Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival
Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival
KMLF 2025 | May 22nd - 25th

Experience the Magic of the Gem City
Get ready for an amazing time in Pineville! Dive into our historic festival and stroll our picturesque downtown, all while surrounded by stunning mountains. Savor local traditions, yummy food, and breathtaking hiking trails at Pine Mountain State Park. You won't want to miss the excitement of the carnival, the lively local music stage, and the spectacular Grand Parade on Saturday morning, followed by the extraordinary Queen's Coronation – a sight you don't want to miss.
Festival Week! Here's what to do.
A complete list of scheduled events will be posted closer to the festival. It can be found on here, as well as our Facebook Page and can be found at event sites. But here are the main events you don't want to miss!
🎶 Opening Night Concert – Featuring SHENANDOAH with Tim Goodin!
📅 Thursday, May 22, 2025
📍 Pineville High (New) Gym
🕕 Doors Open: 6:00 PM | 🎤 Show Starts: 7:00 PM (🎟️ Ticketed Event)
The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival kicks off in style with a night of toe-tapping, sing-your-heart-out country music! Local favorite Tim Goodin will set the stage before legendary Shenandoah takes over, bringing their classic hits to life. But that’s not all! Before the music starts, watch as our dazzling Princess & Queen candidates make their grand entrance, shimmering under the stage lights. A little music, a little pageantry, and a whole lot of small-town magic—grab your tickets now!
👑 Princess Coronation
📅 Friday, May 23, 2025
📍 Pineville High (Old) Gym
Behold the beauty, the grace, and the Crowning of a Princess! Young ladies from high schools across Kentucky will take the stage in breathtaking, spring-hued ball gowns, curtsying to an adoring crowd before twirling through the elegant Grand March. It’s a night of tradition, charm, and a little fairy-tale magic—don’t miss it!
🎭 The Gala Parade
📅 Saturday, May 24, 2025
📍 Downtown Pineville, on Kentucky Avenue
🚧 Streets Close: 8:00 AM | 🎉 Parade Begins: 10:00 AM (🌟 Free Event!)
Get ready for THE parade of the year! Grab your best derby hat, don some pink & green, and get to town early—because when the cannon fires, the magic begins! From sparkling floats to high-stepping marchers, this beloved tradition brings the entire town together in a flurry of music, laughter, and hometown pride.
🍽️ The Governor’s Luncheon
📅 Saturday, May 24, 2025
📍 Pine Mountain State Resort Park Lodge
🕛 12:00 PM (🎟️ Ticketed Event)
Ever wanted to dine with the Governor? Now’s your chance! Enjoy a delicious meal at the Pine Mountain Lodge, hear special remarks, and soak in the grandeur of this time-honored tradition. Just make sure to grab your tickets before May 21st!
✨ The Queen’s Coronation
📅 Saturday, May 24, 2025
📍 Laurel Cove Amphitheater, Pine Mountain State Resort Park
🕑 2:00 PM (🎟️ Ticketed Event)
This is THE moment—the tradition that started it all. Picture this: twenty-three elegant ladies, draped in white, gracefully curtseying before the Governor and the gathered crowd as one of them is crowned Kentucky Mountain Laurel Queen. With the breathtaking mountain backdrop and the whispers of history in the air, this is an experience you won’t forget.
💃 The Grand March
📅 Saturday, May 24, 2025
📍 Pineville High (Old) Gym
🕗 8:00 PM
Step back in time and into a gilded age of elegance! The Queen is presented, the festival’s final remarks are made, and then, the magic begins—the famous Grand March. If you’ve never seen it, imagine a grand courtly dance, filled with tradition and grace. It’s one of the most anticipated moments of the weekend!
🎭 The Queen’s Ball
📅 Saturday, May 24, 2025
📍 Pineville High (Old) Gym
🕘 9:00 - 11:00 PM (🎟️ Ticketed Event, 18+ Only)
Dust off your dancing shoes, pick out your finest semi-formal attire, and get ready to dance the night away at this enchanting evening! Whether you’re bringing a date or rolling in with friends, the Queen’s Ball is the final celebration of the festival weekend. Tickets available at the door!
🥞 The Queen’s Breakfast
📅 Sunday, May 25, 2025
📍 Pine Mountain State Park Lodge
🎟️ Ticketed Event
Before we say farewell to another unforgettable Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, there’s one more tradition to savor: breakfast fit for royalty! Enjoy a buffet-style feast at Pine Mountain Lodge, hear final stories and awards, and share a warm sendoff with the Queen and her court. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a weekend of magic!
Local Lodging

Pine Mountain State Resort Park

Local Hotels
