Karen Morris Millinery
Next Saturday, May 3, the traditionally posh pageantry of the Kentucky Derby—the longest continually held sporting event in America—will take over Churchill Downs racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky. But even if you can’t make it down south for the event, there are plenty of places to sip mint juleps and don ornate fascinators locally, with a variety of festive watch parties popping up across the Twin Cities. Follow our editor-curated guide to begin planning your celebration of the most exciting two minutes in sports.
Derby Days at Utepils Brewing
When: May 2-3
Where: Utepils Brewing—225 Thomas Ave. N., Minneapolis
Produced in partnership with the Corgi Racing Society, Utepils Brewing’s two-day Derby Days celebration puts a quirky, lighthearted twist on the traditional pomp and circumstance of Derby formalities. Enjoy a weekend filled with Corgi-filled festivities—including Corgi races, Corgi face painting (with ears), Corgi petting zoos, a Corgi kissing booth, and a Corgi Kentucky Derby fashion show—plus, beer, cocktails, live music, food vendors, and a pony petting zoo. Admission is free, and all activity fees benefit Keep Corgis Home, a fundraiser supporting Corgis with behavioral resource needs.
7th Annual Derby Twin Cities Party
When: May 3, 1-7 p.m.
Where: North House Social Club—718 N. Washington Ave., Minneapolis
Gather at the exquisite North House Social Club in the North Loop neighborhood for a community-wide derby party complete with a red carpet, complimentary food and drinks, photo booth, psychic readings, live watch party, and live betting with Bettor Edge. Come dressed in your best fascinators and seersucker for a chance to win $500 in the best dressed competition, judged by three Minneapolis fashion luminaries. Reserve tickets here.
Minnesota’s Best Derby Party at Canterbury Park
When: May 3, 12-7 p.m.
Where: Canterbury Park—1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee
What better spot to place your bets on Derby Day than Canterbury Park? Gather at Minnesota’s own dynamic racing track for a special viewing of the 151st Kentucky Derby—on the jumbotron, no less. Sip on Maker’s Mark mint juleps, pose for photos on the red carpet, enter the best dressed/best hat contest, craft keepsake jewelry at the Derby Charm Bar, compete in a putting contest, and enjoy a live performance by PopROCKS, all in anticipation of the most exciting two minutes in sports. General admission starts at $10.
Kentucky Derby Rooftop Party at 6Smith
When: May 3, 1-4 p.m.
Where: 6Smith—294 Grove Lane E., Wayzata
Enjoy scenic views of Lake Minnetonka atop 6Smith’s elegant rooftop at its first-ever Kentucky Derby Rooftop Party. Festivities include signature cocktails, light bites, a bourbon tasting station, and live Kentucky Derby streaming on every screen. Dress to impress for a chance to take home the top prize for best dressed or best hat. Tickets start at $93.
Derby Day Sixth Year Anniversary Party at Minneapolis Cider Co.
When: May 3, 2-7 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Cider Co.—701 SE Ninth St., Minneapolis
Join Minneapolis Cider Co. for its sixth birthday celebration—Derby style. Enjoy everything from handcrafted cocktails and delicious food to open-play pickleball and mini ponies at this festive, Derby-themed anniversary party, free and open to the public.
Winner’s Circle at Four Seasons
When: May 3, 3-6 p.m.
Where: Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis—245 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Just as much as it is known for its high-stakes betting and impressive athelticism, the Kentucky Derby is known as a hotbed for bold, maximalist fashion statements—from seersucker blazers to sculptural fascinators. Celebrate the trademark style of Derby Day at local milliner Karen Morris’ second annual Winner’s Circle event, held at Four Seasons Minneapolis. Enjoy an immersive Derby-style runway featuring one-of-a-kind pieces by Karen Morris Millinery, followed by a best dressed and best hat competition, social and shopping hour, silent auction, and a screening of the 151st Kentucky Derby. Tickets start at $105, with 15% of proceeds benefiting This Old Horse, a nonprofit that seeks to provide safe homes for retired racehorses.
Karen Morris Millinery
Kentucky Derby Party Cragun’s
When: May 3, 3-7 p.m.
Where: Cragun’s Resort—11000 Craguns Drive, Brainerd
Southern charm meets northern beauty at Cragun’s Resort’s Kentucky Derby Party on Gull Lake. Don your best Derby attire and gather at Cragun’s Legacy Grill to savor Southern-inspired bites and classic Derby cocktails, enter the best-dressed contest, and cheer on your chosen horses as they take to the track—all among the scenic views of Gull Lake. Secure tickets here.
Cragun's Resort Gull Lake
C2i 15th Birthday Derby Fundraiser
When: May 3, 3-7 p.m.
Where: Mosaic Venue—817 Fifth Ave. S., Minneapolis
The start of May is often associated with lavish Derby parties and Mother’s Day brunches, but for Minneapolis-based nonprofit C2i, it holds a deeper significance—the start of National Foster Care Month. Come celebrate the impactful, youth-centered mission of C2i by donning your Derby best for its 15th birthday party and 10th annual Run for the Roses fundraiser. Enjoy light bites and cocktails, poker tables, a silent auction, best dressed contest, and live race viewing, all in support of C2i’s Covered Fund, which aims to provide leased homes and resources to youth who need emergency housing and basic necessities. Get tickets here.
Kentucky Derby Day at Running Aces
When: May 3, 3-7 p.m.
Where: Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Resort— 15201 Running Aces Blvd., Columbus
Enjoy a Kentucky-style evening of gambling, dining, and live music at Running Aces Casino’s annual Kentucky Derby Day. Snap photos with retires racehorses on the track, sing along to a live set by Jake Nelson, indulge in food truck fare, enter the Derby hat contest, and cast your bets in time for the live screening of the 151st Kentucky Derby.
Provided by Running Aces
Kentucky Derby Party at Schram Vineyards
When: May 3, 3-7 p.m.
Where: Schram Vineyards—8785 Airport Road, Waconia
Revel in the sophistication of Derby Day among the idyllic vineyards of Schram Vineyards in Waconia, where its biggest event of spring—the Kentucky Derby Party—will bring an evening of dreamy jazz bands, elegant fashions, and Minnesota-made wines. Gazebos will be available for rental, allowing groups to cozy up in an intimate space as the race is projected on Schram Vineyards’ LED jumbotron. Tickets start at $15.
Schram Vineyards
Derby Viewing Party at Woman’s Club Minneapolis
When: May 3, 5 p.m.
Where: The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis—410 Oak Grove St., Minneapolis
Enjoy a celebratory buffet dinner and Derby watch party while supporting a worthy organization—The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, a nonprofit organization that supports charitable and educational causes and provides civic and social services. In true Kentucky style, enjoy Southern delicacies including Bourbon pulled pork sliders, hush puppies, biscuits, and derby sweets, and enter the “best hat” or “most dapper” contests to win exciting prizes. Tickets start at $60.
University Club Run for the Roses Showing
When: May 3 (time not yet specified)
Where: University Club—420 Summit Ave., Saint Paul
The distinctive high-society charm of St. Paul’s historic University Club is a fitting atmosphere to celebrate one of the most sophisticated events in sport. Gather at this iconic Tudor-style clubhouse to place your bets in style, at the University Club’s annual Run for Roses Kentucky Derby Showing. Reservations are required.
