Kempton, near Richmond, is the closest racecourse to central London and has both Flat and Jump races throughout the year. It has an all-weather floodlit course, making it one of only three racecourses in Britain with both an artificial track for Flat racing and a turf course for Jumps. Kempton Park holds the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival always on Boxing Day and the day after, which this year is Friday 26th and Saturday 27th December 2025. It is the must-see British sporting occasion at Christmas time with its flagship race, the King George VI Chase (held on Boxing Day) being the second most prestigious chase in England after the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Plus it is a great way to get some fresh air after the Christmas day home festivities.
Official Dress Code
There is no formal dress code – their motto is ‘Dress to feel Your Best’ – the more relaxed and comfortable you feel, the more likely you are to have a great time. Fancy dress is permitted as long as the outfit is not offensive and the racecourse reserves the right to decline entry should the need arise. However sports team kits are not permitted. We Say…The weather will be chilly so layer up for warmth with maybe a Christmas jumper and definitely a coat.
All prices are correct at time of publishing
The Christmas Jumper
Don’t let the ladies have all the fun in styling, jump into the festivities with a Christmas sweater. After all, you only get a chance to wear it a few times a year. Wear a t-shirt or thermals underneath to keep cosy and warm. In country classic orange, Joules’ Offroad Christmas Jumper displays an embroidered scene on the front of a 4×4 with a Christmas tree on its roof. Price £55.00 Fabric is 60% Cotton, 30% Nylon, 10% Wool, has a ribbed crew neck and is finished with a ribbed hem and cuffs. Featuring reindeer silhouettes and snowflake motifs, Fatface’s Reindeer Fairisle Knitted Crew Jumper adds a touch of festive charm. In dark green, £55.00. Fabric is 60% Cotton, 30% Recycled polyester, 10% Wool. With larger snowflakes in a jacquard print is Lands’ End Festive Snowflake Crew Neck Jumper In navy £90.00. Fabric is 55% cotton, 25% nylon,17% acrylic, 3% wool For a more casual cosy look is Joe Browns’ Climbing High Borg Fleece Funnel with a snowy mountain scene continuing from the front, sleeves and back. £59.00
The Coat
Even with a thick Christmas jumper, a coat or jacket is still a must. Weather permitting, you can leave the coat open to show off that jolly Christmas sweater. For a sartorial classic look, wrap up warm in a long wool coat. Rise & Fall’s Cashmere Wool Double Faced Car Coat is made from a double-faced blend of 95% Wool, 5% Cashmere. The relaxed, straight silhouette and raglan sleeves make layering easy so lots of room for a jumper. The length is just-above-the-knee to keep the lower body warm. In light grey or navy £395.00. In a shorter length, but still covering the lower body is Lands’ End Long Checkered Coat In a brown dogtooth check pattern, this coat has clean lines and is easy to layer over jumpers. Made of a soft brushed wool blend: 50% wool/40% polyester/10% other fibres. £150.00. Be warm and cosy in Rise & Fall’s smart casual Shearling Collar Wool Bomber Jacket Made of 95% wool, 5% cashmere with a detachable shearling collar. Available in olive or navy. £395.00 For a casual look choose a knee length parka such as Lands’ End Men’s Squall Stadium Coat This parka is designed for spending a day outdoors. It has a waterproof, windproof shell, adjustable hood and a popper storm flap to help block out the elements. It is paired with a fleece upper lining and insulation everywhere else. Available in evening forest, navy or black. £199.00. For a bulk free jacket which can pack into its own pocket when not required is Land’s End Wanderweight Down Ultralight Packable Hooded Jacket It is super light yet warm with 800-fill power HyperDRY down. It’s water resistant and has a hood for those rainy days. Easy to slip over a suit jacket or jumper. Available in nightfall blue, dark olive, navy and black. £160.00
The Hat
You are outside most of the time so a hat is a must have accessory. For festive fun go for a Santa hat such as Joe Browns’ Pack of 2 Festive Knitted Hats | Accessories | Joe Browns – a choice of one Santa or an elf bobble beanie hat. £25.00. If you prefer just a normal bobble hat go for Sealskinz’s Fersfield – Waterproof Cold Weather Merino Bobble Hat A fully waterproof bobble hat designed for cold weather. Aquasealz™ technology combines complete waterproofness with breathability, letting excess heat and perspiration escape. Merino wool exterior with a microfleece inner. Was £55.00 now £40.00. Wear a trapper style hat to give full ear coverage GUESS® Faux fur hat is knitted with faux fur inside. £55.00. Another trapper style hat but also waterproof is Sealskinz’s Upton Waterproof Extreme Cold Weather Puffer Hat in olive or navy. A fully waterproof, sherpa-lined ear warmer cap with their signature Aquasealz™ technology. £45.00. Sport the on trend balaclava style with Rise & Fall’s Cashmere Merino Knitted Hood doubling as a hat and scarf. Wear it as a hood or styled down as a snood, both ways it’ll keep your neck warm. 30% Mongolian cashmere and 70% merino wool. Available in buttermilk, black, chocolate, grey and navy. £95.00 Or go traditional with the races favourite – a tweed cap Farlows Classic 8 Piece Tweed Hat is 100% wool and comes in many earthy colours and patterns. £80.00
Footwear
Whether you choose a boot or shoe, put your best winter foot forward. For the casual look Lands’ End Leather Lace-Up Lug Boots have a slip resistant lugged sole will keep you on your feet. In Espresso brown £119.00. The rugged combat boot works well with jeans and trousers in a heavier fabric such as tweed and wool. However a smarter version such as GUESS® Garda Combat Boot can also make a modern statement when worn with a suit at an informal event like a day at the races. The polished black leather, the snug fit around the ankles and the decorative embossed logo print gives a more sleek look than the rugged combat boot. £125.00. If you prefer to wear shoes with your suit or jeans, GUESS® Garni Lace-Up Moccasin is a good option due to its thick rubber sole. It is a sturdy shoe for the colder and wet weather. In black and embossed with the Guess logo. £125.00. A versatile shoe style is the Derby which can be worn with jeans or suits. Hackett’s Sloane Derby Shoe in conker brown has a leather lining and insole for comfort, plus a Vibram rubber outsole. Vibram soles were originally designed for mountaineering and so are highly regarded for their durability and traction. No mountains to climb at the races, just high hopes in winning. £230.00. Another way to be in the festive spirit is to wear Christmas socks. Get sweet with 3 Pair SOCKSHOP Wildfeet Cotton Christmas Socks featuring gingerbread men. Lightweight £9.99 For thicker boot socks go for SOCKSHOP Heat Holders 1.6 TOG Lite Christmas Socks in a cosy medium thickness that has been knitted from Heat Holders’ thermal yarn. Designs include snowmen, snowflakes, stag’s heads, candy canes and gingerbread men. £8.99.
Land’s End and Rise & Fall images provided by pr agency Purple PR
Hackett London images provided by pr agency LM Communications
Sockshop and Guess images provided by pr agency Trace Publicity
Fatface images provided by pr agency Instinct PR
Joules images provided by Joules PR team
Joe Browns images provided by Joe Browns.
Sealskinz images provided by pr agency Task PR
Farlows images provided by pr agency Bloxham PR
