LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The iconic Thunder Over Louisville, an annual kickoff event for the Kentucky Derby Festival, has been canceled due to severe weather conditions and widespread flooding, the Kentucky Derby Festival announced Saturday. The event, which was scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2025, typically features a thrilling combination of planes, fireworks, and drones over the Ohio River. However, organizers cited logistical challenges caused by the weather and floodwaters that have impacted the area.
“This weather event is like nothing we’ve seen during our operational period for the Kentucky Derby Festival or Thunder Over Louisville,” said Matt Gibson, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival, in a statement. “At this time, it’s very logistically impossible to proceed with the event and ensure the safety of all involved.”
Thunder Over Louisville, one of the largest public celebrations in the region, draws thousands of spectators annually. The decision to cancel came after it became clear that floodwaters would not recede in time to allow for the necessary preparations. Due to the scale and complexity of the event, rescheduling is not an option, according to festival organizers.
“Unfortunately, Thunder is such a large-scale event and a massive logistical undertaking, involving federal, state, and local partners, that rescheduling or postponing is not an option,” Gibson added.
The 2025 event would have marked the 36th edition of Thunder Over Louisville, a tradition that has become synonymous with the official start of Derby season. It is only the second time in the event’s history that it has been canceled. The first cancellation occurred in 2020, when the event was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the cancellation of Thunder Over Louisville is a disappointment for many, the Kentucky Derby Festival remains hopeful that other events scheduled for the upcoming weeks will proceed as planned, weather permitting. The festival continues to be a highlight of the spring season, attracting visitors from across the nation for its wide range of events leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
For now, the Kentucky Derby Festival and Thunder Over Louisville fans will have to wait until next year for what is sure to be another spectacular show.
