From Thunder Over Louisville to the parade, 2024's top 13 Kentucky Derby Festival events
Gege Reed
What other city besides Louisville turns a two-minute horse race into a month-long party? The Kentucky Derby Festival party is a community celebration packed with more than 70 events leading up to the first Saturday in May. And while Churchill Downs might be the expert on racing horses, the Derby Festival races everything from people and beds to steamboats.
Some events are free with a 2024 Pegasus Pin, which can be purchased in advance at select retailers for $7 or online at kdf.org. A Pegasus Pin can be purchased at the gate of many events for $10.
Here are more than 14 events in date order on the 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival’s official schedule to put on your calendar for this spring:
Dillard's Spring Fashion Show
WHAT: See the latest spring fashion trends and accessories for the Kentucky Derby season from Dillard's and local boutiques as they come down the runway at this annual style extravaganza. It’s the place to find your Derby Festival must-haves along with what to wear for the upcoming season. For ages 21 and older.
WHEN: March 28. Boutique shopping and cocktails at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the fashion show at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Caesars Southern Indiana, 11999 Casino Center Drive, Elizabeth, Indiana
COST: $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of 10 for showroom/main floor seating and includes reserved dinner seating, wine, goodie bag, event pin and show; $75 per person for balcony seating and includes hors d’oeuvres, two drink tickets, goodie bag and event pin.
More:Looking for Kentucky Derby outfit inspiration? How to get tickets to two spring fashion shows
Zoeller Pump Company Touring Parade
WHAT: The touring parade will help kick off the Kentucky Derby Festival's celebrations. The traveling display will feature units riding through neighborhood streets and parks.
WHEN: April 6, noon to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Area parks and neighborhoods.
- noon: Leaves Zoeller Pump Company
- Noon to 1 p.m.: Chickasaw Park, Shawnee Park, Broadway, Waterfront Park, Main and Market
- 1-2 p.m.: Shelby Park, Southern Parkway, Iroquois Park
- 2-2:30 p.m.: Iroquois Park
- 2:30-4 p.m.: Auburndale and Pleasure Ridge Park
COST: Free
Republic Bank BourbonVille
WHAT: Sip on signature drinks from some of Kentucky's top bourbon distilleries, enjoy bourbon-inspired cuisine and meet Master Distillers at this annual bourbon affair. For ages 21 and older.
WHEN: April 11, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Frazier History Museum, 829 W. Main St.
COST: $75 general admission (includes bourbon and food tastings, a commemorative glass, BourbonVille pin, swag bag and access to Frazier Museum exhibits); $125 VIP (includes the complete event experience, VIP room, exclusive bourbon tasting, premium gift bag, access to Frazier Museum exhibits and early access at 5:30 p.m.)
Block Party Presented by Churchill Downs, Humana and Park Community Credit Union
WHAT: Community celebration of Derby-time traditions that showcase the talent and resources throughout Louisville. Highlights: cuisine from local food trucks, live entertainment, MELANnaire Marketplace, community village, health screenings, children's activities and more
WHEN: April 13, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center, 3029 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
COST: Free
The Fillies Derby Ball Presented by Cadillac
WHAT: Experience an evening of “Old Hollywood Glam” with cocktails, dinner, dancing, and the Queen’s Coronation, where the Kentucky Derby Festival Queen will be chosen. New this year is a Speakeasy experience. Music by Radiotronic. Produced by the Fillies Inc.
WHEN: April 13, 6 p.m. Cocktails, 6 p.m.; dinner, 8 p.m.; dancing, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
WHERE: Galt House, 140 N. Fourth St.
COST: $300 per person; $3,500 for a table of 10; $50 Speakeasy
More:Here they are! Meet the 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses
PNC Tour de Lou
WHAT: The Derby Festival's cycling experience is a unique way to tour the city on two wheels while passing through some of the city’s scenic parks, neighborhoods and historic sites, including Churchill Downs (home of the Kentucky Derby), with cyclists from all across the country. The race has staggered start times based on distance, 20-mile, 35-mile, and Metric Century routes. Metric Century, 8 a.m.; 35-mile ride, 8:10 a.m.; 20-mile ride, 8:20 a.m.
WHEN: April 14, 8 a.m.
WHERE: New start and finish for the 2024 cycling event. Begins and ends at NuLu Marketplace on Main Street in Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood
COST: $60 for the 20-mile ride; $65 for the 35-mile ride; $90 for the Metric Century; $45 for the virtual ride. (Prices increase on April 1).
More:PNC Tour de Lou adds a finisher medal, releases course details. Here's what to expect
They're Off! Luncheon Presented by BAE Systems
WHAT: The official Kentucky Derby Festival kick-off luncheon. The speaker will be announced at a later date.
WHEN: April 19, 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Grand Ballroom, Galt House Hotel, 140 S. Fourth St.
COST: $130 per person; $1,040 for a table of eight.
Thunder Over Louisville
WHAT: One of the largest annual fireworks shows in North America. The 2024 theme is "Celebrating Derby 150." Sponsors: Caesars Southern Indiana, Humana, LG&E, Meijer and UPS.
WHEN: April 20. Foodfest and Thunder on the Ground start at 11 a.m.; the air show starts at 3 p.m.; drone and night show starts at 9 p.m., and fireworks blast off at 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Waterfront Park, 129 E. River Road
COST: Admission is a 2024 Pegasus Pin. Find more information at ThunderOverLouisville.org.
Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront
WHAT: The ultimate entertainment experience features concerts with a wide variety of musical genres including jazz, R&B, country, rock and blues; also family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground and midway rides. Plus, visit the Chow Wagon, an outdoor food and live music venue, that is one of the highlights of Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.
WHEN: April 25 to May 3, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., except Sunday, April 28, noon to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Waterfront Park, 129 E. River Road
COST: Admission is free with a 2024 Pegasus Pin.
L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloonfest
WHAT: Colorful hot air balloons will light up the Louisville skyline during this Derby Festival favorite that features four events.
WHEN and WHERE:
- Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow: April 25 and 26, 8:30 p.m., Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront
- Rush Hour Race: April 26, 7 a.m., Bowman Field
- Great Balloon Race: April 27, 7 a.m., Bowman Field
COST: Free admission with a 2024 Pegasus Pin.
GE Appliances Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon/Marathon
WHAT: Kentucky’s largest day of road racing with miniMarathon and the Marathon. 13.1-mile routes, and 26.2-mile routes. In-person and virtual.
WHEN: April 27, 7 a.m.
WHERE: Starts at Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St., and ends at Lynn Family Stadium, 350 Adam St.
COST: $110 miniMarathon; $120 Marathon; $325 Marathon Relay; $50 virtual. (Rates increase on March 11). DerbyFestivalMarathon.com.
More:The Kentucky Derby Festival marathon is on! First details on the course, medal design for 2024
Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade
WHAT: The Derby Festival's traditional parade will be held on a Sunday so more fans can help kick off Derby Week. The 2024 theme is "Celebrating Derby 150" in honor of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. Featuring nearly 100 units, including inflatables, floats, marching bands and equestrians.
WHEN: April 28, 3 p.m.
WHERE: Marches west on Broadway from Campbell to 9th streets
COST: New this year bleacher seats (along Broadway from Hancock to 6th streets) are free courtesy of Churchill Down Incorporated; $50 for VIP reserved bleacher seats in TV Zone with parking pass for every four tickets purchased and complimentary drinks and snacks (along Broadway between Floyd and Preston streets).
Samtec Great Bed Races
WHAT: Beds aren’t for sleeping during Derby Week, they are for racing. Check out more than 30 beds on wheels as they race around a track in Broadbent Arena. The 2024 theme is “Celebrating Derby 150,” in honor of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.
WHEN: April 29. Tailgate party, 1 p.m.; parade of the beds, 6 p.m.; race begins, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Broadbent Arena, Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane
COST: Free admission with a 2024 Pegasus Pin. Parking is $12.
Commonwealth Credit Union WineFest
WHAT: Sip and savor more than 100 local wines from Kentucky wineries. For ages 21 and older.
WHEN: April 30, 6-9 p.m.; VIP, 5-9 p.m.
WHERE: Picasso and Monet Rooms, Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave.
COST: General admission: $75 (includes wine tastings, light appetizers, souvenir glass and WineFest event pin); VIP: $125 (limited availability and includes early access at 5 p.m., VIP private area, food sampling, VIP gift and exclusive barrel wine tasting from Kentucky Derby Festival Official Wine Old 502. Designated driver, $25.
Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race
WHAT: This long-running Derby Festival favorite will pit the Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati on the Ohio River as they compete for bragging rights and the coveted Silver Antlers.
WHEN: May 1. Board at 4:30 p.m.; depart at 5:45 p.m.; race starts at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Wharf at the Waterfront
COST: Belle, $200 (limited availability). Belle of Cincinnati, $80 cruise only, $125 dinner and cruise (800-261-8586 or bbriverboats.com). Free spectator viewing at Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront and along the banks of the Ohio River.
Reach News Clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.