The Kentucky Derby Festival recognizes the importance of public health and safety – it is always the Derby Festival’s top priority and we appreciate everything that is being done for all of us. We want to do our part as well, and with an abundance of caution, have decided to postpone the 2020 Kentucky Derby Festival until later in the year.

The schedule may look a little different as we move things into a new timeframe, but there will be a Thunder Over Louisville, a miniMarathon, a Pegasus Parade, and many other events in between. 

This year’s BB&T Great BalloonFest has been rescheduled! Check the schedule below for new event dates.

Recognized by Louisville Magazine as Louisville’s “Best Event,” the 49th annual Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race will come together with the 29th annual Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow and other events to create the Kentucky Derby Festival Great BalloonFest.

Taking place the weekend before the Kentucky Derby, these four events attract tens of thousands of spectators to the Kentucky Exposition Center and other locations throughout Greater Louisville.

BB&T Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glimmer

August 27, 2020 | 8:30 pm | Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville

BB&T Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race

August 28, 2020 | 7:00 am Launch | Bowman Field

BB&T Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow

August 28, 2020| Gates open at 6:00 pm | Kentucky Exposition Center

$10 KEC parking fee

BB&T Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race

August 29, 2020 | 7:00 am Launch | Bowman Field

Got a little one? Don’t forget to download a “Gus” Pegasus Coloring Page for BB&T Bank Great BalloonFest! Download the BalloonFest Coloring Page