12 Creative Derby Party Ideas for Your Next Race Day Celebration
Derby Day is just around the corner and it’s time to start planning an incredible themed party. If you’re looking for the best Kentucky Derby party ideas, you’re in the right place.
Discover tips and inspiration, from dress codes and decor to mint juleps and party games. We have everything you need to celebrate the most exciting two minutes in sports!
Derby Party Ideas: 12 Ways to Celebrate
Get those derby hats ready — it’s time to watch the horses and see who wins the race! With these fun celebration ideas, you’ll surely throw a memorable Kentucky Derby party.
1. Dream Up a Derby Party Color Scheme
The best parties always have a color scheme to create a cohesive vibe. Plus, color is a great way to make your party theme come to life. Use your chosen colors in your invitations, party decor, and even small details like straws and napkins.
For a Derby-themed party, there are plenty of options for your color palette. Go for cool, crisp white with accents of green and yellow, or use spring pastels as your inspiration. Another great option is to feature red (inspired by the red roses) or the colors of your favorite jockey’s jersey.
2. Embrace a Dress Code
Kentucky Derby parties offer the perfect excuse to get dressed up. Set a cocktail dress code for your event and invite your friends and family to wear their best Derby Day ensembles.
Set the tone and give your guests some pointers on what to wear — like a derby hat, fascinator, or bow tie. Derby attire feels formal yet fresh, and following a dress code for your celebration can make it feel more special.
3. Invite Guests with Themed Party Invitations
Design: 2birdstone
Unveil your plans to your party guests with Derby-themed invites like this Jockey Silks invitation. With Greenvelope, you simply choose a design you love and personalize it by updating the message, fonts, or colors. Some designs are photo invites, so you can add a snap of your favorite Derby Day memory or horse.
4. Have Fun with Roses
The big event is also known as the “Run for the Roses,” so let that inspire your Kentucky Derby-themed party decor. Feature a centerpiece of red roses, create your own red rose backdrop or wall installation, and add rose motifs throughout your space.
Whether you use real, fresh roses, or dried or faux blooms, it’s a lovely way to honor the spirit of the event. You can also feature roses in your drinks and food, using edible petals or rose-flavored syrups. Make DIY rosette cupcakes and enjoy sparkling rose wine and Kentucky Derby cocktails.
5. Introduce Horse Themed Decor
It’s not race day without horses, and they also make the perfect Kentucky Derby party decor. Take inspiration from these wonderful creatures to create a fun, quirky vibe.
Hang up horseshoes, use bunting featuring horse silhouettes, and showcase them in other areas, too — like cupcake toppers or in your party favors. There are also plenty of horse invitations to set the tone for your celebration.
6. Hang Banners or Bunting
Banners and bunting are great Derby party decorating ideas. They’re easy to DIY, and you can have a lot of fun with the colors, patterns, and styles.
Make your own fabric or paper bunting that includes the colors of your favorite jockey or horse, or choose colors that complement your overall party color scheme and styling. If you don’t want to make your own, you can also pick up official Kentucky Derby banners or look for ones themed with roses or horses instead.
7. Create a Derby Themed Tablescape
One of the easiest Derby Day party ideas is to create a styled tablescape. Create a Derby-style vignette for your dining or dessert table. Dress the table with faux grass and mini horse figurines, or create a display with vases and fresh roses instead. This is a great DIY Derby party idea if you love getting creative.
8. Offer a Delicious Menu of Southern Party Food
The best menu for a Derby party is one filled with delicious Southern comfort food. There are countless tasty appetizers, mains, snacks, and desserts, so consider fan favorites, including hot brown bites, pimento cheese, grits, pork (and vegan) sliders, Kentucky bourbon balls, pecan pie (or Derby pie), and veggies. You can’t go wrong with serving Derby Day classics to your party guests.
9. Serve Mint Juleps
Mint juleps are the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, and it’s easy to understand why. This delicious, refreshing drink is perfect for a spring day. Gather some of the best ingredients, including plenty of fresh mint, and mix up a batch of this mint julep recipe. Serve alongside other fresh and fruity cocktails and mocktails.
10. Predict the Winning Horse and Jockey
Part of the fun of race day is guessing who will win. Take that a step further and ask guests for predictions on the winning horse and jockey. Make your own prediction slips and hand them out to guests, then collect them before the big race. Afterward, see which of your party guests were right, and hand them a mini trophy as a prize.
11. Watch the Horse Race on a Big Screen
Even when you can’t make it to Churchill Downs in Louisville, watching the event unfold on a big screen is the next best thing. Host your party somewhere with a big TV, or borrow a projector and cast the livestream straight onto a big white wall. That way, nobody will miss a moment, and there’s plenty of room to cheer!
12. Play Derby-Themed Party Games
Seeing as the race itself only lasts a few minutes, you’ll want more Derby party ideas to entertain friends and family. The solution: Derby-themed party games!
There are lots of different Derby-themed games you can play, including ring toss, horseshoes, trivia, and a “best Derby hat” contest. Hand out small trophies or medals to the winners (which also make ideal party favors for guests).
7 Stunning Derby-Themed Party Invitations
With one of these Derby Day invitations, you’ll create plenty of excitement right from the start. Best of all, you can customize any of these digital templates before sending them via email or text. Plus, you’ll enjoy RSVP tracking for a seamless experience.
1. Modern Derby Rose Invitation
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Kick off the Run of the Roses with this gorgeously illustrated rose invitation. It’s perfect for a sophisticated celebration with friends and family.
2. Derby Party Invitation
Design: Signature Greenvelope
We adore the simplicity of this modern Derby Day invitation. Choose from four color options, or work with our designers to introduce a splash of your favorite party color.
3. Gilded Horseshoes Invitation
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Make your guests smile when this horseshoe-themed invite lands in their inbox. With its fun wording and playful golden horseshoes, it’s perfect for your Derby Day party.
4. Classic Mint Julep Invitation
Design: Lisa Travis
This mint julep invitation is ideal for your sophisticated Derby Day cocktail party. It features a watercolor illustration and lots of room on the reverse for all your party details and must-haves.
5. Letterpressed Roses Invitation
Design: Stellax Creative
Be inspired by the beautiful red roses with this letterpress-style invitation. With an elegant vibe and letterpress-inspired illustration, it’s a wonderful choice for a fabulous afternoon soirée.
6. Big Hats Invitation
Design: Signature Greenvelope
For a good laugh, you can’t miss with this funny hat-themed invite. Impress guests with your wit on the front, then share the party details on the reverse.
7. Derby Day Invitation
Design: Lisa Travis
For a more traditionally inspired look, we love this illustrated horse invitation. With a classic look and feel, and gorgeous horse painting, this Kentucky Derby invitation works for any party style.
Host the Best Derby Party Ever
Become the unbeatable race day party host with these Derby party ideas to help you plan your dress code, decor, food, and activities for an amazing day filled with fun.
With Greenvelope’s collection of Derby Day invitations, you can let your guests know what to expect and excite them for the big day whether it’s a big, grand affair or a quirky, small get-together.
