April 14, 2026. Louisville, KY. We’re counting down to the return of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies: Thunder Over Louisville! This year’s event, set for this Saturday, April 18, will include a packed air show, with military and civilian air acts. Here’s the full lineup* as of April 14, 2026 (in alphabetical order):
- Ace Maker T-33
- Britt Lincoln Extra 300
- Charlie Morris Airshows
- CT-142 Royal Canadia Air Force
- Grumman G-44 Widgeon
- KY ANG – C-130J Formation
- KY ANG STS (HALO)
- KY ANG – UH 60 Blackhawks
- LA ANG F-15C “The Bayou Militia”
- LMPD River Patrol Rescue Demo
- Matt Younkin Twin Beech 18
- MV-22 Osprey
- Skyliners T-34 Mento
- Smoke On Aviation
- Trojan Thunder T-28
- USAF F-16 Demo Team
- USAF Heritage Flight Formation
- USAF P-51 Demonstration
- USAF T-6 Formation
- USAF T-38 Formation
- Wisconsin ANG F-35
- Waco Taperwing “KONG”
- WV ANG “Charlie West” C130J-30 Super Hercules
- YAK-15
*PLEASE NOTE: Aircraft subject to change on show day.
Thunder Over Louisville – the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies – is one of the more than seventy events produced by the Kentucky Derby Festival in the Spring. The 2026 Thunder Over Louisville is set for Saturday, April 18. 2026.
Thunder Over Louisville Show Sponsors: Caesars Southern Indiana, Ford Motor Company, LG&E, Meijer, UA Local 502 and UPS are Presenting Sponsors of Thunder Over Louisville. Military Zone Sponsor: KCS Foundation and Waterproofing. Official Healthcare Provider: UofL Health. Official Bourbon: Four Roses Bourbon. Official Hotel: The Galt House Hotel. Official Soccer Partner: Lynn Family Stadium. Supporting Sponsor: CLARK Material Handling Company. Official Broadcast Partners: WLKY, Q103.1 and MIX 106.9.
