Galway Summer Festival
28th July - 3rd August 2025
Book your Galway Summer Festival experience with the racing experts and save money by booking your accommodation, transfers & official tickets/hospitality all in one place!
Recommended Hospitality
Offering stunning panoramic views of the action from Galway's stands, the racecourse offer a couple of excellent dining experiences for those looking to enhance their day at the Summer Festival.
Unsure which option is right for you? Speak to our experts on 0800 193 6646 or make an enquiry.
Panoramic Racecourse Views!
The Killanin Stand Silver Package
from £199 per person
Includes:
- Racecourse admission ticket
- 4 Course Meal with Wine on a Reserved table for the day
- Tote Betting facilities, Racecard & Pen
- Full bar facilities available
- Racing Tipster
Stunning Finish Line Views!
Panoramic Restaurant Gold Package
from £275 per person
Includes:
- Racecourse Admission ticket and Executive Guest Badge
- Champagne Reception on Arrival
- Racing Tipster
- Five course meal with Complimentary wines
- Complimentary Bar (excl. Champagne) until 30 mins after last race- Tote facilities, Race Card & Pen
- Reserved table for the day
Our Handpicked Hotels
Standard Inclusions:
- Return airport transfers
- Two or more nights accommodation
- Breakfast each morning
- Ticket(s) to the Galway Festival
Early Booking Promotions:
- Save £20 per person
- Book with 10% deposit
- Free drink at the racecourse
- Racecard
- Celebrity online preview
- Just 10 mins from Galway Racecourse
- Hotel runs its own private shuttle to/from the racecourse
- Less than 1.5 miles from Galway centre
- A number of restaurant & dining options on-site
- On-site leisure facilities including pool
Rated 4.6 / 5 by RacingBreaks.com customers
"Went to two days of the Galway Festival staying at the Connacht, lovely hotel, great location and their transfers to/from the racecourse each day were perfect!"
- Shane, 2024
Unsure on the perfect trip for you?
Give one of our team of experts a call on 0800 193 6646 or make an enquiry below.
Ticket Options:
General Admission
Galway Racecourse offers one enclosure during Galway Summer Festival week. General admission gives guests access to all the main areas including fantastic views of the racing and views of the parade ring.
Festival Package
In addition to a General Admission ticket, guests also receive a racecard, €5 betting voucher & €6 drinks voucher!
Premium Festival Package
In addition to a General Admission ticket, guests receive a grandstand reserved seat badge with access to the Winning Post Bar & Panoramic views of the finish line. Guests also receive a racecard, €5 betting voucher & €6 drinks voucher.
With seven days of racing there is plenty on offer for everyone! Racing Breaks recommends Wednesday and Thursday where the feature races appear, The Tote Galway Plate and the Guinness Galway Hurdle. Monday, Wednesday and Friday's racing starts from 5pm, with live music being held throughout the week.
The Opening Day
Monday 28th July 2025
The Opening Day welcoming racing fans back with one amazing week on offer. The iconic seven-day Galway Races Summer Festival 2024 kicks off with an evening of racing with the first race at 5.10pm. ‘Opening Day’ has a brilliant Music Line Up with The Galway Tenors holding a special performance just before the first race in front of the Grand Stand. You don’t want to miss this!
Throwback Tuesday
Tuesday 29th July 2025
Racing on Tuesday centres around the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap underpinned by a superb prize pot of €120,000 designed to attract the best handicappers in this division in Ireland. Another day of Music and Evening racing, with Racing starting at 5:10pm
Galway Plate Day
Wednesday 30th July 2025
The Tote Galway Plate Day, one of the best days to enjoy some superb national hunt racing, witness a cracking historic race, and a day celebrating the best of Irish Country Music. Wednesday marks the third day with the first race off at 5.10pm. The Tote Galway Plate race has been running at Ballybrit since 1869 with more heritage and prestige than any other race run at Galway Racecourse.
The Guinness Galway Hurdle & Stylish Ladies Day
Thursday 31st July 2025
‘Ladies Day’ combines the very best in horse racing and stunning fashion. Also known as ‘Guinness Galway Hurdle Day’, this promises to be one of the biggest days in the Irish racing calendar, and an unmissable day out for fashion lovers. On the day, the first of eight national hunt races takes place at 2.10pm. Thursday features the much sought-after Galway Hurdle Handicap race with an impressive prize fund of €250,000 on offer.
Friday’s Most Stylish
Friday 1st August 2025
The best way to start the Irish Bank Holiday weekend, at ‘Friday Night Racing’. With eight races on the card all generously sponsored by Guinness, racing on Friday kicks off at 5.00pm. Plus, the hugely popular fashion competition, ‘Fridays Most Stylish’
The Weekender
Saturday 2nd August 2025
Enjoy your Irish Bank Holiday weekend on Saturday with eight competitive flat races, with the first race off at 2pm.
Mad Hatter's Family Fun Day
Sunday 3rd August 2025
Join the best line-up for young racing fans at the ‘Mad Hatters Day‘ on Sunday. Hugely popular day for families, with free activities for children to enjoy. There are 8 races on the cards with racing kicking off at 1.50pm
There is no official dress code at Irish racecourses, but smart casual is usually a safe bet. At Galway Races on Thursday and Friday there is the opportunity to raise the style stakes and enter our fashion competitions with high-value prizes on offer in our best dressed competitions. It is advisable to check the weather when planning your outfit for racing.
Monday
14:30 Gates Open
16:50 First Race
20:15 Last Race
Tuesday
14:30 Gates Open
16:50 First Race
20:15 Last Race
Wednesday
14:30 Gates Open
16:50 First Race
20:15 Last Race
Thursday
11:15 Gates Open
14:10 First Race
18:10 Last Race
Friday
14:30 Gates Open
17:00 First Race
20:40 Last Race
Saturday
11:30 Gates Open
13:55 First Race
17:55 Last Rae
Sunday
11:30 Gates Open
13:50 First Race
17:30 Last Race
Galway Racecourse plays host to one of the greatest race meetings in the world, the famous and iconic Galway Races Summer Festival, that boasts seven days of superb racing, hospitality, entertainment, stunning fashion and an electric atmosphere.
At the racecourse, the atmosphere is superb and the Guinness is always flowing, and back in Galway town you’re welcomed with world famous Irish hospitality for what is always a vibrant racing party! It seems as if everyone who goes racing then finds themselves back in the town later that evening eating, drink, dancing and celebrating together. You stumble across incredible bar after bar with live music and friendly faces sharing stories of their day at the races. Unlike some large festivals where it can be prohibitively expensive to stay close enough to the racecourse to really enjoy the after party, at the Galway Festival accommodation is much more affordable, allowing guests to stay closer to the action to really make the most of their trip!
The racing is competitive with good field sizes and with both flat and jumps racing on the same card it’s unique and has something for everyone. Top horses and trainers still send some of their best to compete at the event and with a history dating back almost 200 years you feel part of Irish folklore.