Danny Wimmer Presents Announces Massive Upgrades for Bourbon & Beyond + Louder Than Life 2025

Festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) has announced a significant expansion and enhancement of the Highland Festival Grounds at Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky, set to roll out for the upcoming Bourbon & Beyond (September 11–14) and Louder Than Life (September 18–21) festivals.

These sweeping changes follow the announcement of a 10-year lease agreement with Kentucky Venues to keep both festivals in Louisville through 2035. This agreement reflects a deep commitment from DWP and the city to continue developing Louisville as a cultural and economic powerhouse.

The 2025 festival site will offer more comfort and space than ever before. Enhancements include new shaded zones, expanded turf areas at main stages, increased GA lawn chair capacity for Bourbon & Beyond, a second entrance to improve entry flow, and a brand-new immersive merch experience inside the air-conditioned Kentucky Expo Center.

One of the most exciting additions is FREE daily access to amusement rides inside Kentucky Kingdom, which will now be part of the festival footprint and closed to the public during both events. Attendees can ride the Giant Wheel, Lightning Run, Scream Extreme, and other favorites from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM each day. While the water park won’t be accessible, the newly integrated amusement area offers a huge bonus to every passholder, blending live music and thrill rides in a way rarely seen at large-scale festivals.

Louder Than Life also adds a seventh stage inside the amusement park, hosting 12 artists including XweaponX, Orthodox, Silly Goose, Unearth, and The Browning, further solidifying its reputation as America’s Loudest Rock & Metal Festival. Meanwhile, VIP areas have grown by 35%, with a new three-story shaded viewing platform and more luxurious shaded space across the grounds.

Transportation upgrades are on the way as well. Improved shuttles, better parking infrastructure, a dedicated rideshare zone, and a newly added second entrance aim to streamline the arrival and departure experience for the nearly 400,000 expected attendees.

Bourbon & Beyond 2025 Highlights:

• 5 stages, over 120 artists
• Headliners include The Lumineers, Phish (two sets), Jack White, Noah Kahan, and Sturgill Simpson
• Performances from Ringo Starr, Foreigner, Cage The Elephant, Pat Benatar, and more
• Food and bourbon experiences at the Fork & Flask curated by Kroger Stage with hosts Chef Chris Santos and Chef Edward Lee
• Celebrated chefs like Esther Choi, Amanda Freitag, and Claudette Zepeda, plus premium bourbon tastings from brands like Old Rip Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace

Louder Than Life 2025 Highlights:

• 7 stages, over 160 bands
• Massive headliners: Slayer, Rob Zombie, Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones, Bring Me The Horizon, Sleep Token, Marilyn Manson, Bad Omens, and Evanescence
• Special sets include Rob Zombie‘s global exclusive performance of Astro-Creep: 2000 and Foreigner‘s Farewell Tour
• Appearances from Lamb of God, A Perfect Circle, Knocked Loose, Spiritbox, Cypress Hill, Bruce Dickinson, and DOWN

In 2024, Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life combined for $33 million in economic impact and drew over 300,000 attendees, over 70% of whom came from outside Kentucky, representing all 50 states and 27 countries.

“This move has been years in the making, and we’re thrilled to finally bring it to life,” said Danny Wimmer. “The new layout delivers so much to be excited about: expanded shade, indoor experiences, air-conditioned areas, and—thanks to our collaboration with Kentucky Kingdom—an amusement park inside the festival. It’s a truly unique addition that brings incredible value to fans… and this is just the beginning.”

Tickets for Louder Than Life are available here and Bourbon and Beyond here.