For a memorable Kentucky Derby party at home, build around the race broadcast, a few springtime touches, and activities guests can join on their own terms. These 11 ideas cover drinks, decor, dress-up, games, and favors—with alcohol, hats, and betting all optional.
Set the scene
1. Make a Mint Julep station—with a nonalcoholic option
The Kentucky Derby names the Mint Julep as its traditional beverage: Kentucky bourbon, simple syrup, and mint served over crushed ice. Put the ingredients and ice where guests can serve themselves, and offer an alcohol-free mint drink as an equally visible choice. The official Derby page reports that more than 125,000 Mint Juleps are enjoyed at Churchill Downs over the two-day Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby period each year. That venue figure is not an estimate for a home gathering. Kentucky Derby: Mint Julep
2. Use julep cups as drinkware—or decor
Churchill Downs says the Mint Julep became the official drink during the 1930s and that it first ordered souvenir julep cups in 1937. Use the cups for drinks, or set one on a table as an accent; regular glasses work just as well. Kentucky Derby: Mint Julep
3. Make a rose centerpiece
Arrange fresh red roses in a julep cup for a small centerpiece that brings together the Derby’s floral imagery and the drinkware tradition. Trim the stems and keep leaves below the waterline out of the vase water. Kentucky Derby: Decor
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4. Invite guests to wear a hat or spring outfit
Make the dress prompt an invitation, not a dress code: guests can wear a Derby-style hat, a spring outfit, or whatever they already feel comfortable in. Churchill Downs announced its 2026 style guide on March 24, 2026, with Zanna Roberts Rassi returning as guest editor for a third consecutive year; the announcement describes a guide that honors tradition while reflecting current trends and cultural influence. Kentucky Derby: What to Wear
Give guests something to do
5. Hold a best-hat contest
Invite anyone who wants to take part to show off a hat, then award a ribbon or small favor. Keep it lighthearted and let guests participate without buying anything—or join the party without wearing a hat. Kentucky Derby: Entertainment
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- What You Will Get: Each package come with 10pcs horse printed latex balloons, 36pcs red balloons, 36pcs black balloons, 25pcs gold balloons, 5pcs confetti balloons, 2pcs horse foil balloons, 1pc rose foil balloons and 4 balloon tools. These vibrant colored balloons will create an exceptional Derby Party ambiance.
- Perfect Horse Racing Themed Decerations: This balloon features a Horse Racing Theme design, incorporating elements such as a horse and a rose. It is ideally suited for enhancing the atmosphere at a horse racing-themed party or celebratory event. These themed balloons can be combined with a variety of decorative accessories to create custom displays, including balloon arches and garlands using balloon strips.
- Wide Applications: These elegant balloons can be used as decorative ornaments to enhance the ambiance of various spaces, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere. They also serve as ideal backdrops or photographic props, making them well suited for horse racing parties, birthday celebrations, graduation ceremonies, baby showers, weddings, and other cheerful events.
- Durable Materials: All of our party accessories are crafted from high-quality materials. The balloons are made of premium latex, designed to be durable. Once deflated, they can be stored easily and reused for future celebrations.
- Easy to Use: This red blue white balloon arch set includes a beautiful assortment of balloons in four sizes—18-inch, 12-inch, 10-inch, and 5-inch, featuring elegant shades of red, black and gold helping your celebration truly stand out with seasonal elegance.
6. Create a Derby photo corner
Set out a plain backdrop with a few oversized hats, jockey goggles, and horse cutouts. Guests can take pictures between raceside conversation and activities; a simple corner is enough to make the idea work. Kentucky Derby: Entertainment
7. Play short Derby-history trivia
Prepare a handful of concise questions about Kentucky Derby history and keep the answers handy. Short rounds make it easier for newcomers to join in without needing to know the sport already. Kentucky Derby: Entertainment
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- Package: You will get 5 horse theme foil balloons and 2 accessories all in 1 kit, contains 2 large horse balloons in black and brown + 1 giant rose bouquet balloon + 1 golden horseshoe balloon + 1 golden champion trophy balloon + 1 straw + 1 silver curlling ribbon, perfect for your Kentucky horse Derby party
- Quality: Our balloons are made of good-quality, non-toxic and eco-friendly rubber which are long lasting. You can use helium or air to inflate. but no matter how good it is, balloon will explode when you inflate it too much, we suggest you inflate the balloon about 80%
- Use: Inflate all the balloons then insert the balloon knot into the hole of the balloon chain strip. To make more gorgeous looking,you can add some eucalyptus,curling ribbon,flowers,leaves,tulle and more. We also provide tools that help you to make the balloon arch easily
- Events: The balloon arch kit is perfect for Kentucky Derby Day, run for the roses party, equestrian party, country farm rustic wedding, horseback riding theme party, birthday party, baby shower, weddings, engagements, anniversaries , photo shoots and so on. You can hang it beside the walls,windows,doorways,dinner tables and any place that you like
- Tips: When the balloon is first taken out, it will smell a little and can be left to dry in a cool, ventilated place. To prevent dust from darkening the balloons, you can blow up the balloons shortly before the event, or use balloon glow spray to keep them shiny
8. Let everyone make a no-stakes horse pick
Instead of requiring wagers, invite guests to draw a horse name or make a free pick. A small non-cash prize can make the reveal fun without making betting part of the price of admission. The official party guidance also suggests a betting station using faux money. Kentucky Derby: Entertainment
9. Set up a horseshoe toss outdoors
If you have outdoor space and the weather cooperates, offer a backyard horseshoe toss. Keep an indoor trivia or photo activity ready as a backup. Kentucky Derby: Entertainment
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- Package Includes - 4 PACK Derby roses artificial vines, each garland is 8 feet long. Each vine has 9 flowers, with a diameter of 3.15".
- Durable Material - Derby party supplies are made of high-grade fabric and green plastic, non-toxic and harmless, and easy to clean.
- How to Use - The Derby decorations roses are soft, can be bent into any shape, and wrapped around various cylinders.
- Widely Used - Suitable for decorating Derby parties, weddings, homes, offices, and other occasions, creating a strong holiday atmosphere.
- Features - Derby Day roses are lifelike and have lasting vitality. Simply install them to create a strong festive party atmosphere.
Make the gathering easy to enjoy
10. Send guests home with a small favor
Custom cocktail stirrers or a mint-julep mix kit with fresh mint and a recipe card are themed take-home options. Mini bourbon bottles are another suggestion, but treat alcohol as optional and check guest preferences before choosing an alcoholic favor. Kentucky Derby: Entertainment
11. Build a playlist and a comfortable viewing area
Put the broadcast where guests can see it, leave room for conversation, and make space for any games or serving station. The official at-home hub includes watching among its checklist categories, and the entertainment page points to an official Kentucky Derby party playlist. Check current race timing and viewing information close to race day; the sources cited here do not establish the next event’s schedule. Kentucky Derby: At Home Kentucky Derby: Entertainment
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- Package Includes - 2 pack roses artificial flowers vines, each garland is 7.5 feet long. Each vine has 16 flowers, with a diameter of 3.15 inches.
- Durable Material - Flower garland decorations are made of high-grade fabric and green plastic, non-toxic and harmless, and easy to clean.
- How to Use - The Derby decorations roses are soft, can be bent into any shape, and wrapped around various cylinders.
- Widely Used - Suitable for decorating Derby parties, weddings, homes, offices, and other occasions, creating a strong holiday atmosphere.
- Features - Roses artificial flowers are lifelike and have lasting vitality. Simply install them to create a strong festive party atmosphere.
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