There's Now A National Bourbon Week. Here's Where And How To Celebrate
National Bourbon Week 2025
Whiskey lovers: There's a new, weeklong celebration for you. The second annual National Bourbon Week is set to return in 2025, with a full schedule of festivities taking place in the Bourbon Capital of the World.
From June 9th through 15th in Bardstown, Kentucky, distilleries will partner with restaurants, hospitality groups, musical acts, and more to celebrate bourbon and the community surrounding it. Bardstown's self-proclaimed moniker—Bourbon Capital of the World—stems from its central role in the industry, and the surrounding area boasts an incredibly high concentration of whiskey producers both big and small.
Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Maker's Mark, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Barton1792, Lux Row, Preservation, Old SteelHouse, and Log Still are among the area distilleries taking part. National Bourbon Week is a relatively new collaboration between area distilleries and local tourism groups to encourage events in late spring/early summer. (As a former Bardstown resident, I can personally attest June is a prime time to visit, right before the summer heat really kicks in.)
The slate of events throughout the week includes whiskey, music, culinary experiences, and more. Events start Monday and run all the way through Sunday, June 15th. Some highlights include (via a non-exhaustive list):
A number of family-friendly events will also take place, including a new (and free to attend) Kids Zone on June 14th. All events are held independently, so visitors and locals alike can pick and choose the itinerary that works best for them.
And for those who would rather sip local brews, Bardstown Rotary Club will host a beer garden on Saturday, June 14th.
'This weeklong celebration is a true toast to the spirit, craftsmanship, and community that make us so special,' says Stacey Phelps, president of Visit Bardstown. 'Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just discovering your love for bourbon, there's no better place to be than Bardstown during National Bourbon Week.'
Located around a 45 minute drive south of Louisville, Bardstown is a longtime center of whiskey production and an integral stop on Kentucky's Bourbon Trail. In addition to more than ten distilleries and bottling facilities in the surrounding area, Bardstown is also home the the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History.
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