# Free things to do with kids in Louisville this week

> Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Louisville this week: we found 15 free outings, including Hayride in the Park, Car Free Cherokee and Halloween Craft Morning, plus ten library programs. Seven free days and events are coming up, including two museum or zoo free days, each with its date. And four places never charge admission, like Louisville Free Public Library Main and Waterfront Park.

- Last checked: 2026-10-19
- 15 free outings this week; 7 free days and events coming up; 4 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/louisville/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/louisville/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/louisville/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/louisville/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Bank of America Museums on Us weekend** at Speed Art Museum, Louisville. When: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Price: Free general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID). Only the cardholder gets in free, so bring the card and an ID. The Speed is free with the card on Saturdays only. Official page: https://about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/museums-on-us-partners (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Light Up Louisville** at Jefferson Square Park, Jefferson Square Park, Louisville, KY. When: Sat Dec 5, 2026. Time: 3–9 p.m. Price: Free. Lots of Lights Parade at 6 p.m. Official page: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/city-events/light-louisville (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Santa's House at Light Up Louisville** at Jefferson Square Park, Downtown, Jefferson Square Park, Louisville, KY. When: Sat Dec 5, 2026. Time: 3–9 p.m. (parade 6 p.m.). Price: Free. Free photos with Santa & friends inside Santa's House, free trackless train rides, video-mapping show on Metro Hall. Official page: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/city-events/light-louisville (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Noon Year's Eve Party (Shively)** at Shively Library, Council Chambers, Shively. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Price: Free. Official page: https://events.lfpl.org/event/noon-years-eve-party-26481 (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Noon Year's Eve (Middletown)** at Middletown Library, Meeting Room, Middletown. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11 a.m.–noon. Price: Free. Official page: https://events.lfpl.org/event/noon-years-eve-27408 (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Noon Year's Eve Party (Newburg)** at Newburg Library, Meeting Room, Newburg. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Price: Free. Official page: https://events.lfpl.org/event/noon-years-eve-party-16339 (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Free Community Access Membership at the Kentucky Science Center** at Kentucky Science Center, Downtown (Main St). When: Apply any time. Price: Free one-year family membership for families who receive SNAP or WIC (2 adults and up to 8 kids ages 2–18). Passport/P-EBT cards don’t qualify. Official page: https://kysciencecenter.org/cam/ (checked 2026-10-19)

## Free this week

- **Hayride in the Park** at Shawnee Park, 4501 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40211. When: Sun Oct 25. Time: 2pm–5pm. Price: Free; food trucks extra. Ages: 0–99. A pop-up fall festival with hayrides around the closed Shawnee Park loop, games, face painting and music. Hayrides leave from the park pavilion. Official page: https://www.olmstedparks.org/events/hayride-in-the-park/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Car Free Cherokee** at Cherokee Park (Scenic Loop), 745 Cochran Hill Rd, Louisville, KY 40206. When: Sun Oct 25. Time: 8am–4pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. The Scenic Loop closes to cars on the last Sunday of the month, so little ones can scoot, bike or push a stroller under the fall leaves. Official page: https://www.olmstedparks.org/events/car-free-cherokee-2/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Tricks or Treats at Northeast** at LFPL – Northeast Regional Library, 15 Bellevoir Cir, Louisville, KY 40223. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 5:30pm–7:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. An evening Halloween party with treats and a few tricks. Wear your costume. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/tricks-or-treats-northeast-20196 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Movie Night: The Book of Life** at LFPL – St. Matthews Library, 3940 Grandview Ave, Louisville, KY 40207. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 5:45pm–7:30pm (movie at 6pm). Price: Free. Ages: 3–99. A movie and a craft to celebrate Día de los Muertos. Pajamas and fuzzy blankets encouraged. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/family-movie-night-8087 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Preschool Halloween Party** at LFPL – Bon Air Library, 2816 Del Rio Pl, Louisville, KY 40220. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10am–11am. Price: Free; register (limit 20). Ages: 2–5. Silly songs, gentle stories and costume fun for ages 2 to 5. No scares, just giggles. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/preschool-halloween-party-19854 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Halloween Craft Morning** at LFPL – Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10am–11:30am. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 3–10. Drop-in spooky-season crafts, best for ages 3 to 10. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/halloween-craft-morning-15772 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Face Painting and Not Too Spooky Stories** at LFPL – Portland Library, 3305 Northwestern Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40212. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 2pm–3pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Spooky-ish books, songs, activities and face painting for the under-5 crowd. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/face-painting-and-not-too-spooky-stories-20027 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Arabic Bi-Lingual Family Story Time** at LFPL – Northeast Regional Library, 15 Bellevoir Cir, Louisville, KY 40223. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 2pm–3pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Stories and songs in Arabic and English. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/arabic-bi-lingual-family-story-time-20194 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Nature Play and the Library** at Jefferson Memorial Forest – Welcome Center, 11311 Mitchell Hill Rd, Fairdale, KY 40118. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10:30am–12:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. LFPL's outdoor play-and-books morning in the forest, for ages 0 to 5. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/nature-play-and-library-10511 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Gardens Storytime** at Waterfront Botanical Gardens (Alden Learning Center), 1435 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10am–11am. Price: Free for kids and caregivers; registration required. Ages: 3–5. Two stories and a nature-inspired activity in the gardens for ages 3 to 5. Official page: https://waterfrontgardens.org/event/gardens-storytime-37/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Storytime (Iroquois)** at LFPL – Iroquois Library, 601 W Woodlawn Ave, Louisville, KY 40215. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10:15am–11am. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 0–2. A storytime for babies and their grown-ups. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/baby-storytime-17063 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Storytime (Southwest Regional)** at LFPL – Southwest Regional Library, 9725 Dixie Hwy, Louisville, KY 40272. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10am–11am. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 1–3. Books and songs for toddlers and their grown-ups. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/toddler-storytime-21761 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Story Time (Middletown)** at LFPL – Middletown Library, 12556 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40243. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 9:30am–10:30am. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 1–3. Stories, songs and play for toddlers and caregivers. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/toddler-story-time-16911 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Storytime (Newburg)** at LFPL – Newburg Library, 4800 Exeter Ave, Louisville, KY 40218. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 6:30pm–7:30pm. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 0–5. An evening storytime for families with kids 5 and under. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/family-storytime-16094 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Storytime (Jeffersontown)** at LFPL – Jeffersontown Library, 10635 Watterson Trail, Louisville, KY 40299. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10am–11am. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 0–8. A Saturday-morning storytime for the whole family. Official page: https://louisvillefree.librarycalendar.com/event/family-storytime-3564 (checked 2026-10-19)

## Always free

- **Louisville Free Public Library Main**, Downtown. The main library downtown, with a children's area. Official page: https://www.lfpl.org (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Waterfront Park**, Downtown. A free downtown riverfront park with playgrounds and lawns. Official page: https://louisvillewaterfront.com (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Jefferson Memorial Forest**, 11311 Mitchell Hill Rd, Fairdale, KY 40118. Free to enter, with trails and a welcome center. Official page: https://www.wildernesslouisville.org/natural-areas/jefferson-memorial-forest/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Brown Park, St. Matthews**, Kresge Way & Browns Ln, Louisville, KY 40207. Free to visit. Official page: https://thechamberstmatthews.com/ (checked 2026-10-18)

## Free library storytimes

- **Louisville Free Public Library**: Weekly at 12 locations; Monday–Thursday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. Baby, toddler and family storytimes at branches across Louisville, plus nature play programs at Jefferson Memorial Forest. Calendar: https://www.lfpl.org/
- **Bullitt County Public Library**: Weekly at 4 locations; Tuesday–Thursday, mostly mornings. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby Rhyme Time (Wednesdays 10am, Mt. Washington Branch) and Toddler Storytime (Tuesdays 10am, Mt. Washington Branch), with more at Central Library, Lebanon Junction Branch and Nichols Branch. Calendar: https://bcplib.org/events/

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### What’s free to do with kids in Louisville this weekend?
This week we found 15 free outings for ages 0–6, including Hayride in the Park, Car Free Cherokee, Halloween Craft Morning and Nature Play and the Library. See [free this week](https://littlesweekly.com/louisville/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

### Are there free museum or zoo days in Louisville?
Bank of America Museums on Us weekend: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Free Community Access Membership at the Kentucky Science Center: Apply any time. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/louisville/free/#free-days).

### What free holiday events are there for kids in Louisville?
Light Up Louisville, Santa's House at Light Up Louisville, Noon Year's Eve Party (Shively), Noon Year's Eve (Middletown) and Noon Year's Eve Party (Newburg) are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/louisville/free/#free-days).

### Where can we go for free any day in Louisville?
Louisville Free Public Library Main, Waterfront Park, Jefferson Memorial Forest and Brown Park, St. Matthews don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

### Are library storytimes free in Louisville?
Yes. Louisville Free Public Library and Bullitt County Public Library run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

### How do you check these free listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).