The Goodwood Events Calendar
A year-round programme of sport, culture and entertainment
The Goodwood estate operates a year-round events calendar that extends far beyond the three headline motorsport meetings and the summer racing festival. From track days and flying experiences to weddings, corporate events and seasonal celebrations, the estate is active throughout the twelve months, and the variety of its programming reflects the breadth of its facilities and the ambition of its management.
The year typically begins with the Members' Meeting in late March or early April. This intimate motorsport event, open only to Goodwood Road Racing Club members and their guests, marks the start of the circuit season and provides the first competitive racing of the year. The Members' Meeting has grown in prestige since its relaunch in 2014 and now attracts machinery and drivers of the highest calibre.
Spring brings the opening of the golf season, the first track days on the motor circuit and the beginning of the cricket season on the estate's ground. The racecourse hosts its first meetings of the year, typically in May, with flat racing continuing through the summer and into October. The spring meetings are well attended by local racegoers who appreciate the early-season atmosphere and the smaller crowds.
The Festival of Speed in July is the biggest event of the year, attracting over 200,000 visitors across four days. The event dominates the estate and the surrounding area for a full week, with build-up, the event itself and the dismantling of the infrastructure occupying much of the month. The economic impact on the Chichester area during Festival week is immense.
Glorious Goodwood, the Qatar Goodwood Festival, follows shortly after the Festival of Speed. Five days of world-class flat racing on the Downs draw crowds that combine serious racing enthusiasts with summer social racegoers. The back-to-back scheduling of the Festival of Speed and Glorious Goodwood makes July and early August the busiest period of the Goodwood year.
The Revival in September brings the circuit season to its climax with three days of historic racing, period dress and the unique atmosphere that has made it the most celebrated historic motorsport event in the world. The Revival weekend marks the emotional high point of the Goodwood year for many regular visitors.
Between the headline events, the estate hosts track days, driving experiences, corporate events, weddings and private functions throughout the year. The Goodwood Hotel, The Kennels and Goodwood House all serve as venues for events that range from small dinner parties to large conferences. The farm shop operates year-round, and the estate's walks and outdoor spaces are available to visitors in all seasons.
The autumn and winter months are quieter but not inactive. The estate uses the off-season for maintenance, planning and preparation for the following year. Seasonal events, including Christmas celebrations and New Year functions, provide activity during the darkest months. The golf courses remain open through the winter, weather permitting, and the Kennels continues to operate for its members throughout the year.
The breadth of the events calendar reflects Goodwood's ambition to be more than a venue for three or four headline occasions. The estate aspires to be a year-round destination, and the programming is designed to give visitors a reason to come in every month. Whether it is a January walk on the frost-covered Downs, a spring track day on the motor circuit, a summer afternoon at the races or an autumn visit to the farm shop for seasonal produce, Goodwood offers something that rewards a visit at any time of year. The estate's ability to sustain this level of activity is a testament to the quality of its facilities and the dedication of its team.