Thunder Aircraft Arrivals (4).jpeg

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Thunder Over Louisville's schedule and air show lineup was released Friday afternoon. 

The Kentucky Derby Festival said the air show timing is subject to change. 

Download PDF Thunder 2024 air show schedule

Thunder Over Louisville is the all-day event that serves as the opening ceremony of the Kentucky Derby Festival on Saturday, April 20, 2024. 

The event is free to all who purchase a 2024 Pegasus Pin. The $7 pins are sold at hundreds of retailers in Louisville and southern Indiana.

There are plenty of vendors in viewing areas along the Ohio River, if you don't bring your own food and drink.

Thunder soundtrack released! 

KDF also released the 2024 playlist that will be the score of Thunder Over Louisville. 

soundtrack features a mix of current songs and crowd favorites. Themed “Celebrating Derby 150” – this year’s playlist also includes tributes to the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.

“The tempo is the fastest-paced soundtrack we’ve ever had,” said Wayne Hettinger, Producer of Thunder Over Louisville. “The pace of this year’s soundtrack is a mix of current music that guarantees to make you weak in the knees and looking for something to hang on to for the finale.”

Here’s a look at the 2024 Thunder Over Louisville Soundtrack:

  • The Greatest Show – Panic! At The Disco
  • Dance The Night – Dua Lipa
  • Flowers – Miley Cyrus
  • Just Dropped In (To See What My Condition Was In) – The First Edition
  • Screaming Suicide – Metallica
  • Lil Boo Thang – Paul Russell
  • Under You – Foo Fighters
  • When You Wish Upon A Star – Linda Ronstadt
  • Twinkle Twinkle Little Star/Ahi Wela – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
  • Worship – Jon Batiste
  • Run for the Roses – Dan Fogelberg
  • Standing Next to You – Jung Kook and USHER
  • Turn On The Lights again.. -- (feat. Future) – Fred Again, Swedish House Mafia, Future
  • Wild Child – The Black Keys
  • That is What You Came For – Calvin Harris and Rihanna
  • 3D – Jung Kook featuring Jack Harlow
  • Gangnam Style – Glee Cast
  • Edge of Midnight – Miley Cyrus
  • Style – Taylor Swift
  • Welcome To My Island – Caroline Polachek
  • Help! – The Beatles
  • Girl In A Country Song – Maddie & Tae
  • Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) – Big & Rich
  • Fast Car – Luke Combs
  • Hold On, We’re Going Home – Drake, Majid Jordan
  • Miracle – Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
  • That! Feels Good! – Jessie Ware
  • Houdini – Dua Lipa
  • Baby Don’t Hurt Me – David Guetta, Anne-Marie and Coi Leray
  • We Are the Champions – Crazy Frog
  • Kiss Him Goodbye – Crazy Frog
  • Olympic Fanfare – Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel
  • The Beast – From “Sicario” – Johann Johannsson
  • Colonel Bogey March – Kenneth J. Alford, John Williams & Boston Pops Orchestra

With multiple sound tower locations throughout the venue, fans can enjoy the narration of the air show, event announcements and the fireworks soundtrack. Towers are located at the Belvedere, Thunder Chow Wagon, North Great Lawn, and Big Four Bridge Lawn.

Thunder in the sky! 

Thunder Over Louisville includes a day full of planes, helicopters and aerial demonstrations. Look to the sky over the Ohio River to see numerous aerobatic routines and some of the most unique aircraft in the country, many of them having a connection to the Louisville area. 

2024 Highlights include:

  • Air Force Viper Demo and Heritage Flight
  • Air Force C-17 Demo (with an aerial refueling demonstration)
  • Navy Growler with Legacy Flight
  • U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue
  • Matt Younkin’s “Magic by Moonlight” performance
  • Vintage Champion Air Racer “Mr. Mulligan”
  • Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Demo

Appearances include international partners like the Canadian CF-18s and German A400 “Grizzly."

Spectators will witness fly-bys from the B-52, a flight of Kentucky Air National Guard C-130s, and numerous rotary aircraft, including a helicopter infiltration and extraction demo accomplished by the Kentucky Army National Guard and the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron.

*PLEASE NOTE: Aircraft subject to change on show day.

Locations and attractions on the waterfront

North Great Lawn - Opens at 9 a.m.

  • Featuring the best views of the show, a beer garden, a variety of food and thunder sound.
  • The UPS Flight Deck is a prime viewing and photo-taking spot, with additional activities.

South Great Lawn - Opens at 9 a.m. Activities open at 11 a.m.

  • The AKIMA Military Zone includes the Kentucky Army National Guard Vehicle Display, U.S. Air Force Simulation Trailer, U.S. Army Blackhawk Helicopter, U.S. Coast Guard Boat and Helicopter, and the U.S. Marines Pull-up Challenge.
  • Additional activities from 502 Hemp, AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists, Colts in Motion, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, Harbor House of Louisville, Heuser Hearing Institute, LasikPlus, T-Mobile, Universal Windows Direct, Verizon, War Survivors Institute
  • And families can enjoy the amusement rides:
    • Ali Baba
    • Chopper
    • Lil’Wheel
    • Merry Go Round
    • Music Express
    • Ships Ahoy
    • And more

Thunder Chow Wagon - Opens at 11 a.m.

  • As always, the delicious Chow Wagon® includes a Beer Garden featuring Don Julio Tequila, Four Roses Bourbon, Miller Lite, Old 502 Winery, and Coke products.
  • And the Miller Lite Music Stage features Lampus from 2:30pm – 5pm and Soul Circus from 6pm – 9pm.

Big Four Bridge Lawn - Opens at 11 a.m.

  • The Meijer Family Fun Zone runs from 12pm-8pm and has plenty of family-friendly fun options including Big Red Chair Photo Opp, Bounce House, Derby City Foam Parties, Fowling (football-bowling), Football Toss, Giveaways, Inflatable Cornhole, Inflatable Obstacle Course, Inflatable Slide, Putt-Putt Mini Golf, Speed Pitch, Face Painting (2pm-6pm) and much more.
  • Enjoy refreshments from the Miller Lite Beer Garden along with a variety of food vendors.

Belvedere - Opens at 11 a.m.

  • Concessions available.
  • Front row view of the Drone Show Powered by LG&E

West River Road - Opens at 9 a.m.

  • Airshow, Drones & Fireworks viewing along the Wharf!
  • Rides: Fun House, Quads, Revenge of the Pirates, Round Up, Slide, Strawberries

Where to buy official Thunder merchandise, Pegasus Pins and event pins

  • Chow Wagon
  • South Great Lawn
  • East Great Lawn
  • 2nd and River Rd.
  • 3rd and River Rd.
  • 4th and River Rd.
  • Witherspoon and Bingham
  • Merchant Row along Witherspoon

More Thunder Over Louisville Coverage: 

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.