04/24/26 – ZOELLER PUMP COMPANY PEGASUS PARADE MARCHES DOWN BROADWAY THIS SUNDAY
SPECIALTY UNITS, MARCHING BANDS, AND MORE April 24, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The event that started the Kentucky Derby Festival – the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade – steps off THIS SUNDAY, April 26, at 3 p.m. The parade, which is celebrating its 71st march in 2026, will head down Broadway from Campbell to 9th […]
04/23/26 – RUNNER’S FLAME TO DEBUT AT 2026 DERBY FESTIVAL ROAD RACES
RUNNER’S FLAME TO DEBUT AT 2026 DERBY FESTIVAL ROAD RACES April 23, 2026. Louisville, KY. –The Kentucky Derby Festival is adding a new tradition to Race Weekend with the debut of The Runner’s Flame Presented by Humana at the 2026 Humana miniMarathon and Marathon. The flame will be lit at the start line and then […]
04/22/26 – RACE EXPO RETURNS TO FREEDOM HALL THIS THURSDAY
PACKET PICK-UP FOR miniMARATHON, MARATHON AND FESTIVAL 5K April 22, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Runners participating in the Humana miniMarathon and Marathon, and the 2nd Annual Festival 5K Presented by First Urology, can pick up their race packets starting Thursday, April 23 at the Publix Super Markets Race Expo and Packet Pick-Up. More than 11,000 […]
04/22/26 – DERBY FESTIVAL 5K SET FOR FRIDAY NIGHT
REGISTRATION IS SOLD OUT FOR 2026 EVENT April 22, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival 5K Presented by First Urology returns Friday evening, April 24, kicking off a full weekend of racing with the traditional Humana miniMarathon and Marathon on Saturday, April 25. Registration is SOLD OUT with 1,500 participants expected at the […]
04/21/26 – L&N FEDERAL CREDIT UNION GREAT BALLOONFEST RETURNS THURSDAY
L&N FEDERAL CREDIT UNION GREAT BALLOONFEST RETURNS THURSDAY April 21, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest – one of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s most colorful and picturesque events – takes flight Thursday with four hot-air balloon events over three days! This year’s Great BalloonFest features two Balloon Glows and two […]
04/21/26 – KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE OPENS THURSDAY
FANS INVITED TO RIBBON CUTTING AT 11 AM April 21, 2026. Louisville, KY. – One of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s signature events – Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront – opens Thursday, April 23 at 11 a.m. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. in front of the main entrance to mark the […]
04/20/26 – OFFICIAL COCKTAIL SELECTED FOR 2026 GREAT STEAMBOAT RACE
BATTLE OF THE BELLES RETURNS NEXT WEEK OFFICIAL STEAMBOAT RACE COCKTAIL SELECTED April 20, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The Battle of the Belles returns Derby Week! The Belle of Louisville is ready to reclaim her title in the 2026 Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race. The Belle was sidelined last year due to a leak in […]
04/14/26 – 2026 THUNDER AIR SHOW ACTS
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 […]
04/13/26 – THUNDER VIEWING OPTIONS ALONG THE RIVER
THUNDER VIEWING OPTIONS ALONG THE RIVER April 13, 2026. Louisville, KY – As one of the nation’s largest firework displays, Thunder Over Louisville can be seen for miles! There is plenty of free public viewing along the river in downtown Louisville, Waterfront Park and along River Road, as well as in Southern Indiana. There are […]
04/11/26 – PNC TOUR DE LOU RIDES TOMORROW!
PNC TOUR DE LOU CYCLING EVENT RIDES THROUGH LOUISVILLE TOMORROW NEW START AND FINISH, PLUS 12-MILE ROUTE ADDED FOR 2026 April 11, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual cycling event – the PNC Tour de Lou – will roll through Louisville TOMORROW. This year, the start and finish line will have a […]
4/11/26 – DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTEST STARTS NEXT WEEK
TAKE A SWING AT $1 MILLION DURING STOCK YARDS BANK DERBY FESTIVAL EVENT HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTEST OPENS APRIL 16 April 11, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival’s golf event tees off next week and it’s your annual chance to take your best shot at $1 million. The Stock Yards Bank $1 Million Dollar […]
04/03/26 – THUNDER FIREWORKS GET A LIFT FROM LOCAL COMPANY
CLARK FORKLIFTS TO SUPPORT BRIDGE EFFECTS April 3, 2026. Louisville, KY. – This year’s Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show is getting a lift, literally, from a Louisville company known for lifting and moving heavy loads. CLARK Material Handling Company is donating forklifts to support fireworks placement along the east side of the CLARK Memorial Bridge […]
04/02/26 – PNC TOUR DE LOU CYCLING EVENT RETURNS ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12
NEW START AND FINISH, PLUS 12-MILE ROUTE ADDED FOR 2026 April 2, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual cycling event – the PNC Tour de Lou – will roll through Louisville on Sunday, April 12. This year, the start and finish line will have a new home at Big Four Lawn, and […]
03/31/26 – BRIDGEWATER RETURNS TO KICK OFF DERBY FESTIVAL
NFL QUARTERBACK AND LOUISVILLE STANDOUT TO SPEAK AT LUNCHEON March 31, 2026. Louisville, KY. – One of Louisville’s most recognizable football stars is returning to a city he considers home. NFL quarterback and former University of Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will be the featured speaker at the 2026 They’re Off! Luncheon Presented by BAE Systems, the […]
03/30/26 – DERBY FESTIVAL BLOCK PARTY RETURNS ON SATURDAY
DAY-LONG EVENT INCLUDES SHOPPING, MUSIC, AND EASTER EGG HUNTS March 30, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The community is invited to a block party this weekend to celebrate Derby Festival season! The Kentucky Derby Festival’s Block Party Presented by Humana and Park Community Credit Union returns on Saturday with local food, live entertainment, and family-friendly festivities. […]
03/29/26- DERBY FESTIVAL FAMFEST RETURNS TO NEW ALBANY THIS WEEK
EVENT ON APRIL 3 FEATURES FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN March 29, 2026. Louisville, KY.- The Kentucky Derby Festival is taking the celebration to New Albany this week for an evening of family-friendly fun. The Caesars Foundation of Floyd County FamFest features indoor and outdoor activities this Friday, April 3 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at […]
03/28/26 – 2026 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL QUEEN CROWNED
March 28, 2026. Louisville, KY. – With the traditional spin of the wheel, Tania Vergara-Gongora {TAH-Nyah / Ver-Gaura / Gohne-Gora} of Louisville was crowned the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Queen tonight at the 68th annual Fillies Derby Ball Presented by Courtesy Cadillac at the Omni Louisville Hotel. Tania is a junior at Bellarmine University pursuing […]
03/27/26 – DERBY FESTIVAL BOURBON TASTING EVENT RETURNS NEXT WEEK
REPUBLIC BANK BOURBONVILLE TOASTS AMERICA’S NATIVE SPIRIT ON APRIL 2 March 27, 2026. Louisville, KY. – It’s time to toast to spring! Bourbon fans can mix, mingle and sip their way through a spirited evening next week at Republic Bank BourbonVille! The Kentucky Derby Festival event, set for Thursday, April 2 from 6:30 to 9:30 […]
03/26/26 – QUEEN TO BE CROWNED ON SATURDAY AT THE BALL THAT STARTS IT ALL
GUESTS WILL ENJOY CROWNS, MASKS & MYSTERY AT FILLIES DERBY BALL March 26, 2026. Louisville, KY. – It’s the ball that starts it all! The first ball of the Derby season – the 68th annual Fillies Derby Ball® Presented by Courtesy Cadillac – is set for Saturday, March 28 at the Omni Louisville Hotel. The […]
03/26/26 – DERBY FESTIVAL FANS HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN NEW CADILLAC
PINK LUXURY SEDAN TO BE SHOWCASED AT FESTIVAL EVENTS March 26, 2026. Louisville, KY.- Kentucky Derby Festival and Courtesy Cadillac are giving Festival fans a chance to win a new Cadillac during this year’s Festival! To help promote the Courtesy Cadillac Festival Challenge, a 2026 Cadillac CT4 Luxury Sedan was wrapped in the Festival’s signature […]
