2026 Kentucky Derby Festival event tickets available for purchase on Oct. 24

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It may be winter now but it's never too early to start thinking about the Kentucky Derby and all the events that surround it.

The Kentucky Derby Festival is making tickets available for all 2026 KDF events this week — on Friday, Oct. 24 — according to a news release Wednesday. From Thunder Over Louisville to the steamboat race and Pegasus Parade, there's an event for suitable for the whole family.

"Derby Festival season is right around the corner, and we're already looking forward to celebrating our favorite time of year with the community," Matt Gibson, president and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival, said in the release. "Many of our ticketed events sell out quickly, so we encourage fans to make plans now and purchase tickets early to be part of the 2026 Festival celebration."

Here's a list of this year's planned events:

Dillard's Spring Fashion Show on Thursday, March 26
Fillies Derby Ball Presented by Courtesy Cadillac on Saturday, March 28
Republic Bank BourbonVille on Thursday, April 2
They're Off! Luncheon Presented by BAE Systems on Friday, April 17
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party Presented by Kentucky Proud on Saturday, April 18
Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade on Sunday, April 26
Commonwealth Credit Union WineFest on Tuesday, April 28
Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race on Wednesday, April 29
Kentuckiana Honda Dealers Festival Day at the Downs on Thursday, April 30

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

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