Schedule:

Kroger's Fest-a-Ville

The ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with local and regional acts, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more.

Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront will return for its 19th year in 2025. Sponsored by Kroger, the party starts on the Great Lawn and runs through Derby Eve. It promises to have something for everyone – and admission is free with a 2025 Pegasus Pin.The 900,000-square-foot venue will host several Festival events, including the L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Glow, Chow Wagon, Ohio Valley Wrestling Run for the Ropes, HappyTail Hour, Ken-Ducky Derby and more.

Fest-a-Ville also offers a wide variety of activities for children, featuring midway-area and attractions at Pegasus Play-Ville Presented by Norton Children’s, 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.

11:00 AM – 11:00 PM: Daily Hours
12:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Sunday Hours

Location: Waterfront Park

Chow Wagon

Happy Hour Weekdays from 4:00 – 6:00 PM
$4 Beer at the Beer Garden

The Chow Wagon returns to Waterfront Park on the Ohio River. The Music Stage will feature live concerts with local and regional entertainment and a wide variety of musical genres including jazz, R&B, country, rock and blues.

The Chow Wagon is food and fun! You can feast on everything from cookie dough to turkey legs and elephant ears. There’s something for everyone!

Where else can you find great food and live musical entertainment in a riverside setting for a 2025 Pegasus Pin admission? Meet your coworkers for lunch or come down for an evening concert. There’s no way to go wrong by making a visit to this great outdoor party.

11:00 AM – 11:00 PM: Daily
12:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Sunday

Location: Kroger's Fest-a-Ville

7:00am - Great BalloonFest: Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race

The Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race is one of Louisville’s beloved family traditions, and this year, the Derby Festival will feature both Friday and Saturday morning races.  The multi-race docket gives spectators young and old more chances to take in the exhilarating view of boundless colors and shapes.

Just 7 balloons flew in the inaugural race from Iroquois Park in 1973.

The Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race is a Hare & Hound Race. This type of race is when all the balloons launch from the same site (Bowman Field). 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 (usually 5 to 10 minutes after). 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.

Location: Bowman Field

11am - 5:00pm - Ken-Ducky Derby
11 AM: On-site Duck Purchases Available
1 PM: Kids Activities
3 PM: Duck Waddle Parade through Fest-a-Ville
4 PM: Call to Post & Duck Drop

Get ready for one of the most exciting events in Louisville!

Join us for the 22nd Annual Ken-Ducky Derby as we drop 46,000 rubber ducks into the Ohio River for a chance to race and compete for prizes. Cheer your duck to victory as they race to the finish line!

Location: Kroger's Fest-a-Ville

4pm - 8pm - Cars and Coffee

Returning for a third year to the Kentucky Derby Festival schedule, the Cars and Coffee Car Show is set for Saturday, April 26th at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville.

Fans can enjoy exotic cars, muscle cars, imports, German and American favorites from all over the region under the lights.
Early Entry fee to display a car: $30.

Late Entry fee after April 21st: $35.

Schedule:
4:00 – 8:00 PM (Viewing)
4:30 – 6:30 PM (Judging)
7:00 PM (Awards)

Click here to register

Location: Kroger's Fest-a-Ville