Festival guides · 2026–27
UK Racing Festivals: Dates, Big Races and Betting Guides
From Cheltenham in March to Kempton on Boxing Day, here are the twelve biggest festivals in British racing, with dates, the big races, recent winners and how to bet on each one.
The big festivals, in date order
Dates are official where the racecourse has announced them. Tap a card for the full guide.
March
Cheltenham Festival
Four days of championship jump racing, ending with the Gold Cup.
April
Grand National Festival
Three days at Aintree, finishing with the world’s most famous steeplechase.
April
Scottish Grand National
A four-mile marathon chase, one week after Aintree.
May
Guineas Festival
The first two Classics of the season on the Rowley Mile.
June
The Derby
The Oaks and the Derby, the race that started it all in 1780.
June
Royal Ascot
Eight Group 1 races and the Royal Procession every day.
July
Glorious Goodwood
The Sussex Stakes, Europe’s richest mile, on the South Downs.
August
Ebor Festival
The Juddmonte International and Europe’s richest Flat handicap.
September
St Leger Festival
Britain’s oldest Classic, first run in 1776.
October
Future Champions Festival
The Dewhurst and Fillies’ Mile, where future stars emerge.
October
British Champions Day
The finale of the Flat season, with the Champion Stakes.
December
King George VI Chase
Boxing Day’s big race, won five times by Kauto Star.
Betting on the big festivals?
Compare UK racing apps by their real App Store, Google Play and Trustpilot ratings.
Also see our racecourse guides and our guide to betting at the racecourse.
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