The Kentucky Derby Festival’s Block Party returns for the fifth year on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center. The free event debuted in 2022 with the support of Churchill Downs and Humana and the Derby Festival’s Derby Equity and Community Initiative (DECI). Louisville-based company, Park Community Credit Union, joined forces in 2023 and is the Presenting Sponsor of the day-long event, held from noon to 6 p.m.

Block Party has become a new annual tradition on the Derby Festival’s line-up of more than 70 springtime events and shines the spotlight on talent and resources throughout Louisville, including minority-owned businesses in West Louisville. Guests can enjoy an all-day celebration featuring cuisine from local food trucks, live entertainment, a shopping marketplace, wellness activations, a vendor fair, programming and more.

In addition to Park Community Credit Union, several community members and groups continue to play a role in the production of the Block Party event.

From food and shopping to entertainment and health and wellness, Block Party 2026 highlights include:

• 15+ local food trucks and vendors, including complimentary water from the Louisville Water Company.
  
• 55+ vendors at The MELANnaire Marketplace, featuring vendors and merchants that highlight Black entrepreneurs. This marketplace is your one-stop shop for spring fashions, accessories, gourmet food, and more.
  
• Live entertainment across multiple stages throughout the day, showcasing a range of music genres.
  
• Fun children’s activities, including inflatables, face painting and more.
  
• A Community Village featuring 20+ local nonprofits, all with missions to help meet the needs of residents in the West Louisville Community.
  
• Park Community Credit Union will offer financial literacy expertise and loan information and have a Photo Booth onsite.
  
• Norton Healthcare will be onsite offering prevention and wellness tips. 
• Heuser Hearing Institute will offer free hearing screenings and hearing protection.

New Easter Egg Hunts Sponsored by Humana and produced by The Hope Village

They’ll be taking place throughout the afternoon:

• 2:30 PM – Ages 10 and under
• 3:00 PM – Ages 11 and up
• 3:30 PM – Community-wide hunt for all ages

New Passport Activity 

New for 2026, fans can participate in the Block Party Passport Presented by Brown-Forman. This interactive experience guides guests through key event areas, including the MELANaire Marketplace, the Community Village, and the Health & Wellness zone, as well as Street Food Row. Participants who complete their passports will be eligible for a variety of prizes provided by Brown-Forman, including sets of four passes to the Louisville Zoo and the Kentucky Derby Museum, as well as passes to the Muhammad Ali Center.

Food Trucks and Vendors 

This year’s culinary lineup features an assortment of options and local flavors, including returning favorites BRAINFREEZE: Cones for a Cause, Annie Up Pizza, Slushie Lab, Sugar Rush and Sum, and Gores SmokeOut, as well as exciting new additions like Acme Chicken Bowls, JoyFul Eats, All Things Fish, Blondie on the Block and The Cookie Cabinet. There will also be international foods from Made in Brazil, Al Prince Mediterranean, and authentic Kenyan flavors from Sasa Samosa Kitchen.

Live Entertainment

The Ford Philanthropy Music Stage will feature a non-stop lineup of performances beginning at noon, starting with a magical tribute to Disney Musicals followed by a showcase of Black Broadway. The afternoon continues with artistic honors for legends Alvin Ailey and Debbie Allen, followed by back-to-back celebrations of the legendary Queens and Kings of R&B. In the evening the stage will come alive with the sounds of Motown and culminating in a Grand Finale: A Tribute to Pop and Rock n Roll.

Admission to Block Party is FREE.

Parking at the venue will also be FREE thanks to the partnership with Park Community Credit Union.

No outside food or drinks can be brought into the venue.