Horse Racing Over Christmas

Get ready for a festive treat as horse racing fans are in for a bonanza this Christmas season.

Boxing Day takes centre stage in the whole of the 2026 horse racing calendar and is the busiest day of the year for racing fans, but there are lots of race meetings over the festive season to enjoy.

In our Christmas horse racing guide, we offer the latest betting tips, essential information, and odds for horse racing events throughout the festive period.

Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just enjoying the races, join us as we navigate the world of Christmas horse racing. Our guide ensures you’re ready to make the most of the action-packed days ahead.

Christmas Horse Racing Fixtures 2026

We have compiled all the horse racing between Christmas and New Year.

Here is the complete list of fixtures for Horse Racing Over Christmas 2026.

Date	Day	Racecourse	Type	Ground
26th December	Monday	Fontwell Park	Jump	Turf
26th December	Monday	Kempton Park	Jump	Turf
26th December	Monday	Market Rasen	Jump	Turf
26th December	Monday	Sedgefield	Jump	Turf
26th December	Monday	Wetherby	Jump	Turf
26th December	Monday	Wincanton	Jump	Turf
26th December	Monday	Wolverhampton	Flat	AWT
27th December	Tuesday	Chepstow	Jump	Turf
27th December	Tuesday	Kempton Park	Jump	Turf
27th December	Tuesday	Wetherby	Jump	Turf
27th December	Tuesday	Wolverhampton	Flat	AWT
28th December	Wednesday	Catterick Bridge	Jump	Turf
28th December	Wednesday	Leicester	Jump	Turf
28th December	Wednesday	Newcastle	Flat	AWT
29th December	Thursday	Doncaster	Jump	Turf
29th December	Thursday	Kelso	Jump	Turf
29th December	Thursday	Southwell	Flat	AWT
30th December	Friday	Haydock Park	Jump	Turf
30th December	Friday	Taunton	Jump	Turf
30th December	Friday	Wolverhampton	Flat	AWT
31st December	Saturday	Lingfield Park	Flat	AWT
31st December	Saturday	Newbury	Jump	Turf
31st December	Saturday	Uttoxeter	Jump	Turf
31st December	Saturday	Warwick	Jump	Turf

The list of fixtures above shows all the UK horse racing between Christmas and the New Year.

Horse Racing 26th December 2026

Here are all the Christmas horse racing meetings held on the 26th of December:

• Fontwell Park
• Kempton Park
• Market Rasen
• Sedgefield
• Wetherby
• Wincanton
• Wolverhampton

King George VI Chase Day

The first day of the Kempton Park Winter Festival – one of the most popular National Hunt racing festivals of the year – is on Boxing Day.

The horse racing events on the 26th of December 2026 feature multiple meetings, with Kempton Park the most popular.

The iconic races on Boxing Day include:

• 12:45 Get Your Ladbrokes Free Kempton Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 3 (4yo+ 0-130) 2m4½f
• 1:20 Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (In Memory Of Nigel Clark) Grade 1 (GBB Race) Class 1 (4yo+) 3m
• 1:55 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle Grade 1 (GBB Race) Class 1 (4yo+) 2m
• 2:30 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase Grade 1 (GBB Race) Class 1 (4yo+) 3m
• 3:05 Join Ladbrokes Bet £5 Get £30 Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) Class 2 (4yo+) 2m
• 3:40 Ladbrokes Best Odds Guaranteed In Racing Handicap Hurdle Class 3 (3yo+ 0-140) 2m5f

Horse Racing 27th December 2026

Here are all the Christmas horse racing events held on the 27th of December:

• Chepstow
• Kempton Park
• Wetherby
• Wolverhampton

Desert Orchid Chase Day

The second day of the Kempton Park Winter Festival is on December 27th 2026.

Day two of the Festival is the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase Day, named after the charismatic grey (nicknamed Dessie) who made Kempton Park his own.

The iconic races on 27th December 2026 include:

• 12:45 – Juvenile Hurdle (2 miles)
• 1:20 – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (about 3 miles 121 yards)
• 1:55 – Wayward Lad Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 2) (2 miles)
• 2:30 – Desert Orchid Handicap Steeple Chase (Grade 2) (2 miles)
• Feature race of the day
• 3:07 – Handicap Steeple Chase (about 3 miles)
• 3:37 – Handicap Hurdle (2 miles)

Horse Racing 28th December 2026

Here are all the Christmas horse racing meetings held on the 28th of December:

• Catterick Bridge
• Leicester
• Newcastle

Horse Racing 29th December 2026

Here are all the Christmas horse racing meetings held on the 29th of December:

• Doncaster
• Kelso
• Southwell

Horse Racing 30th December 2026

Here are all the Christmas horse racing fixtures held on the 30th of December:

• Haydock Park
• Taunton
• Wolverhampton

Horse Racing 31st December 2026

Here are all the Christmas horse racing events held on the 31st of December:

• Lingfield Park
• Newbury
• Uttoxeter
• Warwick

Irish Racing Over Xmas 2026

Here are all the Irish Horse Racing events between Christmas and New Year.

• 26th Dec – Down Royal
• 26th Dec – Leopardstown
• 26th Dec – Limerick
• 27th Dec – Leopardstown
• 27th Dec – Limerick
• 28th Dec – Leopardstown
• 28th Dec – Limerick
• 29th Dec – Leopardstown
• 29th Dec – Limerick
• 31st Dec – Punchestown

Leopardstown Christmas Festival 2026

The Leopardstown Christmas Festival offers a fantastic day out for horse racing fans.

With over €1.4 million in prize money up for grabs and seven races each of the four days, the Leopardstown Christmas Festival is four days of top-class Irish racing.

The Leopardstown races’ Christmas showdown is a fast-paced National Hunt jump-racing meeting for thoroughbred horses, held annually at Leopardstown.

Popular Questions about Racing Over Christmas

These are the most popular questions we get asked about racing over Xmas:

Which horse racing events take place over Christmas?

In the UK and Ireland, prominent Christmas horse racing events include the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park and the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Are there any major races on Christmas Day?

Christmas Day typically does not feature major horse racing events in the UK and Ireland. The focus is on Boxing Day and the days following.

What are the key races during the Christmas period?

Key races include the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle during the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Are there special promotions or bonuses for Christmas horse racing bets?

Many bookmakers in the UK and Ireland offer special promotions and bonuses for Christmas horse racing, including enhanced odds and free bet offers.

Can I expect enhanced odds or price boosts for Christmas races?

Bookmakers often provide enhanced odds or price boosts for specific Christmas races, giving bettors the chance to get better value.

Which bookmakers offer the best Christmas horse racing promotions?

Bookmakers like Ladbrokes, Bet365, William Hill, Betfair, and Paddy Power are known for offering attractive Christmas horse racing promotions in the UK and Ireland.

How can I watch Christmas horse racing live?

Christmas horse racing events can be watched live on channels such as Racing TV and ITV Racing, as well as through online streaming services offered by bookmakers.

Are there any specific betting tips for Christmas horse racing?

Expert betting tips for Christmas horse racing can be found on reputable websites and platforms dedicated to horse racing analysis.

Do racecourses have special events or festivities during Christmas meetings?

Some racecourses in the UK and Ireland may host special events or festivities during Christmas meetings, creating a festive atmosphere for racegoers.

What horse racing traditions are associated with Christmas?

Christmas horse racing traditions may include festive decorations at racecourses, notable race names, and the excitement of top-quality racing during the holiday season.

Summary of Christmas Horse Racing

There’s no better way to celebrate the festive season than with a visit to one of the horse racing courses or enjoying the action on TV.

Christmas time at the races is the perfect afternoon out for all the family, and there is a massive list of fixtures over the festive period.

Nothing beats the feeling when you’re out in the fresh air, watching the racehorses in the parade ring and getting the pre-race jitters.

Celebrate Christmas with the family by attending one of the many horse racing meetings in the UK.