Catterick Racecourse is gearing up for a spectacular festive season, with three National Hunt fixtures set to bring excitement, thrilling racing and Christmas cheer to racegoers on Tuesday 16 December, Sunday 28 December and New Year’s Day. With seasonal entertainment, special giveaways and quality racing on offer, the racecourse is encouraging visitors to book early and make the most of its advance ticket savings.
The celebrations begin on Tuesday 16 December with Christmas at Catterick, when the course will be transformed with sparkling lights and a festive atmosphere. Ahead of the first race, racegoers will be welcomed with Christmas carols performed by the choir from St Francis Xavier School in Richmond. The Injured Jockeys Fund will also be on course with a range of Christmas gifts and stocking fillers, providing an ideal opportunity to tackle last-minute festive shopping while supporting a fantastic cause.
Gates open at 10.15am, with the first of seven races beginning at 12.15pm. The highlight of the afternoon, the John Smiths Catterick – Raise A Pint Novices’ Hurdle Race sponsored by Heineken Ltd, is scheduled for 1.45pm.
General Commercial Manager Emma Stevenson said: “We’re delighted to welcome St Francis Xavier School Choir back to the course for Christmas at Catterick. Hearing carols as visitors arrive brings such a warm and festive feel to the racecourse - it’s the perfect start to our Christmas fixtures.”
The festivities continue on Sunday 28 December with the hugely popular Sky Bet Christmas Meeting, one of the standout fixtures in the Catterick calendar and always a post-Christmas favourite for families and friends. Sky Bet has generously supported all six races, with action beginning at 12.18pm and the last race at 3.13pm. The first race on the card celebrates lifelong racing fans Philip and Tommy, both loyal Go Racing in Yorkshire members since its inception.
To add to the festive fun, the first 100 racegoers through the gates from 10.00am will be greeted with complimentary mulled wine and mince pies. Visitors wearing Christmas jumpers will also be invited to take part in a prize draw to win a Christmas stocking packed with gifts, including a voucher for two Grandstand & Paddock tickets to any 2026 fixture of their choice. Even the equine stars will join in the celebrations, with each winning horse receiving its own Christmas stocking filled with carrots and polos. In recognition of their hard work over the festive period, every member of stable staff working on the day will receive a small Christmas gift arranged by Sky Bet and the racecourse.
Catterick’s festive season concludes in style on New Year’s Day, when the racecourse proudly hosts the first fixture of the 2026 Yorkshire racing calendar - a longstanding tradition and a favourite among regulars looking to start the new year with top-quality racing and a vibrant atmosphere. The gates will open at 10am on New Year’s Day, with the first of six races scheduled for 11.45am.
Adding even more value this season, the racecourse has introduced the new Horseshoe Package for the 2025/26 National Hunt Season. For just £25 on standard racedays and £27 on feature days, visitors can enjoy Grandstand & Paddock admission, a racecard and the Dish of the Day from the new Horseshoe Café Bar - making it an excellent choice for racegoers seeking a great day out at exceptional value.
Tickets for all festive fixtures will be available on the gate; however, racegoers are encouraged to book in advance to secure the best prices, with savings of up to £5 per adult available for all bookings made at least 48 hours before each meeting. Advance and group tickets can be purchased online at catterickbridge.co.uk or by calling the racecourse office on 01748 811478. As always, accompanied under-18s are admitted free of charge, making Catterick’s festive racedays an affordable and enjoyable day out for families.