It's Kentucky Derby Season!

Brace yourselves, y'all, because our favorite time of year has arrived! We've outlined everything you need to know to have an AMAZING Kentucky Derby season here in Louisville, Kentucky! 

CATCH THE DERBY SPIRIT: The Kentucky Derby Festival officially kicks off with a bang on April 13 with Thunder Over Louisville (the largest annual fireworks extravaganza in North America). The weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby feature a variety of festivities, including concerts, marathons, hot-air balloon events, the Pegasus Parade, WineFest, BeerFest, Bourbonville and much more. 

FEST-A-VILLE: Returning to the Louisville Waterfront Park for its 12th year, is the ultimate entertainment experience featuring the Waterfront Jam Concert Series with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more. Sponsored by Kroger, the party starts on the Great Lawn on Thursday, April 25 and runs through Derby Eve, Friday, May 3. It promises to have something for everyone- and admission is free with a 2019 Pegasus Pin.

The 900,000-square-foot venue will host several Festival events including the BB&T Great Balloon Glimmer, Battle of the Bounce, Chow Wagon, Fitness Jam, Ohio Valley Wrestling Run for the Ropes, HappyTail Hour, Ken-Ducky Derby, YMCA Healthy Kids Day, BeerFest Presented by Liberty Financial, Neigh-Maste on the Waterfront and the awards presentation for the Great Steamboat Race, among others.

New this year are Flavors of Fest-a-Ville, a tasting event featuring $2-3 samples of your Chow Wagon favorites on April 25th from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and a Drag Show Brunch presented by Louisville Pride Foundation on the Miller Lite Stage on April 28th, from 1-3:30 p.m. Fest-a-Ville also offers a wide variety of activities for children, featuring midway-area and attractions at Pegasus Play-Ville including merry-go-round, ships ahoy, a giant slide and much more. From the opening day ribbon-cutting to Derby Eve, Fest-a-Ville will be the downtown destination at Kentucky Derby Festival time. For more info, click here.

CHURCHILL DOWNS SPRING MEET & THE KENTUCKY DERBY
Enjoy the thrills of live thoroughbred racing when Churchill Downs officially opens for its Spring Meet season on April 27. Dress up in your finest pink attire for the Kentucky Oaks on May 3 and get in the spirit of the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” for the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4. The Spring Meet continues through June 29.

For tickets, visit the Churchill Downs website here.

For our Kentucky Derby lodging availability, click here.

MINT JULEP MONTH® 
On April 1, Louisville continues its tradition since 2013 of celebrating the Mint Julep, the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby. April has been designated Mint Julep Month® and several special events will be underway throughout the city. Derby season is the best time of year to enjoy a mint julep, and we will be serving them for our nightly happy hour each evening here at Chateau Bourbon.

LOUISVILLE MAKES SOUTHERN LIVING’S LIST OF BEST FOOD CITIES FOR THE FIRST TIME 
Southern Living Magazine gives praise to area hot spots including Holy Grale, Bar Vetti, Decca, Please & Thank You, Con Huevos and The Silver Dollar among others. Read more here.

THESE 25 EVENTS WILL BE THE LARGEST IN LOUISVILLE IN 2019

Can't make it to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby but want to join in all the fun that Louisville has to offer? Check out these 25 opportunities and find your reason to come celebrate with us!