LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Who is ready for funnel cakes, live music and fun on the waterfront? The Kentucky Derby Festival’s Fest-a-Ville opens Thursday, April 24 at 11 a.m. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Kentucky Derby Festival's Fest-a-Ville opens Thursday, April 24

  • The nine-day event features balloon glows, car shows, concerts and of course, food

  • Entry is just a 2025 Pegasus Pin, which can be bought early for $7 or $10 at the entrance to the event

Fans who check it out will find much more than just chow wagons. Once again, there will be two balloon glows, a pair of car shows, a circus and wrestling. The waterfront event, sponsored by Kroger, will also have concerts, rides and other family fun. Fest-a-Ville will stay open from Thursday until Friday, May 2. Hours each day are 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. The only thing a person needs to get into Fest-a-Ville is a 2025 Pegasus pin.

Highlights of the 2025 Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront line-up include: 

  • Double Glows: There will be two chances to see the Great Balloon Glow, first on Thursday, April 24 and again on Friday, April 25. The Parade of Balloons begins at 7 p.m. It’s followed by a Balloon Stagin at 8 p.m. and the glow begins at 9 p.m. on the Great Lawn. This is a glow only, no balloons will lift off. Pilots will fire their burners and the balloons will light up to music.

  • Cars & Coffee: The car show returns for the third year on Saturday, April 26 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Great Lawn. The show features several different styles of cars, including muscle, imports and German and American favorites.

  • Custom Car Showcase: The second car show is back for the second consecutive year on Sunday, April 27 from noon-5 p.m. on the Great Lawn. This show fans can e xpect beautifully painted and detailed custom cars from all across the U.S. and Canada. 

  • Motorcycle Night: Not to be left out, KDF is showcasing some two-wheeled beauties on Thursday, May 1 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on the Great Lawn. Enjoy a variety of motorcycles from all over the region.  

  • Louisville Turners Circus: The local circus company will perform aerial and ground circus acts, including aerial silks, rope, sling, aerial hoop, and dance trapeze. The circus comes to town Thursday, May 1, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on theGreat Lawn.

  • Chow Wagon: The long-running Derby Festival tradition will be open during the entire nine days of Fest-a-Ville. The Chow Wagon is an outdoor food and live music venue. Happy Hour happens on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors can have $4 beers at the Beer Garden.

  • Pegasus Play-Ville: This are features a variety of kid-friendly activities. Rides are open from noon-close on weekends (Friday-Sunday) and 4 p.m.-close on weekdays. 

  • NeighMaste on the Waterfront: If you want to just relax, KDF has you taken care of on Friday, April 25 from noon-1 p.m. on the Great Lawn. Festival goers can relax and recharge at the yoga event.  

  • Ohio Valley Wrestling Run for the Ropes: Attention all wrestling fans. On Friday, April 25 from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on the Great Lawn. KDF will have a special meet-and-greet with Ohio Valley Wrestling stars beginning at 5 p.m. It will followed by six big matches, including a special “Every Man for Himself Free-For-All” over the top rope Battle Royal. Produced by OVW. 

  • Ken-Ducky Derby: On Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. 50,000 ducks will take over the Ohio River. Call to the Post is at 4 p.m.; Duck Drop is at 4:02 p.m. The ducks will race and compete for prizes.  

  • Saturday Soiree Derby Drag Show: This event on Saturday, April 26 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. i The drag show will feature some of Louisville’s finest entertainers. For VIP tickets, visit the Louisville Pride Foundation website.

  • Mascot Party Presented by the League of Mascots: Sunday, April 27 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.

  •  GospelFest: This takes place Sunday, April 27 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the Miller Lite Music Stage. Gospel Artist and Choir Showcase featuring performances by Otis Kemp, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Jermanine Dolly and more.  

  • HappyTail Hour: Bring your four-legged friend to the Great Lawn on Tuesday, April 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • The Great Steamboat Race Watch Party: See the steamboats race their way up the Ohio for river supremacy. The party gets started Wednesday, April 30, at 6 p.m. on the Great Lawn.

  • Ohio Valley Wrestling Double Crossed Match: Live televised Ohio Valley Wrestling event featuring a four-corner battle takes place Tuesday, April 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Great Lawn. Special meet-and-greet with OVW stars at 6 p.m.  

  • Heroes in Education Day is Thursday, May 1. Free admission for educators.

  • Military Day is Friday, May 2 with free admission all day for Veterans and active military with their military ID. 

Performances by local and regional acts spanning a variety of musical genres will take the Miller Lite Music Stage at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, including:

  • Thursday, April 24: Kentucky Blue (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.); Red Thurzday (4-7 p.m.); Latin Night Featuring Henry Miles with DJ Xavi (8 p.m.-close)

  • Friday, April 25: Savannah Dean Reeves (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.); The Wilson Brothers (4-7 p.m.); The Foxies (8 p.m.-close)

  • Saturday, April 26: Lampus (4-7 p.m.); Soul Circus (8 p.m.-close)

  • Sunday, April 27: Whiskey Bent Valley Boys (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)

  • Monday, April 28: Mike Tracy Trio (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.); Cicily B and The Muse Effect (4-7 p.m.); Level Ground (8 p.m.-close)

  • Tuesday, April 29: HartShaker (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.); Soul Kitchen (4-7 p.m.); Unlimited Show Band (8 p.m.-close)

  • Wednesday, April 30: Justin Paul Lewis (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.); The Bottle Trees Band (4-7 p.m.); Radiotronic (8 p.m.-close)

  • Thursday, May 1: Most Wanted (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.); Dean Heckel (4-7 p.m.); The Velcro Pygmies (8 p.m.-close)

  • Friday, May 2: Derby Eve Jam featuring Roses & Rattlesnakes (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.); White Lighter (4-7 p.m.); Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders (8 p.m.-close)

 A reminder to everyone planning to attend, food, drink and pets are not permitted. Pets will be allowed on Tuesday, April 29. Pegasus Pins can be bought around town for $ 7, but can be bought at Waterfront Park for $10.

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