Attending the Kentucky Derby – An Introduction for First Time Visitors

The Kentucky Derby, nicknamed the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” and “The Run for the Roses,” is a bucket-list worthy experience. It has everything you need to make a truly special event—prestigious traditions, high stakes, celebrities, and, of course, a signature drink. As with any long-standing event steeped in tradition, a little research goes a long way. Here’s everything you need to know before you arrive at Churchill Downs. 

Over 150,000 people flock to Louisville, Kentucky every year to don a fancy hat, down a mint julep or two and cheer on their horse in the historic stands of Churchill Downs. Derby Week kicks off the Saturday before the actual Derby with a big Opening Night party. Last year the theme was Style under the Stars, combining the two things Derby goers love most—fashion and horse-racing. Throughout the week, official Derby parties combine with festivities across Louisville to transform the entire city into one big celebration. 

At Churchill Downs, Thurby (the Thursday before the Derby) is a fun celebration with live music, racing and bourbon, where you will catch mostly locals there to revel in the spirit of the Derby, but maybe skip out on the big crowds and the big price tags of the actual Derby day. The fun really kicks off with the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, which is a prestigious race for 3-year fillies. The dress code is pink for this event celebrating women, and for the past 14 years, Churchill Downs has hosted a survivors parade honoring survivors of breast and ovarian cancer. 

After a week of festivities, with dozens of parties attended, hundreds of horses raced, and countless mint juleps drunk, it’s time for the big event, the Kentucky Derby! On Derby Day, the Derby race will be the 12th race of the day, and you will watch 20 of the best horses from around the world run 1 1/4 miles to claim the trophy and the garland of roses. The winner of the Kentucky Derby has the opportunity to attempt a historic Triple Crown win, which is winning the Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and then lastly the Belmont Stakes. 

Pro tip: get a program when you arrive at Churchill Downs. Besides being a fun memento, it has a complete schedule of the races, history of the Derby and information on the horses running. 

Getting in to Louisville

With such a popular event, travel arrangements need to be booked well in advance. Flights sell out, rental cars disappear and even Ubers will run at surge prices during Derby Week. If you’re flying into Louisville, get your flights early, and consider arriving early or leaving late for an off-peak flight. If you have a little bit of wiggle room, try looking at flights at nearby cities like Cincinnati and then renting a car to drive into Louisville, you might end up with a deal, and an easier time getting your rental car to boot.

Getting to Churchill Downs

At Churchill Downs, all the parking is sold in advance, so if you plan on driving to the Derby, plan ahead and buy a parking pass. There are other options besides by car, however, so think about taking a taxi, rideshare or even hop on the city bus, which runs several routes to take you right to Churchill Downs. 

There are ticket options for truly every budget, including a cool opportunity called Dawn at the Downs to get into Churchill Downs and see the horses for absolutely free! You can arrive first thing in the morning to see the horses and jockeys warm up before the races begin, with no ticket needed. For those in the know, this is an opportunity to make observations about the horses that will affect your betting, but if you’re not a serious gambler, it’s a great chance to spot some celebrities, see the horses and enjoy the Derby spirit without the price tag. 

For tickets to the actual Derby, the cheapest option is the General Admission ticket, which will get you access to the public spaces at Churchill Downs, as well as the famously rowdy infield. If you’re there for the party, the infield is for you. If you choose these tickets, however, you have a very small chance of seeing any racing at all, so if you would like a chance to see your horse, and maybe even the opportunity to sit down once in a while, you’ll want to get a bleacher or box seat. The rule for tickets is, the earlier you purchase them, the cheaper they are, so be sure to plan ahead and figure out what kind of tickets work for you. 

The Derby is a long day, so there are quite a few essentials that you will want to bring. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but you’ll definitely want to pack these things, and check out the list of prohibited items at Churchill Downs for anything to avoid.

– A large purse, for your souvenir glasses, and your sunscreen and other necessities

– Rain gear

– Sunscreen and sunglasses, don’t count on your hat to protect you!

– Clear plastic water bottles

– Snacks! You can bring food into Churchill Downs, just not alcohol

– A camping chair, if you’re going to be in the infield

– A small cushion, if you’re going to be on the bleachers

– Cash and a debit card. Bets cannot be made with a credit card, and the ATMs are not as prevalent as one might hope, so come prepared with cash for betting, and a debit card as a back up. 

The Kentucky Derby is almost as much about fashion as it is about horses! It truly is the social event of the season, and locals, visitors, celebrities, politicians and everyone else comes dressed to the nines. In general, think of the dress code as something you might wear to a spring or summer afternoon wedding. On Friday, the Kentucky Oaks dress code is pink, so be sure to plan accordingly.

The real focus of Derby fashion, of course, is the hats. As the saying goes, the bigger the hat, the bigger the luck, so feel free to go all out and take the opportunity to express yourself with a fancy headpiece.