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food-drink · Monday 27 July 2026 · See website for times 
Galway Races Summer Festival
At Ballybrit Racecourse · Ballybrit, Galway City, Co. Galway
At Ballybrit Racecourse · Ballybrit, Galway City, Co. Galway
For one full week every summer, Ballybrit Racecourse becomes the social centre of the west of Ireland. The Galway Races Summer Festival draws more than 100,000 people across seven days of flat and National Hunt racing, live music, fashion, and the kind of collective good humour that is genuinely hard to find anywhere else. It suits racing fans who want to see 49 races and over €2 million in prize money competed for, but it suits equally well those who come mainly for the craic, the food, and the dressing up. This is one of those events where the racecourse is almost secondary to the atmosphere outside it.
Racing takes place every day from Monday 27 July to Sunday 2 August 2026. The card alternates between flat racing and National Hunt jumps, with the biggest days falling mid-week: the Galway Plate on Wednesday and the Galway Hurdle on Thursday are the two prestige races that serious punters travel for. Ladies Day draws national media attention for the fashion, and Sunday closes the week as Mad Hatter’s Family Fun Day - a more relaxed, family-friendly finale.
Food options range from casual to formal. The Claddagh Restaurant in the Millennium Stand serves hot food from two hours before the first race. A food court area with a cluster of food trucks gives the grab-and-go crowd a good choice. For something more occasion-feeling, hospitality packages offer multi-course trackside dining - the Parade Ring Lounge starts from around €30 per person, while full hospitality packages with lunch and wine run from around €65. Race and Stay packages bundling hotel, transport, breakfast, and admission are also available from Galway Racecourse.
Entertainment runs after racing each evening, with live acts and DJ sets throughout the festival. The whole city joins in - Galway’s pubs, restaurants, and streets take on a festival character that extends well beyond the racecourse gates.
Ballybrit Racecourse sits about 3 km east of Galway city centre, off the N6. By car, it is well signposted from all approach roads, though parking is limited during the busier days and the traffic around race start times can be slow. Bus Éireann runs scheduled services and there are typically shuttle buses from the city during festival week - check galwayraces.com closer to the date for confirmed transport arrangements. Taxi and ride-share drop-off is practical from most parts of the city. Many people simply walk from accommodation in the Renmore or Ballybrit area, or cycle in on the quieter routes.
Galway is a city worth spending a few days in regardless of the racing. The Latin Quarter, the Spanish Arch, Salthill seafront, and the Claddagh are all within easy reach. There is more to see in Galway and across Co. Galway.
Heading to Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway? Galway has plenty more to see. Read the Galway area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.