April 26, 2026. Louisville, KY. This is the schedule for SUNDAY’S Derby Festival activities.
Parading on Broadway:
ZOELLER PUMP COMPANY KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL PEGASUS® PARADE. 3 PM. West on Broadway from Campbell to 9th streets. Annual parade that kicks off the Derby Week festivities, featuring colorful floats, marching bands, inflatables and equestrians. Theme: “Festival on the Move.” General Admission bleacher tickets along route: FREE to the public. courtesy of Churchill Downs. VIP tickets: $50 (includes parking pass and complimentary drinks). Tickets available at KDF.org or call (502) 584-FEST. Streamed live on WAVE3.com on April 26. Broadcast special on April 30 at 8 PM on WAVE. Sponsor: Zoeller Pump Company. Contributing Sponsors: Churchill Downs and Kentucky Venues. Official Hotel: The Galt House Hotel. Official Broadcast Partner: WAVE.
Mayor’s Derby Brunch:
Mayor’s Derby Brunch on the River. 11 AM – 1:30 PM. Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing. A festive brunch featuring a traditional Kentucky breakfast, music, silent and live auctions, and tours of the Farnsley-Moremen House. Tickets: $125 per person; $950 for a table of 8. Produced by Riverside, The Farnsley-Moreman Landing, with proceeds supporting the historic property’s mission. For tickets or information, call (502) 935-6809 or Riverside-Landing.org.
Custom Cars:
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL CUSTOM CAR SHOWCASE AT KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE. Noon – 5 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Ringling Circus Party Lawn (Great Lawn). Enjoy beautifully painted and detailed custom cars from all over the United States and Canada. Presented by USO and Individuals Car Club. Admission is free with a 2026 Pegasus Pin®. Sponsor: Kroger. Contributing Sponsor: Digital EFX. (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)
Gospel Artist & Choir Showcase:
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL GOSPELFESTSM presented by passport BY MOLINA healthcare and Republic bank. 6 – 9 PM. (Entrance closes at 8 PM.) Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Gospel Artist and Choir Showcase. Admission is free with a 2026 Pegasus Pin®. Presenting Sponsors: Passport by Molina Healthcare and Republic Bank. Media Sponsor: B96.5 FM.
The celebration continues at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville and the Chow Wagon:
Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the WaterfrontSM. Open Sunday Noon – 9 PM. (Entrance closes at 8 PM.) Waterfront Park. ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more at the Ringling Circus Party Lawn (Great Lawn). All attendees under 18 years old must be accompanied by a chaperone 21 years of age or older. Admission is free with a 2026 Pegasus Pin®. (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED). Sponsor: Kroger. Ringling Circus Party Lawn: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®. Music Stage Sponsor: Miller Lite. Pegasus Play-Ville Sponsor: Norton Children’s. Official Safe Ride Home Partner: Kentucky Office of Highway Safety Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL CHOW WAGON® Open Sunday Noon – 9 PM. (Entrance closes at 8 PM.) Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Outdoor food & live music venue. Happy Hour Weekdays 4 – 6 PM $4 beer at the Beer Garden. All attendees under 18 years old must be accompanied by a chaperone 21 years of age or older. Admission is free with a 2026 Pegasus Pin®. (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED). Sponsor: Kroger. Music Stage Sponsor: Miller Lite.
About Kentucky Derby Festival
2026 marks the 71st year for the Kentucky Derby Festival, a month-long celebration packed with 70+ events leading up to the first Saturday in May. As an independent community organization, it’s supported by 4,000 volunteers, more than 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people every spring and has a local economic impact of more than $200 million. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
