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Chelmsford City Racecourse is an award-winning sports and entertainment venue in central Essex. Our picturesque open-air concert and festival venue, set inside the racecourse track, has welcomed hundreds of thousands of music fans to performances from acts such as Sophie Ellis Bexter, Madness, Simply Red, Rick Astley, Razorlight, Blue, Boyzone, Bob Sinclair, Roger Sanchez, Bananarama, Beverley Knight, and festivals including Save My Soul, Clockstock festival, and Ministry of Sound.
Chelmsford City Live
Chelmsford City Live is a major new music festival, taking place at Chelmsford City Racecourse, and headlined by global superstars and award-winning musicians.
Megastar Justin Timberlake will headline on Friday 4th July, British pop legends Duran Duran will take to the stage on Saturday 5th July supported by Nile Rodgers & Chic, before local Essex boy Olly Murs headlines his biggest homecoming show on Sunday 6th July with support from friends Blue, Lemar & Mark Wright.
Chelmsford City Live is a partnership between Chelmsford City Racecourse and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor. The festival will be one of the biggest in the South East, welcoming music fans from Essex, London and abroad.
Upcoming Music Events
Thursday 19 June 2025
Ladies Day 2025
Ladies Day is the highlight of the Essex social calendar. Highly anticipated for both the action on the track and the fashion and entertainment off it. Join us for a summer social filled with...
Chelmsford City Live Headliners
Justin Timberlake
World-renowned award-winning musician, actor and entertainer Justin Timberlake is bringing his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Chelmsford.
The 10-time GRAMMY Award winner will headline at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Friday 4th July!
A multi-talented entertainer, recording artist, record producer, songwriter and actor, Justin Timberlake has sold more than 54 million albums and 63 million singles globally throughout his career, with a further 70 million records as the lead vocalist of *NSYNC.
Duran Duran
British music icons Duran Duran are set to delight fans next summer when they head to Essex’s newest live music festival for one of only two UK headline shows in 2025.
Multi-award winners Duran Duran have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, scored 18 American hit singles and 21 UK Top 20 tunes, cementing them as one of the most successful and influential bands of all time.
joining them as special guests will be disco legends Nile Rodgers & CHIC – who they collaborated with on smash hit UK number one The Reflex. Nile Rodgers is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a multiple GRAMMY Award winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist.
Olly Murs
One of Britain’s biggest and best-loved stars, Olly – who grew up in nearby Witham – will be playing his biggest ever home-county headline show when he heads to the Great Leighs venue on Sunday, July 6. Joining Troublemaker and Marry Me star Olly will be very special guests Blue and Lemar, with fellow Essex boy and close friend Mark Wright opening the night with a DJ set.
With his infectious energy, Olly presents a catalogue of fan-favourites including such hits as Troublemaker, Heart Skips A Beat, Dance With Me Tonight, Dear Darlin’, and Wrapped Up promising an unforgettable night as he returns to home territory in Essex.
Want to Know More?
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.
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 encouraged to be left at home/hotel/car. You can view our full ‘bag policy’ and conditions of entry here.
To view our dress code, please click here.
During peak season and for certain large events, we operate a bus service between Chelmsford and the racecourse. For further information, please click here.
The buses will leave promptly from the racecourse on the return journey at times stated for each event. These will only be delayed if an event over-runs, and please be advised we cannot be held responsible for anyone who misses the bus, or for missed connections due to unavoidable bus amendment times.
If you wish to travel to the racecourse using the local public bus service, you can use either the no. 70 or no. 352 bus to Great Leighs.
There is a taxi pick-up point in the main car park, but please be advised that all taxis must be booked in advance.
There are variety of local taxi companies in both Braintree and Chelmsford who are happy to commute to and from the racecourse familiar with its layout.
There is car and coach parking available at Chelmsford City Racecourse. Please follow signage to Chelmsford City Racecourse, the main car park is located off the A131 dual carriageway. Please note there will be a charge for parking.
Taxi drop-off and pick-up is also available outside the ticket office and main entrance.
Accessible parking for blue badge holders is located nearest to the ticket office and main entrance and is subject to availability. Please have your blue badge clearly displayed at all times.
This applies to standard racing fixtures only. For feature days & concerts, please see the Feature Days & Concerts page. Please ring the office on 01245 360300 for further information.
Racegoers are welcome to bring in handbags or backpacks (of an appropriate size for a day out – no bigger than A4 size), however larger luggage items are encouraged to be left at home/hotel/car. Bags may be searched upon entry, which may slightly delay your entry to the racecourse. Please allow time for your bag to be searched.
An exception will be made for essential medical items by contacting us prior to the race day via email at info@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com You will require a letter which will be issued by our team to show as proof of correspondence before granting entry into the racecourse.
Prohibited items list:
- Food
- All alcohol (unless agreed with the racecourse and catering team)
- Banners/posters
- Offensive material/clothing
- Whistles/air horns/flares
- Large flags
- Weapons/knives/sharp objects/pen knife
- Rope
- Unidentifiable canisters
- Hip flasks
- Professional-level photographic equipment without accreditation
- Dogs (accepts guide dogs)
- Illegal substances
- Perfume bottles over 30ml in size
Prohibited items will be confiscated and disposed of if you wish to enter the racecourse.
The racecourse is accessible for wheelchair users, please visit our accessibility page for full details, alternatively you can contact our dedicated Access Officer by emailing info@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com.