Event Dates
From: Sunday, April 21, 2024
To: Saturday, May 4, 2024
The Kentucky Derby Festival (KDF) stretches a famous two minutes race on the first Saturday of May into a month-long party.
The Kentucky Derby Festival (KDF) stretches a famous two minutes race on the first Saturday of May into a month-long party. The Kentucky Derby is the “Superbowl and Mardi Gras rolled into one.
- Visiting for the Derby? The Highlands is a nightlife area. We suggest choose hotels in Downtown Louisville. Stay at The Grady hote, rated “Superb” by guests with a stunning interior, delicious breakfast and perfect location.
The Derby
- May 4th, 2024 – The Kentucky Derby Festival is one of the premiere events of its kind in the world and a proud five-time winner of the International Festivals Award. It brings fun, excitement, international recognition and a spirit that is unmatched anywhere.
- When 1.5 million people gather to celebrate spring and the unique vitality of their community, the focus is on fun and the whimsical.
Opening Festival – Thunder Over Louisville
- April 21st, 2024 – The Festival blasts off each year with the Opening Ceremonies – Thunder Over Louisville, one of the nation’s largest annual fireworks extravaganzas attracting more than 700,000 visitors. The ensuing two weeks of excitement and entertainment promise something for everyone.
- Officially the marque events of Thunder over Louisville are the airshow that happens in the late afternoon and the fireworks display that evening.
- The airshow at Thunder starts at 4pm and the fireworks begin at 9:30pm. Thunder over Louisville takes place at Louisville’s Waterfront Park on the great lawn. However, the event is so large, the better answer is really in downtown Louisville and Southern Indiana along the river front!
- Stay close to the festival at The Hotel Distil, rated “Superb” by guests with spacious rooms featuring a contemporary design, excellent facilities and perfect location for exploring the city.
The Pegasus Parade
- The event that started it all, the Pegasus Parade marches down Broadway. Typically the parade is held on the Saturday and Sunday opening weekend.
The Great Steamboat Race
- The Great Steamboat Race has been taking place since 1963, as part of the original Kentucky Derby Festival events. The Great Steamboat Race pits historic paddle-wheelers on the mighty Ohio River. Ask any local, this event has become a Louisville tradition in the lead up to Derby weekend!
The Derby
- May 6th 2023 – The Kentucky Derby is the most prestigious annual horse race in America, and the first jewel of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. It is held at Churchill Downs, considered by many a cathedral of horse racing, on the first Saturday in May.
Fest-a-Ville
- Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville packs eight days and 900,000 square feet with so much entertainment, food and fun it’s like no other event. The cost of admission is the Pegasus pin.
- These collectible pins are available at retail locations including your local Kroger for just $6, or for $7 outside the front gates of Fest-a-Ville on downtown’s Waterfront. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront brings a diverse array of live music to two stages, a zombie walk and a beerfest!
- Stay at the Aloft Downtown located on the historic Whiskey Row and featuring vibrant rooms with high-end amenities and an industrial design.
Other Events
- Other highlights include a half and full marathon, hot-air balloon events and live bed racing! Head to the Derby Ball, dance and dress range from frivolous to fancy.
- The Festival includes several formal affairs, as well as casual, foot-stomping good times all around the community.
- From elephant ears and corn dogs at the Chow Wagon to ethnic foods and pet-friendly cocktail hours and local wine-tasting at WineFest, culinary adventures abound.
Trending hotels in Louisville
The following hotels are currently trending with our readers. All are close to the Derby’s main events:
21c Museum Hotel, The Brown Hotel, Omni Louisville Hotel, Holiday Inn Express.
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
21c Museum Hotel is our editors choice
when we are in Louisville Kentucky
For further information and advice on
KDF & Thunder Over Louisville Website
Most of the gay bars in Louisville are located in Downtown, where you will find a cluster of bars together. The Highlands district is also home to some popular venues.
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Louisville that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
This downtown Louisville 21c Museum Hotel, within walking distance of the Louisville Slugger Museum, features an art museum, restaurant and spa. Rooms offer 42-inch flat-screen cable TVs.
The luxurious guest rooms provide minibars. They have free Wi-Fi and iPod docking stations and also include desks and laptop safes. The bathrooms provide bathrobes and hairdryers. A sauna, gym, and bicycle rentals are available to guests
Built in 1923, the Brown Hotel is located in downtown Louisville’s Theater District. It features a concierge staff, two restaurants, and a free airport shuttle. KFC Yum! Center is less than 1.6 km away.
The Brown Gift Shop and Gallery offers sundries, special gifts, and artwork by local artisans. A business center is available for guests to use. Free WiFi and 32-inch flat-screen TVs are found in all rooms.
Omni Louisville Hotel provides accommodation with a fitness centre. Well set in the Downtown Louisville district, this hotel is located 500 m from KFC Yum! Center. The restaurant serves steakhouse cuisine.
Each room includes a desk. Rooms are complete with a private bathroom, while certain rooms at Omni Louisville Hotel also boast a seating area. WiFi is available in the hotel rooms for a charge
Hot continental breakfast, free WiFi access and a state-of-the-art fitness centre are included at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown Louisville. The hotel is 200 m from Louisville Science Center.
A wall mounted 42 inch flat-screen TV, in-room coffee maker, microwave and refrigerator are featured in each room at the Louisville Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown. The Airport, 9 km from the hotel
That’s a wrap for KDF 2018