For many racing fans, Christmas is not complete without a trip to the Kempton Park Christmas Festival. Held over the festive period at the popular Surrey course, just south west of London, this two-day meeting is one of the highlights of the jump racing calendar and a wonderful way to spend Boxing Day. Its centrepiece is the King George VI Chase, one of the most prestigious steeplechases in the country, drawing the finest horses and jockeys and a huge, enthusiastic crowd. Beyond the top-class racing, the festival offers a warm, celebratory Christmas atmosphere, a fine day out for families, friends and racing enthusiasts alike, and a brilliant way to work off the Christmas dinner. This guide explains everything you need to enjoy the Kempton Park Christmas Festival, from what the meeting involves and its famous races to what to wear and what to expect on the day. It also covers the easy, hassle-free way to get there and back over a busy holiday period, so the travel never spoils the fun. Here is how to make the most of one of the best-loved festive fixtures in British racing.
What is the Kempton Park Christmas Festival?
The Kempton Park Christmas Festival is a two-day jump racing meeting held over the festive season at Kempton Park Racecourse in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, a short distance south west of London. Taking place on Boxing Day and the following day, it has become a much-loved festive tradition for racing fans and a highlight of the National Hunt calendar. The meeting is famous above all for the King George VI Chase, run on Boxing Day, but the two days feature a full programme of high-quality jump racing that attracts top horses, jockeys and trainers. The festive timing gives the whole event a special, celebratory feel, with crowds enjoying a grand day out during the Christmas break. Kempton is a well-appointed, accessible course, and its position close to London makes it an easy destination for a festive fixture. For anyone looking for a memorable way to spend Boxing Day, combining top-class sport with a warm holiday atmosphere, the Kempton Park Christmas Festival is one of the finest occasions in the racing year and a genuine seasonal treat.
The King George VI Chase
The undisputed highlight of the festival, and one of the jewels of the entire jump racing season, is the King George VI Chase, run on Boxing Day. This prestigious steeplechase is regarded as one of the most important races in the National Hunt calendar, second in stature only to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and it brings together the very best steeplechasers in training for a thrilling contest. Over the years it has been won by some of the greatest horses in racing history, and watching the field tackle Kempton's fences in pursuit of this famous prize is a genuinely special experience. The atmosphere as the race approaches is electric, with the huge Boxing Day crowd roaring the runners home. For racing enthusiasts, seeing the King George VI Chase live is a bucket-list occasion, a chance to witness top-class steeplechasing at its very best. The race is the beating heart of the festival and the reason so many make the trip to Kempton each Boxing Day, and it delivers drama and quality in equal measure year after year.
What to expect on the day
A day at the Kempton Park Christmas Festival offers much more than the racing alone, though the sport is the main draw. Expect a full card of jump races through the afternoon, giving plenty of action and the chance to have a flutter on each contest, all wrapped in a warm, festive atmosphere. The course offers a range of enclosures and hospitality options, from relaxed general admission to premium packages with fine dining, so you can enjoy the day at whatever level suits you. There are bars, food outlets and the buzz of a big crowd making the most of the holiday, giving the whole occasion a celebratory feel. It is a sociable, enjoyable day out that suits families, groups of friends and couples alike, and a wonderful way to get out and about during the Christmas break. The combination of top sport, festive cheer and a grand day at the races makes it genuinely special. For a Boxing Day with atmosphere, excitement and the thrill of live racing, Kempton delivers a memorable experience.
What to wear
Dressing appropriately makes the day more comfortable and enjoyable, and the key consideration at a Boxing Day meeting is the weather. Late December can be cold, and much of a day at the races is spent outdoors watching the action, so warm layers, a good coat and comfortable, sturdy footwear are sensible, especially if the ground is soft underfoot. While the premium enclosures may encourage smarter dress, the emphasis at a winter jumps meeting is generally on staying warm and comfortable rather than high fashion, so practicality comes first. Even so, many enjoy dressing up a little for the festive occasion, striking a balance between smart and sensible. Checking the guidance for your chosen enclosure helps you get it right. Bringing gloves and dressing for the cold means you can concentrate on enjoying the racing rather than shivering through it. For a comfortable, enjoyable Boxing Day at Kempton, warm and weatherproof clothing is the priority, letting you make the most of the day whatever the December weather decides to do.
Why Boxing Day racing is a treasured tradition
Racing on Boxing Day is one of Britain's best-loved festive traditions, and Kempton sits right at its heart. For generations, families and friends have headed to the races on the 26th of December as a way to celebrate together, get out of the house after Christmas Day and enjoy a shared occasion during the holiday. There is something wonderfully sociable about it: the crowds are in high spirits, everyone is in a festive mood, and the whole day has a warm, communal feel that sets it apart from an ordinary race meeting. It has become a fixture in many people's Christmas plans, a chance to make new memories and carry on a tradition year after year. The quality of the sport, headlined by the King George VI Chase, gives the day real substance, while the holiday timing gives it its unique atmosphere. This blend of top-class racing and festive cheer is exactly why the Kempton Park Christmas Festival has endured as such a popular occasion. For a way to spend Boxing Day that combines sport, celebration and time with the people you love, a trip to the races is a tradition well worth embracing.
Tips for enjoying the festival
A little preparation helps you make the most of a busy festive race day. Because the meeting draws large holiday crowds, arriving in good time is wise, both to soak up the atmosphere and to get settled before the main races. Consider these simple tips for a great day:
- Book your tickets and any hospitality in advance, as the popular Boxing Day meeting is in high demand.
- Plan your travel around the reduced holiday transport, and arrange how you will get there and back before the day.
- Dress warmly in layers for a cold, largely outdoor day, and wear comfortable, sturdy footwear.
- Arrive early to enjoy the build-up and find your spot before the crowds around the main races.
- Agree a meeting point with your group in case you get separated in the crowd.
Beyond the practicalities, simply relax and enjoy the occasion. Study the race card, perhaps have a small flutter on each race, take in the parade ring to see the horses up close, and enjoy the food, drink and festive buzz between the action. Pacing yourself across the afternoon, with breaks to warm up and refuel, keeps everyone comfortable and happy through a long day out. With a bit of planning, the Kempton Park Christmas Festival delivers a wonderful, memorable Boxing Day, letting you focus on the racing and the celebration rather than the logistics.
Getting there over the festive period
Kempton Park sits close to London and the M25 in Surrey, which makes it accessible, but Boxing Day brings its own travel challenges. Public transport often runs a reduced holiday timetable over Christmas, with fewer trains and services than usual, which can make reaching the course by rail more difficult and less reliable on the day. Driving yourself means dealing with holiday traffic and finding parking at a busy meeting, then facing the journey home after a day that may well have included a drink or two to toast the season. A chauffeur removes all of these problems. A professional driver collects you from your door, handles the route and the traffic, drops you at the course and is on hand to take you home afterwards, whatever the holiday transport situation. It also means everyone can enjoy the festive atmosphere and a drink without worrying about driving. For a day at the races, an event chauffeur service handles the crowds and the timing so you simply enjoy the sport, while hourly chauffeur hire keeps a car and driver at your disposal for the whole day. You can choose the right vehicle for your group from the luxury fleet. Sort the travel, and your Boxing Day at Kempton stays stress-free.
The Kempton Park Christmas Festival is one of the great festive traditions in British racing, pairing the top-class drama of the King George VI Chase with a warm, celebratory Boxing Day atmosphere. Whether you are a dedicated racing fan or simply after a memorable way to spend the holiday, it makes a wonderful day out just south of London. Wrap up warm, choose the enclosure that suits you, and above all plan the travel around the reduced festive transport, so getting there and back is the easy part of the day. Westway Ride runs a licensed, fixed-fare chauffeur service for events and days out across London and the South East, with a fleet from the executive saloon to a 16-seat minibus. Sort the car, toast the season, and enjoy the very best of Boxing Day racing at Kempton Park.
What is the Kempton Park Christmas Festival?
The Kempton Park Christmas Festival is a two-day jump racing meeting held over the festive period at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey, near London. Taking place on Boxing Day and the following day, it is famous for the King George VI Chase and offers top-class racing in a warm, celebratory Christmas atmosphere.
When is the Kempton Park Christmas Festival?
The festival takes place on Boxing Day, the 26th of December, and the following day each year. The King George VI Chase, the highlight of the meeting, is run on Boxing Day, making it one of the most popular and traditional festive days out in the British sporting calendar.
What is the King George VI Chase?
The King George VI Chase is one of the most prestigious steeplechases in the jump racing calendar, run at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. Regarded as second only to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in importance, it brings together the best steeplechasers in training and has been won by some of the greatest horses in racing history.
Where is Kempton Park Racecourse?
Kempton Park is in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, just south west of London near the M25. Its position close to the capital makes it an accessible and popular course, though Boxing Day travel can be trickier than usual because of reduced holiday public transport, so planning the journey is worthwhile.
What should I wear to the Kempton Park Christmas Festival?
Warm, weatherproof clothing is the priority, as it is a cold, largely outdoor day in late December. A good coat, layers, gloves and sturdy footwear are sensible. Premium enclosures may encourage smarter dress, but at a winter jumps meeting comfort and staying warm generally come before high fashion.
Is the Kempton Park Christmas Festival good for families?
Yes, it makes an enjoyable festive day out for families and groups. The mix of exciting racing, a warm holiday atmosphere and a range of enclosures and facilities suits families, friends and couples alike. It is a great way to get out and enjoy an occasion together during the Christmas break.
How do I get to Kempton Park on Boxing Day?
By car or chauffeur is often easiest, as holiday public transport is reduced. Trains run a limited timetable over Christmas, so reaching the course by rail can be harder. A pre-booked chauffeur collects you from your door, handles the traffic and parking, and takes you home afterwards, avoiding the festive transport difficulties entirely.
Can I have a drink at the races if I have a chauffeur?
Yes, that is one of the main benefits. With a chauffeur driving, everyone in your group can enjoy a festive drink and toast the season without anyone having to stay sober to drive home. The car takes you back whenever you are ready, which suits a celebratory Boxing Day at the races perfectly.
Are there hospitality packages at the Kempton Christmas Festival?
Yes, the course offers a range of enclosures and hospitality options. These run from relaxed general admission to premium packages with fine dining and the best views of the racing. Choosing the right option lets you enjoy the festival at whatever level suits your group and the occasion, from casual to celebratory.
Is a chauffeur worth it for a day at Kempton Park?
Yes, especially over the festive period. With reduced holiday transport, busy roads and the chance to enjoy a drink, being driven removes the stress from the day. A chauffeur handles the journey, the parking and the crowds, and takes you home safely, making a Boxing Day at the races relaxed and enjoyable.
Can a chauffeur wait and take us home after the racing?
Yes, with hourly hire the car and driver stay at your disposal. The chauffeur drops you at the course, waits nearby or returns at an agreed time, and takes your group home after the racing finishes. It removes any worry about transport at the end of a festive day out at Kempton.
Can a chauffeur collect a group for the Kempton Christmas Festival?
Yes. A larger vehicle such as a people carrier or minibus can collect a group of friends or family and take everyone to Kempzxxzton together, arriving and leaving as one party. It keeps the group together, avoids splitting across cars, and lets everyone enjoy the festive racing and a drink in comfort.
How long does a day at the Kempton Park Christmas Festival last?
Most of the afternoon. A full card of jump races runs across several hours, so allow for a long day at the course, plus time to arrive early and soak up the atmosphere beforehand. Many people make a full afternoon of it, taking in the build-up, the racing and the festive surroundings, so plan your travel to and from Kempton with a relaxed, unhurried day in mind.
