The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is Ireland’s biggest Christmas jumps meeting, and in 2026 it runs from 26 to 29 December. Seven Grade One races across four days in Dublin make it a fixture in many Irish punters’ calendars, and its results are widely used as a guide to the spring festivals. This guide sets out the days, the feature races, and how to bet on them with care.
- Dates: 26 to 29 December 2026, Saturday to Tuesday, at Leopardstown Racecourse in Foxrock, Dublin.
- Feature days: Paddy Power Day on 27 December and Savills Chase Day on 28 December, when the Savills Chase and the Christmas Hurdle are run.
- Betting: ante-post prices are available early but your stake is usually lost if the horse does not run, so check the rules first.
When is the Leopardstown Christmas Festival 2026?
Leopardstown lists the 2026 festival as 26th to 29th December: Saturday 26 December (St Stephen’s Day), Sunday 27, Monday 28 and Tuesday 29. Horse Racing Ireland gives the same 26 to 29 December window. Declared runners are published nearer the time, so treat any race list before then as provisional.
What are the races on each day?
- Saturday 26 December: Racing Post Chase Day, with the Grade 2 Knight Frank Novice Hurdle and the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase.
- Sunday 27 December: Paddy Power Chase Day, headed by the Paddy Power Chase and the Paddy Power Future Champions Hurdle.
- Monday 28 December: Savills Chase Day, with the Grade One Savills Chase and the Grade One Christmas Hurdle.
- Tuesday 29 December: December Hurdle Day, the family day, with two Grade One races, the Matheson Hurdle and the Neville Hotels Novice Chase.
Day names come from Leopardstown, which says the programme has seven Grade 1 races over the four days; the races listed come from the Horse Racing Ireland festival page. Race names and sponsors can change, so check the official card once it is published. We have not listed 2026 entries or prices because they are not confirmed yet.
What is the Savills Chase?
The Savills Chase is the festival’s top staying chase, run on the third day, Monday 28 December. Punters often use it as a pointer towards the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Day three also includes the Christmas Hurdle, one of the main hurdling races of the winter.
How do you bet on the Leopardstown Christmas Festival?
You can bet in two ways. Ante-post bets are placed days or weeks ahead, often at bigger prices, but the stake is normally lost if your horse is withdrawn. Day-of bets are placed once runners are declared, with non-runners usually handled by the bookmaker’s rules on the day.
Graded races at Leopardstown can have smaller fields, so each-way terms matter: check how many places are paid and what fraction of the odds applies. Our guide to best odds guaranteed and each-way betting explains the terms, and the each-way calculator works out your returns. If you bet on your phone, our best betting apps for Ireland comparison shows ratings and Irish licence numbers, and betting sites in Ireland lists licensed bookmakers.
What should you check before betting?
- The bookmaker holds an Irish licence and the licence number matches the register.
- Whether the bet is ante-post, and what happens to your stake if the horse does not run.
- Each-way places and fractions for the race you have picked.
- The going and the weather forecast, which can change fields at the final declaration stage.
- Your own limit: set a deposit limit before the festival starts and stick to it.
Odds and offers change, and nobody can predict a race. For more on the course, see our Leopardstown racecourse guide, the Irish horse racing hub and the horse racing betting guide. Many punters then look ahead to the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Related guides
- Leopardstown racecourse guide
- Horse racing in Ireland
- Horse racing betting guide
- Each-way calculator
- How to place a bet
Frequently asked questions
When is the Leopardstown Christmas Festival 2026?
It runs from Saturday 26 December to Tuesday 29 December 2026 at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin, according to Leopardstown.
What day is the Savills Chase?
The Savills Chase is run on the third day, Monday 28 December, which Leopardstown calls Savills Chase Day. The Christmas Hurdle is on the same card.
What is the Paddy Power Chase?
It is the feature race on Sunday 27 December, Paddy Power Chase Day, alongside the Paddy Power Future Champions Hurdle.
What does ante-post mean?
An ante-post bet is placed before the final declarations. It can give bigger prices, but your stake is normally lost if the horse does not run.
Is it legal to bet on Irish racing online?
Yes, with a bookmaker that holds an Irish licence. Check the licence number on the register before you open an account. You must be 18 or over.
Sources and further reading
- Leopardstown Racecourse: Christmas Festival – official 2026 dates, day names and number of Grade 1 races
- Horse Racing Ireland: Leopardstown Christmas Festival – festival window and feature races by day
18+. Please play responsibly, gamblingcare.ie. This guide is independent editorial opinion; it is not a guarantee, endorsement or financial advice, and PunterIreland may earn a commission if you join an operator through our links.
Last updated 7 November 2026. Written and checked by the Punter Ireland editorial team. Offers, odds and rules change, so always check the operator’s own terms and the official sources above.
