Best Places to See Thunder Over Louisville 2023
Want to catch Thunder Over Louisville in 2023? We’ve got you covered! Whether you’re looking for the best location to watch the action live, the scoop on streaming it online, or tips on catching it on TV, we’ve got all the details you need. Don’t miss out on one of Kentucky’s most epic events – check out our guide and plan your viewing party now! You can find the full airshow schedule and lineup here.
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Table of Contents
Viewing Parties
Kentucky Derby Festival VIP Rooftop Party – Waterside Parking Garage | 201 N. Brook Street
This official VIP rooftop party is hosted by Thunder Over Louisville and the Kentucky Derby Festival itself, and helps to fund the annual firework show. Not only does this viewing party offer one-of-a-kind views and beverages, your ticket also includes a parking pass and restroom access. Don’t overlook those last two amenities on one of Louisville’s busiest days during an all-day festival.
Thunder Blast – Kentucky Science Center | 727 W. Main Street
The next good location to watch Thunder Over Louisville fireworks and air show is from the Kentucky Science Center. An advantage to this viewing party is the museum itself, which provides great cover if you’re simply trying to get out of the elements briefly for this all-day event. ThunderBlast is actually their largest annual family-friendly event. Incorporating food trucks and hands-on activities in the covered outdoor space, there is something for everyone. The VIP package includes access to access to a seating area to watch the day’s events, plus food and drink vouchers, in addition to the museum’s standard exhibits.
Fun-der Rabbit Hole Lounge Viewing Party |1 Arena Plaza
The KFC Yum! Center is bringing its A-game for an unforgettable Derby experience. Get ready to take the fun of Thunder to a whole new level with Fun-Der Rabbit Hole Lounge Party, where you can access front row seats and jam out to your own personalized thunder soundtrack via silent disco headphones while the fireworks light up Louisville’s skies! Enjoy optional bourbon tasting, two drink tickets (plus cash bar access), delicious hors d’oeuvres, exciting games and – bonus – in/out privileges plus clean restrooms when nature calls. Invite pals along for a night they won’t soon forget–the perfect way to kickstart Derby season right here in Kentucky!
Fireworks and Flyovers Louisville – Joe’s Crab Shack | 131 River Road
Joe’s Crab Shack on River Road offers another venue with front row views, literally. This waterfront location will put right in the action and also kept you fed hydrated through the day! They will be offering a Prix Fixe menu for the event. This “fixed price” menu features a pre-selected list of dishes at a set price, including seafood options with crabs to shrimp samplers and desserts to share amongst family and friends.
Thunder Over Louisville Dockside – Belle of Louisville | 401 W. River Road
The historic Belle of Louisville has been a part of Kentucky Derby Festival traditions for decades, and it’s showing no signs of throwing in the towel anytime soon. Here you can watch Thunder Over Louisville aboard the riverboat, right on the water albeit dockside. Tickets include exclusive admission to the steamboat throughout the day with access to food and beverages.
Thunder at the Center – Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts | 501 W. Main Street
The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts is another place where you can view Thunder Over Louisville. Three levels are available to get the perfect view to watch the airshow and fireworks. In addition, if you bring your Pegasus Pin you can also gain access to theKentucky Derby Festival’s Meijer Family Fun zone that is also located on the Belvedere Lawn.
Thunder at Lynn Family Stadium | 350 Adams Street
The next Thunder viewing party is hosted at Lynn Family Stadium. This is the home of the Louisville City FC and the Racing FC soccer clubs, and the eventThunder at Lynn Family Stadium is the inaugural celebration for the venue. The stadium offers views the of the Louisville skyline, ideal for the air show and fireworks. Tickets will include access to parking, and food vendors will also be available throughout the venue. Soccer fans will be pleased to know that during the events, the broadcast of Louisville City FC’s away game against the Charleston Battery will be live on the video boards across the stadium.
Fun-Der – KFC Yum! Center | 1 Arena Plaza
Fun-Der at the KFC Yum! Center is another viewing party on the top floor of the venue, known as the Spirit Room. This waterfront location offers an indoor panoramic view of the fireworks and air show. Your tickets will also include an afternoon snack, a delicious dinner, and mostly importantly, a dessert buffet. This party is a family-friendly event, including activities from a magician, balloon artist, face painter, photo booth, and a DJ. You can leave and re-enter the arena throughout the day-long event, which is a huge bonus for some folks.
Thunder at Slugger – Louisville Bats & Louisville Slugger Field | 401 E. Main Street
As more local sport teams and arenas get in on the action this year, Louisville Slugger Field checks all of the boxes. If an air show, fireworks, baseball game, and live concert sound like your idea of fun, then this party will surely make you light up! Cheer on the Louisville Bats in a home game against the Iowa Cubs mid-airshow. After the game, a free live concert will take place just before the fireworks show begins.
Thunder @ The Jefferson | 715 W. Riverside Dr., Jeffersonville, Indiana
Get ready to experience the ultimate fireworks show at Thunder @ The Jefferson! On the Indiana side, Thunder Over Louisville is set to light up the sky on April 23, 2022. But that’s not all you’ll get to enjoy. Before the fireworks begin, groove to some live music by Kevin & Lauren at the Thunder Over Louisville Watch Party. And even after the amazing fireworks display, the party keeps going with The Kevin Jaggers Band and a DJ all day long.
The festivities kick off at 1 p.m. on April 22 at 715 W. Riverside Dr. in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Want the full VIP experience? Prices start at $150. Or opt for general admission tickets at $75. Don’t miss out on a day filled with fun and fireworks at Thunder @ The Jefferson!
Thunder Rolls! Rooftop Thunder Viewing Party– Copper & Kings | 1121 E. Washington Street
Copper & Kings Distillery in Butchertown plays host to the Thunder Rolls! Rooftop Thunder Viewing Party. This is an exclusive and intimate place where you can watch Thunder Over Louisville fromRooftop Bar & Restaurant. Tickets for this viewing party include a welcoming cocktail,passed hors d’oeuvres by Chef Josh Lehman, and access to private cellar picks by Master Distiller, Brandon O’Daniel. Ticket sales at this venue are capped to provide more of an intimate experience during this wildly busy day in Derby City. If crafted cocktails, delicious eats, and private barrel picks are more your style, then this is the place for you.
Thunder at Goodbounce Pickleball Yard | 1515 River Shore Drive
Get ready for a night of fun, food and fireworks at the Thunder viewing party at Goodbounce Pickleball Yard and Bar! Enjoy live music from Thumper and the Plaid Rabbits while snacking from delicious food trucks like Happy Belly Bistro and MozzaPi. Kids can indulge in treats from the smores cart and shaved ice station while playing yard games like cornhole and bocce ball under the stars. Stay toasty by the fire pits as you wait for the grand finale fireworks display. Don’t miss out on this exciting and tasty event!
Parks
Waterfront Park & Louisville Riverwalk
- North Great Lawn
- Chow Wagon area
- Big 4 Lawn
- Meijer Family Fun Zone (Free admission with a 2023 Pegasus Pin)
Eva Bandman Park
Louisville Watertower Park
Carrie Gaulbert Cox Park
Southern Indiana Side Viewing Locations (Jeffersonville)
If you’re on the Southern Indiana side of the river in Jeffersonville, there’s several locations along the northern side that have Thunder parties planned. Highlighted below are several of those Indiana Thunder Over Louisville parties.
- Kingfish Restaurant/On the Rocks Bar
- Upland Brewing Company-Jeffersonville
- Clucker’s-Jeffersonville
- Union Restaurant & Gameyard
- Harry’s Taphouse & Kitchen
There are also several public locations along the Jeffersonville riverfront that are accessible.
- Jeffersonville Riverfront
- Van Dyke Park
- Ashland Park
- Riverstage Park
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Ohio River Greenway
Maps, Parking, and Official Info
The websites below will provide more helpful Thunder tips, such as parking locations and official maps to make your Thunder Over Louisville plans as easy and enjoyable as possible.
- Thunder Over Louisville Website (official schedules, participants)
- Thunder Day Information (parking options, what is allowed/ what to leave at home, etc.)
- Thunder Map (to navigate to your perfect viewing location)
FAQs
Can I watch Thunder Over Louisville online?
How to livestream Thunder Over Louisville. If you’re in another area of Kentucky and can’t make it in-person, you can still enjoy the live show via WAVE Online Coverage.
Lastly, the secret ingredient to the enchantment of Thunder Over Louisville? It’s the beats blasting from the Thunder sound system sprinkled throughout the festivity grounds and MIX 106.9 radio station during the fireworks display.
If you’re not in range of the sound towers, just dial in your tuner to MIX 106.9 to groove to the tunes alongside the sparkling sky spectacle. You can also listen on the radio via MIX 106.9.
Where can I watch Thunder Over Louisville tonight?
You can watch Thunder Over Louisville on air via Channel 3,WAVE Online Coverage or livestream.
ON AIR: Watch on Channel 3
ONLINE: WAVE Livestream
STREAMING:WAVE Livestream
How do I watch Thunder Over Louisville 2023?
You can watch Thunder’s fireworks and airshow on air, online, streaming, and of course in-person.
Where are the Thunder Over Louisville locations?
You can see an overview of the locations via the Thunder Map.
Is Thunder Over Louisville televised?
If y’all ain’t able to make it to Thunder Over Louisville in person, don’t fret none! You can still catch all the action from the comfort of your own home thanks to WAVE! Starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, they’ll be bringing you a special live edition of the event that you won’t want to miss. They’ll have y’all covered from the ground to the sky with the aircraft in this year’s air show, the full fireworks show without a single interruption, and the official soundtrack to boot! Plus, they’ll even be sharing some never-before-heard stories from the event that you can’t find anywhere else. So grab a cold glass of sweet tea and settle in for some good ole Kentucky fun with WAVE’s Thunder Over Louisville coverage!
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