Tickets for the 2026 Bourbon on the Banks festival are now on sale. The festival, set for Oct. 3 in Frankfort, Kentucky, features several new additions this year through the full lineup of events.

New for 2026 is Special Access Ticket holders will enter the festival at 12 noon, enjoy exclusive access to the full festival footprint for the first hour, receive a complimentary sample glass holder lanyard (plus additional perks to be announced) and experience shorter lines, early bottle purchasing opportunities, and a more relaxed atmosphere before Early Entry begins at 1 p.m.

As in previous years, Special Access Ticket holders also will have access to a catered tent with private, climate-controlled restrooms.

Additionally, the festival is debuting several other enhancements based on last year’s attendee survey results. This includes adding 15 large shade umbrellas to the picnic table seating areas and continuing to refine traffic flow and guest experience throughout the day

The event is partnering with Bourbon Women to bring expanded educational programming highlighting women in the bourbon industry as industry leaders Peggy Noe Stevens, Susan Reigler, and Jennifer Brian will lead three educational sessions during the festival in partnership with a sponsor distillery (to be announced). These sessions will be free to festival attendees and will offer unique insights into bourbon, tasting, and storytelling.

Auxiliary Events Throughout the Week

While Saturday’s festival is the main event, several additional experiences will take place around town.

Thursday
• Whiskey on the Water: Bourbon Lab on the Boat with The Ingram Distillery and Heather Wibbels (ticket required)
• Four Roses Pub Stroll (Thursday–Saturday – free)
• Official Festival Kickoff Party at Whiskey Thief (free)

Friday
• The Culinary Bourbon Geek with Peggy Noe Stevens (ticket required)
• VIP Reception and Bourbon Auction presented by Larrikin Bourbon Company (ticket required)
• Bourbon Street on Broadway presented by Expree Credit Union (free and family friendly)

Saturday
• Bourbon on the Banks Festival (ticket required)
• Goodwood Afterparty (free)

Tickets for all ticketed auxiliary events are now on sale as well. 

For more information on the event, visit https://bourbononthebanks.org/. Tickets to all events can be found on Eventbrite.

2026 Distiller Dinner Event set for April 9

The Sixth annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival Distiller Dinner is set for April 9 at Savor at River House and features New Riff Distilling.

Master Distiller Brian Sprance will guide guests through a curated tasting of New Riff whiskeys, featuring Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, Malted Rye and 8 Year Bourbon.

The three-course menu, crafted by Chef John Varanese to pair with each New Riff selection, highlights his passion for innovative flavors and local ingredients. Known for his culturally inspired dishes, Chef Varanese brings his signature creativity to this exclusive pairing dinner. 

Guests will be welcomed with passed appetizers as well as the debut of the 2026 KBF signature cocktail, also featuring New Riff’s signature BIB — recently named the World’s Best Bourbon.

Doors open at 5:15 p.m., with dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $175 per adult, limited, non-refundable, and for those 21 years or older.

New this year, attendees of the Distiller Dinner also will receive early access to purchase tickets for the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September. Tickets to KBF are not included with a Distiller Dinner ticket.

To purchase tickets, click here.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival Announces Renewed Sponsors and Featured Distillery 

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is preparing to celebrate its milestone 35th anniversary in 2026, bringing bourbon enthusiasts from all over the globe to celebrate the spirited history and craft of bourbon during National Bourbon Heritage Month. Alongside the celebration, the festival announces its renewed sponsors and featured distillery. For more information, visit www.kybourbonfestival.com. 

“The success of the festival in the past five years is thanks to the dedication of all the staff, board, distilleries, sponsors and volunteers who have worked diligently to create what is now widely considered the preeminent whiskey event in the world,” said Randy Prasse, president and COO of the festival. “The festival brings together more than 60 of the top bourbon brands, plus enthusiasts from across the globe.” 

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is also proud to announce the return of several valued sponsors. The festival is presented by long-term sponsor The Koetter Group and K-Rax premium spirits barrel storage systems. Joseph & Joseph Architects is the presenting partner of the VIP Penthouse, KPFF Consulting Engineers the presenting partner of the Great Tent and Oris is the official timepiece of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and sponsor of the Oris President’s Club. 

This year’s featured distillery is New Riff Distilling, an independently-owned distillery in Northern Kentucky — the gateway to bourbon country. The award-winning distillery is known for its bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey and gin, available nationwide.  

“The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is one of our cornerstone events each year,” said New Riff President Mollie Lewis. “We love having that face-to-face time to meet fans of the distillery — and make new ones! — in a setting unlike any other. We’re thrilled to be the featured distillery this year and can’t wait to celebrate KBF’s milestone anniversary with everyone in September.” 

The 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival takes place Sept. 10-13, 2026, in Bardstown, Ky. An on-sale date for 2026 tickets will be announced in the future. Subscribers to the KBF e-newsletter receive advance notice of ticket sales, special events and other news.