Festive Treat Day at Punchestown

What to expect

Festive Treat Day brings a card of jump racing to Punchestown Racecourse on Tuesday 8 December, one of two festive fixtures the track runs in the run up to the new year alongside its New Year’s Eve meeting. The first race is due off around 12 noon, subject to the usual change depending on going and weather, with a full card of races through the afternoon giving racegoers several hours of racing to follow. Tickets start from €10, making it one of the more affordable racedays on the Punchestown calendar, and the December date gives the meeting a festive lean, with the racecourse typically dressing the enclosures for the season and running food and drink options suited to a cold December afternoon. As with any midweek winter fixture, it draws a mix of regular racing fans, local syndicates with runners in the card and people looking for an afternoon out during the run up to Christmas. Punchestown’s enclosures give a good view of the track from most vantage points, and the parade ring is a good spot to see the horses before each race for anyone new to racing. Exact ticket tiers, enclosure options and full race times are confirmed on Punchestown’s own website closer to the day, and are worth checking before travelling since timings are always subject to change.

Getting there

Punchestown Racecourse is just outside Naas, reached via the R411 or directly off the N7, putting it under 40 minutes from Dublin city centre. The racecourse has extensive free parking sign posted from the main entrance, and on busier racedays it is worth allowing extra time before the first race. Naas is served by Bus Eireann routes from Dublin and around the county, with taxis available from the town for the final stretch to the racecourse.