2026 looks very different for our family this year with our little newborn so this will be a shortlist of things to do & see around town if you’re here for the 152nd run for the roses.

Derby week events

Monday: A local event takes place called bed races. It’s also a great week to get out to Churchill Downs between 7-10am for Dawn at the Downs where the general public can come up to the railing to watch the racehorses get in a few practice runs before Saturday.

Tuesday: Locals are mostly at the track known as “five-O-Tuesday” or “50Tuesday” which is a take on the area code of Louisville, KY that’s 502.

Wednesday: Steamboat race! Between the Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati.

Thursday: Locally known as “Thurby” again, a popular day for locals to be at the track.

Friday: Oaks Day. Post time 8:40 PM.

Saturday: Derby Day. The actual race known as the KY Derby is on this day scheduled towards the end of the day; this year post time 6:58 PM.

If you’re not at the track, I highly recommend Derby Day Garden Party at Paristown. It’s an open air pavilion where they put up a giant viewing screen, multiple bars, there’s food options on site. It’s a great way to spend Derby afternoon from noon-8pm without the massive crowds. We went in 2021 and had a blast.

Kentucky Derby post positions & horses 2026

On the Saturday prior to the Derby, the post positions are drawn. As of Thursday, here’s the lineup:

Place your bets!

With a newborn this year I’m behind on which horses to bet on but, you bet I’ll be listening to Chicago ESPN hosts David Kaplan & Jonathan Hood with their guest Edzo for his picks.

Also search for The ReKap show on YouTube where Kap will likely offer his take of the horses to pick.

Oaks and Derby Weather Forecast

I’m a fan of Ryan Hoke, local metrologist on WAVE3. Between Ryan and Kevin, you’ll be weather aware & prepared.

Just know: Churchill does not allow umbrellas so plan to pack in a poncho. Check their official list of items that are/are not acceptable to bring into the racetrack grounds.

Witness the creation of The Garland of Roses and Lilies

Last year, I visited the Kroger grocery store in Middletown (12501 Shelbyville Blvd) to see them make the garland of lilies on Thursday May 1st that’s presented to the winner on Oaks Day, Friday May 2nd, and the garland of roses being made Friday May 2nd for the winner of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday May 3rd.

Kroger is open to the public all day for general shopping. I recommend calling the floral department to ask when the garland creations timeframe starts. In 2026 it was 4pm ET until 6PM for both days. However, once I got there on Thursday I was advised the lily garland started at 5pm. Oh well, so I was in line early.

The garlands are literally made in the store while people are grocery shopping.

Fun facts about the garlands (Source – press release from Kroger).

The Derby Garland of Roses:

• The Derby Garland created is 122 inches long and 22 inches wide, and weighs approximately 40 lbs.
• More than 450 “Freedom” roses are placed on the garland.
• The “Freedom” rose embodies elegance and grace in keeping with the high standards of excellence exhibited in the Derby. 
• A special rose is placed in the center to symbolize the struggle and heart needed to reach the Winner’s Circle.

and The Oaks Garland of Lilies:

• More than 140 white Star Fighter Lilies are included in the garland; each blossom is hand tied into its own water vial.
• It’s 116 inches long and weighs approximately 20 pounds upon completion.

According to the press release from Kroger, “Last year, more than 6,000 people came to see this all-night event.”

Things to know & do during the festival

If it’s your first time coming to Louisville for the Derby, welcome! As a local lady who loves fashion and function and having gone to Oaks Day at Churchill Downs, I’ve written about a few things to know from what shoes to wear & bring and bag types to bring. and where to locally source a Kentucky Derby hat or fascinator in Louisville. The official KY Derby site also publishes style and fashion lookbooks each year.

If you’re actually going to the racetrack, it’s worth reviewing the visitor information section about what you can and cannot bring into Churchill Downs.

Pro tip: Most of the local Kroger’s sell (at least) the high ball, mint julep glasses at their locations so don’t worry too much about collecting them while at Churchill downs. However, that being said, the year we went, the commemorative Oaks wine glass was only available at Churchill.

Commemorative glassware is also available online on the KY Derby Store.

This year, due to flooding, a major event (and KY Festival Kickoff) Thunder Over Louisville, was cancelled. Originally slated for Saturday April 12th (a week early due to where the Easter holiday fell in the same month), it was the unfortunate result of 4+ days of rain and then flooding that occurred the first week of April.

Many of the notable distilleries and businesses were also impacted.

Thankfully, the waters of the Ohio River have reseeded and we’re getting back to normal. Just in time too because people around here get REALLY excited about Derby time. There’s literally an event nearly every day leading up to the first Saturday in May, the official day of the Run for the Roses – the Kentucky Derby. Everyone is planning their outfits, the horses and jockeys are in the final stretch of training and preparing for the big day, and local shops are awash in colorful Derby hats and attire.

Some of my favorite Derby week events include Dawn at the Downs where you get to watch the morning workouts on the track, the steamboat race on the Bell of Louisville and the Kentucky Oaks (Friday). We continue to get acquainted with other Derby festival events like the great hot air balloon race. Someday we’ll figure out where to park 😛

During Dawn at the Downs, visitors can come to Churchill Downs from 7am-10am to watch the horses and jockeys practice on the actual racetrack— I’m not kidding, you can walk right up to the rail! On race day, those seats cost thousands! At dawn, it’s quiet and serene, just a lovely opportunity to see the racetrack grounds in all its splendor without the crowds.

We have yet to do the steamboat race (tickets have increased to $200 this year) but at least it’s aired on local access television and fun to watch.

KY Derby at home

As much fun as it would be go to every year, we locals typically don’t. It’s an expensive event but I love seeing my friends get to attend for their first time. This year, my friend David Kaplan and his wife are going. I can’t wait to hear his picks for Derby race horse bets.

Of course, we’ll get dressed up because that’s half the fun of it.

I also found these gorgeous lifelike roses at local gift shop Anna’s Additions. Now we can enjoy roses all month long!

We’ll be watching all the races and all of the live coverage from home, savoring mint julep libations and Glenn will have the smoker going throughout the afternoon filled with ribs. It’s going to be a great weekend in Kentucky.

What we’re planning for Saturday’s Derby menu:

• Smoked ribs
• Potato salad
• Mediterranean salad
• Deviled eggs
• Dips & spreads
• Of course, Derby Pie from Costco

I hope these tips and information are helpful. Reach out anytime with questions, I’m happy to share what I hear about and know.

The views here are my own and not those of my employer.