43 Top Kentucky Derby Party Ideas for 2025
If you can’t travel to Churchill Downs, you can bring the famous race to you with these Kentucky Derby party ideas. The Kentucky Derby attracts more than 150,000 people every year. It dates back to 1875, making it “the oldest continuously running sports event in the United States,” according to the Kentucky Derby website. Many people are enthralled by the elegant event for the celebration aspect as much as the horse race.
The Kentucky Derby is known to be an event where attendees go all out. People dress up, wear intricate hats and enjoy delectable food and drinks. So, what do you do for a Kentucky Derby party? Replicate the fun and sophisticated atmosphere for your own event.
You may want to have a Kentucky Derby party to watch the event with your friends and family or want to use it as a theme for something like a birthday party or bridal shower. No matter what your reason for celebrating is, we’ve compiled some Kentucky Derby party ideas to bring Churchill Downs to your party!
Jump to Section
- Kentucky Derby Party Ideas at Home
- Elegant Kentucky Derby Party Decoration Ideas
- Kentucky Derby Party Food
- Kentucky Derby Party Ideas for Adults
- Kentucky Derby Party Ideas for Kids
- Kentucky Derby Party Games
- Kentucky Derby Party Ideas FAQs
Kentucky Derby Party Ideas at Home
1. Host the Party Outside
Part of the fun of the Kentucky Derby is being outside in the spring air watching the horses race. You can recreate this atmosphere by hosting the party outside. A patio or porch is the ideal setting to host all of your Kentucky Derby party ideas at home. Plus, you can hold games in the backyard.
2. Elegant Horse Table Settings
If you plan to have a seated meal, make stylish table pieces as one of your elegant Kentucky Derby party ideas. You can find elegant horse-themed plates, chargers, napkins and glasses. A simple and classic design maintains the derby theme in an elegant way.
3. Send Derby Invitations
Make a good first impression with stylish derby invitations. Choose a design with pastel colors, gingham or watercolor horse illustrations to send to all your guests. Be sure to mention the dress code so guests know what to wear. Your invitations can be a hint to all the Kentucky Derby party ideas you plan to have.
4. Horseshoe Escort Cards
Another option for a sit-down derby party is to have escort cards shaped like horseshoes. Escort cards are one of the easiest DIY Kentucky Derby party ideas to make. Cut a horseshoe out of cardstock, decorate it and write each of your guests’ names on a card.
5. DIY Mint Julep Kit
If you’re looking for Kentucky Derby party ideas your guests would never forget, consider giving a DIY mint julep kit as a party favor. Include mini bottles of bourbon and mint simple syrup in a cup decorated with ribbon.
6. Pony Drink Stirrers
Purchase pony drink stirrers as a fun little detail. Use these to stir your cocktails before sipping or to help your guests tell their drinks apart. This is one of the best Kentucky Derby party ideas at home since people will be milling around and likely setting their drinks down.
7. Bowtie Napkin Rings
Use gingham ribbon for this party idea. Gather your flatware inside a paper or fabric napkin and tie the ribbon into a bowtie to keep them all together. For a seated party, place the napkins at each setting. Or, if it’s a more casual affair, place the napkins in a decorative bucket for guests to grab when they need them.
Elegant Kentucky Derby Party Decoration Ideas
8. Horseshoe-Shaped Wreath
There are plenty of horse-themed elegant Kentucky Derby party ideas you can decorate with. Make a horseshoe-shaped wreath as a stylish decor piece. Use cardboard to create a horseshoe shape, then fill it with real or faux greenery or roses.
9. Gingham Tablecloth
Gingham tablecloths are simple and elegant Kentucky Derby party decorations that will bring some Southern charm to your party. Use the tablecloths on the food table or the main dinner table to easily bring the theme to life.
10. Rose Garland
The rose garland is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Kentucky Derby. String faux or real roses onto fishing wire to make garlands. Use these Kentucky Derby party ideas around the party space to make all your guests feel like they’re in the winner’s circle. Plus, making decor out of flowers can be a fun spring craft idea.
11. Gold Horse Figures
If you’ve been searching for decorating ideas for a Kentucky Derby party, this easy DIY will add unique details. Purchase plastic horse figurines and gold metallic spray paint. Once the horses are sprayed and dyed, you can set them around the party as decor.
12. Use a Trophy as a Vase
Thrift or buy a large trophy, particularly one with an open top. Then, you can fill it with flowers and greenery to use it as a base. You can also use smaller trophies with smaller arrangements around the area for stylish decorating ideas for a Kentucky Derby party.
13. Floating Flower Arrangement
Floating flowers are always elegant and make especially stylish Kentucky Derby party ideas. Cut the stems off of flowers like roses, lilies, tulips or flowers of your choice. Fill a glass bowl or wide vase with flowers, then gently place the flowers so they float on the water. It’ll make an elegant centerpiece for a party table.
14. Jockey Jersey Banner
The fashion at the Kentucky Derby is always top-notch, even the jockey’s jerseys. Get inspired by the unique patterns and colorful designs of the jockey jersey to use as Kentucky Derby party decorations. You can buy premade jersey banners to hang around your party.
Kentucky Derby Party Food
15. Hot Brown Party Rolls
What food is famous at the Kentucky Derby? The open-faced turkey sandwich called a Hot Brown originated in Louisville, Kentucky in the 1920s. It’s a popular food often enjoyed at the Kentucky Derby. Remake this sandwich for the party with turkey, tomato slices, bacon and Mornay sauce.
16. Mint Juleps
If there’s one drink you have to have at a Kentucky Derby party, it’s a mint julep. This is the official drink of the horse race and it’s relatively easy to make with bourbon whiskey, mint leaves and crushed ice.
17. Sweet Tea
Sweet tea is a beloved Southern staple, so it only makes sense to have it alongside your Kentucky Derby party food. Make a pitcher of classic sweet tea or serve it in glasses with a lemon slice.
18. Bourbon Meatballs
What kind of food do you serve at a Kentucky Derby party? Use ingredients that the state has made famous. Kentucky is famous for bourbon and you can use it for delicious party food like bourbon meatballs. Savory, a little sweet and a kick from the bourbon makes this one of the most delicious Kentucky Derby party ideas.
19. Benedictine Spread
Benedictine spread was invented in the 20th century in Louisville, Kentucky and has quickly become a party favorite. It’s made with cream cheese, mayonnaise, cucumber and onion. Serve it with crackers, carrots and celery.
20. Pimento Mac and Cheese
Pimento cheese is another Southern staple. It’s made with mayonnaise, cheese and pimentos, a type of mild and sweet pepper. Use these to make a creamy mac and cheese that can be the centerpiece of your Kentucky Derby party food. Or make it into bite-sized fried balls that make delicious game day food as well.
21. Bourbon Balls
No party is complete without dessert. Make a classic bourbon ball with Kentucky bourbon, cocoa powder, maple syrup and graham crackers. This decadent bite-sized confection is sure to be a favorite of all of your guests.
Kentucky Derby Party Ideas for Adults
22. Mix and Match Mint Juleps
The classic mint julep will all be a crowd favorite. But you can allow your guests to put their own spin on it with a mix-and-match mint julep station. You can include other fruits like strawberries, peaches and blackberries to add new flavors. It’s one of the most fun, hands-on DIY Kentucky Derby party ideas.
23. Stream the Derby
If you’re hosting the party during the derby, you have to show the race. Bring in a big-screen TV or project it on a large movie screen in the backyard. Keep the race in a separate section from your other Kentucky Derby party ideas so guests can have their choice of watching the race, playing games or eating.
24. Hobby Horse Race
If your guests think they could win the Kentucky Derby, this is the chance to prove it. Get a few hobby horses and host a race in your backyard. Guests have to run with the hobby horse between their legs. These races make silly Kentucky Derby party ideas for adults that will have everyone laughing.
25. Have a Bourbon Bar
Set out a few different types of Kentucky bourbon and cocktail ingredients to create your own bourbon bar. Guests can make classic bourbon cocktails Old Fashioneds, Paper Planes and Manhattans.
Handmade cocktails are hands-on and creative Kentucky Derby party ideas to engage your guests. Recreate this at home for fun spring date ideas, making cocktails with your partner.
26. Derby Bingo
For Kentucky Derby party ideas for adults to play throughout the whole party, play derby bingo. Give every guest a bingo card and a marker. Each square should feature something from the race or something from the party, such as a guest wearing a certain hat or a broadcaster saying “photo finish.”
27. Winner’s Circle Photo Booth
Make a photo booth where all your guests can show off their Kentucky Derby party outfits. This can feature a ring of roses, a grass wall, horse banners and more to create a picture-perfect backdrop.
28. Paint Decorative Horseshoes
If you’re looking for ideas for a Kentucky Derby party where guests can get a little creative, paint horseshoes during the party. Purchase decorative horseshoes, acrylic paint and paintbrushes. Guests can design their own horseshoes and take them home as favors.
Kentucky Derby Party Ideas for Kids
29. Relay Race
Let kids take part in their own race. Relay races are Kentucky Derby party ideas that will keep kids moving. Break them into teams and have them race along a course in the backyard, with each participant running a certain leg of the race.
30. Color a Horse
Kids can enjoy the Kentucky Derby, too, with plenty of crafts. Crafting always makes for fun Kentucky Derby party ideas for kids. Print out uncolored racehorses and provide crayons, colored pencils and markers for kids to color their own winning racehorse.
31. Mix and Match Fun Fashions
Kentucky Derby party outfits are one of the best parts of the day. Find colorful kids' clothing, including hats and bow ties. Then, allow kids to mix and match the pieces to make their own Kentucky Derby outfit.
32. Pick a Winner
Kids don’t have to take bets to root for a winner. There are plenty of Kentucky Derby party ideas for kids where kids can pick horses randomly, such as out of a hat, to choose a horse to root for during the race.
33. Design a Jockey Uniform
Another creative Kentucky Derby party idea is allowing kids to design a jockey uniform. Use a plain white sports shirt, and allow kids to use fabric paint, patches, buttons and other adornments to make their jockey uniform.
34. Create a Racing Horse Name
Racehorses always have unique names. Letting kids create their own is one of the simplest Kentucky Derby party ideas. Put a collection of adjectives and nouns in a container and allow kids to mix and match them to create new names.
35. Make Pennants
Make pennants that kids can wave during the race and hang up afterward. Purchase blank pennants and crafting supplies. Kids can paint a design and write whatever they want on their little flag.
Kentucky Derby Party Games
36. Place Your Bet
Betting on the outcome of the race is one of the most traditional party games for adults during the Kentucky Derby. You can bet who wins each heat and who ultimately takes the grand prize. It’s up to you whether you want it to be for fun or for real money.
37. Hat Contest
Intricate hats, fascinators and headbands are staples of the event. If you’re looking for Kentucky Derby party games that are easy to participate in, host a hat contest. Have everyone arrive in their wildest hat, and then have guests vote on their favorites.
38. Photo Finish
For this game, all you’ll need is a pair of dice and a homemade game board. Make squares from the start of the board to the finish line, each with a fun action or challenge.
Guests roll the dice to see where they move on the board, and they have to do the accompanying challenge. Depending on the dice rolls, the game can end in a breakaway or photo finish.
39. Best-Dressed Competition
For this Kentucky Derby party game, have guests come in their best, most elaborate derby outfits. Then, have everyone else award votes for the best dressed at the party.
40. Derby Trivia
Trivia is a crowd-pleasing game and makes one of the most fun Kentucky Derby party ideas. Break into teams to answer the host’s questions about previous derby facts.
41. Horseshoes
Of course, if you’re looking for Kentucky Derby party ideas, playing horseshoes is an obvious choice. Play the classic lawn game to see who can get it closest to the stake.
42. Hat Decorating
If you’re looking for hands-on ideas for a Kentucky Derby party, decorate hats. Use blank hats as a base and decorate them with fabric, feathers, sequins and more to make the most elaborate derby hat possible.
43. Pin the Jockey on the Horse
A derby twist to a classic party game. Blindfold guests, turn them around and then see how closely they can pin the jockey onto the racehorse.
Kentucky Derby Party Ideas FAQs
What Are 3 Traditions of the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is as famous for the horse races as much as it is for its iconic traditions. One of the visually flashy traditions is Kentucky Derby hats. These are worn by the women in attendance and often feature bright colors and elaborate details.
You may see fascinators, headbands and hats featuring feathers, flowers and fabric fans. Along with the hats, many who attend where wear bright and flashy fashions, including dresses and suits.
The second well-known tradition of the Kentucky Derby is mint juleps. The mint julep has been the official drink of the race since 1939. This iconic cocktail includes Kentucky bourbon, mint, and sometimes pomegranate, lemon, honey and orange. While there are plenty of other drinks served at the Kentucky Derby, the mint julep is among the most popular.
The third tradition of the Kentucky Derby is receiving roses in the winner’s circle. The horse and jockey who win the Kentucky Derby will stand inside a circle on the field, along with the horse’s owner and derby officials. A garland of roses is placed over the neck of the horse as they parade around victoriously. You can use these and other traditions for Kentucky Derby party ideas.
Get inspired by these Kentucky Derby party ideas to plan your own event surrounding the horse race. Though the races during the day only take two minutes, those who attend and who watch the event at home like to celebrate all day.
You can recreate the elegance and jubilation of the day with these Kentucky Derby party ideas. Host a watch party to watch the races or simply use it as a theme. No matter how you have a Kentucky Derby party, it’s sure to be a memorable day.
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