Block Party Presented by Park Community Credit Union
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.
Stay tuned for the complete line-up for the 2026 Block Party!
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.
The DECI, which launched in spring 2021 and is a multi-year initiative, is a combined effort to incorporate equitable programming into the Derby season with the intention of directing economic impact and ensuring that the entire community feels a part of the Derby season and the celebrations that surround it. One of the main pillars of DECI is to CREATE new and culturally celebratory experiences, like Block Party, for the community. More details on DECI can be found online at KDF.org/DECI.
In addition to partnerships with Churchill Downs and Humana, the Kentucky Derby Festival also sought input from several members of the community, who played an instrumental role in the creation of the Block Party.
