Kentucky Derby Packages, Kentucky Derby Tickets, & More

Join Bucket List Events for our three-night Kentucky Derby packages in Louisville offering an amazing weekend of big hats, parties, people watching, high fashion, bourbon sipping and of course Kentucky Derby tickets to watch the thrilling horse races. Churchill Downs has hosted the Kentucky Derby since 1875, which makes it the longest continuously running sporting event in American history.   Bucket List Events has been hosting guests since 2004, making us your most trusted source in Louisville.

The Kentucky Derby is often called the most exciting two minutes in sports, but don’t let the nickname fool you.  The Derby is an all day affair, and for that matter a complete Kentucky Derby experience takes about three full days.  We offer Kentucky Derby packages that include convenient hotel accommodations, tours of bourbon distilleries, race day transportation, and a range of options for Derby tickets.  You might also attend the exclusive Barnstable Brown Gala, named by Conde Nast as one of the Top 10 parties in the world.

Our Kentucky Derby packages will treat you to the experience of a lifetime.

JOIN US:
2023: – Check In: Thursday, May 4, 2023; Check Out: Sunday, May 7, 2023
Derby Day – May 6, 2023

What’s included?

• Three nights at one of our premium hotels (Crowne Plaza Airport or Hyatt Regency Louisville)
• Reserved seats for the Kentucky Derby
• Additional Experience (Choose one):  Friday tour of Bourbon Distilleries or Horse Farms or receive tickets to Kentucky Oaks
• Kentucky Derby gift
• Shuttle service to and from the airport (Crowne Plaza only)
• Optional experience add-ons
• On-site assistance from Derby experts
• Book with Confidence Policy included
• All-Inclusive Pricing – What you see is what you pay

Learn More About Package Options

Kentucky Derby Packages – Hotels

Finding a hotel room in Louisville during Derby can be a headache, but we’ve established a relationship with one of the closest hotels to the track so we can offer rooms to Bucket List travelers. The Louisville Crowne Plaza Hotel is located minutes from the airport and Churchill Downs and is equipped with all of the modern facilities you could need during your stay in Louisville. We also offer an alternative with lodging based in Lexington, an hour east of Louisville and in the heart of horse country.

Crowne Plaza (Louisville, KY)
Discover the meaning of modern southern hospitality and exceptional value at Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Center. You will enjoy spacious, modern rooms and attentive service. Located across the street from the Louisville International Airport and only minutes from Churchill Downs and downtown Louisville, this hotel makes an ideal location for offering quick convenience and accessibility from almost anywhere in the city. Learn more.

Hyatt Regency Louisville
Stay in the heart of downtown Louisville next to 4^th Street Live, and within walking distance to all the top Louisville attractions. The Hyatt Regency Louisville is conveniently located next to the Kentucky International Convention Center and close to KFC YUM! Center and historic district full of distilleries, bars, restaurants, and more.  Enjoy the onsite bar and restaurant, as well as, modern upscale rooms featuring a spacious layout with a sofa sleeper, 65” HDTV, free Wi-Fi, luxurious bathrooms, work desk, and mini-fridge. Learn more.

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Photo by Scott Utterback / Courier Journal

Package Experience Highlights

We offer Kentucky Derby packages that include convenient hotel accommodations, tours of bourbon distilleries, race day transportation and a number of Derby ticket options for you to choose from. You will also have the ability to enjoy exclusive parties and galas and upgrade your Derby ticket to include a VIP race day experience.  Let Bucket List Events treat you to the experience of a lifetime.  Learn more about all of our package experiences below.

The Derby Day Experience
Your Derby experience will be something you’ll be talking about for years to come and a memory you’ll never forget.  Every package includes a Derby Day ticket per person so you can experience the world “most exciting two minutes in sports” up close and personal.  Choose your ticket when you check out.  learn more.

Experience Bourbon and Horse Country
Louisville is located in the heart of Bourbon and Horse Country.   It’s only seems appropriate, while in Kentucky, to experience the area. Our guests can choose between three Friday experiences – A day tour of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail or beautiful horse farms or choose to spend the day at Churchill Downs enjoying the Kentucky Oaks races at Churchill Downs.  learn more.

Barnstable Brown Gala 
The Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala, is internationally recognized as the “premier” Kentucky Derby gala. The celebrity packed gala benefits the Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Research Center at the University of Kentucky.  Past guests include Boys II Men, Kid Rock, Tom Brady, Jennifer Nettles, Aaron Rodgers, Janet Jackson and more. This is an optional add-on experience to any package. +$1395  per ticket. learn more.

Turf Club Seat – VIP Track Experience
Enjoy an amazing 3rd Derby Day experience above the track overlooking the finish line and experience gourmet food and a premium open bar inside of the Turf Club’s dining room.  This is one of the most sought after experiences and the most requested location at Churchill Downs.  The Turf Club is known to host celebrities every year.  The Turf Club Seat is our VIP experience and offers an indoor seat in this exclusive area of Churchill Downs. (no outside seating).  learn more.

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Kentucky Derby Tickets

All of our Kentucky Derby packages include Derby day tickets.  We believe that everyone should experience the Kentucky Derby at least once in their lifetime so we offer package options that fit a variety of interest, needs, and budgets.   All packages are priced per person and based on the Kentucky Derby Tickets you choose.

Kentucky Derby tickets are complicated and the process of choosing where to sit can be overwhelming.  There are many options for admission with the most inexpensive tickets starting at the general admission level up to tens of thousands of dollars for VIP Boxes.  Our packages offer a few select sections to choose from, all giving you that Derby Day experience you have been dreaming of.  Whether or not you choose to upgrade your Derby day experience by adding a Turf Club Pass, that is up you.

For a better understanding about Kentucky Derby tickets and a detailed breakdown of the different options at Churchill Downs, click here.    Our team can also make recommendations based on your interests and budgets.  Contact us today and we will be more than happy to talk with you.

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Attending the Kentucky Derby is a lifelong dream for many and for others it simply ranks high upon their personal bucket lists.  Whatever your reason for attending this event may be, we are happy you’ll be joining us in Kentucky.  From the southern fashion and star-studded parties, to the history of witnessing the “greatest two minutes in sports,” you are guaranteed to experience an event weekend like no other.  We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and helpful articles that will shed light on some of the most popular questions and curiosities.

LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 03: Kent Desormeaux (2nd L), riding #20 Big Brown, leads out of turn 4 durinng the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2008 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Big Brown went on to win the Derby. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

More Useful Info

• The first-timer’s guide to Kentucky Derby attire
• Biggest upsets at the Kentucky Derby
• A guide to the Kentucky Derby hats tradition
• Things to do in Louisville, one of America’s most underrated cities
• Understanding Kentucky Derby tickets and seating options at Churchill Downs

Questions?

We may already answered it – check our comprehensive FAQ & Tips section. Our dedicated event experts have been organizing and attending the Kentucky Derby for years, so feel free to reach out.

Brian Peters
Kentucky Derby Sales Expert
  Call Brian

Rich Beard
Kentucky Derby Event Manager
  Call Rich

The terms Churchill Downs ®, Kentucky Derby ® and Run for the Roses ™ are trademarks of Churchill Downs Incorporated. The use of these terms herein is for factual description purposes only. Bucket List Events is in no way associated with or authorized by Churchill Downs Incorporated. Churchill Downs Incorporated has neither licensed nor endorsed Bucket List Events to sell goods and services in conjunction with the Kentucky Derby!