Last Updated on April 27, 2025 by Canny Costumes

Listen up, party planner extraordinaire — if you’re reading this, it means you’re ready to throw a Kentucky Derby bash so legendary, even the horses would RSVP if they could. 🐎💐 Whether you’re a first-time host or an old pro looking to up the ante, this checklist will help you throw a Derby party that’s as unforgettable as a photo-finish.

So grab your biggest hat, a cocktail shaker, and your finest Southern sass — it’s time to saddle up, buttercup!

Download the Derby Party Checklist

🏇 1. Send Those Invitations — Early and With Sass

Timing is everything — and not just for the horses.

Send your invites 3–4 weeks in advance. Whether you’re doing fancy printed cards or just whipping up a snazzy e-vite, make sure it sets the tone: festive, fabulous, and just a little over the top.

Pro Tip: Include a “Dress Code: Hats mandatory, excuses not accepted.”

A little peer pressure never hurt anyone… unless they try to back out of wearing a giant feathered fascinator.

🎩 2. Dress Code: Go Big or Go Home

The Kentucky Derby is basically the Met Gala for the Southern crowd. Fashion is half the fun! Create a suggested dress code that’s full of:

• Big, outrageous hats (the bigger, the better — think “satellite dish chic”)
• Seersucker suits and bow ties for the gentlemen
• Bright floral dresses and ridiculous fascinators for the ladies
• Lawn party vibes with lots of pastel colors

Offer prizes for categories like “Biggest Hat,” “Most Ridiculous Outfit,” and “Most Likely to Get Stuck in a Doorway Due to Hat Size.”

Optional, but Highly Encouraged: Have a hat-decorating station for last-minute flair. Hot glue guns + rhinestones = instant magic.

🍹 3. Plan a Mint Julep Bar (Because… Duh)

Mint Juleps aren’t just a drink — they’re a Derby requirement.
You could serve regular cocktails, sure. But do you want to be regular? No, buttercup, you want to be legendary.

Set up a Mint Julep bar where guests can customize their drinks:

• Fresh mint (lots of it)
• Crushed ice
• Simple syrup
• Good Kentucky bourbon (don’t you dare cheap out)
• Silver or faux-silver cups for that authentic feel

Bonus Points: Add a few bourbon-based alternatives like the Kentucky Mule (bourbon + ginger beer) for the “I hate mint” crowd.

🍗 4. Feed ‘Em Like They’re Southern Royalty

The food should be hearty, indulgent, and designed to soak up many mint juleps.

Here’s your no-fail Derby menu:

• Mini Hot Browns (aka open-faced turkey, bacon, and cheesy goodness)
• Benedictine Tea Sandwiches (cucumber + cream cheese = pure elegance)
• Bourbon Glazed Meatballs (small but mighty)
• Fried Chicken Sliders (because you’re not a monster)
• Pimento Cheese Everything (dip it, spread it, love it)
• Derby Pie Bars (chocolate + pecans + heaven)

Pro Tip: Label everything with cheeky little signs like “Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner” and “Snack Like a Champion Today.”

🎲 5. Set Up a (Slightly Ridiculous) Betting Pool

Even if nobody knows anything about horse racing, fake gambling makes everything better.

How to do it:

• Print out a list of horses ahead of time (real ones, not “My Little Pony” names, please).
• Let guests draw names at random or place “bets” with fake money.
• Offer prizes for picking the winner, placing in the top three, or having the best “horse fanatics” outfit.

Prize Ideas: A mini trophy, a bottle of bourbon, or a custom sash that says “Kentucky Derby Legend 2025.”

Because in the end, it’s not about winning money — it’s about winning bragging rights.

🌹 6. Deck the Halls (and the Backyard) with Southern Charm

Your decorations should scream “garden party meets high-stakes horse racing.”

Must-haves:

• Red roses everywhere (The Derby is the Run for the Roses, after all)
• Horseshoes and mini trophies as table decor
• Gingham and seersucker tablecloths
• A photo booth area with hats, stick ponies, feather boas, and oversized sunglasses

Pro Tip: Rent or borrow a few rocking chairs for the porch if you’re going for that real-deal Southern hospitality look. Bonus points for a jug labeled “Sweet Tea (Probably)” that’s very obviously full of bourbon.

📺 7. Set Up Your Viewing Station (Like Your Life Depends on It)

No pressure, but if the TV cuts out mid-race, you may be banned from hosting anything ever again.

Test your setup well before the race starts:

• Big TV (bigger the better)
• Surround sound if you have it (hearing the thunder of hooves is part of the magic)
• A backup stream on a tablet or laptop, just in case

Arrange comfy seating and good sight lines. This is not the time to make Aunt Linda crane her neck around a houseplant.

🏆 8. Finish With a Bang (a.k.a. Trophies, Toasts, and a Tiny Bit of Bragging)

As the race ends (it’s only two minutes long — don’t blink!), keep the energy high:

• Hand out prizes and trophies
• Make a “best dressed” and “loudest cheerer” award
• Lead a champagne toast to “the real winner: us.”

Closing Ceremony Idea: Play “My Old Kentucky Home,” encourage some dramatic swaying, and pretend you’re absolutely fine and not crying at a horse race.

Final Gallop: Your Party Will Be the Stuff of Legends

Throwing the perfect Kentucky Derby party isn’t about getting every detail perfect. It’s about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels fabulous, well-fed, and just a little bit tipsy while yelling at a horse they chose because it “had a nice-sounding name.”

Follow this checklist, and you won’t just host a party — you’ll start a Derby Day tradition your friends will mark on their calendars every single year. 🏇🎉

Now saddle up, buttercup — it’s your time to shine! 🌟

🏇 Your Kentucky Derby Party Checklist 🏇

(Because greatness starts with good snacks and bigger hats.)

📬 Invitations

Send invites 3–4 weeks early

Specify “Big Hats Required, No Excuses”

Mention start time at least an hour before the actual race (people are slow, bless their hearts)

🎩 Dress Code

Hats so large they need their own zip code

Bow ties, suspenders, and pastel madness

Prizes for Best Hat, Worst Hat, and Most Likely to Take Flight

🍹 Drinks (Mint Juleps Are Non-Negotiable)

Mint Julep Bar Setup: mint, bourbon, crushed ice, simple syrup

Add bonus cocktails like Kentucky Mules and Spiked Sweet Tea

Mocktail station for kids, drivers, and those who “only drink socially”

🍗 Food (Make It Southern, Make It Sassy)

Mini Hot Browns

Pimento Cheese Dip and sandwiches (double trouble)

Bourbon Meatballs (the real MVPs)

Fried Chicken Sliders (because fried chicken is love)

Derby Pie Bars (tiny but mighty)

🎲 Betting Pool (Fake Money, Real Glory)

Horse list printed and ready

Betting slips or raffle tickets prepped

Prizes for Winners, Losers, and “Best Horse Name Selector”

🌹 Decor (Garden Party Meets Horse Race)

Red roses (real or fake, we’re not judging)

Horseshoes, trophies, and plastic ponies for flair

Gingham or pastel tablecloths

Selfie station with stick horses, feather boas, and giant sunglasses

📺 Race Viewing Setup

TV tested and working (no excuses!)

Seats arranged with clear sightlines

Backup stream ready to go (tech drama = party foul)

🏆 Awards & Toasts

Trophies or silly prizes ready

Champagne (or sparkling apple juice for the classy crowd)

End-of-party group photo (capture the chaos)

🎉 Bonus “Bless Your Heart” Extras

Hat-decorating station (for the creatively challenged)

Lawn games like horseshoes or cornhole

A playlist of country tunes and Southern rock to keep the vibe alive

Download the PDF Checklist