NuLu Bock Fest, NuLu Business Association’s annual spring goat racing and bock beer celebration returns on Saturday, March 28 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
The tradition traces back to the mid-19th century to mark the changing of the season when the dark German lager, known as bock, was released across the city after a winter of aging. NuLu is home to two coincidentally named alleys – Nanny Goat Strut and Billy Goat Strut, thus making it a fitting place for a bock beer festival featuring adult and baby goat racing, a wurst competition, music performances, and several local vendors and food trucks.
Local breweries will serve their 2026 bock beers, along with other selections. For non-beer drinkers, craft cocktails and mixed drinks will also be available for purchase. Bulleit Bourbon returns with specialty craft cocktails and mixed drinks for sale as well as the Patron Tequila Shack featuring freshly made margaritas courtesy of Crowler Catering.
Sunny Acres Farm will provide the goats participating in the Jefferson County Farm Bureau Goat Races, and The Louisville Aggies, a local 4H group, will run alongside the goats helping them to the finish line. Grandstands will be placed alongside the track for better audience viewing.
A total of 12 races will take place beginning with the National Anthem, accompanied by a flyover at 12:00 pm and ending at 6:00 pm. The featured race will be the News Flash Dash Baby Goat Race at 3:30 pm where Louisville’s anchors, reporters and meteorologists select a baby goat to race for a $500 donation made to the winner’s charity of choice.
Family-friendly activities including the Tipping Tractor, Bessie the Milking Cow, the Discovery Trailer, a Bubble Truck, a petting zoo, and more will also return to Bock Fest 2026.
Wurst Fest will welcome local restaurants to showcase their spin on this traditional dish for the chance to be crowned the Best of the Wurst Fest Winner. More information about this year’s Wurst Fest will be announced soon.
NuLu hosts a variety of Bock Fest pre-parties. Below is a list of the confirmed pre-parties to date. Additional pre-party events will be released on a later date.
NuLu Bock Fest Pre-Parties:
Saturday, February 21: Baby Goat Pre-Party, Noon-4:00pm at Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. Kick off NuLu Bock Fest season with baby goat, photo ops, s’mores, and specialty cocktails for sale. Register for The NuLu 502 for discounted fee
Saturday, March 7: Tailspin Ale Fest, 2:00pm-7:00pm at Bowman Field. Goats and the best beer festival in Kentucky, what else do you need to know?
Saturday, March 14: St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Noon-2:00pm on Bardstown Road. Come see goats on a float!
Saturday, March 21: Baby Goat Yoga, 10:00am-11:00am at Taj 811
Saturday, March 21: Paddock Party, Noon-5pm at Garage Bar. Grab some brunch and meet the goat contenders! Enjoy a specialty cocktail and shop Bock Fest merchandise.
Tuesday, March 24: Wurst Fest, 6pm-8pm at Copper & Kings, Wurst Fest competitors submit their best wursts for judging, while attendees enjoy free wurst samples from Haymarket. Plus, baby goats on the patio. Drink specials and specialty wursts for sale.
Friday, March 27: The NuLu 502 Packet Pick Up, 4:00pm-7:00pm at Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. Race participants can pick up their packets and enjoy a cocktail for purchase before the big race day.
Friday, March 27: Goat Calling Contest, 6:00pm-8:00pm at High Horse. Watch and listen as humans compete to channel their inner goat.
Back by popular demand this year is the The NuLu 502, presented by Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. This micro marathon/fun run and walk spans 502 feet on Clay Street between Nanny Goat Strut and Billy Goat Strut. The NuLu 502 will kick off NuLu Bock Fest on Saturday, March 28 at 11:30am. More details about The NuLu 502 will be announced on a later date.
Those interested in sponsoring a goat can click here to complete the sponsorship form. Vendors, service providers, and non-profit organizations can sign up to participate in NuLu Bock Fest as a vendor by emailing Baron Jones with HB Productions at baron@hbproductionsllc.com.
NuLu Bock Fest would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support:
Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Fifth Third Bank, Bulleit Bourbon, Whiskey Thief Distilling Co., Tractor Supply, Patron Tequila, Kentucky Proud, Chicken Cock Whiskey, Danny Winner Presents, First Urology, Renewal By Andersen, Affrimed RX, Copper & Kings Brandy, Garage Bar, Alex White Law, Louisville Downtown Partnership, Country Boy Brewing, High Horse Bar, NuLu Marketplace, Mashup Food Hall, Leafguard, Champion Windows, Ale-8-One, ESPN Radio, Sunny Acres Farm, and Jay Hatcher.
For more information about NuLu Bock Fest visit nulu.org/BockFest and follow on Instagram at instagram.com/nuluofficial and on Facebook at facebook.com/nuluofficial.
