Where can you catch some of the best racing in York and beyond?
Raceday season officialy kicks off this week, with the return of the Dante Festival at York Racecourse (Wed 14 to Fri 16 May) – but there are a whole host of highlights in the horseracing calendar that you don’t want to miss.
From the biggest racedays, to family friendly outings, live music concerts, and food and drink festivals, there’s something for every racing fan in York and Yorkshire. Take a look at our guide below to find out more!
Unmissable racing
Ladies’ Evening Flat Racing
Fast & furious flat racing action, with a focus on fillies & fizz.
- Wetherby Racecourse, York Road, Wetherby, LS22 5EJ
- Mon 2 Jun
- Gates open from 4:30pm
- Tickets
Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival
The Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival comes to Catterick on Wednesday 23 July! Join for six thrilling races and festival fun, including free children’s entertainment in the Course Enclosure.
- The Catterick Racecourse, Catterick Bridge, Richmond, DL10 7PE
- Wed 23 Jul
- Gates open from 12pm
- Tickets
William Hill Summer Cup
Experience the thrill of the William Hill Summer Cup quality!
- Thirsk Racecourse, Station Road, Thirsk, YO7 1QL
- Sat 2 Aug
- Gates open from 11am
- Tickets
The William Hill Great St Wilfrid
It’s our most valuable race day of the season on Saturday 16th August which last year had £215,000 of prize money on offer including a total pot of £100,000 for our feature race, ‘The William Hill Great St Wilfrid’. The prestigious 6f Handicap, which has been sponsored by William Hill for 30 years, showcases some of the country’s top sprinters.
- Ripon Racecourse, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon, HG4 1UG
- Sat 16 Aug
- Gates open TBC
- Tickets
Sky Bet Ebor Festival 2025
The week to visit featuring our oldest, richest, fastest and most famous races. Sporting excellence combined with fashion and fun over four fabulous days.
- York Racecourse, Knavesmire Road, York, YO23 1EX
- Wed 20 – Sat 23 Aug
- Gates open from 11am
- Tickets
Family fun
Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Monday 4th August in the school summer holidays is the perfect day for a trip to the races with the kids! Bring your teddy along and take part in our Cutest Teddy competition with prizes to be won.
There will be lots of entertainment and activities for children including: Bouncy Castle, Sand Art Pictures, Glitter Tattoos, Face Painting, Balloon Modelling, Punch ‘n’ Judy & Magic Show with Professor Dan.
- Ripon Racecourse, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon, HG4 1UG
- Mon 4 Aug
- Gates open TBC
- Tickets
All Creatures Great & Small Family Day
Join for Thirsk Races’ Family Day and enjoy free kids’ entertainment!
- Thirsk Racecourse, Station Road, Thirsk, YO7 1QL
- Fri 29 Aug
- Gates open from 11am
- Tickets
Family Sports Day
Join us for thrilling racing action and family fun on Monday 18 August for our Family Sports Day.
We have six races scheduled, and there will be free children’s entertainment in the Course Enclosure, including crazy golf, penalty shootout and inflatable darts! Plus, be sure to arrive early for a chance to win prizes in the Egg & Spoon race ahead of the first race.
- The Catterick Racecourse, Catterick Bridge, Richmond, DL10 7PE
- Fri 29 Aug
- Gates open from 12pm
- Tickets
YorkMix Family Raceday
Our YorkMix Family Raceday is back for 2025! There’s fun for all on our YorkMix Family Raceday, including record prize money for a seven-race card.
The additional fun is focused on the younger generation with both visits from a popular character and the “Entertainment Marquee” which has been home to giant inflatables, diggerland, a children’s zoo, zorb football, face painting, and lots more.
- York Racecourse, Knavesmire Road, York, YO23 1EX
- Sun 7 Sep
- Gates open from 11:15am
- Tickets
Amazing music
Summer Music Saturday 2025 and Olly Murs
A new date for 2025 will see Olly Murs perfom after racing, who found the nation’s hearts through X Factor and remains one of the most popular performers of his generation. Another chance to combine racing and music at York!
- York Racecourse, Knavesmire Road, York, YO23 1EX
- Sat 28 Jun
- Gates open from 11:15am
- Tickets
Music Showcase Weekend 2025
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, with special guest Natasha Bedingfield will take to the stage after racing on Friday 25th July evening. Ronan Keating, who found the nation’s heart through perfoming in Boyzone, will perform live after racing on Saturday 26 July.
The action on the track is just as compelling, headlined by a Pattern-quality contest on each day. The Listed EBF Lyric Stakes on Friday with the G2 Sky Bet York Stakes offering a six-figure purse on Saturday.
- York Racecourse, Knavesmire Road, York, YO23 1EX
- Fri 25 – Sat 26 Jul
- Gates open from 4pm (Fri) & 11:15am (Sat)
- Tickets
Food and drink
Catterick Beer Festival Afternoon Raceday
Enjoy live music and Pennine Brewing Co beer festival alongside the racing action on Saturday 24 May! There will also be free children’s entertainment in the Course Enclosure. The beer festival and live music will be in the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure.
- The Catterick Racecourse, Catterick Bridge, Richmond, DL10 7PE
- Sat 24 May
- Gates open from 11:30am
- Tickets
Sausage & Beer Evening
Join us for our Sausage & Beer Evening Meeting!
- Thirsk Racecourse, Station Road, Thirsk, YO7 1QL
- Fri 15 Aug
- Gates open from 3:30pm
- Tickets
Theakstons Beer Festival and Harvest Festival
On this day Ripon Races are supporting Ripon Community House with their Harvest Festival Initiative – please bring along a food donation and drop it in our collection point to support the amazing work they do.
- Ripon Racecourse, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon, HG4 1UG
- Sat 27 Sep
- Gates open TBC
- Tickets
