Good Friday Family Funday | Chelmsford City Racecourse

good friday | Chelmsford city racecourse

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.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

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

Our biggest event of the year returns after selling out in 2024. Join us for all the excitement of a traditional Easter fixture, and start your bank holiday weekend with a day full of fun and entertainment all your friends and family will enjoy.

As well as quality racing to enjoy, Good Friday racing has something for everyone, including…

Enjoying all the excitement of a traditional Easter Raceday
Competing with friends in our expanded Games Zone
Visiting the Kids Zone for endless family-friendly entertainment
Grabing a bite at our food village which will be double the size of 2024
Dancing away to music from our resident DJ
Visiting the animals in our petting zoo including alpacas, goats and more

This event is not just a day of exhilarating racing; it is a fun social affair with a lively atmosphere. Kick start your Bank Holiday weekend with us and create memories that will last long after the racing has ended.

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An Award Nominated Event

Our 2024 Good Friday Family Fun Day has been nominated in the best Raceday category at the national Racecourse Association Showcase Awards.

2024 was our first Good Friday fixture, and we’re delighted its success has been recognised with this award nomination. If you joined us for our inaugural 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 Good Friday 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 2024, 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 encouraged 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 £20 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?

Gates open – 11:00

Shetland pony race – 12:45

First race – 13:40

(Races take place every 30-35 minutes)

Last race – 17:30

Last orders – 18:00

Venue close – 18:30

The Kids Zone in the Summer Marque and Games Zone in the Parade Ring will be open all day. With the following entertainment or activities available at these times:

Party Bell entertainers – 11:00 – 15:00

Face painting – 11:00 – 16:00

Animal show – 12:00

Marky T Family Disco – 15:00 – 18:00

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 and parade ring marquee where kids can enjoy a range of activities for all ages, as well as the outdoor bars including a brand new trackside bar located within our food village.

If you have a grandstand 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. Also included in your ticket is access to the summer and parade ring marquee where kids can enjoy a range of activities for all ages, as well as the outdoor bars including a brand new trackside bar located within our food village.

If you are dining in The Fairwood Brasserie or The Cub 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 marquee and Queen Charlotte Marquee.

Do I need to pay with with cash or card?

The bars and restaurants are card-only.

We are pleased to inform you that all family day activities and entertainment are free. All food outlets and bars on-site are cashless and will only accept card payments. Some independent bookmakers may only accept cash, so we recommend bringing both payment methods. Please be aware that visitors with General Admission tickets will not have access to a cash machine.

SOLD OUT!