Three Days of Racing, Entertainment, Style and Unmissable Prizes at Great Yarmouth Racecourse
The Eastern Festival returns to Great Yarmouth Racecourse from Tuesday 15th to Thursday 17th September 2026, bringing three days of exciting racing, live entertainment, expert tips, competitions, fashion and special guests to the Norfolk coast. Each day has its own personality, with Gents Day kicking things off, the prestigious John Musker Fillies’ Stakes taking centre stage on Day Two, and Ladies Day bringing the festival to a stylish close.
There is plenty happening both on and off the track, with plenty of prizes to be won across the festival too.
DAY ONE GENTS DAY
Tuesday 15 September
Gents Day gets the Eastern Festival off to a lively start, with great racing, expert insight, prize draws and a chance to enjoy the festival atmosphere in style. Megan Nicholls hosting the day and bringing her expert racing knowledge to the big stage. It is the perfect day for a group of friends to get together, enjoy a drink, have a flutter and make the most of the action on and off the track. For those looking to take the day up a notch, the all-inclusive Racegoers Marquee provides the ideal base, all inclusive drinks, a meal and a VIP preview of the card with Megan Nicholls.
What's happening
- A full card of live flat racing
- Megan Nicholls is your host for the day
- Day DJ set
- Gents Style Awards - win a Jarrods Hamper and a pair of raceday tickets
- Prize draws
- All-Inclusive Racegoers Marquee Package offering
- Food, drink and convenient betting facilities
DAY TWO ft JOHN MUSKER FILLIES' STAKES
Wednesday 16 September
Day Two is all about the racing, but there is plenty to keep the party going away from the track too. With the prestigious John Musker Fillies' Stakes taking centre stage, expect a quality afternoon of racing mixed with entertainment, tips, competitions and opportunities to get closer to the stars of the sport. It's the day for racing fans who want to soak up the atmosphere, meet the jockeys, test their darts skills and enjoy live music along the way.
What's happening
- A full card of Live Flat racing
- Listed John Musker Fillies' Stakes - our feature race of the festival!
- Tips from Kevan Minter
- 9-Dart Challenge to win prizes with Trina ‘Golden Girl’ Gulliver, the most successful female darts player in history
- Day DJ set
- Prize draws
- Jockey signings activation
- Celebrate the great names of the John Musker in our Hall of Fame tent
- Live Music from singer Carla
- Food, drink, betting & a festival atmosphere
DAY THREE LADIES DAY
Thursday 17 September
The Eastern Festival finishes with its biggest splash of glamour on Ladies Day. This is the day to dress up, bring your friends and enjoy the final afternoon of racing in true festival style. Dress to impress and enter our Ladies Day Style Awards to be in with a chance to win £500 and a Madams salon voucher. With the Style Awards, live music, and professional punter Stephen Darbyshire all adding to the occasion, Day Three is set to be a fitting finale to three days of racing at Great Yarmouth.
What's happening
- A full card of Live Flat Racing
- Ladies Day Style Awards - win over £500 worth of prizes plus tickets to come back next year
- Professional Punter Stephen Darbyshire hosting the day
- Soap Star Meet & Greet: Ricky Groves aka Garry Hobbs celebrating over 40 years of Eastenders
- Live Music – singer Carla and guitar soloist Barney Holmes
- Food, drink, fashion, betting and a true Ladies Day atmosphere
Prize Draws to win on the day!
- Morning on the gallops with James Owen
- Morning on the gallops with George Boughey
- Morning on the gallops with Harry Derham
- Jarrolds hamper – Gents Style Awards prize
- Wash, cut & blow-dry at Madams Salon – Ladies Style Awards prize
- AMO signed silks and stable tour
- Tickets to Great Yarmouth Racecourse
…and more!
MAKE A FESTIVAL OF IT
With three completely different days to choose from, the Eastern Festival offers something for every type of racegoer. Gents Day brings expert insight from Megan Nicholls, style awards for the boys, and all-inclusive hospitality. Day Two combines the John Musker Fillies' Stakes with jockey and racing activations, darts, live music and expert tips. Then Ladies Day turns up the glamour with the ladies Style Awards, live music, and insight from professional punter Stephen Darbyshire. Whether you come for one day or make a full three-day festival of it, the Eastern Festival 2026 is guaranteed to be one the highlight of the Great Yarmouth racing calendar.
Tuesday 15 – Thursday 17 September 2026
Great Yarmouth Racecourse
Great Yarmouth Racecourse is set in a unique seaside location on the Norfolk coast, making it one of the most distinctive racecourses in Britain. Located in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, the racecourse is easily accessible from Norwich, the Norfolk Broads, Suffolk and across the wider East of England, making it a popular destination for racegoers looking for a memorable day at the races away from the UK's more traditional inland racecourses. With the beach, famous seafront and attractions of Great Yarmouth just moments away, Great Yarmouth Racecourse offers a rare combination of quality flat racing, coastal scenery and classic seaside entertainment that sets it apart from other British racecourses.
