Experience an evening of masks, mystery and royal tradition at the Derby Ball that starts it all! As one of the longstanding traditions on the Derby Festival’s line-up, this year’s black-tie ball is themed “A Royal Masquerade,” and will bring the elegance of Venice, Italy, to life as guests gather for an evening of celebration and the crowning of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Queen.

Highlights include:

• Gondola Singer
• Cocktail reception where guests can step into the charm of a Venetian marketplace featuring a candy cart, flower shop, premium cigars, coffee, specialty cocktails, entertainers, and more.
• Elegant dinner and dessert
• Be part of the historic crowning of the Queen of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court by the traditional spin of the wheel
• Live and silent auctions
• Dancing and live entertainment by The Juice Box Heroes

Location: Omni Louisville Hotel

6:00 PM Cocktails
6:45 PM Doors Open
7:15 PM Queen’s Coronation
8:00 PM Dinner & Live Auction
9:00 PM Dancing until midnight with live entertainment by The Juice Box Heroes

Tickets: $350 each; $5,000 for a VIP table of 10

(Reserved seated ticketing includes cocktail reception, live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing and event Pin)

Produced by The Fillies, Inc.

A portion of proceeds benefits the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation.