Cheltenham's jump season opens on 23 October, then races in November, December and on New Year's Day from £13.50. Under-18s go free. Dates and gate times.
The racecourse on Evesham Road is Cheltenham’s biggest attraction in winter. Between late October and New Year’s Day it holds four race meetings over eight days, plus a fireworks night and Christmas party nights. Under-18s race free at the jump meetings, but you have to book their free ticket online. Here is every date from now to New Year’s Day, from the Jockey Club’s own pages.
The quick answer
The season opens with The William Hill Showcase on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October. The November Meeting runs from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November, The Christmas Meeting is on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December, and New Year’s Day Racing is on Friday 1 January 2027, with tickets from £13.50. Under-18s race free with a free ticket booked in advance.
Race meetings, October to New Year
| Meeting | Dates | Gates and racing | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| The William Hill Showcase | Fri 23 and Sat 24 October | Gates 11.15; first race 13.15 Fri, 13.10 Sat; last race 16.45 Fri, 16.40 Sat | On sale |
| The November Meeting | Fri 13 to Sun 15 November | Not yet published | On sale |
| The Christmas Meeting | Fri 11 and Sat 12 December | Not yet published | From £30.50 |
| New Year's Day Racing | Fri 1 January 2027 | 2026 timings: gates 10.30am, first race 12.15pm, last 3.45pm | From £13.50 |
Sources: The William Hill Showcase; The November Meeting; The Christmas Meeting; New Year’s Day Racing.
The Showcase opens the 2026/27 season. On the Saturday, ABBA tribute act FABBAGIRLS plays after racing, from 16.55 to 17.55. There is also a children’s activity trail and a go on the racecourse’s VR riding machines. The Saturday is the first day of Gloucestershire’s October half term.
The November Meeting has a different theme each day: Countryside Day on Friday 13, Super Saturday with the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday 14, and Carnival Sunday with the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle on Sunday 15. The racecourse calls Sunday “the perfect day for all the family”, and offers a multi-day ticket.
The Christmas Meeting also has the Tattersalls Cheltenham sale of point-to-pointers and form horses after racing on the Friday. The same week, the Christmas market opens on the Promenade on Thursday 10 December.
New Year’s Day Racing has seven races, including the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle, and free family entertainment. The Jockey Club notes that the Family Fun zone is only for Club and Tatts ticket holders. The times in the table are from the 2026 racecard. The racecourse says the 2027 times will follow.
Fireworks night, Saturday 7 November
The Cheltenham Round Table fireworks night at the racecourse now has full details. Car parks open at 3.30pm, gates at 4.30pm, fireworks start at 7pm, and last admission is 7.15pm. The display is set to music from fairytale and fantasy films. There is a funfair, and food and drink stalls. The fair and bars stay open until 9.15pm (Jockey Club, Fireworks).
| Ticket | Advance, to Sat 31 October | Standard, 1 to 6 November |
|---|---|---|
| Age 13 and over | £11.00 | £15.00 |
| Child 3 to 12 | £5.50 | £8.50 |
| Child 0 to 2 | Free | Free |
Under-18s must be with an adult. All profits go to Cheltenham Round Table and the causes it supports. The other two Cheltenham displays are on our fireworks and Bonfire Night page.
Christmas nights and other events
The racecourse also runs Celebrate Christmas at Cheltenham Christmas party dates on Saturday 5, Friday 18 and Saturday 19 December, and Professor Brian Cox plays the venue on Wednesday 4 November (Jockey Club, events and tickets). After New Year, Festival Trials Day is on Saturday 30 January 2027, and the Cheltenham Festival runs from Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March 2027.
Getting there
The racecourse is on Evesham Road, GL50 4SH. Before you set off, see Cheltenham roadworks and travel and parking in Cheltenham. For trains and buses over New Year, see Cheltenham Christmas trains and buses.
Still to confirm
Gate and race times for the November and Christmas meetings, and the 2027 New Year’s Day racecard. None of these is on the Jockey Club’s event pages yet. We will check again at the start of November.
Checked on 1 October 2026 against the Jockey Club’s Cheltenham event pages.
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