Featured Events

'Run for the Roses Package' – Your All-Access GA Pass for Derby Week! Experience the thrill of Derby Week with our brand-new General Admission 'Run for the Roses Package'! This exclusive offer includes GA tickets to all six of Churchill Downs’ most exciting events:

• Opening Day
• Sunday Funday
• 502'sDay
• Winsday
• Thurby
• Kentucky Oaks
• Kentucky Derby

Celebrate the full Derby Week experience for $296. Whether you're a local tradition-keeper or a first-time visitor, this package is your ticket to unforgettable racing moments all week long. Don’t miss out—secure your spot today and run for the roses with us!

Opening Day | Gates Open: 11:30 a.m. | First Race: 12:45 p.m.

Opening Day centers around family-friendly fun for the entire community. Celebrate the 152nd Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks post-position draws. New for this year, Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and Mini Marathon finishers will receive free admission if they wear their medals to Opening Day. Wear your medal to the box office and receive a free general admission ticket. Guests are encouraged to coordinate their attire with their family members, friends or significant others.

Opening Day | Gates Open: 11:30 a.m. | First Race: 12:45 p.m.

Sunday racing returns to Kentucky Derby Week for the first time since 2010, which gives the community an extra day to celebrate the seasonal fun with brunch options around the track.

Dawn at the Downs is a cherished tradition for both Louisvillians and visitors alike. Racing fans gather to watch Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders during their morning workouts, all while selecting their favorites for the weekend's races.

Thursday April 23rd-Wednesday April 29th
Time: 7 a.m.

Dawn at the Downs Dining
April 27th | 7 a.m.

502'sDay | Gates Open 11:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m.

502’sDay returns for its fourth year, shining the spotlight on what truly makes this city special – the community. General Admission is $5. Guests are encouraged to “Shop Local” and wear outfits from Louisville’s local shops and boutiques.

Winsday | Gates Open 11:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m.

In partnership with the Community Foundation of Louisville, local nonprofit organizations will be invited to fundraise and highlight the work they do to make Louisville a more vibrant place to live, work and play.  By purchasing Winsday tickets through a registered nonprofit, guests will directly contribute to these vital agencies, with a portion of each ticket sale benefiting their incredible work.

Thurby | Gates Open: 10:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m.

In partnership with the Frazier History Museum, Churchill Downs will transform into a vibrant display of the state's rich heritage. Delve into Kentucky's storied past and lively present with engaging photo ops and experiences that capture the essence of our rich culture. A must-attend for history buffs, music lovers, and racing enthusiasts alike, this event encapsulates Kentucky's spirited music, deep-rooted traditions, and vibrant atmosphere.

The Longines Kentucky Oaks, now celebrating its 152nd running, is America’s premier race for 3-year-old fillies. Held each year the day before the Kentucky Derby, the Oaks offers a $1.5 million purse and awards the winner the iconic 'Lilies for the Fillies' garland. As one of the longest-running sporting events in U.S. history, the Oaks is steeped in tradition and meaning. Oaks Day is also a celebration of breast cancer awareness, with fans embracing the 'Pink Out' tradition by wearing shades of pink to honor this meaningful cause.

No other entertainment event is as alluring, captivating, and thrilling as the Kentucky Derby. Call it what you will—the Run for the Roses®, the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®, or America's Race. This year marks the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve, the first leg of the Triple Crown. More than just a horse race, it’s a tradition steeped in history and held in the heart of America. It’s a way of life, representing the hopes and dreams of millions across the globe.

Twilight Thursdays – Spring Meet | Gates Open 4 p.m. | First Race 5 p.m.

Twilight Thursdays return with Thoroughbred racing, $2 select domestic beer, live music and an array of locally popular food trucks in the Paddock Plaza each Thursday of the Spring Meet!

Mother's Day | Gates Open 11:30 a.m. |  First Race 12:45 p.m. | Chef's Tables TBD

This Mother's Day, go beyond the ordinary and spoil Mom with a day full of thrills! Create cherished memories with Mom that will last a lifetime. It's a celebration fit for the queen she is!

Downs After Dark | 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. Learn More!

Senior Day | Gates Open Noon |  First Race 1:00 p.m. | Chef's Table Noon

Come out to the track to watch exciting live thoroughbred racing. On Senior Day, Churchill Downs invites guests 60 and older to enjoy lunch on Millionaires' Row for only $45. Learn more!

Military Appreciation Day | Monday, May 25 & Sunday, June 14 | Gates Open 11:30 a.m. |  First Race 12:45 p.m.

It’s Military Appreciation Day at the track, a day filled with gratitude, remembrance, and thrilling horse racing action.

We proudly celebrate and honor America’s servicemen and women for their unwavering patriotism, dedication to our country, and sacrifice for the greater good.

Active-Duty Military or Retired Veterans receive free admission with their Military ID. Learn more

Stephen Foster Preview Day | Saturday, May 30 | Gates Open 11:30 a.m. |  First Race 12:45 p.m.

A day filled with excitement as the thoroughbreds compete in six thrilling stakes races that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Feel the adrenaline, witness the skill, and be part of the racing action that promises to deliver unforgettable moments.

Teacher Appreciation Day | Gates Open 4 p.m. |  First Race 5 p.m. | Chef's Table TBD

Come out to the track to watch exciting live thoroughbred racing. On Teacher Appreciation Day, Churchill Downs invites local educators to enjoy Millionaires' Row for only $45. Learn more!

BELMONT STAKES WATCH PARTY | Saturday June 6 | Gates Open 11:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m.

Watch the 2026 Belmont Stakes the Third Leg of the Triple Crown on the Big Board while enjoying 11 live thoroughbred races every day.

Family Adventure Day | Gates Open 11:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m.

Family Adventure Day is the perfect event for the entire family to enjoy a day of fun under the Twin Spires. Join us under the iconic Twin Spires for a day of live racing, thrilling action, and over 15 kid-friendly activities.

Father's Day | Sunday, June 21 | Gates Open 11:30 a.m |  First Race 12:45 p.m.

Join us for Father's Day at Churchill Downs, where tradition meets excitement, and dads are celebrated in true racing style!

Stephen Foster Day | Saturday, June 27 | Gates Open 11:30 a.m. |  First Race 12:45 p.m.

A day filled with excitement as the thoroughbreds compete in thrilling stakes races that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Feel the adrenaline, witness the skill, and be part of the racing action that promises to deliver unforgettable moments.