Easter Festival | Chelmsford City Racecourse

Two Days of Easter Racing and Fun

We’re back with more racing and even more fun. Our biggest event of the year returns in 2026 and now lasts for two exciting days. Come enjoy all the excitement of a classic Easter event and start your bank holiday weekend with a festival full of fun and entertainment for everyone, perfect for spending time with friends and family!

RACING

Enjoy all the excitement of a traditional Easter Raceday. Cheer on your favourites as they compete for a share of £265,000 of prize money.

BARS & STREET FOOD

We’re adding a second food village to reduce wait times and satisfy every craving, with a wide range of foods from local and regional suppliers. NEW for 2026, our Trackside Beer Festival in the Galloping Horse Pub, come on down for a local pint.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

Our Family Zone return bigger and better than before. Enjoy an expanded lineup of games and entertainment, promising fun for all ages.

Except now it’s two days!

After two years of record-breaking sell-outs, our most popular event is getting bigger. In 2026, we’re excited to turn the Easter Festival into a two-day celebration.

With two days instead of one, we can make the festival more comfortable and enjoyable. We’ve lowered the number of tickets each day, so you’ll have more space, shorter lines at the bigger Food Village, and a more relaxed setting for your family. At the same time, we can welcome more fans over the whole weekend.

From the thundering hooves on the track to the laughter in our expanded Kids Zone, this is more than just a raceday; it’s the ultimate day out to kick start your Bank Holiday weekend. Join us for world-class racing, entertainment, and fond memories that will last a lifetime.

BUY EASTER THURSDAY TICKETS

What's included?

Both day's are filled with...

🏇 Thrilling Racing including our annual Shetland Pony Race

🐑 Petting zoo – Meet Alpacas, mini Shetlands, goats and lots more

🎭 Live children’s entertainer, arts & crafts and face painting

🎈 Inflatables and Easter bunny trail

🎶 Live DJ

⛳ Games zone – including air hockey, axe throwing, table football and mini golf

🥡 Expanded Food Village

All activities and entertainment are FREE and included with your ticket.

BUY GOOD FRIDAY TICKETS

An Award-Nominated Event

Our award-nominated Easter Festival fixture is back, and if you joined us for last years fixture, you can expect lots more of what you loved in 2025, including our food village, which is expanding to reduce wait times and offer a greater variety of choices. We look forward to sharing more exciting updates as we get closer to our Easter Festival!

With so much to do and see, make this Easter bank holiday a day to remember! Budget-friendly, family-friendly, and full of excitement and fun, get your group together for a really Good Friday. Tickets are on sale now, and just like last year, kids go FREE! In 2025, we sold out in record time, and we don’t want you to miss out on any of the fun, so be sure to book yours early.

KIDS GO FREE!

Can I bring my own food?

Food is not permitted onto the site, but there will be a food village available on site offering a wide array of different food and drink for everyone to enjoy. Our restaurants The Fairwood Brasserie and The Club Restaurant & Lounge will also be open for guests who would like to experience dining while at the racecourse. Tickets for the The Club Restaurant & Lounge and Fairwood need to be pre-booked and cannot be purchased on the day.

Can I use card and cash in the racecourse?

Our Sports Bar, Grill Kitchen, all marquees and all outside bars and vendors operate a cashless payment system. Our Fairwood Brasserie and the Club Restaurant & Lounge accept both cash and card payments.

Can I bring a bag with me?

Racegoers are welcome to bring handbags or backpacks (of an appropriate size for a day out – no bigger than A4 size), however larger luggage items are to be left at home/hotel/car. You can view our full ‘bag policy’ and conditions of entry here.

Do I need to bring ID to enter the racecourse?

In order to enter the racecourse, guests are required to bring original photographic ID including a driver’s license or passport.

Guests who do not present photographic ID will not be admitted to the racecourse.

This is not applicable to under 18s.

Tickets purchased by over 18s unable to provide photo ID on request will not be refunded and security searches may be carried out from time to time on persons entering.

Please be aware that ID will be required in order to purchase alcohol for those who appear under the age of 25 years.

How much are tickets?

Tickets for adults start at £15 and under 18s go FREE!

Can I get tickets on the day?

Tickets are not available on the day and need to be purchased in advanced.

How do I get to the racecourse?

Chelmsford City Racecourse offers FREE car parking for all customers attending racedays. The car park is located at the Main Entrance off the A131 bypass and can be accessed via the A131, A120, or M11. If using a satnav, enter the postcode CM3 1QP, or use What3Words: PUNTERS.AWARD.POPULAR for precise directions. Disabled parking is available for blue badge holders, with 30 dedicated bays adjacent to the ticket office for easier access. Parking is subject to capacity and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Entry and exit from the racecourse are expected to be very busy during peak periods. Please plan your day with this in mind, as you may encounter queues, particularly at the beginning and end of the day.

If you are parking at the venue, please follow the instructions of the staff upon arrival. Be aware that there may be a short walk to the entrance. If you are arriving by taxi or being dropped off, please note that the last entry time is 12:15 PM.

What are the timings for the day?

Timings will be announced closer to the event.

What should I bring with me?

Please bring your tickets and have them ready when you arrive. Please also have your ID’s ready when you arrive, as you may be asked to show them.

What is included in my ticket?

If you are in general admission you will have access to The Summer Marquee where kids can enjoy a range of activities for all ages, as well as the outdoor bars, including The Galloping Horse Pub located within our food village.

If you have a premium admission ticket, you will be able to enjoy the racing from the trackside view of the grandstand, where you can see the final stretch of the race, as well as NEW for 2025 guests The Queen Charlotte Marquee, where you have additional space to watch the final stretch. Also included in your ticket is access to The Summer Marquee, where kids can enjoy a range of activities for all ages, as well as the outdoor bar,s including The Galloping Horse Pub located within our food village.

If you are dining in The Fairwood Brasserie or The Club Restaurant & Lounge, you will also have the same access as general admission and grandstand but you will also have the exclusivity of dining in our restaurants.

Where can I get food?

Food will be available to buy from our Food village located by the new trackside viewing area, Galloping Horse and Queen Charlotte Marquee