Derby Days, Redmond’s long-running summer festival, is rolling back into town for a two-day run on July 24–25, packing in parades, bike racing, live music and a drone light show. Most of the action will unfold on the City Hall campus, while the racing crowd can head over to the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome. Organizers are billing it as a family-friendly mashup of carnival rides, a kids’ cove and a beer-and-wine garden, plus a sizable maker market and a fleet of food trucks.
The city locked in the dates and teased some headliners in a July 1 post on X, highlighting Main Stage live music presented by Microsoft and a drone light show sponsored by Amazon, according to the City of Redmond. That short update pointed people to the official festival page and put parades and food front and center as the big draws. Organizers say full schedules and maps will go up ahead of the event.
What’s on the schedule
The weekend kicks off Friday, July 24 with evening sets on the Main Stage and racing at the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome, then ramps into a packed Saturday lineup featuring a Kids Bike Parade followed by the Grand Parade, according to the City of Redmond. The Main Stage, presented by Microsoft, is set to span funk, salsa, country and hip-hop, per a city event bulletin. Some activities are free, while others, like the Kids’ Cove, may come with small fees, so it is worth double-checking the schedule before you promise the kids unlimited rides.
Saturday’s craft market is produced in partnership with Urban Craft Uprising and is slated to bring in more than 75 handmade vendors, along with a lineup of food trucks running into the evening, according to Urban Craft Uprising. Market hours are listed as 10 a.m.–7 p.m., and organizers say the collaboration is designed to put a spotlight on small businesses during one of Redmond’s busiest summer weekends.
Drone light show finale
The festival wraps up Saturday night with a drone show scheduled for 10:10 p.m. over the City Hall campus. FlyLight Drones is set to choreograph the show, with Amazon listed as the sponsor, per the City of Redmond. Redmond has been using drone shows instead of fireworks since 2022, citing sustainability and community concerns, and the official viewing area is the lawn next to City Hall. Organizers recommend arriving early to claim a spot and remind spectators to follow posted safety guidance so everyone can enjoy the high-tech finale without any drama.
Plan your trip
Derby Days draws large crowds, and the city suggests leaning on transit, shuttles or designated parking areas to dodge traffic headaches. The event map and transportation guidance live on the festival page and include road-closure details plus information on accessible viewing areas. If you are bringing the whole crew, pack water and sunscreen, and be ready for lines at popular food vendors and the Main Stage once the parades roll through.
