Kentucky Derby Festival & Events: 2023

Kentucky Derby Festival Events

• Saturday, April 22^nd
  • Thunder Over Louisville
    • The Riverfront
    • More Information: https://thunderoverlouisville.org
• Saturday, April 22^nd
  • Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party
    • Waterfront Garage Top @ 2:30pm
    • More Information: https://thunderoverlouisville.org/vip
• Tuesday, April 25^th
  • Taste of Derby Festival
    • Louisville Slugger Field @ 5:30pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/tasteofderbyfestival/
• Thursday, April 27^th
  • Chow Wagon
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
    • Open Daily from 11am-11pm, except Sunday from 12-10pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/chow-wagon/
• Thursday, April 27^th
  • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
    • Open Daily from 11am-11pm, except Sunday from 12pm-10pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/krogers-fest-a-ville/
• Thursday, April 27^th
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods Race Expo & Packet Pick-up
    • Freedom Hall, Kentucky Exposition Center
    • Pick up packets for the GE Appliances Derby Festival mini, Marathon & Relay
    • More Information: https://derbyfestivalmarathon.com/race-expo/
• Thursday, April 27^th
  • Joslyn & The Sweet Compression with Soul Circus at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 7:30pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/joslyn-the-sweet-compression-at-krogers-fest-a-ville/
• Friday, April 28^th
  • L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Fest: Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race
    • Bowman Field @ 7:00am
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/great-balloonfest-great-balloon-rush-hour-race/
• Friday, April 28^th
  • Neigh-Maste on the Waterfront
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 12pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/neigh-maste-on-the-waterfront/
• Friday, April 28^th
  • Ohio Valley Wrestling Run for the Ropes
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 5:30pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/run-for-the-ropes/
• Saturday, April 29^th
  • L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Fest: Great Balloon Race
    • Bowman Field @ 7:00am
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/great-balloon-race/
• Saturday. April 29^th
  • Virtual GE Appliances Derby Festival Mini Marathon & Marathon
    • Run with us Virtually!
    • Submit Results by midnight, May 30^th
    • More Information: https://derbyfestivalmarathon.com/virtual-race/
• Saturday, April 29^th
  • Ken-Ducky Derby
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 4:00pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/ken-ducky-derby/
• Saturday, April 29^th
  • Exotic Cars & Coffee Presented by Liberty Federal Credit Union
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville from 4:00 – 8:00pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/exotic-cars-coffee/
• Saturday, April 29^th
  • Elvie Shane with Special Guest Abby Hamilton at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 7:30pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/elvie-shane-at-krogers-fest-a-ville/
• Sunday, April 30^th
  • Mayor’s Derby Brunch on the River
    • Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing @ 11:00am
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/mayors-derby-brunch-on-the-river/
• Sunday, April 30^th
  • Sunday Funday Drag Show Brunch
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 1:00pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/dragshowbrunch/3
• Sunday, April 30^th
  • Zoeller Pump Parade Pegasus Parade
    • Returns on a Sunday for the Second Straight Year on Broadway in Downtown Louisville @ 3:00pm!
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/pegasusparade/
• Sunday, April 30^th
  • Gospel Fest Presented by Passport Health Plan by Molina Healthcare and Republic Bank
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville from 6-9pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/gospelfest/
• Monday, May 1^st
  • Jamon Brown Foundation Golf Scramble
    • University of Louisville Golf Course
    • 12pm Registration, 1pm Shotgun Start
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/jamon-brown-foundation-golf-scramble/
• Monday, May 1^st
  • HappyTail Hour
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 5:00pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/happytail-hour/
• Monday, May 1^st
  • Knights of Columbus Charity Dinner
    • Galt House, Archibald Cochran Ballroom @ 5:30pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/knights-of-columbus-charity-dinner/
• Monday, May 1^st
  • Samtec Great Bed Races
    • Kentucky Exposition Center @ 6:00pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/great-bed-races/
• Monday, May 1^st
  • Marzz with Special Guest Quinnette at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 7:30pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/marzz-at-krogers-fest-a-ville/
• Tuesday, May 2^nd
  • Texas Hold’Em Tournament
    • Belle of Cincinnati from 4:30 – 11:00pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/texas-holdem/
• Tuesday, May 2^nd
  • Chicken Salad Chick WineFest
    • Mellwood Art Center from 6:00-9:00pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/winefest/
• Tuesday, May 2^nd
  • Midnight Star with Special Guest DJ Mixx at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 7:30pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/tuesdayconcert/
• Wednesday, May 3^rd
  • Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race
    • Wharf at the Waterfront, 4:30pm Boarding
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/great-steamboat-race/
• Wednesday, May 3^rd
  • Louisville Urban League Derby Gala
    • Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center @ 5:00pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/louisville-urban-league-derby-gala/
• Wednesday, May 3^rd
  • J.D. Shelburne with Special Guest Frankie Moody at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 7:30pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/j-d-shelburne-at-krogers-fest-a-ville/
• Thursday, May 4^th
  • Derby Festival Day at the Downs Presented by Honda World
    • Churchill Downs, Skye Terrace @ 11:30am
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/derby-festival-day-at-the-downs/
• Thursday, May 4^th
  • Velcro Pygmies with Special Guest Rock Station at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 7:30pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/velcro-pygmies-at-krogers-fest-a-ville/
• Friday, May 5^th
  • Derby Eve Jam Featuring Thunderstruck: America’s AC/DC with the Wilson Brothers
    • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville @ 7:30pm
    • More Information: https://discover.kdf.org/derbyevejam/

Kentucky Derby Week – Events Happening at Churchill Downs

• Saturday, April 29^th
  • Opening Night at Dawn at the Downs – Free to Public
    • First Race: 6:00pm
    • More Information: https://www.churchilldowns.com/calendar/2023-04-29
• Sunday, April 30^th  –  Monday, May 1^st
  • Dawn at the Downs Dining
    • 7am – 10am
    • More Information: https://www.churchilldowns.com/calendar/2023-04-30
• Tuesday, May 2^nd
  • 502’sDay and Dawn at the Downs
    • Gates open at 11:30am, First Post at 12:45pm
    • More Information: https://www.churchilldowns.com/calendar/2023-05-02
• Wednesday, May 3^rd
  • Champions Day and Dawn at the Downs
    • Gates open at 11:30am, First Post at 12:45pm
    • More Information: https://www.churchilldowns.com/calendar/2023-05-03
• Thursday, May 4^th
  • Thurby
    • Gates open at 11am, First Post at 12:45pm
    • More Information: https://www.churchilldowns.com/calendar/2023-05-04
• Friday, May 5^th
  • Kentucky Oaks Day
    • Gates open at 9am, First Post at 10:30am
    • More Information: https://www.churchilldowns.com/calendar/2023-05-05
• Saturday, May 6^th
  • Kentucky Derby Day
    • Gates open at 9am, First Post at 10:30am
    • More Information: https://www.churchilldowns.com/calendar/2023-05-06