Thunder Over Louisville 2026: Schedule, viewing areas, traffic impacts and more

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Thunder Over Louisville is the all-day event serving as the opening ceremony of the Kentucky Derby Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The theme for Thunder's 37th year is "Thunder in the U.S.A." in honor of America's 250th anniversary. From the music to the fireworks to military aircraft involved, it'll be a celebration of all things red, white and blue.

The event is free to all who purchase a 2026 Pegasus Pin. The $7 pins are sold at hundreds of retailers in Louisville and southern Indiana.

There are plenty of vendors in viewing areas along the Ohio River, if you don't bring your own food and drink.

The day begins with an airshow that includes a variety of military aircraft and aerial acts, with a nighttime drone show before the fireworks. The big event is the 30-minute fireworks along the waterfront from two barges and the Second Street Bridge. It's the longest continuous fireworks show in the U.S.

Thunder forecast:

Make sure to check the latest forecast from WDRB Meteorologists:

CLICK HERE.

Thunder in the sky!

Thunder Over Louisville includes a day full of planes, helicopters and aerial demonstrations. Look to the sky over the Ohio River to see numerous aerobatic routines and some of the most unique aircraft in the country, many of them having a connection to the Louisville area.

Highlights this year include include:

U.S. Air Force Viper Demo
F-15, F-16 and F/A-18s from the U.S. Marine Corps
V-22 Osprey
America's newest frontline fighter, the F-35C
Special tactics demonstration, featuring integration with the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade (Kentucky Army National Guard)
123rd Special Tactics Squadron (Kentucky Air National Guard)

Other highlights include parachute demonstrations, large aircraft flybys including the C-5M Galaxy, C-17, KC-135 and C-130Js, Matt Younkin Airshows Twin Beech Aerobatics Demo, Britt Lincoln Extra 300 (MT), Nick Coleman's custom Waco bi-plane "Kong," SMOKE ON! Aviation, the Trojan Thunder Team and Ace Maker Aviation.

The Air Show starts at 3 p.m.

*PLEASE NOTE: Aircraft subject to change on show day.

Thunder Drone Show

The sixth annual Drone Show produced by Starlight aerial Productions will return this year, lighting up the night sky over the Ohio River in different formations just before the start of the fireworks.

The drone show starts at 9 p.m., with fireworks blasting off around 9:30 p.m.

IMAGES | The Planes of Thunder Over Louisville 2024

Here's a look at some of the planes in this year's air show leading up to the Thunder Over Louisville fireworks display.

Locations and attractions on the waterfront

FoodFest and Thunder on the Ground open at 11 a.m.

Each location offers free admission with a Pegasus Pin, a beer garden, Thunder Sound and food vendors.

North Great Lawn: Opens at 9 a.m.

Featuring the best views of the show, a beer garden, a variety of food and Thunder Sound
The UPS Flight Deck is a prime viewing and photo-taking spot, with additional activities
UofL Health first aid station

Military Zone & South Great Lawn: Opens at 11 a.m.

The KCS Foundation & Waterproofing Military Zone includes military displays, with the Kentucky National Guard, U.S. Air Force simulation trailer, pull-up challenge, U.S. Army sports inflatable zone, U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy STEM challenge and VR experience, and "Wings of Blue" parachute team landing zone
Additional activities
And families can enjoy the amusement rides, including favorites Ali Baba, Bungy, Expo Wheel, Hampton Cars, Invasion, Lil Wheel, Merry-Go-Round, Music Express, Polar Express train, Sizzler, Ships Ahoy, Slide and Zumer
Official Thunder Over Louisville merchandise and 2026 Pegasus Pins
UofL Health first aid station

Thunder Chow Wagon: Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

As always, the delicious Chow Wagon® includes a Beer Garden, featuring Four Roses Bourbon, Miller Lite, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Old 502 Winery, Coca-Cola products and Red Bull
The Miller Lite Music Stage features Lampus Unplugged from 2:30-5:30 p.m. and Soul Circuis from 6-9 p.m.
No tents, stakes, tape or pets
Admission is a 2026 Pegasus Pin

Meijer Family Fun Zone at the Big Four Bridge Lawn: Opens at 2 p.m.

The Meijer Family Fun Zone runs from 2-9 p.m. and has plenty of family-friendly fun activities
Bounce house, free throw challenge, inflatable batting cage, face painting and more
Enjoy refreshments from the Beer Garden along with a variety of food vendors

West River Road: Opens at 9 a.m.

River Road between Bingham and Fifth Street
Airshow, Drones & Fireworks viewing along the Wharf!
Rides: Fun House, Quads, Revenge of the Pirates, Round Up, Slide, Strawberries
Official Thunder merchandise and 2026 Pegasus Pins
UofL Health first aid station

Where to buy official Thunder merchandise, Pegasus Pins and event pins

Chow Wagon
South Great Lawn
East Great Lawn
2nd and River Road
3rd and River Road
4th and River Road
Merchant Row along Witherspoon Street

Helpful tips from the Kentucky Derby Festival

Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk some.
Purchase a 2024 Pegasus Pin for $6 in advance, $7 at the gate.
Arrive as early as practical for the best space. Food service starts at 3 p.m. at all sites, and the airshow begins at 3 p.m.
Park as far away from the event area as you can comfortably walk. This will make exiting traffic easier.
Use TARC buses to get to the event using normal routes. There is expanded service all day.
P.A.R.C. or Riverside Garages in the area are accessible until full for special event rates, call 502-587-PARK for more information. All handicapped spaces are honored until full.
Follow the LMPD traffic plan, and you’ll get home faster.

What to bring and what is banned

What to leave home:

Drones
Tents
Canopies
Stakes
Tape/Rope
Alcohol
Glass bottles
Grills
Pets
Bikes
Skateboards
Skates

What to bring:

Picnic blankets
Tarps limited to 10’x10’
Plastic bottles
Food
Sunscreen

Traffic changes and street closings

The Clark Memorial Bridge will close at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 16, and will reopen by 3 p.m. Sunday, April 19.

In addition, the Big Four Bridge will be closed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 17, for the air show practice.

On Saturday, April 18, the Big Four Bridge will be closed from 10 a.m. to midnight with access to the bridge limited due to safety concerns. Signage about the closures will be posted around the pedestrian bridge.

Below is a list of street closures and no parking zones in Louisville for Thunder, courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Department:

Street closures:

9:30 a.m. (Thursday, April 16, 2026) to 3 p.m. (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

Floyd Street (northbound) from Washington Street to Witherspoon Street
Clark Memorial Bridge (2nd Street Bridge) from Main Street to Court Avenue

10:30 a.m. (Friday, April 17, 2026) to 2 p.m. (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

West River Road from 6th Street to Bingham Way
4th Street from Galt House Turnaround to West River Road
Bingham Way (west of Joe's Crab Shack) from River Road to Witherspoon Street

11 a.m. (Friday, April 17, 2026) to 9 a.m. (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

Witherspoon Street from Brook Street to Preston Street
East River Road from Preston Street to Witherspoon Street

12:01 a.m. (Saturday, April 18, 2026) to 9 a.m. (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

Rowan Street from 10th Street to 11th Street
10th Street from Main Street to Rowan Street

8 a.m. (Saturday, April 18, 2026) to 1 a.m. (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

2nd Street from Main Street to West River Road/ Interstate 64
Frankfort Avenue from River Road to Story Avenue
Witherspoon Street from 2nd Street to Brook Street
Witherspoon Street from Preston Street to Adams Street
Washington Street from 1st Street to 2nd Street
Preston Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
Floyd Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
Brook Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
1st Street from Main Street to Witherspoon Street
3rd Street from Main Street to West River Road

8:30 p.m. (Saturday, April 18, 2026) to 11:30 p.m. (Saturday, April 18, 2026)

Interstate 65 northbound from Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to Interstate 64
Interstate 65 southbound from Interstate 265 (Indiana) to Interstate 64
Interstate 64 westbound from Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to 22nd Street
Interstate 64 eastbound from Interstate 264 (Shawnee Expressway) to Interstate 65
Interstate 71 southbound from Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) to Interstate 65

12:01 a.m. (Saturday, April 18, 2026) to 9 a.m. (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

3rd Street exit ramp from Interstate 64 westbound to West River Road
2nd Street entrance ramp from Witherspoon Street to Interstate 64 eastbound

6 p.m. (Saturday, April 18, 2026) to 11:30 p.m. (Saturday, April 18, 2026)

Muhammad Ali Boulevard entrance ramp to Interstate 65 northbound

8 p.m. (Saturday, April 18, 2026) to 11:30 p.m. (Saturday, April 18, 2026)

Interstate 64 exit ramp to Story Avenue
Interstate 71 exit ramp to Zorn Avenue northbound
Interstate 71 exit ramp to Zorn Avenue southbound
Preston Street entrance ramp to Interstate 65 northbound
St. Catherine Street entrance ramp to Interstate 65 northbound
9th Street entrance ramp to Interstate 64 eastbound
9th Street entrance ramp to Interstate 64 westbound
22nd Street entrance ramp to Interstate 64 eastbound
Zorn Avenue entrance ramp to Interstate 71 southbound
Grinstead Drive entrance ramp to Interstate 64 westbound
Cannons Lane entrance ramp to Interstate 64 westbound

Emergency Route (only authorized emergency vehicles can use these routes)

6:30 p.m. (Saturday, April 18, 2026) to 11:30 p.m. (Saturday, April 18, 2026)

Muhammad Ali Boulevard from Roy Wilkins Boulevard (9th Street) to Clay Street
2nd Street from Main Street to Jacob Street

No parking zones

10 a.m. (April 17, 2026) to 12:01 a.m. (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

West River Road from 8th Street to Bingham Way
Bingham Way from West River Road to Witherspoon Street
Witherspoon Street from Bingham Way to North Preston Street
East River Road from North Preston Street to Witherspoon Street

12:01 a.m. (April 18, 2026) to 12:01 a.m. (Sunday, April 19, 2026)

River Road from Witherspoon Street to Blankenbaker Lane
Witherspoon Street from 2nd Street to River Road
Washington Street from 2nd Street to Preston Street
Main Street from Story Avenue to 22nd Street
Market Street from Baxter Avenue to 10th Street
Jefferson Street from Preston Street to Roy Wilkins Boulevard (9th Street)
Liberty Street from Baxter Avenue to Roy Wilkins Boulevard (9th Street)
Muhammad Ali Boulevard from Clay Street to Roy Wilkins Boulevard (9th Street)
Chestnut Street from 1st Street to Roy Wilkins Boulevard (9th Street)
Broadway from Barret Avenue to 12th Street
Jacob Street from 2nd Street to 1st Street
Kentucky Street from 6th Street to 4th Street
Oak Street from Floyd Street to 8th Street
Jackson Street from Main Street to Market Street
Preston Street from Witherspoon Street to Woodbine Street
Floyd Street from Witherspoon Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard
Brook Street from Witherspoon Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard
1st Street from Witherspoon Street to College Street
1st Street from College Street to Cardinal Boulevard
2nd Street from Main Street to College Street
3rd Street from West River Road to Eastern Parkway
4th Street from River Road to Winkler Avenue
5th Street from Main Street to Broadway
Armory Place from Liberty Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard
6th Street from River Road to Hill Street
7th Street from Washington Street to Liberty Street
7th Street from Myrtle Street to Algonquin Parkway
8th Street from Washington Street to Broadway
9th Street from Main Street to Market Street
Roy Wilkins Boulevard (9th Street) from Market Street to Myrtle Street
15th Street from Main Street to Portland Avenue
22nd Street from Bank Street to Northwestern Parkway
Portland Avenue from 15th Street to 22nd Street
Baxter Avenue from Main Street to Broadway
South Johnson Street from Market Street to Story Avenue
Lexington Road from Baxter Avenue to Payne Street
Mellwood Avenue from Spring Street to Zorn Avenue
Story Avenue from Main Street to Frankfort Avenue
Adams Street from Witherspoon Street to Story Avenue
Spring Street from Story Avenue to Lexington Road
Frankfort Avenue from River Road to Story Avenue
Baxter Avenue from Broadway to Highland Avenue
Campbell Street from Adams Street to Water Street

History of Thunder Over Louisville

IMAGES | Thunder Over Louisville air show, fireworks from Waterfront Park

The Kentucky Derby Festival had its first “opening ceremonies” event in 1990 at Cardinal Stadium featuring recording artist Janie Frickie and a fireworks show. That led to the first “Thunder” in 1991, held downtown over the Ohio River.

According to the KDF website, the show has become the region’s largest annual event, attracting a regional and even national audience. The air show was slowly added as a way to stagger the crowd entering the event and provide entertainment before the 9:30 p.m. fireworks portion.

The air show is now an event of its own and ranks in the top 5 air shows in the nation. Thunder Over Louisville has made a lot of people happy, garnered international attention, entertained millions and given Greater Louisvillians something else to brag about.

Learn more about Thunder on the Kentucky Derby Festival website, click here.