WFPK Waterfront Wednesdays are equivalent to summer fun in the city. These free concerts on the Big Four Lawn are the perfect way to experience Waterfront Park.
Waterfront Park and 91.9 WFPK Announce 22nd Season of WFPK Waterfront Wednesday®!
The free concerts take place on the Big Four Lawn in Louisville’s Waterfront Park. The Big Four Lawn is located next to the Big Four Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge. The lawn opens at 5 p.m., with music beginning promptly at 6 p.m.
Waterfront KidsDay, a dedicated area for kids and families to do hands-on activities, will also return. Waterfront KidsDay will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during each month’s show.
You can enter to win a reserved parking space at each 2024 WFPK Waterfront show, backstage access, event swag and two tickets to the Gazebo Festival featuring Jack Harlow and SZA on Memorial Day weekend. Visit LPM.org/WaterfrontWednesday to enter for a chance to win the Super Fan prize package. The winner will be drawn on April 22, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Special thanks to contributing members of Waterfront Park and Louisville Public Media.
2024 Season Dates and Artists:
April 24, 2024
Phosphorescent, Dehd, Tyrone Cotton
May 29, 2024
Pokey LaFarge, S.G. Goodman, Ellie Ruth Band
June 26, 2024
Alejandro Escovedo, Middle Kids, RELAAY (formerly Bridge 19)
July 31, 2024
Modern English, SNACKTIME, Digby
August 28, 2024
Matthew Sweet, Friko, Nise the Nymph
September 25, 2024
Dark Side of the Wall, Zaniah, +Flow
WFPK Waterfront Wednesday is produced by Louisville Public Media and Waterfront Park. The event is made possible by the generous support of High Noon, KAIRE, Republic Bank and The University of Louisville.
Special thanks to contributing members of Waterfront Park and Louisville Public Media. You can donate to help keep these events free at lpm.org/wfw.
Parkside Bikes is also returning this year with bike parking on-site.
Click the image above to view the full Waterfront Wednesday map!
Since its inception in 2002, WFPK Waterfront Wednesday has been one of the most well-attended and recognized events in Louisville. Taking place on the last Wednesday of each month from April to September, the event has played host to some of the biggest names in music. (See below for a full list of past performers.)
These free concerts on the Big Four Lawn offer a gorgeous view of the river and the Big Four Bridge are the perfect way to experience the good life at Waterfront Park. Move, groove, and live it up amidst a family-friendly atmosphere – Local food trucks and festival food and a cash bar. The lawn opens at 5 pm and music begins at 6 pm.
Follow us on our social media pages and check our online events calendar for the most up-to-date information on upcoming WFPK Waterfront Wednesday events!
See below for additional information on attending.
More Information
Please no outside alcohol, no coolers, no glass, no pets, and no tents!
Where is Waterfront Wednesday?
Waterfront Wednesday will be held once a month at the Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park, located next to the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge.
I’m coming from out of town – how do I get there, what should I put in my GPS?
The Waterfront Development Corporation folks have exact GPS coordinates and directions from every, well, direction.
Parking Information
Waterfront parking information is available here. The Republic Bank Easy Ride Trolley De Ville will offer free trolley service from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Parkside Bikes is also returning this year with bike parking on-site.
Event details can be found at LPM.org/WaterfrontWednesday.
Is there handicap parking?
All of Waterfront’s parking lots (green, orange, Lincoln, silver, tan, red and turquoise) offer 4-6 handicap parking spaces . The red lot is closest to the Big Four Lawn, but used for production, and is full by 5pm . If you desire you can have someone pull in and drop you at the entrance to the red (production) lot, then find another place to park.
Is there a Waterfront Wednesday every Wednesday?
Concerts take place on the last Wednesday of each month from April to September. See above for full dates and details.
Can I bring my kids?
Absolutely! Waterfront Wednesday is an all-ages event. However, parents should be aware that like any rock concert, there may be profanity or adult themes from time to time.
How much are tickets?
Waterfront Wednesday is a ticketless event and free to the public! We are extremely grateful to our sponsors and our members for making it possible to keep Waterfront Wednesday free.
What time can I get there?
The lawn opens at 5pm.
Can I watch the concert from the bridge?
Absolutely! It’s a great place to listen and has a beautiful view. Be sure to tag any of your photos on social media #wfpk and #waterfrontwednesday.
What time is the concert over?
Set lengths and start times are approximate, but usually the festivities are winding down between 10pm and 10:30pm.
Can I bring lawn chairs?
Sure thing.
Can I bring my dog/ferret/parrot?
No pets allowed, sorry. Please leave the furry and feathered kids at home.
What else can’t I bring?
Outside alcohol is prohibited. No coolers, no tents, no glass, or pets allowed in the event area of the Big Four Lawn and the adjacent park areas.
Is there food and/or beer and/or alcohol and/or nonalcoholic drinks at Waterfront Wednesday?
Yes. Upscale festival food, local food trucks, and don’t forget to visit the bar!
I’m interested in being a vendor at Waterfront Wednesday. Where do I find more information?
For more information, contact John Grantz
Can I bring my own food?
As long as you don’t bring it in the aforementioned and prohibited glass or coolers, sure thing.
Can I bring my own beer?
I see what you did there. Still nope.
I see rain/wind/tornadoes from Oz predicted in the weather report. Is there still a concert?
Waterfront Wednesday is a rain or shine event, and we’ve typically had beautiful weather over the years! But occasionally especially heavy rain or lightening has caused us to run on a delayed schedule, and in the event of a particularly bad storm, cancel. The safety of our attendees as well as our bands and workers always takes priority, and in the case of inclement weather, keep an eye on our Facebook page.
I lost my keys/sunglasses/credit card/license/sweater/water bottle/you get the idea/ at Waterfront Wednesday, help!
You can check to see if anything was turned into the Merchandise Booth (to the left of the stage) or by calling WFPK at 502-814-6500 the next day.
Past Performers
2023: Durand Jones, Ruen Brothers, Producing A Kind Generation, Charley Crockett, Sunny War, Bibelhauser Brothers, The Hold Steady, The Watson Twins, Turbo Nut, Bettye LaVette, Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies, and Jameron, Deer Tick, Darlingside, Anemic Royalty, Back 2 Mac, Sheryl Rouse Band, Sweet G & The Shine
2022: Maggie Rose, Boa Boys, Phourist & the Photons, War, Bendigo Fletcher, Wombo, Moon Taxi, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Routine Caffeine, Joan Osborne, Seratones, Mark Charles, Yonder Mountain String Band, Hot Brown Smackdown, Houseplant
2021: Houndmouth, The Jesse Lees, Sam Filiatreau, The Mavericks, Magnolia Boulevard, McKinley James, Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers, Villa Mure, CJ Sparks, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Brooks Ritter, Genevva
2019: Lucy Dacus, Darlingside, Mama Said String Band, Adia Victoria, Bridge 19, Jukebox the Ghost w/Louisville Civic Orchestra, Erika Wennerstrom (of Heartless Bastards), Electric Garden, The War and Treaty, Haley Heynderickx, Dave Ernst and the Early Favorites, Devon Gilfillian, C2 and the Brothers Reed, Josh Ritter, Amanda Shires, GRLwood
2018: Lissie, The Weeks, Phourist and the Photons, J Roddy Walston and the Business, Sunflower Bean, Parker Millsap, Bettye LaVette, Dr. Dundiff and Otis Junior
2017: Murder by Death, Whitehorse, Maximon, The Mavericks, Hollis Brown, Peter Searcy, Pokey LaFarge, Robyn Hitchcock, Carly Johnson, Strand of Oaks, Low Cut Connie, The Zach Longoria Project, James Lindsey, In Lighting, The Secret Sisters
2016: 1200, Liz Vice, Rayland Baxter, Paul Thorn, The Howling Tongues, Nick Dittmeier and the Sawdusters, Hayes Carll, Dylan Leblanc, Brenda, Brett Dennen, Lucius, Kaleo, Dr. Dundiff and Friends, Bright Light Social Hour, Bonnie Bishop, Nada Surf, OJR, Howell Dawdy
2015: Shakey Graves, JD McPherson, Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, Civil Twilight, Jukebox the Ghost, Small Time Napoleon, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Pokey LaFarge, T. Hardy Morris, Fantastic Negrito, Strand of Oaks, American Aquarium, Anderson East, Maia Sharp, Twin Limb, Waxfang, Here We Go Magic, Vandaveer
2014: Moon Taxi, The Apache Relay, House Ghost, Spanish Gold, The Broken Spurs, Starbilly, Old 97’s, The Whigs, Dawn Landes, Ben Sollee, The Deloreans, Steelism, Shovels and Rope, The Wild Feathers, Tim Easton, Lake Street Dive, 23 String Band, Sean Rowe
2013: Ra Ra Riot, Leagues, A Lion Named Roar, The Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Lone Bellow, The Staves, The Kopecky Family Band, Happy Chichester, Appalatin, Little Green Cars, Randall Bramblett Band, Quiet Hollers, Laura Marling, Sons of Fathers, Justin Paul Lewis, J. Roddy Walston and the Business, Scott Miller w/the Commonwealth and Vandaveer
2012: JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, Sugar + the Hi-lows, The Tunesmiths, The Elders, Joseph Arthur, Vessel, Trampled By Turtles, The Walkmen, These United States, JD McPherson, Matt the Electrician, Audra Mae, Jukebox the Ghost, Tift Merritt, Whistle Peak, Everest, Shemekia Copeland, Dave Moisan Band
2011: Over the Rhine, Harper Blynn, Cabin, Scars on 45, Abigail Washburn, Nicole Atkins, Hayes Carll, Ponderosa, Uh Huh Baby Yeah!, Sarah Jaffe, Ha Ha Tonka, Katie Herzig, They Might Be Giants, The DeLoreans
2010: The Holmes Brothers, Legendary Shack Shakers, Otis Gibbs, Josh Rouse, ALO, Backyard Tire Fire, Carney Joshua James, Sonos, Tift Merritt, Dawes, Robert Francis, These United States, Dan Mangan Band, Audra Mae, Great Big Sea, Ike Reilly Assasination, The Seedy Seeds
2009: Todd Snider, Extra Golden, Tony Furtado (solo), The Meat Puppets, The Features, Broken Spurs, Hill Country Revue, Jonell Mosser, Guggenheim Grotto, Josh Ritter, Sam Roberts Band, Young Dubliners, Cracker, Will Hoge, Great Lake Swimmers, Bell X1, Company of Thieves, Workers
2008: The Whigs, Wild Sweet Orange, Griffin House, Back Door Slam, Jim White, Mike Farris, Sonny Landreth, The Elders, Katie Herzig, Shake Anderson Band, Danielia Cotton, Dave Barnes, VHS or Beta, SeepeopleS, Ben Sollee, Paul Thorn, Langhorne Slim, John Mann
2007: Los Straitjackets w/Big Sandy, Tony Furtado, Last Town Chorus, Jonatha Brooke (w/band), Gran Bel Fisher (w/band), Cabin, Mark Olson, Willy Porter, Ultratone, The Avett Brothers, Peter Searcy, Willy Mason, The Cherryholmes, Adrienne Young and Little Sadie, KY Sassafras, Tim Krekel Orchestra, Kim Richey Band, Hoots & Hellmouth
2006: Duncan Sheik, Martin Sexton, Robinella, Indigenous, Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch & Fats Kaplan, Tyrone Cotton, Jackie Greene, The Gabe Dixon Band, Amy LaVere, Todd Snider, Strays Don’t Sleep, Slackshop, Old Crow Medicine Show, Scott Miller & the Commonwealth, The Betweeners, Cracker, Soul, Inc., Bonepony
2005: Rosavelt, Maia Sharp, Merediths, Danielia Cotton, Carbon Leaf, The Silos, Over The Rhine, Fire The Saddle, Mofro, Spottiswoode and His Enemies, Hayes Carl, Del McCoury Band, Tim Krekel, Jeff Black, The Duhks, Hem, The Navigators, Shannon McNally
2004: Bonepony, Hell’s ½ Acre, Mofro, Bob Schneider, Melissa Ferrick, Ellis Hooks, VHS or Beta, Pine Club, David Mead, Peter Searcy, Tim Krekel, Paul Thorn, The Middlemen, Ben Arnold, Chuck Prophet
2003: Tim Krekel, Jessie Harris, Digby, Happy Chichester, Butterfly Boucher, Alex Tench, Jesse Harris & the Ferdinandos, East Mountain South, John Eddie, Maktub, Hell’s ½ Acre, Los Lonely Boys, Scott Miller & the Commonwealth, Sonny Landreth, Lizzie West, The Cash Brothers, Sue O’Neil and the Blue Seville
2002: Gladstone, Ike Reilly, Janah, Llama, Maia Sharp, Andy Stochansky, Tim Krekel, My Morning Jacket, Drive By Truckers, Jason Ringenberg, Roman Candle, Feel, Kaydi Johnson