Annual events calendar
The big yearly events in Owensboro and nearby, by month. Dates shown are for 2026 and usually move a little each year.
| When | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| May | BBQ & Barrels (formerly the International Bar-B-Q Festival) | Owensboro's big barbecue festival downtown, held the second weekend in May, with church cooking teams, a backyard cook-off, free music, carnival rides and ticketed bourbon tastings. 2026: May 8 and 9. |
| May to August | Friday After 5 | Free concerts on the riverfront on summer Friday nights. |
| May to September | Live on the Banks | Free Saturday-night concerts at the Smothers Park Overlook. 2026: May 16 to September 26, 7 to 9 p.m. |
| June | W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival (Henderson) | A free blues festival at Audubon Mill Park in Henderson. 2026: June 17 to 20. |
| June | ROMP Festival | A four-day bluegrass and roots music festival at Yellow Creek Park, and a fundraiser for the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum. 2026: June 24 to 27. Official site: rompfest.com. |
| July 4 | City of Owensboro Fourth of July celebration | The city's Independence Day celebration on the riverfront, listed on the 2026 Live on the Banks schedule. |
| September | Owensboro Air Show | An air show over the Ohio River with free riverfront viewing on the main days. 2026: September 11 to 13. |
| November | Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade | The holiday parade downtown. 2026: Saturday, November 21, starting at 4:30 p.m. at Second and Pearl streets. |
Always check the official link for the current year's dates before making plans. check before you go
For weekly happenings, see Visit Owensboro and the Henderson Tourist Commission.
Going to an outdoor event? See what to bring to riverfront concerts and festivals, or our fall and holiday picks.