Leopardstown Christmas Festival
The countdown is underway for the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, taking place from St. Stephen’s Day on Tuesday 26th to Friday, December 29. The festival promises to be another cracking four-day extravaganza.
Featuring 7 Grade 1 races and a host of live music and entertainment from DJ Lance West, Body Funk, Pogueology and the Conor Mckeon Band, it’s a hot spot for post-Christmas get-togethers, offering an exhilarating day out in the capital.
The opening day of the festival is a calendar must for many families and groups of friends. Features include the Grade 2 Mercedes Benz South Dublin Juvenile Hurdle and the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase.
Cheer on
Unleash the thrill of horse racing on day two with Paddy Power Day! Last year, over 17,000 racegoers attended day two to cheer on winners in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Chase and Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Hurdle.
The Savills Chase Day is the third day of the festival, featuring the Grade One Savills Chase and The Grade One Christmas Hurdle. The Savills Chase has been won by some high-quality chasers such as Conflated, A Plus Tard, Delta Work and Kemboy.
The fourth and final day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival is a day for all the family where there will be lots of fun activities from face painting, games and bouncy castles for junior racegoers to enjoy! There will also be top class racing with two Grade Ones on the card, the Matheson Hurdle and the Neville Hotels Novice Chase.
Popular package
To ensure you have all you need for a great day at the races the Christmas Cracker Bundle is worth checking out. The popular package will set you up with all the essentials as it includes admission, racecard, Tote Bet, Burger and pint of Bulmers or a soft drink. This package could also be a great Christmas gift and is available to book online now at €60pp. Why not make a day of it for all the family and book one of the few remaining hospitality suites available during the festival.
The 1888 Restaurant is another great option, located on the second level of the Grandstand, its at the heart of the action. It overlooks the parade ring on one side and the finishing straight on the opposite side, which makes it the perfect location for groups. The 1888 Restaurant package includes admission, race card, reserved table, À La-Carte Dining and Tote betting service. Available to book online at €185 per person, to avoid disappointment don’t delay.
Another option to consider is The Big Christmas Brunch at the Pavilion. The package includes admission, savoury and sweet brunch buffet, reserved table, race card, Resident MC and Racing Tipster, Tote betting facilities, bar service and access to the Christmas Marquee for after-racing entertainment. This packages is also available online at a cost of €109 per person.
Shuttle bus
Please note there will be free shuttle bus service on the 26th from The Sandyford Luas, Naas Town and The Red Cow. This free shuttle bus service will then be extended to further locations from the 27th to the 29th with shuttles running from The Sandyford Luas, Naas Town, The Red Cow, Heuston Station and Blackrock DART daily. Visit leopardstown.com for more information and travel times.
In addition to top quality racing, live music and entertainment is scheduled throughout the weekend during and after racing in the festival marquee daily. Gates open at 10am each morning and patrons are encouraged to come along early and soak up the festive atmosphere.
The Association of Irish Racecourses would like to wish Tim and all the team at Leopardstown Racecourse the very best of luck with their upcoming festival. For further information and bookings visit leopardstown.com.
