Cheltenham Racecourse has a packed programme of fixtures throughout the winter, with plenty of exciting events taking in place in the run-up to the anticipated Cheltenham Festival in March 2024.
With everything from thrilling racing action to free family entertainment throughout the festive season and beyond, SoGlos rounds up just some of the reasons to pay the home of jump racing a visit this winter...
Celebrate the season at The Christmas Meeting
The Christmas Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse promises festive fun for friends, colleagues and families, with top class racing on the track and magical entertainment including Christmas crafts; the Got2Sing choir singing carols; and a spectacular living snow globe gliding through the Best Mate Plaza. Tickets cost from £12 for the Best Mate Enclosure and from £22.50 for the Club/Tattersalls Enclosure, with under 18s able to attend for free with a paying adult.
Meet Santa in his grotto
Making a very special appearance at The Christmas Meeting, Santa will be in his grotto at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday 16 December 2023. Little racegoers can write letters to the big man to let him know what's on their list this year, with the help of his friendly elves, before getting to meet him and tell him all their Christmas wishes in person.
Enjoy unrivalled hospitality at the new Centenary Restaurant
Brand-new for the 2023-24 racing season, the Centenary Restaurant offers racegoers an exceptional experience — fitting for celebrating 100 years of the Gold Cup — with a Champagne reception; brunch; four-bowl menu made from local and seasonal ingredients; dessert tasters; afternoon tea; complimentary bar; Club enclosure access; and car parking, with unrivalled views over the horse walk.
Dine with no reservations at the Mandarin
No reservations are required at Cheltenham Racecourse's new Mandarin restaurant — racegoers can simply walk in and grab a table to soak up the cosy Cotswold pub vibes and tuck into hearty, seasonal dishes like traditional Scotch eggs and locally-sourced burgers. Tables are available for groups of two to eight diners, with two courses costing £65 per person and three courses costing £85 per person. Kid's meals are half price.
Get 2024 off to a thrilling start
Providing a wonderful way to blow away the Christmas cobwebs and start 2024 in style, the New Year's Day racing is Cheltenham Racecourse's most popular one-day fixture. While the exhilarating racing provides a chance to collect some top tips for the Cheltenham Festival, there's also a Family Fun Zone with entertainment including a real-life Card Ninja, circus skills, the Mighty Kids Beatbox Comedy Show and more to enjoy. Under 18s go free with adult tickets costing from £12 for the Best Mate Enclosure and from £30 for the Club/Tattersalls Enclosure.
Tuck into tasty street food at the brand-new Feed Room
Providing even more delicious dining options to tuck into on race days, new casual dining venue The Feed Room offers a variety of six street food pop-ups, serving steaming bao buns, crunchy tacos, cheese pizzas and more. Located at Tented Village Marquee Eight, it's ideal for grabbing a tasty snack on the go between races, if you don't fancy a sit-down meal.
Get the hottest tips at Festival Trials Day
Every single race at Festival Trials Day is a test for the hotly anticipated Cheltenham Festival in March 2024, providing keen racing fans a chance to see some of the biggest and most talented horses, jockeys and trainers in action and check out their form before the main event. Highlights include the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase and the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase, where winners often go on to be front runners at the Festival.
