Racing Through May Half-Term
Looking for things to do in Yorkshire with the children through May half-term? Well, as with most school holidays, racing comes to the rescue! Across all of Yorkshire’s nine racecourses, accompanied under 18’s are admitted FREE!
Get into the sporting theme on Bank Holiday Monday at Redcar Racecourse, as they host the Zetland Gold Cup Family Day. As well as seven scheduled races, there’s FREE entertainment for the children, with bouncy castles, face painters and entertainers.
A group of riders taking part in the Macmillan Charity Race at York next month will also be in attendance with an equisizer, getting in some extra practice themselves, but hopefully one or two of the professionals will be persuaded to give a riding demonstration!
Admission for adults into the course enclosure at Redcar is £7 in advance or £8 on the day and £17 in advance in the Grandstand Enclosure, or £18 on the day. Concessions are available on the day for those over 65 and students. Car parking is free for both enclosures. You can buy tickets here.
The family fun moves across to East Yorkshire on Wednesday 29th May as Beverley Racecourse host their Family Fun Raceday. Children’s entertainment is located in the Course Enclosure and includes face painting, a Sumo challenge with inflatable Sumo mats and outifts, plus Gallagher’s Funfair bringing a selection of rides and stalls. The rides are free but there is a small cost for the stalls.
New for 2024 is Pony Parties, who will bring a verity of pony-based entertainment, including two ponies and lots of pony games, including some jumps for the children to race each other around in horse costumes.
Beverley Racecourse’s resident brass band, Beverley Brass Band will be performing on top of the Touch Above Bar.
Seven races are scheduled at Beverley and admission starts from £7 in the Course Enclosure and £7 if you want to take the car in. Grandstand & Paddock admission costs £16 or £13 for concessions and Premier Admission is £25. Save up to 20% on gate price by booking in advance. Buy tickets here.
Thursday 30th May sees family fun at Ripon Racecourse and the family activity includes a bouncy castle, face painting, glitter tattoos and balloon modelling.
Advance adult Course admission is £7 and cars to the Course are £20 which allows up to four adults in one car. Advance Paddock admission is £17.50 but reduced to £12.50 for those aged 60 and over. Advance Club admission is £27. Under 18’s are admitted free in all enclosures.
Looking further ahead don’t miss out on fun for Father’s Day in Yorkshire. Two of our Yorkshire courses are in action that day, Thirsk hosts their first Sky Bet Sunday Series meeting, a Premier Raceday. There’s one enclosure for all on the day and the Flat Cap Brass Band will be providing live music.
Thirsk Racecourse is always a winner with children as it has a permanent playground, available on all racedays, but in addition, there will be bouncy castles, slides and assault courses, face painting, balloon modelling, penalty shootouts and derby hoppers!
Seven races are scheduled for the day, plus The Sky Bet Graham Lee Stable Staff Charity Race will take place at 3pm, before the main action on the card starts.
Advance admission is £15 and £12 for over 65’s. A family ticket for two adults and up to four children can be purchased for £25. Buy your tickets here.
Doncaster Racecourse is preparing for Superhero and Princesses Family Fun Day on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16. There’s a kids disco, plus a magician, stilt walkers and jugglers in action in the crowd.
Racegoers can also find a balloon display, a traditional Punch & Judy show and colouring stations are available around the course.
Fun fair rides are available and there will be a cost for these, as well as a treasure hunt around the racecourses.
On the track there’s seven races, plus a Shetland Pony race!
A family bundle for two adults and up to six children is £25, plus a free pint of Carlsberg for the dad’s! Advance Grandstand admission is £18. Get your tickets here.