The Kentucky Derby is not just a horse race; since 1875, the first leg of the Triple Crown has been a celebration filled with excitement, tradition, and style. In fact, this iconic thoroughbred competition is the oldest continuously held major sporting event in the United States! Each year, millions of people around the world tune in for the occasion and if you can't be in Louisville for the big day, consider hosting your own party locally where you can make some friendly wagers amongst your pals and create a memorable experience for everyone!

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Famously known as "The Most Exciting 2 Minutes in Sports," the tradition of the Kentucky Derby delights all no matter if you’re a horse enthusiast or not. The grandeur, history, and contagious energy always make the first Saturday in May a holiday unto its own so let’s get ready! From "Run for the Roses" themed decorations to the perfect mint juleps, this guide will help you create a remarkable Kentucky Derby gathering that your guests will remember long after the last race. 🏇🌹

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Tips for Setting the Scene of Your Kentucky Derby Party

Bedecking your space for a Kentucky Derby party is all about blending southern charm, classic elegance, and a bit of playful pageantry. You can create the right atmosphere with a few simple touches and your venue will be transformed into a mini version of Churchill Downs! Here’s a breakdown to cultivate an unforgettable Derby vibe:

Tap the following link to secure your commemorative 2025 Official Kentucky Derby Glass

A glass featuring Kentucky Derby 151, with horse illustrations and dates from 1875-2025 in gold. "Churchill Downs" at the bottom.

Decorate in Style (Classic, Southern, & Horse-Inspired)

Go for a color palette of the official flower of the Kentucky Derby, red roses, along with green (turf), black, gold, and white. Add these décor ideas for a fun theme:

Red roses everywhere: Centerpieces, garlands, or mini bouquets.
Mini jockey silks, horse figurines, and horseshoes.
Julep Cups, Derby themed plates, bowls, and napkins.
Turf table runners and gold-rimmed tableware.
Chalkboard signage for drinks or betting instructions.
DIY photo booth with a rose or horse inspired backdrop and props (binoculars, masks, silk scarves, hats, and signs).

Check out these fun accoutrements that can be delivered right to your door...

Photo Booth Props for entertaining pictures-

Horse-themed photo booth props include hats, glasses, and horseshoes. Text reads "Giddy Up." Colors: pink, green, black, and blue.

Porch Banner Jockey Silks Indoor Outdoor Decoration

Colorful jockey silks adorn panels flanking a wooden door. Patterns include diamonds, stripes, and dots, creating a vibrant, decorative display.

Burlap Kentucky Derby Banner Garland Decoration

Bunting with "Kentucky Derby" text, horse silhouettes, and red roses on burlap flags against a textured dark background.

Jockey Silks Dish Towels

Two dish towels with colorful grid of jockey silks with various patterns like stripes, stars, and diamonds. Set against a black background with brown belts.

Dress to Impress

Fashion is a highlight of the Kentucky Derby, so encourage your guests to wear their most stylish outfits, from fancy dresses to playful hats depending on your vibe. Organizing a Best Dressed or Best Hat contest can elevate the excitement, rewarding the most creative attire with a fun prize, like a bottle of bourbon or a Derby-themed gift.

Offer dress suggestions in your invite to get everyone in the spirit:

Women: Floral dresses, wide-brimmed hats or fascinators, pearls, wedges.
Men: Seersucker suits, bow ties, fedoras or Panama hats, loafers.

Entertainment and Activities

Keep your guests entertained with engaging activities throughout your party. Plan a few Derby-Inspired games to keep the energy high. A trivia contest about Derby history, Derby themed Bingo, or a "Guess the Horse" game are great ways to connect guests and invoke some friendly competition. But ultimately in true racing style, you must have a few betting options to truly pay homage to the race.

Horse Race Betting Pool Ideas

Set up a friendly betting pool where guests can draw names of their favorite horses. Offer a small prize for the winner. This fun competition will get everyone invested in the race and heighten the excitement. Here are a few more gaming options:

Upon arrival, hand these Derby Scratch-off Tickets to your guests and give the winner a gift!

Hand scratching a card with horse race images and text "Scratch-Off Game." Colors: green, pink, blue. Text: "If your horse finishes first, you're a winner!"

Winning Horse Pot - $1, $2, or $5 entry (whatever amount you want to establish). Write all horse names (or numbers) on small pieces of paper, each guest picks one out of a hat or large bowl/pitcher. Winner take all!
Last Horse Pot- Same concept as the Winner's pot, but in a different bowl for the horse that comes in last.

Win, Place, Show- Want to try a more in-depth option where you can pay out whoever comes in 1st, 2nd, & 3rd? You will need a mason jar for every horse entered in the race. Guests write their names on a piece of paper and pay to put their name in however many horse jars they pay for. Then the whole pot will be split with half the money going to the 1st place winners, 1/3 of the pot to 2nd place, and 1/6 for 3rd place. Make sure to put your most trusted mathematician in charge of this one!

For a free printable download of the rules to display for your friends, tap the button below!

How To Bet Printable

You can find these Mason Jars on Amazon.

Food and Beverage Choices

No party is complete without delicious food and drinks, so embrace classic southern cuisine to delight your guests. Did you know that every year, over 120,000 mint juleps are served at the Kentucky Derby? Style your drink station with silver julep cups, fresh mint, crushed ice, and vintage drink tags.

Close-up view of a traditional mint julep in a silver cup — A traditional mint julep garnished with fresh mint leaves in a classic silver cup.

Signature Drinks Station:

Mint Juleps- 2 oz. Bourbon, 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup, 3 Fresh Mint Leaves, Crushed Ice
Sweet Tea Vodka cocktails
Bourbon Old Fashioneds- 1.5 oz. Bourbon, 0.75 oz. Simple Syrup, 3 dashes aromatic bitters, garnish with an orange swath
Oaks Day Lily Recipe- 1 part Vodka, 1 part Sweet and Sour Mix, 1/4 part Triple Sec, 3 parts Cranberry Juice, Garnish with blackberries and a lemon wedge
Offer mocktail versions too

Elevate your gathering with these Personalized Mint Julep Cups - which are a perfect take home gift!

Silver cups with horse racing designs overlaid on a racetrack background. Text: "Choose Your Image, Write Your Text, Elevate Your Party."

Southern Delicacies

Now if you prefer, we can keep this real simple and just run out to pick up a few buckets of KFC because you can't go wrong with the Colonel's fried chicken! 🍗 However, if you're feeling festive and have the time, why not serve a mix of southern inspired appetizers by offering small plates or a buffet with these delicious possibilities:

Kentucky Burgoo Stew
Mini Hot Brown Sliders
Mini Pulled Pork Sliders
Pimento Cheese Dip & Crackers
Beer Cheese Dip & Veggies
Bourbon-Glazed Meatballs
Fried Chicken Bites
Shrimp & Grits Cups
Cucumber Sandwiches
Benedictine Sandwiches
Country Ham Biscuits
Deviled Eggs
Derby Pie Bites
Chocolate Pecan Tartlets
Bourbon Balls

How cute are these Talk Derby to Me napkins, plates, and cups?!

Red napkins with gold print of a jockey on a horse and text "Talk Derby to Me." Elegant and festive design.

Red plates and cups with gold horse and text "Talk Derby to me," adorned with roses. Stacked neatly against a dark background.

Final Touches

As the day wraps up, small details can elevate your party’s impact. Whether you specified an end time on your invites or want to keep the energy going with lawn games, make sure your guests have an idea of what to expect. Maybe even play a classic equestrian movie like National Velvet, The Black Stallion, Sylvester, Secretariet, Dreamer, Simpatico, or Seabiscuit, as everything winds down.

Party Favors

Send guests home with thoughtful party favors. Consider personalized mint julep cups or coozies, bags filled with Derby-themed treats like chocolate horse figurines or a small bottle of bourbon. These tokens will ensure your event remains memorable.

Kentucky Derby - Mini Candy Bar Wrapper Stickers

Silver candy wrappers with "Down and Derby" text, green diamond pattern, and a horse silhouette, on a dark textured background.

Kentucky Derby Coozies

Assorted drink koozies with Derby-themed designs feature colorful horse racing images and text like "Talk Derby to Me," set against a white background.

Your Derby Celebration Awaits

Hosting a Kentucky Derby party can be an enjoyable, rewarding experience filled with lively decor, delicious southern cuisine, engaging activities, and a vibrant atmosphere. It’s about relishing the race, the good company, and, of course, the refreshing mint juleps! Gather your friends, don your finest hat, and let the festivities unfold.

With these essential tips in hand, you’re ready to plan your own Kentucky Derby Party extravaganza. Happy Derby Day! 🏆