Louisville families have a full weekend of free daytime plans around the JCPS Showcase of Schools, from Friday morning library storytimes through Sunday afternoon trunk or treats. The biggest free picks are the Louisville Book Festival and the Via Colori street painting festival on Saturday, and three church trunk or treats on Sunday. JCPS Insider rechecked every organizer page below on October 13, 2026. Times are Eastern.

The JCPS Showcase of Schools is Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center, 3029 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Admission and onsite parking are free, according to the district announcement. The Office of School Choice runs application help sessions on the hour at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. in The Fun Zone near the concession stand. Everything below fits around it.

Friday morning library programs for young children

Two library programs fill Friday morning, October 23, for families with children under 6. Neither listing shows a fee or a registration requirement.

Parkland Library, 2743 Virginia Ave., holds Sound Scape Storytime from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages 0 to 5. The LFPL listing describes an audio immersion storytime that plays soundscapes so each story feels real. The branch number is 502 574 1832.

Fairdale Library, 10620 W. Manslick Road, holds Little Yogis from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for ages 0 to 5. The LFPL listing calls it a family friendly yoga session with play, mindfulness, and gentle movement. The branch number is 502 375 2051.

Louisville Book Festival on Saturday

Is the Louisville Book Festival free on Saturday, October 24? Yes. The festival is free and open to the public Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 S. Fourth St., according to the festival FAQ. The festival's about page says every child who attends leaves with at least one free, age appropriate book the child picks out.

The FAQ says the festival has no special parking deal, so plan on a downtown garage or street parking. It is about a 10 minute drive east from the Showcase, so a family can do Showcase first and still have hours at the festival.

Via Colori street painting on the waterfront

Via Colori, the street painting festival, is free Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Big Four Bridge Lawn at Waterfront Park, according to the Via Colori site. The site says more than 150 artists chalk their work live over the weekend.

The festival FAQ says there are no tickets or fees. Pets are welcome on a leash. Some seating is provided, but the FAQ suggests bringing chairs for the live music. Kids hoping to chalk should know the FAQ discourages free chalking on festival sidewalks. For parking, the FAQ points to its map, River Road, and nearby lots. Because Via Colori runs both days, it is the easy one to save for Sunday if Saturday fills up.

What else is free Saturday morning?

Westport Village holds its trick or treat Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at 1315 Herr Ln. The Westport Village events page says kids stroll door to door at participating businesses, with a DJ, a free photo booth, and a Halloween performance from Dancensation at 11 a.m. in the green space.

Louisville Free Public Library branches have four Saturday morning programs. The listings show no fee.

Crescent Hill Library, 2762 Frankfort Ave., hosts a drop in Halloween craft morning from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., best for ages 3 to 10, per the LFPL listing. The branch number is 502 574 1793.

Parkland Library holds its first block party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for all ages, with activities and vendors, per the LFPL listing.

Shawnee Library, 3912 W. Broadway, hosts Operation ALL Storytime from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The LFPL listing says Aiden McFadden, a Louisville City FC player and founder of Collective ARC, will be the guest reader. The listing is aimed at ages 6 to 12. The branch number is 502 574 1722.

Bon Air Library, 2816 Del Rio Place, throws a Preschool Halloween Party from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages 2 to 5 in costume. The LFPL listing promises "No scares, just giggles!" Registration is required, and the listing says registration closes at 10 a.m. that day. The branch number is 502 574 1795.

Saturday afternoon crafts and a costume party

For something free Saturday afternoon after the Showcase, Shively Library, 3920 Dixie Highway, holds its fourth annual Ghoul's Gala from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for ages 0 to 12. The LFPL listing lists trick or treat bag making, crafts, games, potion play, sensory activities, and a costume contest. Adults are expected to stay and take part with their children. The branch number is 502 574 1730, and it is about 15 minutes south of the Showcase.

Newburg Library, 4800 Exeter Ave., holds Kids Fuse Bead Art from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. for ages 6 to 12 and their caregivers. The LFPL listing says templates are provided, or kids can make up their own design. The branch number is 502 479 6160.

What is free Sunday, October 25?

The Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. Third St., is pay what you can on Sundays. The Speed visit page calls it "free general admission with the option to donate," and says children under 12 must be with an adult. That is how the page reads as of October 13, 2026. Recheck the page the week of your visit before you count on it. The Cressman Art Park outside is free and open from dawn to dusk.

South Central Regional Library, 7300 Jefferson Blvd., hosts children's author and illustrator Alex Willan from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a storytime built around his newest book in The Worst! series. The LFPL listing says it is free, but space is limited and registration is required. Carmichael's Bookstore is presenting it, and books will be for sale. The branch number is 502 964 3515.

Three east end church trunk or treats

For free trunk or treats Sunday, October 25, three east end churches hold them in the afternoon. Two call theirs free, and the third does not print a price. The Sojourn East and Middletown times overlap, so choose one.

Adventure Christian Church, 3321 Ruckriegel Pkwy., holds an indoor Trunk or Treat from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The church's event page lists a candy trail, food, crafts, games, and bounce houses. Indoor matters if Sunday turns rainy.

Sojourn East, 2501 Rudy Lane, holds its Trunk or Treat from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Sojourn East page says admission, activities, bounce houses, candy, concessions, and the petting zoo are all free, no registration is needed, and children of all ages are welcome. Come anytime in the two hours.

Middletown United Methodist Church, 11902 Old Shelbyville Road, runs its Trunk or Treat from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The church's event page calls it free, safe, and family friendly. The church office is 502 245 8839.

What costs a little money Sunday?

Churchill Downs holds Trick or Treat at the Track during Family Adventure Day Sunday at 700 Central Ave. The Churchill Downs event page says gates open at noon and the first race is at 1 p.m. It lists trick or treat stations, a toddler bounce and soft play area, a game zone, and a Halloween crafts station on the second floor Paddock Terrace.

With a general admission ticket, children get in free with a paying adult 18 or older with a valid ID, limited to two children per adult. Reserved seating has different child rules. The event page doesn't print the general admission price, so check it on Ticketmaster before you buy. Families check in at the Family Adventure Day tent by the Paddock Gate.

If Saturday morning is the Showcase, choose one downtown stop for the afternoon and keep Via Colori or a Sunday trunk or treat as the backup plan.