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

6:00 PM - Texas Hold'em Tournament
Join us for an evening cruise and Poker Tournament on the Ohio!

– Professional Dealers
– $100 buy-in until 4/14 ($125 buy-in after 4/15: Includes $10,000 in chips and a commemorative Texas Hold’em event pin
– 2 Add-ons available 1st hour of play: $50 for $5000 in chips (*Cannot be out of chips to buy add-on)
– Up to 325 participants (payouts prorated based on actual number of players)
– Payouts for 10% of field
– Guest tickets: $15 at the door
– Cash bar, cash games, single table tournaments
– Cruise during first 60 minutes of play (River conditions permitting)
– Player wristbands will be issued at check-in

2025 will be the 20th year for the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Texas Hold’Em Tournament. The event will be held aboard the Belle of Cincinnati, beginning with a cruise starting at 6 p.m.

The cruise will last 60 minutes (river permitting) at the beginning of the tournament, with the remainder of the event taking place at the dock, so those who are out of the game may disembark.

4:30 PM: Check-in begins.
6:00 PM: Tournament begins.

Location: Belle of Cincinnati

6:00 - 9:00 PM - Commonwealth Credit Union WineFest

Held the Tuesday of Derby Week!  Sip and savor over 100 local wines from Kentucky Wineries.

Commonwealth Credit Union WineFest takes place at Mellwood Art Center in the Van Gogh and DaVinci Rooms, where you will be able to stroll some of the shops while sipping on your favorite wines.

General Admission 6-9 PM
Tickets: $75

Wine tastings
Light appetizers
Etched souvenir wine glass and WineFest event pin
Opportunity to shop our vendors and sponsor displays
VIP Experience 5-9 PM (opens one hour early)
Tickets: $125

One-hour early access starting at 5pm
VIP Private area
Kentucky-inspired cuisine sampling
VIP gift
Exclusive Barrel Wine Tasting from Kentucky Derby Festival Official Wine Old 502

This is a 21+ event only. Valid ID required upon entry.

Location: Mellwood Art Center