The 2026 Kentucky Derby attracted over 150,000 attendees showcasing vibrant fashion and stylish hats. Highlights include bold patterns and colors that embody the event's elegance.
Key points
Kentucky Derby 2026 attracted over 150,000 attendees
Fashion featured bold patterns and bright colors
Event held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY
Date of the event was May 2, 2026
Highlights included stylish hats and elegant outfits
Mentioned in this story
Churchill DownsLouisville
Kentucky Derby
See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from Kentucky Derby 2026
There's something special about the fashion at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.
This year, more than 150,000 race fans showed up, and showed out, on May 2 for the 152nd Run for the Roses, many striking the perfect balance between bold patterns and bright colors and refinement that is synonymous with the Kentucky Derby.
Here's a look back at some of our favorite fashion moments from the 2026 Kentucky Derby Week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Ashlyn Roberts enjoys a mint julep on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2026.
Melany George-Popp of Hunstville, Alabama was at her first Kentucky Oaks during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs. She was with Robert Pope. May 1, 2026
Brooke Taylor poses for a photo at the Ford display on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2026.
Q&A
What were the fashion trends at the Kentucky Derby 2026?
The fashion trends included bold patterns, bright colors, and elegant outfits that captured the spirit of the event.
How many people attended the Kentucky Derby 2026?
More than 150,000 race fans attended the Kentucky Derby 2026 at Churchill Downs.
Where is the Kentucky Derby held?
The Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
What date was the Kentucky Derby 2026 held?
The Kentucky Derby 2026 took place on May 2, 2026.
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Unique hat at the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Fashion during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Cason Grisham of Dallas wore a fascinator made by her mother for the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. The Texas native has been coming to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks since she was a young girl. May 1, 2026
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Pink was the color of choice for many at the 2026 Kentucky Oaks during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs. May 1, 2026
Fashion during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Terry Rice-Lockett, a former linebacker for the University of Louisville, wore a pink hat in honor of cancer survivors to the Kentucky Oaks, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 1, 2026
Fashion during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Unique hat at the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Kristina Mills of Atlanta looks at the track before the first race at the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Fashion during Oaks Day at Churchill Downs during the 152nd Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY. May 1, 2026
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Fashion during Oaks Day at Churchill Downs during the 152nd Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY. May 1, 2026
Kathleen Kenneally wheres a hat at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Kelly Green of Louisville had a unique fascinator made by Hat Haven that surrounded her face while she attended the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fashion during Oaks Day at Churchill Downs during the 152nd Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY. May 1, 2026
Unique hats and fascinators for the 2026 Kentucky Oaks during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs. May 1, 2026
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fashion during Oaks Day at Churchill Downs during the 152nd Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY. May 1, 2026
Fashion during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
Justin Scott looks at a Kentucky Derby program in the infield at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Fashion during Oaks Day at Churchill Downs during the 152nd Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY. May 1, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Ashlyn Roberts enjoys a mint julep on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2026.
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Ashlyn Roberts enjoys a mint julep on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2026.
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Melany George-Popp of Hunstville, Alabama was at her first Kentucky Oaks during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs. She was with Robert Pope. May 1, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Brooke Taylor poses for a photo at the Ford display on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2026.
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Unique hat at the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Cason Grisham of Dallas wore a fascinator made by her mother for the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. The Texas native has been coming to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks since she was a young girl. May 1, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Pink was the color of choice for many at the 2026 Kentucky Oaks during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs. May 1, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Terry Rice-Lockett, a former linebacker for the University of Louisville, wore a pink hat in honor of cancer survivors to the Kentucky Oaks, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 1, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Unique hat at the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Kristina Mills of Atlanta looks at the track before the first race at the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion during Oaks Day at Churchill Downs during the 152nd Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY. May 1, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Hats during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion during Oaks Day at Churchill Downs during the 152nd Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY. May 1, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Kathleen Kenneally wheres a hat at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Kelly Green of Louisville had a unique fascinator made by Hat Haven that surrounded her face while she attended the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion during Oaks Day at Churchill Downs during the 152nd Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY. May 1, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Unique hats and fascinators for the 2026 Kentucky Oaks during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs. May 1, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion during Oaks Day at Churchill Downs during the 152nd Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY. May 1, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fans arrive at Churchill Downs on Thurby during Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion at Thurby at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week. April 30, 2026
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Justin Scott looks at a Kentucky Derby program in the infield at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
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See photos of our favorite outfits, hats from the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Fashion during Oaks Day at Churchill Downs during the 152nd Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY. May 1, 2026
