What Is the Leopardstown Christmas Festival?
The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is a four-day National Hunt racing meeting held annually at Leopardstown Racecourse in south Dublin, Ireland. Running from 26 to 29 December, the festival is the centrepiece of the Irish racing calendar during the festive period, featuring some of the highest-quality jump racing anywhere in the world. With multiple Grade 1 contests spread across its programme, the meeting regularly attracts the best-trained horses from Ireland and Britain, providing vital clues to the leading contenders for the Cheltenham Festival in March.
When Is the Leopardstown Christmas Festival?
The 2026 Leopardstown Christmas Festival takes place from Saturday 26 December to Tuesday 29 December. Racing typically begins in the early afternoon each day, with the main feature races scheduled for mid-afternoon. The four-day format allows for a rich programme of races across all classes and distances.
Where Is the Leopardstown Christmas Festival?
The festival is held at Leopardstown Racecourse, located in Foxrock, south Dublin, approximately 10 kilometres from Dublin city centre. The course is easily accessible by public transport, with a regular bus service from the city and the Sandyford Luas tram stop nearby. Leopardstown’s left-handed track, with its testing uphill finish, provides a thorough examination of any horse’s stamina and jumping ability.
Key Contenders and Races to Watch
The festival programme features several Grade 1 races that serve as significant trials for the spring festivals. The Savills Chase on day two is the meeting’s flagship contest, a three-mile steeplechase that has been won by legends including Best Mate, Florida Pearl, and Kemboy. The Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (two miles), the Christmas Hurdle, and a host of Grade 1 novice contests for both hurdles and fences round out a top-class programme. Leading Irish trainers Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Henry de Bromhead typically dominate the winners’ enclosure.
How to Watch the Leopardstown Christmas Festival
In Ireland, the festival is broadcast live on RTE and Racing TV. UK viewers can follow every race on Racing TV, with selected races also shown on ITV Racing. International audiences can access Racing TV’s streaming service online. Betting coverage is extensive across all major bookmakers.
History of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival
Leopardstown Racecourse opened in 1888 and quickly established itself as one of Ireland’s premier racecourses. The Christmas Festival has grown steadily over the decades to become the most important winter racing fixture in Ireland. The Savills Chase, first run in its current form in the 1970s, has produced a roll call of champions. The festival regularly attracts aggregate attendances of over 50,000 across the four days, making it one of the best-attended sporting events in Ireland during the holiday period.
Tickets for the Leopardstown Christmas Festival
Tickets are available through the Leopardstown Racecourse website. General admission, reserved enclosure, and hospitality packages are offered for each day. Advance booking is strongly recommended, as individual days frequently sell out. Group discounts and seasonal packages covering multiple days are typically available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest race at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival?
The Savills Chase, run on day two (27 December), is the meeting’s premier contest. This Grade 1 steeplechase over three miles regularly features the best chasers in training.
Can I attend all four days of the festival?
Yes. Multi-day tickets and season packages are available through the Leopardstown website. Many racegoers attend multiple days across the festive programme.
How do I get to Leopardstown Racecourse?
The racecourse is accessible by car (with on-site parking), by Dublin Bus, or via the Luas Green Line to Sandyford. Shuttle services often run from the tram stop on racedays.
Is the Leopardstown Christmas Festival relevant to the Cheltenham Festival?
Very much so. Many winners at Leopardstown over Christmas go on to contest the biggest races at Cheltenham in March. Trainers and punters alike use the festival as a key form guide for the spring.