FRIDAY
Oaks Churchill Downs Prices vary; 8 a.m. Everyone likes to say that Thurby is the new day for locals, but not everyone can get off work on a damn Thursday. So leave work a little early this Friday and stretch your legs out at the track, sip on some Kentucky bourbon and place a bet on your favorite filly. Who knows, if youre lucky enough, you may not have to go back to work Monday.
Derby City Brewfest 2016 KFC Yum! Center $5-$75; 5 p.m. This beer competition boasts over 100 beers plus bourbon from Four Roses and wine from Little Kentucky River Winery. There will also be live music provided by the bands Uncommon Houseflies, Whiskey Bent Valley Boys, Jericho Woods, Quiet Hollers and Hot Brown Smackdown.
Trifecta Music Series Haymarket Whiskey Bar Free; 8 p.m. Haymarket Whiskey Bar is hosting a trifecta of free music to accompany your trifecta of horse racing at Churchill Downs. On Thurby (Thursday) it had The Deloreans, Noisebody and Maximon. The music continues on Oaks (Friday) with Quiet Hollers, Frederick The Younger and Crunchy Groove Machine; and on Derby (Saturday) bands include Spleen, a tribute to Ween, and Bottom Sop.
SATURDAY
Kentucky Derby 142 Churchill Downs Prices vary; 8 a.m. Simply put, its the Kentucky Derby. Youve been planning on going all month and already bought a new outfit (which you may or may not have discreetly lined with plastic pouches full of bourbon). Or youve booked a flight to Florida for the weekend because the idea of doing anything in this city during Derby weekend makes your skin crawl. Either way, you know the drill people!
SUNDAY
Cinco De Mayo Fiesta Fourth Street Live! Free; 1 p.m. Cinco De Mayo may have been Thursday (May 5), but that doesnt mean the celebration is over. So round up whats left of your friends (since Derby probably decimated most of them) and head to Fourth Street Live! for a day of live music, flamenco performances, piñatas and of course plenty of Margaritas.
This article appears in May 4, 2016.