Churchill Downs is welcoming guests for its 13th annual September Meet, running from today through Sunday, Sept. 28. Beyond the thrill of live horse racing, the meet features a vibrant lineup of themed events that make it a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike.
Twilight Thursdays: Thursday, Sept. 18 and 25: For three Thursday evenings, Churchill Downs transforms into a lively social hub with Twilight Thursdays in the Paddock Plaza. Guests can enjoy live music from regional artists like Piper Madison, Ben Bernhard, and Kevin Neihoff, alongside a rotating selection of food trucks offering everything from Thai cuisine and Mexican to gourmet grilled cheese and hot dogs. Yard games and a festive atmosphere make this a perfect outing for friends and families.
College Day – Saturday, Sept. 13: College students are invited to a special day featuring scholarship giveaways, meet-and-greets with the Bellarmine University basketball team, and interactive activities with local equine education programs. Students can explore career paths in the horse racing industry and enjoy exclusive discounts and giveaways.
Stakes Room Brunch – Sundays: Each Sunday, guests can indulge in a Stakes Room Brunch, offering a wide array of Southern-inspired dishes in an elegant setting overlooking the track. It’s a perfect way to combine gourmet dining with the excitement of race day.
Senior Day – Friday, Sept. 19: Churchill Downs honors its senior guests with a dedicated Senior Day, featuring lunch and racing in the luxurious Millionaires Row. It’s a relaxed and social way to enjoy the historic venue.
Thoroughbred Aftercare Day – Saturday, Sept. 27: This special day celebrates retired racehorses and the organizations that care for them. Visitors can meet Golden Strike, the dam of 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, and learn about her life after racing. Eight aftercare organizations will be on-site to share their missions and offer interactive experiences.
To help with planning a trip to Louisville for the fall meet, fans can download a copy of Louisville Tourism’s annual Visitor Guide to see the city’s top attractions and bourbon distilleries.
About Louisville Tourism
As one of the oldest official Destination Marketing Organizations (DMO) in the country, Louisville Tourism’s mission is to enhance the city’s economy through tourism. It works to raise awareness of Bourbon City’s brand worldwide to inspire inbound travel which reached 19 million visitors in 2024. As the third largest industry in Louisville, tourism supports nearly 70,000 local tourism-related jobs and contributes an estimated $4.2 billion to the economy. Tourism also creates $247M in state and local tax revenue, saving each household in Louisville an average of $800 on its state and local tax bill. From the city’s world-renowned global events like the Kentucky Derby to a vibrant culinary scene and a rich Bourbon cultural heritage, Louisville offers a unique experience for all who visit.
