Across Friday 19th and Saturday 20th of December 2025, Ascot brings together a very special race meeting and event. Whether you’re heading to Ascot with friends, colleagues or family, this event brings together the Christmas holiday vibes and the track’s most valuable jump race meetings of the season. On the track, the headline act is the Grade One, top level Long Walk Hurdle. Only the stars of the jumping season enter this race.
Away from the track, seasonal entertainment includes the chance for the young ones to meet Santa’s reindeer, arts and crafts and story time with Mrs Christmas. There will be carol singing, the Ascot Brass Band and all of the fun you’d expect of a seasonal event. Children (under 18’s) can go free if accompanied by a paying adult and don’t need their own ticket.
Howden Christmas Racing Weekend Timings & Location
This brilliant two-day racing event involves some great hospitality and racing on Friday, along with the Grade 1 action and all family fun elements on Saturday. Course entrances are easy to find, right off the high street in Ascot.
As you’d imagine, Ascot Racecourse offers some tremendous facilities for spectators. The Queen Anne Enclosure, Royal Enclosure and Village Enclosure are all popular with racegoers and visitors. Hospitality is also available to book.
Friday
Timings for Friday of the Howden Christmas Racing Weekend are:
- Gates open at 10:45am
- First race is at 12:40pm
- Last race at 3:35pm
Saturday
Timings for Saturday, as of now, are the same:
- Gates open at 10:45am
- First race is at 12:40pm
- Last race at 3:35pm
Festive entertainment for all the family is available throughout Saturday. Come early and take a walk around the various enclosures to see what’s on offer.
Horse Racing Action During the Howden Christmas Weekend
What’s better to back up all the festive cheer than two fantastic days of jumps racing? This is traditionally a high-class weekend of National Hunt action with these six races planned for Friday, December 19th:
Friday Race Times
- Race 1 (12:40) – 2-mile, 5½-furlong conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle.
- Race 2 (1:15) – 2-mile, 5½-furlong handicap chase
- Race 3 (1:50) – 2-mile, 1-furlong novices’ handicap chase
- Race 4 (2:25) – 2-mile handicap hurdle
- Race 5 (3:00) – 2-mile, 3-furlong novices’ chase (Noel Novices’ Chase – Grade 2)
- Race 6 (3:35) – 2-mile National Hunt flat race
The Grade 2 ‘Noel’ Novices’ Chase is a top event featuring some real steeplechasing stars of the future.
Saturday Race Times
The lineup of races for day two on Saturday, December 20th is:
- Race 1 (12:40) – 2-mile, 7½-furlong novices’ handicap hurdle
- Race 2 (1:15) – 2-mile, 3-furlong handicap chase
- Race 3 (1:50) – 2-mile, 5-furlong chase
- Race 4 (2:25) – 3-mile, 1/2-furlong hurdle (Long Walk Hurdle – Grade 1)
- Race 5 (3:00) – 3-mile handicap chase (Howden Gold Cup)
- Race 6 (3:35) – 2-mile handicap hurdle
The Graduation Chase (1:50), the Long Walk, Howden Gold Cup Chase and the closing Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle are all huge races with big consequences. Winners of these races will be heavily fancied for the Cheltenham Festival. Large screen TV’s will be in use as well as commentary via the PA. There are some great views of the action from around the enclosures, while you can get up close and personal with the horses in the parade ring.