Event Dates
From: Saturday, April 12, 2025
To: Saturday, May 3, 2025
The Kentucky Derby Festival &
Thunder Over Louisville 2025
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 & Thunder Over Louisville 2025
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 3rd, 2025 – 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.
- It is first jewel of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. The Derby, held at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, is regarded as the cathedral of horse racing.
- 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
- Saturday 12th April, 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 3pm and the fireworks begin at 9:30pm. This year’s festival will include the fourth annual Drone & Night Show. 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!
- On Thunder Day, the FoodFest and Thunder On the Ground open at 11 a.m and the Drone & Night Show is at 9 p.m.
- 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
- Awaiting dates – The event that started it all, the Pegasus Parade marches down Broadway.
- The parade marches west on Broadway for 17 blocks and lasts approximately two hours.
The Great Steamboat Race
- Awaiting dates – 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!
- 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Boarding 5:45 PM: Departure 6:00 PM: Race Begins
Fest-a-Ville
- Awaiting dates – 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.
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM: Daily Hours | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Sunday Hours
- 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.
Recommended hotels in Louisville
The following hotels are close to the Derby’s main events:
21c Museum Hotel, The Brown Hotel, Omni Louisville Hotel, Holiday Inn Express.
Recommended Hotels
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Where we stay!
21c Museum Hotel is our editors choice
when we are in Louisville Kentucky
Official Website
For further information and advice on
KDF & Thunder Over Louisville Website
Map of Gay Louisville
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.
335 West Broadway, Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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.
700 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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
400 South 2nd Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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.
At the hotel, 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
800 West Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202
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
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
The air-conditioned 2 bedroom NuLu Loft with Parking and Balcony by Frontdesk provides accommodation with amenities such as free WiFi and a living room with flat-screen TV. Guests staying at this apartment have access to a fully equipped kitchen and 2 bathrooms
657 South 3rd Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Kasa Louisville Downtown Apartments offers accommodation with a seating area, a flat-screen TV and a kitchen. All units are fitted with a dishwasher, microwave, a kettle, a fridge and coffee machine. A bathroom with bath or shower and a hairdryer, free toiletries.
657 South 3rd Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202
The air-conditioned holiday home consists of 2 bedrooms, a living room with TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, and 3 bathrooms with a shower and a hairdryer. 1,840 Sq Ft, Free WiFi Walkable Downtown Location, boasting unique interior touches
Louisville, Kentucky
Situated in Louisville, near KFC Yum! Center, Muhammad Ali Center and Louisville Science Center, Downtown Louisville Apartments with Wifi features free WiFi. Each unit has a kitchen, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer.
504 State St, New Albany, Indiana 47150
If good pours and the great entertainment is what you are looking for then PRIDE bar + lounge is the plave for you this fun littel gay bar offer it all.
1202 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40204
Nice gay bar with a good atmosphere, staff and cocktails!
A true neighborhood gem!! Make this a definite stop in the Highlands!!
drink specials & theme nights, karaoke and drag shows
1133 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40204
Mixsd bar Gay and Str8
Video and Dance bar specializing in electronic dance music.
House DJ on weekends plus special guest DJs from all around the country.
1117 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40204
Chill BAR Highlands is a favorite gay bar and night spot known as the place where fun happens.
Come enjoy our large full service patio bar or chill in the atmosphere of a historic building in the Highland neighborhood.
1101 East Washington Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40206
Voted Louisville's Best Place to Dance, Best Gay Club, and Best Bar.
Play offers Sensational Drag Shows.
Weekly Special Guests, and a World-class Dance Floor with our Resident DJ
Recommended Hotels in Louisville By Booking
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
21c Museum Hotel
5 Star – Central Location
- 5 Star – Art Museum and Spa Downtown
- Close to the gay district
- Flat-screen TV, minibar, Wi-Fi
- Downtown Louisville hotel with art museum, restaurant, spa, luxurious rooms with modern amenities.
The Brown Hotel
5 Star, Luxury
- 5 Star – Historic, Downtown Theater District
- Close to the gay district
- Free WiFi, 32-inch TV
- Historic hotel in downtown’s Theater District, concierge staff, two restaurants, free airport shuttle.
Omni Louisville Hotel
4 Star – Great Amenities
- 4 Star – Fitness Centre, Steakhouse Cuisine
- Close to the gay district
- Desk, private bathroom, Wi-Fi
- Offers accommodation with fitness center, near KFC Yum! Center, & steakhouse restaurant.
Holiday Inn Express
3 Star – Perfect Location
- 3 Star – State-of-the-Art Fitness Centre
- Close to the gay district
- Flat-screen TV, coffee maker
- Includes hot continental breakfast, free WiFi, fitness center, near Louisville Science Center.
Video Of KDF & Thunder Over Louisville
That’s a wrap for KDF 2018
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