Kentucky Derby Festival Events 2022
The Kentucky Derby Festival is back in full swing for 2022. Millions of people are drawn to Louisville each spring in the run-up to the Kentucky Derby held on the first Saturday in May. Basketball Legend Magic Johnson once referred to the two weeks before the Kentucky Derby as the “Super Bowl and Mardi Gras rolled into one.” The Kentucky Derby festival includes the nation’s largest fireworks extravaganza alongside seventy other events including the Balloon Race, Balloon Glow, Bed Racing, Mini Marathon, Chow Wagon, live entertainment and so much more that lead up to the ultimate event; The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.
Follow along to see what activities can fill your weeks as the Kentucky Derby approaches.
April 16, 2022: PNC Tour de Lou
Ready for a ride? Grab your bike to ride from Downtown Louisville to the Highlands. This year, participants have the option to grab a friend and bike in person or participate virtually. This event is doable for participants with all levels of experience! You can ride anywhere from one mile to over 62.1 miles.
April 23, 2022: Thunder Over Louisville
Who doesn’t love Thunder over Louisville? Starting as an average fireworks display, Thunder over Louisville has over the years become a showpiece, the nation’s largest annual fireworks event. Held two weeks before the Kentucky Derby, this firework show will get everyone on their feet. On April 23, Louisville will be overflowed with color and you won’t want to miss it.
April 24, 2022: Planes of Thunder Static Display
You’ll need earplugs for this one – because, for the first time in over 20 years, the Planes of Thunder Static Display will return to the city of Louisville! In honor of the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard, the Kentucky Derby Festival will present an aircraft static display at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base.
April 28-May 6, 2022: Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront
This is where the party starts. The Waterfront will host events including a concert series, family fun, food, inflatables, carnival rides, and more. Need a bite to eat while there? You’re in luck! The Kentucky Derby Festival Chow Wagon is open during the entire eight days of Fest-a-Ville!
April 29, 2022: Great Balloonfest: Great Balloon Glow
When the sun goes down, the hot air balloons go up. What a sight to see! The Great Balloon Glow gives the audience the chance to take in the exhilarating view of unlimited colors and shapes. The night before the Great Balloon Race, the hot air balloons will be set up and give spectators the chance to talk with the pilots and wish them good luck before the big race!
April 30, 2022: Great Balloonfest: Great Balloon Race
The following morning of the Great Balloon Glow, the hot air balloons will take off. According to the Kentucky Derby Festival Website, “The Great Balloon Race is a Hare & Hound Race. This type of race is when all the balloons launch from the same site. One balloon takes off first and is the Hare balloon. The other balloons are called the Hounds, and they will launch at a predetermined time after the Hare. The Hare lands at a suitable site and lays out a large fabric X, usually about 50 feet in diameter. The Hound balloons attempt to drop their markers as close to the center of the X as possible. The closest marker achieves the highest score.”
April 30, 2022: GE Appliances Mini Marathon/Marathon
Grab your running shoes and head to Main and Preston Streets. Sign up today for the Mini Marathon, Full Marathon, or Marathon Relay. You can even do these events virtually this year, signing up to run wherever you are!
April 30, 2022: Ken-Ducky Derby
Imagine a rubber ducky floating in your bathtub, but having 46,000 of them. The Ken-Ducky Derby is an annual fundraising event where thousands of rubber ducks are dropped into the Ohio River and race to the finish line. This event specifically benefits Harbor House of Louisville. Each donation of a duck will help to provide resources for people with disabilities within our community.
May 1, 2022: Pegasus Parade
The parade is back! For Louisville folks, this is better than the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For the first time ever, the Pegasus Parade will be the Sunday before the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby Festival is welcoming spectators this year so head on down to Broadway for a sight you won’t want to miss; Equestrians, Marching Bands, Specialty Unit, Floats and more.
May 2, 2022: Great Bed Races
It’s always hard to wake up on a Monday morning. You’ll definitely want to get out of bed to watch The Great Bed Race, which is exactly what it sounds like. Groups of four will compete by building a bed on wheels, decorating the bed based on a set theme they select, followed by dressing to match the theme. The race takes place at Broadbent Arena at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Teams will be awarded the Fastest Course Time, Best Decorated Bed, and Most Entertaining.
May 3, 2022: HappyTail Hour
Grab your furry friend and head over to the Waterfront Great Lawn for Happy Hour. Join the city of Louisville in a pet-inclusive cocktail hour with live entertainment.
May 3, 2022: Kentucky Derby WineFest
Grab a glass and sip on hundreds of local wines from Kentucky and Southern Indiana wineries at Kentucky Proud WineFest. Batter up because this year the WineFest will take place at Louisville Slugger Field, where you will be able to walk the concourse while sipping on your favorite wines.
May 4, 2022: Liberty Financial Great Steamboat Race
Taking place since 1963, the Ohio River is cleared for a Steamboat Competition. Head on down to Fourth and River Road to watch The Belle of Louisville, Belle of Cincinnati, and American Countess will compete for bragging rights on the Ohio River. Get your tickets now and hop aboard the ship with the captain leading the way.
It doesn’t stop here!! Get your tickets today to experience a once-in-a-lifetime event, The Kentucky Oaks and Derby. Head on over to kdf.org to learn more about every event leading up to the two greatest minutes in sports.