Good to know
- KDF says the Great Steamboat Race has run on the Ohio River since 1963.
- In 2026, 46 teams raced in the 37th annual Great Bed Races, according to KDF.
- Bed race rules require a standard double-size innerspring mattress and four load-bearing wheels.
Spring in Louisville means Derby Festival season, and much of its charm sits in the odd, cheerful traditions that fill the weeks between the opening fireworks and race day. Here is what to look for, based on what the Kentucky Derby Festival publishes about each event.
The marathon and half marathon
The festival includes a full marathon and half marathon, which KDF describes among its highlights. The festival also runs a free 15-week training program for its marathon and mini-marathon, and a separate training program for cyclists ahead of its cycling event. Spectators line the course; check the course map each spring for road closures, which affect buses and driving routes across the city on race morning.
Hot-air balloons
KDF lists hot-air balloon events among the festival highlights, including a balloon glow and a balloon race. Balloon events depend on calm weather and can be canceled or rescheduled on the day. KDF names the Great BalloonFest among the events the Pegasus Pin admits you to.
Tip: Balloon launches happen early, and weather calls are made close to the start. Check the festival’s channels before you set off.
The Great Bed Races
This is the tradition visitors ask about most. Teams push decorated beds on wheels around a figure-eight course, racing for the fastest time and competing for the most outrageous decorations. KDF reports that 46 teams took part in the 37th annual event in 2026, held at Broadbent Arena, under the theme Festival on the Move: Ticket to Ride.
The rules are specific. According to KDF:
- Beds must be at least 64 inches wide by 75 inches long and must have exactly four load-bearing wheels.
- The mattress must be innerspring, a standard double, at least 54 by 75 by 7 inches.
- Every participant wears a helmet, and every bed must be decorated for the parade before the race.
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed at the race site.
Awards go to the fastest times and to categories such as Best Decorated Bed and Most Entertaining.
The Great Steamboat Race
KDF calls it one of the original and longest-standing traditions of the festival, run on the Ohio River since 1963. Historic paddle-wheelers race for bragging rights and a pair of Silver Antlers. The race lasts about 2 hours and finishes back at the Wharf, followed by an awards ceremony. KDF reports that the Belle of Louisville won in 2026. Watch from the riverfront parks downtown. The Belle of Louisville’s captain, quoted by KDF, calls race day the boat’s day to shine; the vessel is more than a century old and still cruises the river.
Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront
Through the festival period, KDF runs an entertainment area on the waterfront with live music, food and family attractions. It lists Fest-a-Ville among the events the Pegasus Pin opens. KDF’s own overview describes outdoor concerts and casual food at the riverfront, from elephant ears and corndogs at the Chow Wagon to pet-friendly cocktail hours. Hours and nightly lineups change each year, so check the current schedule before you go.
How the spring traditions fit together
| Event | Best for | Cost to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon and half marathon | Runners and cheering crowds | Free along the course |
| Balloon events | Early risers and families | Pegasus Pin for some events |
| Great Bed Races | Families, office teams, anyone who likes costumes | Pegasus Pin or event pin |
| Great Steamboat Race | River lovers and history fans | Free from shore |
| Fest-a-Ville | Evenings with music and food | Pegasus Pin |
Planning tips
- Get the Pegasus Pin early; it opens several of these events. See Derby Festival on a Budget: Free Events and What the Pegasus Pin Covers.
- Expect road closures on marathon morning and around parade routes; TARC posts detours as rider alerts.
- Pack for changeable weather. NOAA normals for Louisville’s airport show May as the wettest month, averaging 5.18 inches of rain; see Louisville Festival Weather by Month: What to Pack and When to Worry.
- If you want to join rather than watch, applications open months ahead: KDF opened 2027 Pegasus Parade applications on October 16, 2026, with a deadline of January 12, 2027, and registration for its 2027 cycling event opened on October 6, 2026.
A sample spring weekend
Friday evening, walk the riverfront and catch live music. Saturday morning, cheer runners or head out early for balloons. Saturday afternoon, watch decorated beds race. Sunday, find a spot on Broadway for the parade. Every piece of that weekend is free or covered by one pin, which is the spirit the festival’s founders had in mind in 1956.
Joining in
Many of these traditions depend on volunteers and teams. KDF says the festival relies on a network of 4,000 volunteers and invites applications to volunteer, march in the parade or field a bed race team. It is one of the easiest ways for newcomers to feel part of the city. For the season as a whole, see The Kentucky Derby Festival: Louisville’s Spring Season Explained and Thunder Over Louisville: Fireworks, Air Show and How to Do the Day.