York Racecourse is looking forward to Music Showcase Weekend, for many an annual visit offering headline music and summer fun.

Racegoers can relax into their weekend on the only evening of the season (Friday 25 July) as Sophie Ellis-Bextor, as well as a very special guest appearance by Natasha Bedingfield take the Glastonbury scale stage.

A little under twenty-four hours later Ronan Keating will take to the boards following a further seven races of thoroughbred action on the afternoon of Saturday 26 July.

On the racecourse itself, the racing Friday action will see seven thoroughbred contests, including the Listed EBF Lyric Stakes, a prestigious race worth £70,000 in prize money. A high-quality programme on Saturday feature the Group Two York Stakes and the Sky Bet Dash. Both contests are offering record prize money of £150,000 and £100,000 respectively.

With an impressive musical career that spans over 25-years, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has achieved five top 10 albums and eight top 10 singles. With hits including ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’, ‘Take Me Home’, ‘Get Over You’, ‘Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)’ and many more. Her latest single ‘Freedom of the Night’ is the beginning of a return to her distinctive sound, embracing her musical roots across pop, disco, and dance. After featuring in the epic final scene of Emerald Fennell’s film ‘Saltburn’, the singer's beloved 2001 hit ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ saw a huge resurgence, charting at #2 in the UK Singles Chart and #58 In the Billboard Top 100, with the song reaching over 11 billion global streams across all streaming and social platforms.

Throughout Natasha Bedingfield’s illustrious career she has sold over 10 million albums and earned​ multiple award nominations, including a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. ​Her 2004 hit ‘Unwritten’ enjoy​ed a spectacular resurgence ​last year, re-entering the UK Top 20 and was inducted into the Spotify Billions Club, underscoring its enduring popularity and streaming success. The charting was timely, as 2024 also marked the 20th anniversary of the song that has firmly rooted itself as one of the 2000s' most recognisable hits alongside ‘Pocket Full Of Sunshine’ and her UK #1 single ‘These Words’.

The Knavesmire gig will form part of a busy schedule for a man who found the nation’s hearts through performing in Boyzone who together delivered 16 top five singles, six of which hit the number one spot. Hits like Love Me For A Reason, When You Say Nothing At All and Life Is A Rollercoaster, as well as If Tomorrow Never Comes, will ensure a fun Saturday afternoon into the early evening.

Racing and music fans can take advantage of a range of great deals on General Admission, meaning entrance to the main Grandstand and Paddock enclosure, starts at just £40 per person for a group of six.*  As well as free car parking, there are no booking fees. 

The hope of the fine summer continuing means the lawns and County Stand Garden (on Saturday) should prove popular, all have either a view of the track & stage or a giant HD screen.

The same big screens will follow the major action from Ascot.

Earlier in the events, musical entertainment from jazz to popular covers, will be found around the Stands including from the Churchill Tyres Stage.

The traditional selfie wall remains a focal point for some, on Saturday the additional 360-selfie camera will offer a free memento of a visit.

Picnics continue to be welcome in the Clocktower Enclosure.

The ‘Punters’ Panel’ takes place prior to racing on both days from the winner’s podium as a preview to the action on each day.

As part of a series of initiatives to get closer to the sport, groups of racegoers will be able to enjoy accompanied, complimentary trips to the round course starts conducted by Robert Earnshaw, a man who won the Gold Cup. On Saturday, they will also have the chance to meet the equine ambassador to the Knavesmire, Remy, a retired racehorse, courtesy of equine charity, New Beginnings.

The refreshed look for this popular fixture continues with new Guinness and Kylie Minogue Wine Bars plus a host of new casual dining offers, from burritos or nachos through to the more traditional range of deep filled Yorkshire Puddings or a “pie & beer” combo deal.