Preakness Stakes

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Sports & AdventureBaltimore

DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking

DurationSpringEstimate from available data

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forCompetition, enduranceThe Preakness predates the Kentucky Derby by

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD

CategorySports & AdventureFestival type

The story

Preakness Stakes in Baltimore

The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, has run since 1873, historically at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on the third Saturday in May. Ownership and scheduling have both shifted recently: the 2026 race ran at Laurel Park during Pimlico's reconstruction, and officials announced in August 2026 that the race will move to the fourth Sunday in May starting in 2027.

The Preakness Stakes has run since May 27, 1873, making it older than the Kentucky Derby by two years, and it took its name from Preakness, the colt that then-Governor Oden Bowie chose to honor when the race launched at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The Preakness predates the Kentucky Derby by two years and carries traditions found nowhere else in racing: a painter climbs to a clubhouse cupola replica after each race to hand-paint the winning colors onto a horse-and-jockey weathervane, a custom running since 1909, and the winner is draped in a blanket of black-eyed Susans, Maryland's state flower, though since real ones are not in bloom in May the blanket is actually made from painted daisies or chrysanthemums

The mystery stays covered

Ownership of the race has changed hands unusually often in recent years, passing from the Stronach Group to a state authority to Churchill Downs and back to Maryland within a span of about eighteen months, making its ownership itself a live business story alongside the race

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The clubhouse cupola weathervane painting

Water and renewal

Living ritual

performed after every race since 1909

The sacred route

Living ritual

and the black-eyed Susan flower blanket presented to the winning horse are the race's signature rituals

The local code

Living ritual

a pre-race singalong of Maryland

Tradition 5

Living ritual

My Maryland was discontinued in 2020 after the song

Tradition 6

Living ritual

which celebrated the Confederacy

Tradition 7

Living ritual

was dropped as the state song the following year

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

For Preakness Stakes, plan transport around the exact Baltimore venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Outdoor racetrack in mid-to-late May, weather ranging from warm and humid to rainy; clubhouse and grandstand areas lean toward formal derby-style dress including hats, while the infield is...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Preakness Stakes, stay near the part of Baltimore you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.29 N, 76.61 W Open in Google Maps

Baltimore, MD

Nearest airportBWI — Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall

TransportFor Preakness Stakes, plan transport around the exact Baltimore venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

Stay areaFor Preakness Stakes, stay near the part of Baltimore you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Baltimore via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Baltimore, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare fares Festival gearOutdoor racetrack in mid-to-late May, weather ranging from warm and humid to rainy; clubhouse and grandstand areas lean toward formal derby-style dress including hats, while the infield is casual, standing-room, and grass-based, so footwear should match whichever zone is planned.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Preakness Stakes?

Preakness Stakes is listed for May · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Preakness Stakes take place?

The festival is listed in Baltimore, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Baltimore, MD

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLpreakness.com

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Preakness Stakes

Preakness Stakes in Baltimore

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Tradition 6

Tradition 7

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Baltimore, MD

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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