LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thunder Over Louisville lights up the Louisville skyline in 51 days. Kentucky Derby Officials have announced the theme along with other important details for the daylong celebration on April 20.

“Celebrating Derby 150” will be this year’s theme, inspired by the 150th Kentucky Derby and celebrating the historic milestone for the city. Known as the “Opening Ceremonies” for the Kentucky Derby Festival, Thunder Over Louisville is considered one of the country’s largest fireworks displays and air shows.

“Thunder has become more than fireworks and an air show over the last three decades. It’s an annual rite of spring in Kentucky, a signature attraction for tourism in Louisville and the Bluegrass, and an event that unites our entire community along the banks of both sides of the Ohio River,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival president and CEO. “We are especially grateful for the generous support of our sponsors who come back year after year to allow us to produce this one-of-a-kind event that helps us kick off the Derby Festival season.”

This year’s festival will include the fourth annual Drone & Night Show, and the Meijer Family Fun Zone will also make its return, offering a prime viewing space filled with family activities.

The festival has another packed air show lineup, featuring both military and civilian aircraft. Highlights include the Air Force Viper Demo and Heritage Flight, the Navy Growhler with Legacy Flight and the U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue. The show features several aerobatic routines and unique custom aircraft in formation and on the water. Spectators will witness fly-bys from the B-52, a flight of the Kentucky Air National Guard C-130s and a helicopter infiltration and extraction demonstration by the Kentucky Army National Guard and the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron.

Thunder’s fireworks show is choreographed to an original soundtrack each year. Zambelli Fireworks will design the show again in 2024. 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.

“As you can imagine, over the past 35 years, there has been a tremendous amount of music chosen to develop the Thunder soundtrack. Our challenge has always been to keep it exciting and powerful while incorporating new music trends,” said Wayne Hettinger, producer of Thunder Over Louisville. “The pace of this year’s soundtrack is a mix of current music that guarantees to make you weak in the knees and looking for something to hang on to for the finale.”

Thunder Over Louisville is one of over 70 events produced by the Kentucky Derby Festival in the lead up to the Kentucky Derby. According to KDF officials, the festival provides an estimated impact of $56 million to the area’s economy and entertains over 1.5 million people annually.