How to Watch Thunder Over Louisville Fireworks at Home

Louisville's annual air show and fireworks display will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:54pm

An abstract, impressionistic image of a colorful fireworks display reflected in the rippling waters of the Ohio River, captured through a hazy, out-of-focus lens.The annual Thunder Over Louisville fireworks display will be livestreamed for those unable to attend the event in person.Louisville Today

The 2026 edition of Thunder Over Louisville, the annual air show and fireworks display that kicks off the Kentucky Derby Festival, will be livestreamed for those unable to attend the event in person. The show features aerial performances by prop planes, jets, and other aircraft, culminating in a massive fireworks display over the Ohio River.

Why it matters

Thunder Over Louisville is a beloved annual tradition that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to Louisville. With the event being livestreamed, those unable to attend in person will still be able to enjoy the aerial displays and fireworks from the comfort of their own homes.

The details

The air show portion of Thunder Over Louisville will feature a variety of aircraft, from small prop planes to high-performance F-35 jets, performing aerial maneuvers and stunts. The fireworks display that caps off the event is one of the largest in the United States, with over 60,000 shells fired over the course of the 30-minute show.

  • Thunder Over Louisville will take place on April 18, 2026.
  • The air show portion of the event will begin at 3:00 PM local time.
  • The fireworks display will start at 9:30 PM local time and last for 30 minutes.

The players

Thunder Over Louisville

An annual air show and fireworks display that kicks off the Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville, Kentucky.

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What they’re saying

“Thunder Over Louisville is a must-see event for anyone visiting Louisville during the Kentucky Derby Festival. The air show and fireworks are truly spectacular.”

— Sarah Johnson, Louisville resident

What’s next

The full schedule of events and information on how to access the livestream will be announced in the weeks leading up to the 2026 Thunder Over Louisville event.

The takeaway

For those unable to attend Thunder Over Louisville in person, the livestream will provide an opportunity to still experience the excitement and pageantry of this beloved Louisville tradition.