Experience the Excitement of the Auckland Trotting Cup
The Auckland Trotting Cup is one of New Zealand’s most prestigious harness racing events, drawing spectators from across the country. Held at Alexandra Park, this high-energy event combines top-tier racing talent with an electric social atmosphere, making it a highlight of the summer racing calendar.
What Makes the Trotting Cup a Standout Summer Event
Expect an unforgettable evening featuring elite harness racing, live entertainment, premium dining experiences, and a buzzing trackside crowd. It’s the perfect way to close out the year with thrilling action and outstanding hospitality. Book Now!
Choose Greenlane Manor for Premium Accommodation Near the Action
If you’re heading to the Auckland Trotting Cup, Greenlane Manor is your ideal accommodation choice. Located conveniently close to Alexandra Park, our motel offers comfort, easy access, and a relaxing stay. Book with us and make your Trotting Cup experience even better.
Christmas at the Races is back with another spectacular celebration of summer racing and festive fun. This annual event transforms Ellerslie Racecourse into a hub of holiday spirit, featuring live horse racing, entertainment, stylish fashion, and premium hospitality options.
Why This Event Is Perfect for Groups & Celebrations
From work Christmas parties to end-of-year gatherings, the event offers tailored group packages, trackside dining, and VIP areas. Expect a lively crowd, upbeat music, and a festive atmosphere that makes it one of Auckland’s best ways to celebrate the season.Book Now!
Book Your Stay at Greenlane Manor for the Best Event Access
Make your race day complete by staying at Greenlane Manor—just minutes from Ellerslie Racecourse. If you’re attending Christmas at the Races, our motel provides the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Book your stay for a smooth and enjoyable event experience.
Why Christmas at the Races Is the Festive Event You Can’t Miss
Christmas at the Races is one of Auckland’s favourite summer celebrations, bringing together thrilling live racing, festive entertainment, and a vibrant social atmosphere. Whether you’re joining friends, colleagues, or family, this event delivers the perfect mix of excitement and holiday cheer at Ellerslie Racecourse.
What to Expect at This Year’s Christmas Racing Festival
You can look forward to a full afternoon of racing action, themed hospitality packages, live entertainment, and delicious food and drinks. The event is designed for all types of racegoers—from casual attendees to seasoned racing fans. Secure your tickets Now!
Make Christmas at the Races Even More Memorable With Greenlane Manor
If you’re attending Christmas at the Races, Greenlane Manor is your go-to motel—offering comfort, convenience, and quick access to Ellerslie Racecourse. Book your stay with us and enjoy a seamless, stress-free event experience.
The Eagle Technology Raceday on 21 February 2026 brings another exciting day of racing to Ellerslie. Known for strong fields and a polished event experience, it’s ideal for visitors seeking both sport and relaxation.
Atmosphere & Trackside Highlights
Enjoy a day of quality racing, good food, relaxed outdoor spaces, and a lively social atmosphere. It’s a fantastic late-summer outing, whether you’re a casual attendee or a committed racing fan.
For easy access to Eagle Technology Raceday, stay just minutes from the track. Greenlane Manoroffers comfort, free parking, and convenience—making it the ideal choice for visitors. If you’re attending this event, Greenlane Manor is your best accommodation option.
Enjoy peak-summer racing on 31 January 2026 at Ellerslie’s Summer Raceday. With sunshine, turf-side relaxation, and strong racing fields, this event delivers the ultimate laid-back summer outing.
What to Expect on the Day
Expect picnic blankets, cold drinks, and family-friendly entertainment. From casual racegoers to passionate fans, everyone enjoys the chilled-out vibe of Summer Raceday—making it an excellent way to wrap up the month of January.
The TAB Karaka Millions on 24 January 2026 is one of New Zealand’s most glamorous and high-stakes racing events. With massive prize pools, elite contenders, and a festival-like atmosphere, this night meeting attracts racing fans, social groups, and visitors from around the country.
What Makes Karaka Millions Special
This evening features exceptional racing, live music, vibrant hospitality areas, and one of the best racenight atmospheres of the year. Expect excitement, fashion, and a crowd buzzing with energy—Karaka Millions is always a standout.
Make your Karaka Millions experience smooth and stylish by staying nearby. Greenlane Manor, located just minutes from Ellerslie, offers comfort, convenience, and easy access to the event. If you’re attending this iconic racenight, Greenlane Manor is your go-to accommodation.
The Gingernuts Salver Race Day on 11 January 2026 is a favourite among racing enthusiasts, celebrating emerging talent and competitive summer racing at Ellerslie. This event highlights promising young horses, giving fans a glimpse of future champions.
Atmosphere & Activities
Expect a lively but relaxed raceday environment filled with fans, families, and visitors enjoying food stalls, outdoor seating, and warm January weather. It’s a great day out for those who love racing with a bit more focus on the sport itself.
Attending the Gingernuts Salver? Enjoy the day even more by staying nearby. Greenlane Manor provides spacious rooms, excellent facilities, and unbeatable proximity to Ellerslie Racecourse. If you’re planning to be part of this exciting raceday, Greenlane Manor is the top accommodation choice.
Kick off 1 January 2026 in style at the SkyCity New Year’s Day Races. This vibrant raceday blends summer sunshine with top-tier racing, making it one of Auckland’s most enjoyable ways to celebrate the new year.
What to Expect at Ellerslie
From lawn-side picnics to stylish hospitality lounges, this event offers something for everyone. Expect competitive racing, live music, and a relaxed summertime atmosphere—perfect for recovering from your New Year’s Eve celebrations while still enjoying a day out.
If you’re heading to the races on New Year’s Day, stay somewhere that makes everything easier. Greenlane Manor is just minutes away and offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Start 2026 right—book your stay at Greenlane Manor, the ideal accommodation for Ellerslie events.
The SkyCity Boxing Day Races on 26 December 2025 are an iconic Auckland tradition, drawing thousands of racegoers to Ellerslie for one of the biggest social and sporting events of the year. It’s a day where fashion, entertainment, and world-class racing collide, making it a summer highlight.
What Locals Love About It
Expect high-energy racing, delicious food, live entertainment, and plenty of festive atmosphere as families and friends come together after Christmas Day. Many Aucklanders consider it the unofficial continuation of holiday festivities—a day to dress up, enjoy the sun, and celebrate trackside.
Heading to the Boxing Day Races? Make your day easier by staying just minutes away. Greenlane Manor offers comfort, convenience, and on-site parking—ideal for beating the traffic and enjoying the day stress-free. If you’re attending this year’s SkyCity Boxing Day Races, Greenlane Manor is the perfect place to stay.
Barfoot & Thompson Twilight Races at Ellerslie 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Auckland’s Summer Racing Spectacle
Nothing can be compared to the magic of a summer evening at Ellerslie. The Barfoot & Thompson Twilight Races become one of the most awaited seasonal events in Auckland as the sun goes down and the track lights take over – a vibrant fusion of high-energy racing, social buzz, fashion moments, and warm-weather celebration.
This is not merely another night at the races. It is a complete summer spectacle where thousands congregate for fun, thrill, and a taste of the iconic Auckland racing culture.
If you are a racing fan, a social-scene regular, or simply in search of an unforgettable summer night out, then Ellerslie is the place where you will find atmosphere in every stride.
The Energy That Defines the Twilight Races
The thing that was the Barfoot & Thompson Twilight Races to stand out from the crowd wasn’t the racing that you could see – it was the great mood that was made when racing, entertainment, and the feeling of a summer night were mixed together. Ellerslie turns into a lively centre of fun, style, and party from the moment the gates open.
Racing at Its Most Exciting
Every race delivers a surge of adrenaline — the thunder of hooves, the fierce competition, and the electric anticipation as horses charge toward the finish. Whether you’re a seasoned punter or just love the thrill of live sport, the energy trackside is unmistakable.
A Summer Social Event Like No Other
Beyond the racing, the Twilight Races are a full evening experience. Think warm-weather glamour, stylish outfits, shared cheers with friends, and the unbeatable ambiance of a summer night out in Auckland. It’s a social highlight of the season — a place to celebrate, unwind, and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Together, this blend of sport, style, entertainment, and summer magic is what makes the Twilight Races one of Auckland’s must-attend events.
Highlights to Watch at the Twilight Races
The Barfoot & Thompson Twilight Races are packed with standout moments. Here are the must-see attractions that keep fans returning year after year:
Fast-Paced Racing Under the Summer Sky
Heart-stopping races run as the sun sets — the signature thrill of this twilight event.
Live Music & Post-Race Afterparty
Once the racing wraps up, the entertainment keeps going with live performers, DJs, and a buzzing social scene.
Fashion on Show
Expect bold styles, eye-catching outfits, and race-day glamour everywhere you look. Dressing up is part of the experience.
Food, Drinks & Social Vibes
From trackside drinks to premium dining options, Ellerslie delivers a full-night-out atmosphere.
The Iconic Summer Photo Moments
With colourful crowds, golden-hour lighting, and the iconic Ellerslie backdrop, this event is an Instagram dream. If you want the full experience — the racing, the social energy, the entertainment — the Twilight Races offer it all in one unforgettable evening.
Book Your Tickets Now
This event sells out every year, and with its mix of racing, music, fashion, and summer-night excitement, it’s no surprise. Secure your spot now and be part of one of Auckland’s biggest summer racing celebrations.
Your Stay at Greenlane Manor
For those heading to the Twilight Races, Greenlane Manor is the ideal place to stay. Located just minutes from Ellerslie Racecourse, our hotel offers comfortable rooms, free parking, easy access to motorways, and a peaceful retreat after a big night out. Whether you’re celebrating, relaxing, or making a weekend of it, Greenlane Manor puts convenience and comfort at the heart of your stay.
Make the most of your race-night experience — Book your stay at Greenlane Manor and enjoy unbeatable proximity to one of Auckland’s signature summer events.