The Kentucky Derby Festival celebrates its 70th festival with a month-long community celebration with more than 70 events leading up to the first Saturday in May. Churchill Downs Racetrack might be the expert on racing horses at the Kentucky Derby, but the Kentucky Derby Festival races everything from people to beds and steamboats.

And it keeps growing. Two new events have been added for 2025, including the Zoeller Pump ParadeFest and Kentucky Derby Festival 5K Presented by First Urology, which takes the evening before the annual miniMarathon and Marathon.

Many of the annual KDF events are free with a 2025 Pegasus Pin, which can be purchased in advance at select retailers for $7 or online at kdf.org. A Pegasus Pin can be purchased at the gate of many events for $10.

Here’s a look at the top 17 events on the 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival’s Official Schedule of Events to experience this spring:

2025 Kentucky Derby Festival events

More information on each of the events, including how to purchase tickets, is available at kdf.org.

WHAT: Experience an evening featuring “A Toast to the Regency Era” with cocktails, dinner, dancing, and the Queen’s Coronation, where the Kentucky Derby Festival Queen will be chosen. Music by The Juice Box Heroes. Presented by Courtesy Cadillac. A portion off the proceeds benefit Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation.

WHEN: March 22. Cocktails, 6 p.m.; queen’s coronation, 7:15 p.m.; dinner and auction, 8 p.m.; dancing, 9 p.m. to midnight.

WHERE: East Grand Ballroom, Omni Louisville Hotel, 400 S. Second St.

COST: $350 per person, $5,000 for a table of 10. The Omni Louisville Hotel is offering a special rate for all guests of the Fillies Derby Ball.

WHAT: See the latest spring fashion trends and accessories for the Kentucky Derby season from Dillard’s and local boutiques as they come down the runway at this annual style extravaganza including fascinators and chapeaus. It’s the place to find your Derby Festival must-haves along with what to wear for the upcoming season. For ages 21 and older.

WHEN: March 27. Boutique shopping and cocktails at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the fashion show at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Caesars Southern Indiana, 11999 Casino Center Drive, Elizabeth, Indiana

COST: $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of 10 for showroom/main floor seating and includes reserved dinner seating, wine, event pin, swag bag and show.

WHAT: Family-friendly event with a special preview of the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade featuring inflatables, activities, bands, floats, food trucks and more.

WHEN: April 5, noon to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Zoeller Pump Company, 3649 Cane Run Road

COST: Admission is free with a 2025 Pegasus Pin

WHAT: The official Kentucky Derby Festival kick-off luncheon. Speaker to be announced.

WHEN: April 11, 11 a.m.

WHERE: East Grand Ballroom, Galt House Hotel, 140 S. Fourth St.

COST: $130 per person; $1,040 for a table of eight and includes access to cash bar reception prior to doors opening, reserved seating and lunch, goodie bag and event pin.

WHAT: One of the largest annual fireworks displays and air and drown shows in North America. The 2025 theme is “Happy Thunder: It’s Glow Time.” Sponsors: Caesars Southern Indiana, Humana, LG&E, Meijer, UA Local 502 and UPS.

WHEN: April 12. Foodfest and Thunder on the Ground start at 11 a.m.; the air show starts at 3 p.m.; drone show starts at 9 p.m., and fireworks blast off at 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: Waterfront Park, 129 E. River Road

COST: Admission free with a 2025 Pegasus Pin. Find more information at ThunderOverLouisville.org.

More: What’s the theme for 2025 Thunder Over Louisville? Here’s your complete guide

WHAT: The upscale cocktail party features signature dishes from more than 75 of Louisville’s finest restaurants and beverage companies, bourbon and wine tasting, and raffle prizes and wine and spirits pulls. Proceeds benefit the Dare to Care Food Bank. For ages 21 and older. daretocare.org/taste-of-derby-festival.

WHEN: April 15, 5:30-8 p.m.

WHERE: Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St.

COST: $100

WHAT: Sip on signature drinks from some of Kentucky’s top bourbon distilleries, enjoy bourbon-inspired cuisine and meet Master Distillers or Brand Ambassadors at this annual bourbon affair. For ages 21 and older.

WHEN: April 17, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

WHERE: Icehouse, 226 E. Washington St.

COST: $75 general admission includes bourbon and food tastings, a commemorative glass and BourbonVille pin; $125 VIP includes the complete event experience, VIP area, exclusive bourbon tasting, premium gift bag, and early access at 5:30 p.m.

WHAT: The Derby Festival’s cycling experience is a unique way to tour the city on two wheels while passing through some of the city’s scenic parks, neighborhoods and historic sites with cyclists from all across the country. The race has staggered start times based on distance, 20-mile, 35-mile, and Metric Century routes.

WHEN: April 19. Metric Century, 8 a.m.; 35-mile ride, 8:15 a.m.; 20-mile ride, 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: New start and finish for the 2025 cycling event, begins and ends at Waterfront Park at the Lincoln Memorial Lot, offering participants picturesque views of the Ohio River waterfront as they kick off and finish their ride. This new location will also offer a scenic backdrop for the post-ride party, where participants will be presented with a finisher’s medal.

COST: $65 for the 20-mile ride; $75 for the 35-mile ride; $90 for the Metric Century; $40 for the virtual ride. (Prices increase on April 11).

WHAT: Community celebration of Derby-time traditions that showcase the talent and resources throughout Louisville. Highlights: cuisine from several local food trucks, live entertainment, shopping at the MELANnaire Marketplace, health screenings, vendor fair, ZEON Kids’ Zone featuring outdoor fun, inflatables and face painting and more.

WHEN: April 19, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center, 3029 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.

COST: Free

WHAT: The ultimate entertainment experience features concerts with a wide variety of musical genres including jazz, R&B, country, rock and blues; also, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground and midway rides. Plus, visit the Chow Wagon, an outdoor food and live music venue, that is one of the highlights of Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.

WHEN: April 24 to May 2, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., except Sunday, April 27, noon to 10 p.m.

WHERE: Waterfront Park, 129 E. River Road

COST: Admission is free with a 2025 Pegasus Pin

WHAT: Colorful hot air balloons will light up the Louisville skyline during this Kentucky Derby Festival favorite that features four events in three days.

WHEN and WHERE:

• Great Balloon Glow: April 24 and 25, 9 p.m., Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront
• Rush Hour Race: April 25, 7 a.m., Bowman Field, 2815 Taylorsville Road
• Great Balloon Race: April 26, 7 a.m., Bowman Field, 2815 Taylorsville Road

COST: Free admission with a 2025 Pegasus Pin

WHAT: The inaugural Kentucky Derby Festival 5K offers a unique experience with an evening run over the Ohio River just before sunset. Participants ages 10 and older receive a medal and t-shirt.

WHERE: Starts and finishes at Harbor Lawn in Waterfront Park and includes a lap on the Big 4 Bridge.

WHEN: April 25, 7 p.m.

COST: $45

WHAT: Kentucky’s largest day of road racing with miniMarathon, the Marathon and Marathon Relay. 13.1-mile routes and 26.2-mile routes (Marathon relay has a team of 3-5 runners). In-person and virtual.

WHEN: April 26, 7 a.m.

WHERE: Starts at Main and Floyd Streets, near Louisville Slugger Field,401 E. Main St., and ends at Preston & Witherspoon streets just outside of the Waterfront

COST: $110 miniMarathon; $120 Marathon; $325 Marathon Relay; $50 virtual. Prices will increase ahead of race day. Check the website for latest prices. DerbyFestivalMarathon.com.

WHAT: The Derby Festival’s traditional parade will be held on a Sunday so more fans can help kick off Derby Week. The 2025 theme is “Happy Derby: Pink Out Party!” celebrating spring and one of the festival’s favorite colors. Featuring inflatables, floats, marching bands and equestrians. Participants and spectators are encouraged to come dressed in pink.

WHEN: April 27, 3 p.m.

WHERE: Marches west on Broadway from Campbell to 9th streets

COST: Bleacher seats (along Broadway from Hancock to 6th streets) are free courtesy of Churchill Down Incorporated; $50 for VIP reserved bleacher seats in TV Zone with parking pass for every four tickets purchased and complimentary drinks and snacks (along Broadway between Floyd and Preston streets).

WHAT: Beds aren’t for sleeping during Derby Week, they are for racing. Check out more than 30 beds on wheels as they race around a track in Broadbent Arena. The 2025 theme is “Happy Derby: Pink Out Party!” (80s style). Pink is encouraged.

WHEN: April 28. Tailgate party, 1 p.m.; parade of the beds, 6 p.m.; race begins, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Broadbent Arena, Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane

COST: Free admission with a 2025 Pegasus Pin. Parking is $15.

WHAT: Sip and savor more than 100 local wines from Kentucky wineries. For ages 21 and older.

WHEN: April 29, 6-9 p.m.; VIP, 5-9 p.m.

WHERE: Van Gogh and DaVinci Rooms, Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave.

COST: General admission: $75, includes wine tastings, light appetizers, souvenir glass and WineFest event pin; VIP: $125, includes early access at 5 p.m., VIP private area with food sampling, VIP gift and exclusive barrel wine tasting from Kentucky Derby Festival Official Wine, Old 502 Winery. Designated driver, $30.

WHAT: This long-running Derby Festival favorite will pit the Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati on the Ohio River as they compete for bragging rights and the coveted Silver Antlers.

WHEN: April 30. Board at 4:30 p.m.; depart at 5:45 p.m.; race starts at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Wharf at the Waterfront

COST: Belle, $200 (limited availability). Belle of Cincinnati, tickets start at $80.19 for general admission and includes a snack bar, $122.65 for VIP and includes a dinner buffet (800-261-8586 or bbriverboats.com). Free spectator viewing at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront and along the banks of the Ohio River.

Reach News Clerk Gege Reed at [email protected].