list. The official website says the items above are allowed or not, but does not say that anything not explicitly excluded is allowed. Use your best judgment if you think your item is in a gray area, and have a backup plan if that item is not allowed in.

No Outside Alcohol

(No Surprise There)

KBF is primarily a sampling event. General admission alone gets you access to 60+ distillery booths, and every ticket lets you buy bottles directly from the distillers, including releases you would struggle to find elsewhere. Bringing your own bottle defeats the purpose, and it isn’t allowed in regardless.

Rain or Shine

The festival runs as scheduled regardless of weather, and all ticket sales are final. Pack for whatever September in Kentucky decides to do for those days.

Getting There and Getting Home

Parking within walking distance of Spalding Hall is cash lots and on-street parking. There is no dedicated festival lot. Unless you are using the shuttle, you should expect to have to find a spot nearby and compete with other attendees on a first come, first serve basis.

If you’re staying outside walking distance of Bardstown (which is almost everyone, since even KBF’s own hotel partner requires a roughly hour-long shuttle each way), then you’re going to be commuting in and out of the festival each day. For those who will be driving, this is exactly the kind of event where a designated driver is essential. Unless you are okay ending up with no ride to your accommodations, make sure you have a rock-solid designated driver plan for each day of the festival.

Food, Water, and Pacing the Day

• Food trucks run in the Bourbon Capital Bites area throughout the festival.
• Free water stations are available. Bring an empty bottle rather than a full one, since liquids aren’t allowed through the entrance.
• Smoking is limited to designated areas only.
• Sunday runs shorter than the rest of the weekend, closing at 4 PM, with some food vendors wrapping up as early as 2 PM — plan your last pours and your last meal accordingly.

Steve’s Tips for the Days Around the Festival Festival logistics might be locked in, but the days before and after Sept. 10–13 are still yours to shape. Add a stop nearby: Whiskey Thief is 7 miles from The Bourb Inn, an easy add-on to either end of the weekend. Every Bourb Inn guest gets a complimentary VIP tasting there with promo code bourbinn. Let Steve plan the rest: As an Executive Bourbon Steward, Steve builds a custom itinerary for every stay, so the rest of your Bourbon Trail time fits around the festival.

Reserve Your Home Base for Kentucky Bourbon Festival Weekend: Check Availability at The Bourb Inn

Or Contact Steve to Plan the Days Around the Festival