The Kentucky Derby Festival &
Thunder Over Louisville 2023

The Kentucky Derby Festival & Thunder Over Louisville 2023

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

• 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 23rd 2023 – 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.