Bardstown, Ky. (March 18, 2026) - Kentucky Bourbon Festival announced tickets for the 2026 festival will go on sale April 14 with early-access for “Bourbon Insiders” on April 13. The festival will offer multiple ticket tiers, from Bourbon Taster general admission weekend passes to premium VIP experiences. The 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival is Sept. 10-13 in Bardstown, Ky., the Bourbon Capital of the World. The festival brings bourbon enthusiasts from all over the globe to celebrate the spirited history and craft of bourbon during National Bourbon Heritage Month. For more information, visit www.kybourbonfestival.com.

“Reaching the milestone 35^th anniversary is a testament to the continued support of our distillery partners and the growing passion of bourbon enthusiasts worldwide,” said Randy Prasse, president and COO of the festival. “The ability to sample and purchase limited releases and other hard-to-find bourbons directly from the distilleries is what has established KBF as the must attend whiskey experience each year.”

The KBF will offer a total of six ticket options this year. From the single-day Sunday Sampler and the Bourbon Taster general admission weekend passes to premium and extremely limited, exclusive VIP experiences including the Oris President’s Club. All passes offer unlimited re-entry to the festival, sampling from more than 60 Kentucky distilleries, access to exclusive single-barrel selections, engaging programs with industry experts, and expanded dining options.  

Bourbon enthusiasts attending can purchase special release bottles directly from distilleries, including exclusive “Distillers’ Row Series” single-barrel releases handpicked by the Kentucky Bourbon Festival team and available only at the festival. To make it easier to enjoy this experience, lockers are available to store your treasures until you are ready to leave.

The festival’s popular programming returns with 17 premium events in The Great Tent — hear from master distillers as they talk about mashbills, secondary finishes and even how their distilleries came to be; or enjoy a variety of culinary and cocktail programming with chefs and mixologists. All attendees also have access to 13 Bourbon:30 sessions held throughout the weekend.

Festival attendees can also immerse themselves in the “bourbon lifestyle” all weekend long, with special offerings from quality purveyors like Oris timepieces, Jacob Bromwell flasks, Clayton & Crume leather goods and Retro 51 writing instruments. Sip and shop at The Bourbon Marketplace, an always-popular feature that will bring more than a dozen bourbon-themed vendors into this year’s Bourbon Capital Bites area.

The festival’s VIP packages have proved very popular — selling out within 3 minutes in 2025. All VIP packages include daily early entry, crystal Glencairn glassware, one bourbon locker, bottle signings by master distillers, one ticket to Bourbon in the Air on Thursday, Sept. 10, and access to the VIP Lodge, with premium catering and exclusive neat pours and cocktails not available elsewhere.

The Oris President’s Club — the festival’s exclusive year-round membership — also includes access to the Brindiamo Penthouse overlooking the festival grounds, a spring bourbon experience, fall/winter KBF reception, 3-night stay at The Trail Hotel in Bardstown, private shuttle service to the festival and a limited edition Oris watch. Oris President's Club members also receive all other VIP experience amenities during the festival.

“As we continue to shine the spotlight on our distillery partners, we hope it is evident that we also invest a lot of thought, creativity, and money in the guest experience,” said Randy Prasse, president and COO of the festival. “Every year, our team explores ways to make improvements, and we cannot wait to welcome enthusiasts back to the Bourbon Capital of the World in just a few short months.”

This year’s featured distillery is New Riff Distilling and other major sponsors include The Koetter Group, Joseph & Joseph Architects, KPFF Engineers, Oris. Ticket prices range from $225 for three-day Bourbon Taster passes to $1,495 for the VIP Decanter Club and $6,995 for the ultimate VIP experience, the Oris President’s Club —limited to just 30 guests. Premium events are priced individually and will go on sale with admission packages.

KBF Insiders — those who subscribe to the festival’s e-newsletter — will be able to purchase tickets on April 13, with a discounted $205 price for weekend Bourbon Taster general admission passes. Sales open to the public on April 14; VIP packages are expected to sell out quickly.

About the Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Bardstown, Ky.):
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Sept. 10-13, 2026) is a celebration of Kentucky Bourbon and the Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown, Kentucky. What began as a Bourbon tasting dinner has grown into a truly authentic experience that brings together bourbon enthusiasts from all over the world. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is one of the Commonwealth’s leading cultural festivals. For more information, visit kybourbonfestival.com.