Downs After Dark

Downs After Dark: Oktoberfest

Saturday September 19 | Gates Open 5 p.m. |  First Race 6 p.m.

Get ready for an electrifying night of horse racing as the sun sets and the track comes alive with excitement! Downs After Dark is your ticket to an unforgettable evening filled with thrilling races under the dazzling lights.

Ticket Options:

Dining | Reserved Seating | General Admission | Suite Options: Buy Now

VIP Package Options:

1. General Admission: Access to the 100 level Box Seats, the Paddock, and the remainder of the first floor.

2. 3rd Floor Clubhouse Reserved Seat: Access to the 3rd Floor Reserved Box Seats, the Paddock, and the first through third floors.

3. 2nd Floor Champions Loge Reserved Seat: Access to the 2nd Floor Champions Loge Seats that overlook the paddock and the second floor Clubhouse food court. This ticket does not have a view of the track.

Each package includes a voucher for:

Choice of One Entrée

• Bierbratwurst (beer braised bratwurst) with Braised Onions
• German Smoked Brisket
• Smoked Chicken Leg Quarter with Kräuterbutter (Herb Butter)

Choice of One Side

• Smokehaus Mac & Cheese
• Warm German Potato Salad
• Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage Slaw
• Kentucky Sorghum Gurkensalat (Cucumber Salad)

Your choice for two drinks:

• Two 12 oz Oktoberfest style beers (for guests 21+)
• Non-alcoholic options available.

Buy VIP Package

Event Details | Oktoberfest

Raise a stein and enjoy a festive evening of live Thoroughbred racing, German-inspired drink specials, traditional Oktoberfest entertainment, and live entertainment throughout the night. Don your lederhosen or dirndl and join us for a unique blend of racing excitement and Bavarian tradition under the lights at the home of the Kentucky Derby.

What to Wear:

Race-day style meets Oktoberfest! Break out your lederhosen or dirndl, layer on your favorite fall fashions, and top it off with a racing-worthy hat for a look that's equal parts Kentucky and Munich.

Event Highlights:

• Stage Lineup (2nd Floor Paddock Terrace Stage)
  • 5:30PM: Big Time Grain Co.
  • 8:30PM: GudGroove
• German-American Club National Anthem Performance
• Beer Wagon Photo Op (1st Floor):  Say 'Prost!' and snap a photo at our Oktoberfest Beer Wagon, the ultimate backdrop for celebrating race day.
• Big Board Trivia Test your Oktoberfest knowledge and you could take home prizes from Churchill Downs!
• Stakes Races
  • Race 6: The Harrods Creek
  • Race 8: The Dogwood presented by Resolute Racing
  • Race 10: The Seneca Overnight Stakes

Food & Beverage

Biergarten (1st Floor Clubhouse Corridor) | Step into the Biergarten and experience the ultimate race day celebration. Sip on a selection of local beers, savor classic Oktoberfest flavors, and soak in the festive atmosphere. Whether you're raising a stein with friends or taking a break between races, the Biergarten is the perfect place to celebrate an unforgettable night at Churchill Downs.

Trackside Smokehaus (1st Floor Near Paddock Gate)

• Bierbratwurst (beer braised bratwurst) with Braised Onions
• German Smoked Brisket
• Smoked Chicken Leg Quarter with Kräuterbutter (Herb Butter)
• Smokehaus Mac & Cheese
• Warm German Potato Salad
• Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage Slaw
• Kentucky Sorghum Gurkensalat (Cucumber Salad)

Specialty German Beers (Clubhouse 1st Floor)

• Trailer 1:
  • Bell’s Oktoberfest
  • Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest
  • Sam Adams Oktoberfest
  • Angry Orchard Cider
• Trailer 2:
  • Paulaner Oktoberfest
  • Southern Tier Maple Warlock
  • Upland Oktoberfest
  • Yeungling Oktoberfest
• Trailer 3:
  • Southern Tier Pumking
  • West Sixth Oktoberfest
  • Warstn Oktoberfest
  • Woodchuck Amber

Specialty Cocktails, & Mocktails (Red Roses and 1st & 2nd Floor Paddock Bars)

• Tractor Sparkling Lemonade (NA)
• Q Mixers Apple Cider Mule (also available at 2nd Floor Paddock Terrace Satellite Bars)
  • Old Forester | Apple Cider | Q Mixers Ginger Beer | Cinnamon Stick Garnish

Traffic Alert: September 17–20

Guests traveling to Churchill Downs Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20 should plan for increased traffic and congestion along Crittenden Drive and Central Avenue due to multiple events taking place in the area.

Saturday, September 19 is expected to see particularly heavy traffic with Louder Than Life at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center, the University of Louisville vs. SMU football game at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium at 3:30 p.m., and Downs After Dark at Churchill Downs with gates opening at 5 p.m.

Guests are encouraged to use I-264 (Watterson Expressway) and Taylor Boulevard to access Churchill Downs’ frontside parking lots and allow additional time for arrival.

For current road and traffic conditions, please consult TRIMARC or the Waze app before traveling.

Event Information:

Saturday, September 19 | Gates Open: 5 p.m.

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Travel & Parking

View the most up to date parking information for your day at the races here >