Crowd watches fireworks at Thunder.JPG

Images of Thunder Over Louisville on April 20, 2024 in Louisville, Ky.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Thunder Over Louisville brings huge crowds to the waterfront for the kickoff to the Kentucky Derby Festival. 

Venues on both sides of the Ohio River are making plans and selling tickets for prime viewing of the air show and fireworks. 

On Thunder Day, the FoodFest and Thunder On the Ground open at 11 a.m., the Air Show starts at 3 p.m., the Drone & Night Show is at 9 p.m., and fireworks blast off at 9:30 p.m.

KDF Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party

  • Saturday, April 12 
  • 2:30-10:30 p.m. 
  • Waterside Parking Garage on North Brook Street
  • Tickets are $225 per person

For fans looking for a front-row seat to the show, tickets are on sale now for the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party Presented by Kentucky Proud. Tickets include premium viewing, Kentucky Proud cuisine, local and regional beers, specialty cocktails, private restrooms and more.  For tickets and info, click here. 

Click here to watch WDRB's 2024 coverage of the fireworks show in its entirety or view it in the player below. 

Thunder Over Louisville has come and gone, and WDRB was on the air all day showing you planes, crowds and the longest continuous fireworks show in North America.

FUN-DER Island Party at the KFC Yum! Center 

  • Saturday, April 12
  • 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
  • FREE 
  • KFC Yum! Center outdoor Pepsi Plaza (Main Street in front of the venue) 

Presented by Pepsi Zero Sugar and Corona, the event will feature food trucks offering a range of delicious eats, a tiki bar in the beer garden with refreshing beverages, and a game yard full of exciting outdoor activities for all ages. B96.5 and Magic 101.3 will keep the island energy flowing with surf-inspired jams throughout the day, and they’ll be giving away tickets to upcoming events at the KFC Yum! Center. Click here for info. 

FUN-DER Viewing Party at the KFC Yum! Center

  • Saturday, April, 2
  • 2:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. 
  • Limited number of tickets available. Click here. 
  • Limited number of parking passes available for $40. Click here. 
  • KFC Yum! Center (Inside the venue) 

With the best indoor view of the air show and fireworks, this family-friendly event also allows attendees to leave and re-enter the arena as they wish, giving them the freedom to enjoy both the indoor comfort and the outdoor activities throughout downtown Louisville. Limited tables for the viewing event are available. Guests will have access to food (snacks, dinner, and dessert), a private cash bar, and activities for all ages. Click here for information. 

Thunder at the Kentucky Performing Arts Center 

  • Saturday, April 12
  • Doors open at 2 p.m. 
  • Parking garage opens at 9:30 a.m.
  • Pre-paid parking $25 click here.
  • Tickets $55 for adults and $30 for children 12 and under (plus fees) 
  • The Kentucky Center, 501 West Main Street, Louisville, Ky. 40203

Enjoy the excitement and spectacle of Thunder Over Louisville from the comfort of The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. Enjoy amazing views of the air show and fireworks from all three levels. Indoor restrooms, concessions, entertainment, free hip-hop dance classes, trivia, karaoke plus multiple bars. 

KDF Official Thunder Tailgate at Lynn Family Stadium

  • Saturday, April 12 
  • Parking lots open 7 a.m. 
  • Stadium gates open at 1 p.m. 
  • Kickoff 5 p.m. for Racing Louisville vs. Washington Spirit
  • Tickets start at $25

A large crowd is expected at Lynn Family Stadium for Thunder Over Louisville. The venue includes restrooms and concessions throughout all the day’s events. Thunder day ticketholders will receive a wristband allowing for reentry. Seating will be reserved for the Racing Louisville game before fans are permitted to move throughout the stadium to scope out their favorite vantage point for the fireworks. For information and tickets, click here or call 502-568-2489 to reach a ticket representative.

Thunderblast at the Kentucky Science Center

Saturday, April 12, 2025 

2-10:15 p.m. 

The family-friendly event is an annual tradition at the center. It has great views of the air show and fireworks plus activities for the kids, food trucks and indoor restrooms. Parking is NOT included, but there are nearby parking garages.

Admission: Click here for ticket info. 

  • Non-Members child: $59
  • Non-Members adult: $64
  • Non-Members 4-Pack: $234
  • Non-Members 10-Pack: $565

*Children under 2 admitted free of charge

Click here for Thunderblast details and tickets. 

Thunder at the Galt House Hotel's Pool Deck Party

  • Saturday, April 12, 2025 
  • 2:30-11 p.m. 
  • Adults only - 21+ older 
  • Tickets $150 per person

The Galt House is transforming its Pool Deck (West Tower - 2nd Floor) into a Thunder viewing deck with prime viewing for the fireworks and air show. Tickets include food and live entertainment. VIP Table Reservations are available for $1,500 for up to 8 people. This event is 21+ only and will be rain or shine– no refunds for inclement weather. Click here for tickets and info. 

Thunder at the Muhammad Ali Center 

  • Saturday, April 12 
  • Noon until fireworks are over
  • Tickets $65 for Adults and $50 for children

The Muhammad Ali Center is hosting a new Thunder Over Louisville event this year. It plans a special family friendly day of activities during Ticket-holders will have access to all the exhibits throughout the center, and there will be food and drinks for sale. There will be multiple viewing areas for fireworks, including the Brown Foreman pavilion, the plaza and fifth floor panoramic windows. Click here for info and tickets. 

Parking

Clarksville, Indiana

  • Residents who live between Montgomery Avenue and Riverside Drive can obtain passes for guests at the Clarksville Police Department, 1970 Broadway Street. After 12 p.m. on April 12, people will not be able to access the area past Montgomery Avenue without a pass.

Jeffersonville, Indiana

  • Residents and property owners who live in the Thunder Over Louisville event area can now pick up parking passes at the Jeffersonville Police Department, 2218 E. 10th Street, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The last day to pick up a parking pass will be on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 7 p.m. These passes are for guests to get through the police checkpoints. Residents and property owners just need to show a picture I.D. and proof of residency to get through the police checkpoints.
  • Handicapped parking is available at the Market and Spring Streets checkpoint. To access the lot, bring your handicapped placard or license plate. Parking is limited and will operate on a first come, first serve basis.

TARC

Again this year, TARC is offering fare-free service during the whole day of Thunder Over Louisville on April 12. There will be five post-Thunder boarding stops around the waterfront in downtown Louisville, meant for people to board immediately following the fireworks. These post-Thunder boarding stops in downtown will be the only options for the area.

Also, 50 additional TARC buses will be on the road Saturday to better serve the increase in passengers. There will also be a shuttle service from Shawnee Park to Union Station running throughout the day. 

Passengers traveling to and from southern Indiana should be aware that buses on routes #71 and #72 will not make return trips after 7:30 p.m. due to bridge closures. Non-cross-river TARC service will still continue on both sides of the river.

For more about TARC service on Thunder Over Louisville, click here.

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