Christmas Festival

Find out about Kempton Park’s Christmas Festival, a highlight of national hunt jump racing over two days from December 26th to 27th.

The standout event, the King George IV Chase Day, is renowned as one of the season’s best steeplechases.

Featuring twelve superb races, this festival is a top pick for race-goers during the holiday season. Thousands gather for a perfect mix of sporting excitement and festive merriment.

Our Kempton Christmas Festival guide provides the latest betting tips, information, and odds for these two days of national hunt horse racing. Join us in exploring the magic of this popular festival, where racing enthusiasts and families come together for an unforgettable holiday experience.

Learn more about the Kempton Christmas Festival.

King George VI Chase Day

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

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

Desert Orchid Chase Day

The second day of the Kempton Park Winter Festival is on the 27th of December 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 Ladbrokes “Free Bet At Kempton” Introductory Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) Class 2 (3yo) 2m
• 1:20 Ladbrokes “Bet £5 Get £30 Sign Up Offer” Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Class 2 (4yo+) 3m½f
• 1:55 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) Class 1 (4yo+) 2m
• 2:30 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (Limited Handicap Chase) (GBB Race) Class 1 (4yo+) 2m
• 3:07 Ladbrokes “Big Football Bet Builder Boosts” Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 3 (4yo+ 0-135) 3m
• 3:37 Ladbrokes “Get Rewarded With Ladbucks” Handicap Hurdle Class 3 (3yo+ 0-140) 2m

Summary of the Kempton Christmas Racing Festival

The 2026 Kempton Winter Festival holds some of the most significant Grade 1 races in the jump racing calendar, including the King George IV Chase, The Kauto Star Novices Chase and The Christmas Hurdle.

The meeting is one of the best racing meetings of the entire season, in terms of quality of racing, and just as a great day out with friends and family.

Definitely worth a visit!

Christmas Time Horse Racing Information Articles