The Kentucky Derby is an annual horse race run the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky since 1875. | Photo by CLTtoday
The new year is well underway, so we’re looking ahead to all the biggest events and dates coming up in and around Derby City. We’ve also including some dates for our neighboring city of Lexington.
Bonus: Be sure to bookmark our monthly Plan Ahead for a more complete look at what’s ahead. Plus, LEXtoday has one of their own.
Louisville
Thunder Over Louisville: Saturday, April 18
The kickoff to Derby Festival is one of the biggest events of the year in Louisville. Expect heavy traffic all along the waterfront — it’ll be the first Thunder since 2024.
The Kentucky Derby: Saturday, May 2
The week leading up to the best two minutes in sports will be packed with events all over town, not just at Churchill Downs. Opening night falls on Saturday, April 25, while the Derby itself will be on Saturday, May 2. Expect to see plenty of traffic in the South 3rd Street area near U of L.
The State Fair: Thursday, Aug. 20-Sunday, Aug. 30
Animal shows, concerts, and more fried food than you can shake a hot dog on a stick at: all this and more await you at the Kentucky State Fair. Expect to see heavier than usual traffic around the fairgrounds.
The Friends of the Parkland Library will host a book sale at the Goodwill Opportunity Center next Tuesday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Books, CDs, and DVDs will be $1 each.
Classico Pizzeria is now open on E. Main Street Downtown. It comes from the same owners as Caffe Classico and Classico Takeout Empanadas, serving New York-style pizza Wednesdays-Saturdays.
Holiday
The Asia Institute Crane House will host a Lunar New Year celebration this Sunday, Jan. 18 at the Speed Art Museum. Welcome in the year of the horse with lion + dragon dance performances, K-Pop, and Korean Janggo dance. Admission to the museum is free.
Active
The hype is building for the 2026 Winter Olympics, and plans are already falling into place for the next Summer Games. Ticket registration is open for Los Angeles 2028, with one-third of tickets set to cost under $100. It’s never too early to get in the spirit by hitting a local gym. (Los Angeles Times)
Sports
Can Pat Kelsey adjust his coaching style and rally the Cards before tournament hopes slip away? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Louisville Cardinals with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
In case you missed it, the new Muhammad Ali Forever stamp is now available. Stop by your local post office to pick up a book of the “Greatest” stamps you’ll ever buy.
Move over tinsel town. Louisville was just named one of the best places to live and work for filmmakers. Everything from state-wide tax incentives to Louisville’s four-season climate make it a popular destination for movie makers.
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