Limerick Racecourse unveils plans for 26th Christmas Racing Festival

Limerick Racecourse has officially launched its 26th annual Christmas Racing Festival, with four days of top-class horse racing, live entertainment and festive celebrations planned from St Stephen’s Day through to 29 December.

Running from 26–29 December 2026, the festival will once again bring thousands of racegoers together at Greenmount Park, with organisers hoping to build on the increased attendances experienced in recent years and welcome more than 20,000 visitors across the four days.

Mr Binman returns as the festival’s Title Sponsor for the sixth consecutive year, demonstrating its continued commitment to the event and the wider Limerick community.

Diageo also returns for its fourth year as sponsor of Munster’s only Grade One Steeplechase, on 28 December.

Recognising the current economic climate and its impact on household spending, Limerick Racecourse has made the decision to maintain general admission prices in line with last year, while also reducing the cost of selected packages to make the festival more accessible to families, friends and racing enthusiasts.

Big Boss Group returns to its partnership with Limerick Racecourse this year, assisting with the promotion, development and running of the four-day festival. Riann O’Dwyer of Big Boss Group said:

“Were absolutely delighted to partner with Limerick Racecourse once again for the Mr Binman Christmas Racing Festival. It’s a partnership we’re incredibly grateful for, and we’re thankful to the directors and the entire Limerick Racecourse team for their continued trust in us.

“We’ll be welcoming over 20,000 people across the four days, and our ambition is to continue building on the fantastic attendances we’ve seen in recent years, with the aim of reaching over 5,000 people each day.

“Each day offers something different, from the atmosphere of St Stephen’s Day to Ladies’ Day, the excitement of Grade One racing and our Family Fun Day. We’re particularly excited about some of the new additions this year, and our focus is on continuing to grow the festival and make it an even bigger part of Christmas in Limerick.”

December 26

St Stephen’s Day remains a firm favourite on the festival calendar, attracting visitors across all age groups.

The day promises a lively festive atmosphere, with entertainment across the racecourse and a strong focus on bringing friends and families together.

This year, the entertainment tent will undergo a refresh, with a redesigned layout and additional seating. The new arrangement will create a more comfortable social space where visitors can enjoy food, drinks and entertainment while watching the racing.

December 27 - Ladies’ Day

Ladies’ Day returns on 27 December, with the Homan Lee Agency once again supporting the occasion.

The day promises a celebration of fashion, style and racing, alongside the exciting atmosphere that has become synonymous with the festival’s Ladies’ Day.

December 28 - Grade One Racing

The excitement continues on 28 December, Faugheen Novice Steeplechase sponsored by Diageo.

As Munster’s only Grade One Steeplechase, the race is a major highlight of the festival and attracts significant interest from racing enthusiasts.

With substantial prize money and top-class racing expected, organisers are looking forward to welcoming increased numbers of racing fans to the course.

December 29 - Family Fun Day

The festival concludes on 29 December with its popular Family Fun Day, offering plenty of entertainment for younger visitors and families.

A particularly exciting new addition this year is a virtual reality racing attraction, giving children the opportunity to experience the thrill of being a jockey.

Located in the Tote Hall, the attraction will feature a life-sized mechanical horse and VR headset, allowing children to experience a realistic simulation of riding a racehorse.

The technology is similar to the equipment used by jockeys for training and warm-ups, giving younger visitors a fun and interactive introduction to the world of horse racing.

Mr Binman – Festival Title Sponsor

Mr Binman returns as Title Sponsor for the sixth consecutive year, continuing its association with one of Limerick’s most established festive events.

Speaking at the launch, Joe Cleary highlighted the importance of supporting community events and bringing people together over the Christmas period.

He also praised the sustainability initiatives in place at Limerick Racecourse, including food waste composting, waste reduction and increased recycling, areas that closely align with Mr Binman’s own commitment to environmental responsibility.

Reflecting on the importance of the festival beyond the racing itself, Joe shared a moving story from last year’s event about a group of friends who were able to come together for what would ultimately be their final Christmas outing with a friend who had been diagnosed with cancer.

The experience demonstrated the lasting memories that events like the Christmas Racing Festival can create and the importance of providing opportunities for people to come together.

Now in its sixth year of supporting the festival, Mr Binman is looking forward to another successful Christmas at Limerick Racecourse.

Diageo – Faugheen Novice Steeplechase Sponsor

Diageo returns for its fourth year as sponsor of the Faugheen Novice Steeplechase on December 28.

The Grade One race is a significant highlight of the festival and an important part of the Christmas racing calendar in Munster.

Local Sponsors and Industry Partners

Limerick Racecourse also acknowledged the continued loyalty and generous support of its local sponsors and industry partners.

Their contribution plays an important role in ensuring the successful delivery and continued development of the Christmas Racing Festival.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Now celebrating its 26th year, the Mr Binman Christmas Racing Festival has become an established part of Limerick’s Christmas calendar.

Bringing together racing enthusiasts, families, friends and visitors from across the country, the four-day festival offers a combination of competitive horse racing, entertainment and opportunities for the community to celebrate together.

With more than 20,000 visitors expected across the four days, the festival continues to play an important role in supporting Limerick’s festive offering and local economy.

The 2026 festival will focus on building on previous successes, developing its entertainment programme and creating an experience that appeals to visitors of all ages.