One of the nation’s largest annual fireworks displays returns to Louisville on April 18, 2026, with the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Thunder Over Louisville. Themed “Thunder in the U.S.A.” in honor of America’s 250th birthday, this decades-old tradition is the official kick-off to the Kentucky Derby Festival and marks a two-week countdown to the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” the Kentucky Derby.
Taking place at Louisville’s Waterfront Park (voted Best Riverwalk in the U.S. by USA Today 10Best) the day-long event includes an airshow featuring military and civilian aircraft air show, a drone show, and 30-minute fireworks extravaganza choreographed to an original soundtrack.
The event is held over the Ohio River with viewing opportunities from both downtown Louisville and Southern Indiana and has seen up to half a million people in attendance.
On Thunder Day, FoodFest and the Thunder on the Ground festival area will open at 11 a.m., with the Air Show starting at 3 p.m., the Drone & Night Show at 9 p.m., and Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
TLDR? Here’s an Instagram reel from previous years.
“After nearly four decades, Thunder Over Louisville has become one of Kentucky’s most anticipated spring traditions,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “When Thunder returns on April 18, it will do more than kick off the Derby Festival season, it will bring our community together in a way only Thunder can.”
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this year’s Thunder show theme draws inspiration from the historic milestone. The day-long event has long showcased a patriotic spirit that you can see in the air show, hear in the soundtrack and feel in the energy of the crowd. Military partners have supported Thunder Over Louisville for more than three decades, with participation from across the U.S. Armed Forces. “Thunder in the U.S.A.” will take center stage in this year’s show and soundtrack, setting the tone for bold red, white and blue moments from start to finish. The 2026 event marks the 37th production of Thunder Over Louisville.
“Since the finale is the moment that everyone waits for in a fireworks show, we have always designed Thunder to be a 30-minute finale starting with the very first spark in the sky,” said Wayne Hettinger, Producer of Thunder Over Louisville. “And just when you think it can’t get any bigger, we add a finale on top of the finale. That is what makes Thunder so special and one-of-a-kind!”
About the Air & Drone Show
The Festival is planning another packed air show featuring both military and civilian aircraft. One of the main highlights is the U.S. Air Force Viper Demo. Guests can also expect flybys by multiple fighters, including the F-15, F-16 and F/A-18s from the United States Marine Corps, The V-22 Osprey makes a return this year, along with America’s newest frontline fighter, the F-35C. A special tactics demonstration featuring integration with the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade (Kentucky Army National Guard) and 123rd Special Tactics Squadron (Kentucky Air National Guard) is also planned for the 2026 show. Other highlights include: parachute demonstrations, large aircraft flybys, including the C-5M Galaxy, C-17, KC-135 and C-130Js, as well as Matt Younkin Twin Beech Aerobatics Demo, Britt Lincoln Extra 300 (MT), Nick Coleman’s custom Waco bi-plane “Kong,” SMOKE ON! Aviation, the Trojan Thunder Team, and Ace Maker Aviation. Additional details about the 2026 Thunder Air Show will be released closer to the show date.
The sixth annual Drone Show produced by Starlight Aerial Productions is another highlight of the 2026 show and will light up the nighttime sky as they fly over the Ohio River in different formations just before the fireworks begin.
The Fireworks
Thunder’s fireworks show is choreographed to an original soundtrack each year and Zambelli Fireworks will design the show again in 2026. On Thunder Day, the FoodFest and Thunder On the Ground open at 11 a.m., the Air Show starts at 3 p.m., the Drone & Night Show is at 9 p.m., and Fireworks blast off at 9:30 p.m.
“The creation of the soundtrack is compared to designing and building a roller coaster ride. Music selections are edited and blended together to give the effect of climbing to the top, freefalling and gaining speed, with lots of twists and turns,” Hettinger said. “Setting the pace to launch the tonnage of fireworks in 30 minutes is critical to Thunder’s legacy. Get ready for non-stop excitement!”
VIP Viewing
For fans looking for a front-row seat to the show, tickets are on sale now for the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party Presented by Kentucky Proud. Tickets are $225 per person and can be purchased at ThunderOverLouisville.org. Admission includes premium viewing, Kentucky Proud cuisine, local and regional beers, specialty cocktails, snacks, tent access, VIP facilities and more.
Presenting Sponsors
This is Ford Motor Company’s first year as a Presenting Sponsor of Thunder Over Louisville. A longtime partner of the Kentucky Derby Festival, Ford has supported multiple events over the years, including Thunder on the Ground. UPS has been a Presenting Sponsor of Thunder Over Louisville for 36 consecutive years. Caesars, who has been a partner of the Kentucky Derby Festival since opening in Southern Indiana, is back for the 27th straight year as a Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 show. LG&E returns for the 20th year as a Presenting Sponsor. In addition to being a sponsor of Thunder, they sponsor the Festival’s Go Green Program, supporting efforts to maintain a clean and sustainable environment. Also, in their 20th year as a Presenting Sponsor is Meijer. The Meijer Family Fun Zone returns to its location at the Big Four Bridge Lawn and offers a prime viewing space filled with family activities. UA Local 502 is in their second year as a Presenting Sponsor of Thunder. A Thunder partner since 2024, they help support transportation for on-the-ground staff and operations for the event.
Show Sponsors
Caesars Southern Indiana, Ford Motor Company, LG&E, Meijer, UA Local 502 and UPS are Presenting Sponsors of Thunder Over Louisville. Military Zone Sponsor: KCS Foundation and Waterproofing. Official Healthcare Provider: UofL Health. Official Bourbon: Four Roses Bourbon. Official Hotel: The Galt House Hotel. Official Soccer Partner: Lynn Family Stadium. Supporting Sponsor: Clark Material Handling Company. Official Broadcast Partners: WLKY and MIX 106.9.
All photos courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Festival.
