Unbridled Eve Derby Gala 2026 Kentucky Derby celebrity guest list

The 2026 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala will feature a star-studded guest list of musicians, actors, and sports figures.
Held on the eve of the Kentucky Derby, the event is a glamorous tradition now in its 13th year.
The gala serves as a fundraiser for the Unbridled Charitable Foundation, with Blessings in a Backpack as the primary beneficiary.

Grammy Award-winning musicians, professional sports icons, Kentucky Derby jockeys, and a constellation of stars from television, film, business, and the arts are set to walk the red carpet at the 2026 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala.

Now in its 13th year, the Derby Eve celebration continues to draw an eclectic mix of guests from Louisville and across the country, all gathering to toast the Kentucky Derby on the eve of the world’s most storied horse race.

Sisters Tonya York and Tammy York-Day, co-founders of the Unbridled Charitable Foundation, Inc., have shaped the gala into one of Kentucky Derby Week’s most glamorous traditions. This year, the party is turning up the star power once again with Grammy Award winners Skip Martin, Richie Sambora and John Elefante, plus “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips, among a hefty list of other artists set to perform. They’ll be joined by celebrity party guests including actors Gina Torres, John Schneider, Melissa Joan Hart, Danica McKellar and Anthony Ramos, and Dateline NBC correspondent Andrea Canning. Plus, Griffin Johnson, a social media influencer and owner of Derby contender Silent Tactic, Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan, and a roster of professional athletes and jockeys, including Zach Randolph, Warren Moon, Luke Hancock, Mario Urrutia and Triple Crown champion Jean Cruguet, are all expected to appear.

“We’re always amazed by the mix of people who want to be part of this night,” York told The Courier Journal. “Over the years, incredible friendships and partnerships have started here on Derby Eve. Warren Moon and Bob Guiney met at this party and have been friends for more than 20 years. A movie, currently in production, is the result of a film producer and a musician who crossed paths here at the party. You truly never know who you’ll meet — and that’s part of the magic.”

York-Day agrees that the event’s guest list and energy evolve each year. “Every gala has its own personality,” she said. “We’re constantly refreshing, reimagining, and elevating the experience. I think that’s why people come back — they reconnect with friends they met here and become part of the tradition.”

Other notable names headed to the Unbridled gala include best selling author Nora Roberts, University of Louisville head football coach Jeff Brohm, guitarist Orianthi, lead singer of the band Looking Glass, Elliot Lurie, country singer Lorrie Morgan and Johnny Edwards, former lead singer of Kansas.

In addition to its star‑studded red carpet and first‑class entertainment, the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala, held in the grand ballroom of Louisville’s iconic Galt House Hotel, has earned a reputation for fully immersing guests in lavish décor, inventive specialty bars, and the event annually holds a spectacular silent auction. The auction’s lineup of luxury getaways, celebrity‑hosted dinners, and exclusive sports and Kentucky‑themed experiences fuels the Unbridled Eve Foundation’s philanthropic mission, with Blessings in a Backpack serving as its primary beneficiary.

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The night’s entertainment culminates with the All‑Star Jam, a genre‑blending finale featuring performers like “American Idol” alum Layla Spring, Kentucky country artist J.D. Shelburne, “America’s Got Talent” contestant China Lacy, and bluegrass duo Alyssa & Wayne Brewer, who will share the stage with actors like John Schneider and Guiney, a longtime gala favorite.

And the surprises don’t stop there.

“One year, a major country artist took off his custom jacket and auctioned it on the spot,” York-Day recalled. “Then author Nora Roberts kicked off her Jimmy Choos and auctioned those, too. The party takes on a life of its own. We don’t try to script it — we let it unfold. People remember that.”

To top it all off, the party features 17 specialty bars in 2026 including Aperol, Castle & Key, Chicken Cock Whiskey, Decoy Red Blend and Brut, Divergent Spirits, Four Roses, Heaven Hill, Ignition Bourbon, Lily May Bourbon, M & O Spirits, Skyy Vodka, Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Tito’s Vodka, Whiskey Thief, William Grant & Son’s and a mocktail and Ale-8 bars.

If all this sounds like the perfect way to celebrate the 152nd Kentucky Derby, individual and table tickets are available at unbridledeve.com.

Here is everything to know about the 2026 Unbridled Derby Eve Gala and its celebrity guest list:

2026 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala celebrity list

Performers and Musical Guests

Phillip Phillips: singer-songwriter and winner of “American Idol”
Richie Sambora: Grammy Award-winning guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist of Bon Jovi
John Elefante: Grammy Award-winning former lead singer of Kansas
Sugarhill Gang: pioneering hip-hop group best known for “Rapper’s Delight”
Elliot Lurie: lead singer of Looking Glass, best known for “Brandy”
Orianthi: Australian guitarist and singer known for her work with Michael Jackson and Alice Cooper, and for her hit “According to You”
Skip Martin: Grammy Award winning singer of Kool & The Gang
Lorrie Morgan: award-winning country music star
Johnny Edwards: rock vocalist best known as a former lead singer of Foreigner
The Crashers: one of the nation’s best party bands
DJ 2nd Nature
Nat Myers: Korean-American blues poet
Welcome Choir: Holy Spirit School Youth Choir

Celebrities in sports

Jeff Brohm: head football coach at the University of Louisville
Warren Moon: NFL Hall of Famer
Zach Randolph: former NBA All-Star
Luke Hancock: former University of Louisville basketball player
Harry Douglas: ESPN Analyst, former University of Louisville football player
Michael Eaves: Anchor ESPN “SportsCenter”
Anthony Russo: Fox Sports “Big Noon Kickoff”
Bonnie-Jill Laflin: Actress, sportscaster, and NBA scout for the Los Angeles Lakers
Aron Haddad: actor/pro wrestler
MacKenly Randolph: UofL Women’s Basketball starter
Mario Urrutia: Former Cincinnati Bengals player and UofL linebacker
Valerie Combs: pioneering UofL Women’s Basketball player
Jean Cruguet: former Triple Crown winner on Seattle Slew
Michael Manganello: Hall of Fame Kentucky Derby Winner on Dust Commander
Sandy Hawley: Hall of Fame jockey
Kaoru Tsuchiya Hawley: First Japanese female jockey

Celebrities in movies, TV and more

Gina Torres: Actress known for “Suits,” “Firefly”
Andrea Canning: Journalist known for “Dateline NBC”
Griffin Johnson: part owner of 2026 Kentucky Derby contender, Silent Tactic; co-founder of venture capital firm Animal Capital; TikTok influencer
Melissa Joan Hart: Actress known for “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Clarissa Explains it All,” “Holiday in Handcuffs,” and “A Merry Little Exmas”
Danica McKellar: Actress, mathematician, and New York Times bestselling author; known for “The Wonder Years”
Anthony Ramos: Grammy Award-winning singer and actor, best known for being in the original Broadway cast of “Hamilton;” “In the Heights” and “A House of Dynamite”
Nora Roberts: bestselling romance and suspense author
John Schneider: Actor known for “The Dukes of Hazzard;” “The Masked Singer”
Cassie Donegan: Miss America 2026
Ariana Rodriguez: Miss Kentucky 2025
Bob Guiney: TV personality known for “The Bachelor,” host of “Deal or No Deal,” host of iHeart podcast, “Almost Famous: the OG’s”
Amanda Christine: Actress known for “IT: Welcome to Derry;” “Black Box”
Rob Angel: founder of Pictionary; author
Dr. Ajmal Zemmar: renowned Neurosurgeon featured in the documentary “After Death”
Holly Lynnea: comedian
Vince Emmett: producer of “Reagan”
The McFarlands: Social media influencers
Heather French Henry: former Miss America
The Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses
Ethan the Dog: compassion ambassador; inspired the film, “Ethan Almighty”

When is the 2026 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala?

The annual Unbridled Eve Derby Gala will be held Friday, May 1, from 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., with Dance Party admittance beginning at 10 p.m. New this year, due to the later post time for the Kentucky Oaks race at 8:40 p.m., the gala has added a Post Oaks Lounge ticket with access to the party at 9:30 p.m.

Where is the 2026 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala held?

The black tie-optional event is held in the Grand Ballroom of the Galt House Hotel, 140 N. Fourth St.

How much are tickets to the 2026 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala?

There are several price points available for this annual charitable event ranging from $500 to $5,000. Additionally, a new ticket has been added in 2026 to accommodate guests who will be attended the Kentucky Oaks which has moved the post time to later in the evening. Tickets are available online at unbridledeve.com.

Individual “Dance Party” Ticket: $500, includes access to the Gala after 10 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment, dancing, open bars, and late-night snacks. Valet parking pass included.
Individual Post-Oaks Lounge Ticket: $900, new for 2026 this Early-entry VIP access with a dedicated lounge experience is perfect for Oaks attendees looking to attend the gala. Access to gala starting at 9:30 p.m. with access to open bars live band performances and complimentary valet parking.
Individual Gala/Dinner Ticket: $1,200, includes access to red carpet arrivals, seated gourmet dinner, open bars, live and silent auctions, live entertainment and complimentary valet parking.
Individual VIP Ticket: $1,600, includes reserved seating in premium section, wine and champagne at your table, open bars, live entertainment, signature guest gift and complimentary valet parking
Individual Premium Experience: $5,000, includes everything in VIP plus invitation to the VIP pre-gala reception with celebrities, table placement near stage or high profile guests commemorative luxury gift.