Finish Line at the Del Mar Horse Races
The Del Mar Horse Races and Thoroughbred Club will host two fun and exciting seasons in 2026 starting with its main season during the summer months. Events kick-off on Opening Day in mid-July and conclude with races held on Labor Day Monday, September 7th, 2026.
Let's explore the weekly and monthly special events scheduled for the season ahead!
Weekly Recurring Events
The weekly events are set for the exciting 2026 season. Let's have a look at the highlights!
Weekend Morning Daybreak at Del Mar and
I'm excited for the return of 'Daybreak at Del Mar' this summer season which is set for every Saturday and Sunday from 7:30am until 9:00am at the Clubhouse Terrace.
Visitors can enjoy breakfast and morning workouts from open-air tables…and it's free to attend! If you've never been, my kids love it and I can say that it's a unique and quiet way to experience the Del Mar Racetrack.
'Free & Easy' Thursdays
'Free & Easy Thursdays' are also back in 2026!
Diamond Club members will receive free admission, a free program, and a free seat, plus $5 Michelob Ultras, sodas, and Brandt Beef hot dogs every Thursday.
Turf Club Fridays & Happy Hour!
Turf Club Fridays are back for the 2026 summer season at the racetrack!
For $132 per person, you'll receive Turf Club admission, two appetizers, two premium drinks, chips, guacamole and a reserved table seat.
Every Friday during the summer season (except Opening Day Friday, July 17th) the track will also offer Diamond Club members Del Mar's Signature Drinks & select beers for 25% off until 4:00pm. Remember, the Diamond Club program is easy to sign-off for and totally free!
Turf Club Spirits Sample Fridays (NEW in 2026)
The Turf Club will be offering free tasting each Friday from a rotating group of top spirit brands. There will also be a featured cocktail offered from that week's brand at the bar.
Taste of the Turf Club on Sundays
The 2026 summer season will once again feature the 'Taste of the Turf Club' events every Sunday at 2:00pm.
The 'Taste of Turf Club' will offer some of the best views in the house as well as a three-course brunch inspired by Chef Bryn McArthur, Executive Chef of the Amaya at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. His 'farm to table' menu will also include bottomless mimosas and screwdrivers!
Tickets are $158 per person.
Pop-Up Sundays
Local pop-ups have returned in 2026 on Sundays in the Plaza De Mexico. Highlighting a different local restaurant each week, you can expect live music, drink specials and some really awesome bites from vendors like Pizza Port, Bloom, and Beach Break.
Seniors' Days
There will be two 'Seniors' Days' during the 2026 Summer Racing season where seniors 62+ with a valid I.D. will receive FREE stretch run admission, a program, and a seat.
If you're a senior, or perhaps you want to bring your parents or 62+ year young friends, Sunday August 2nd and Sunday August 23rd, 2026 are the two days you'll want to mark on your calendar!
Monthly Recurring Events
Now that you know about the recurring weekly events, let's go month-by-month and have a look through the one-time special events you can look forward to this summer!
July Events
July gets the party started with arguably the most anticipated event of the season, Opening Day! It also includes one of my favorite events, the Del Mar Tacos & Tequila Festival!
Opening Day 2026
The Del Mar Horse racing Summer Season Opening Day presented by Caesars Sportsbook is scheduled for Friday, July 17th, 2026 with gates opening at 11:30am.
I can tell you from friends that make attending an annual tradition that Opening Day is by far the most popular event at the Del Mar Racetrack! The attendees go all out as the women get dressed up in dresses and big hats and the men in their Sunday's finest attire.
Opening Day is famous for the big hats many women wear as part of their outfits. To celebrate, the club holds an 'Opening Day Hats Contest' featuring categories like Most Glamorous, Best Racing Theme, Best Flowers, and Best Fascinator.
In addition to the 'Hats Contest', you can also look forward to the Champions Terrace offering premium seating overlooking the paddock and Pacific Ocean and a NEW 2026 'Seabiscuit Society Opening Day' experience at the Seabiscuit Skyroom located on the sixth floor of the grandstand.
The Space Dust Celebrity Grill will once again host a private party, while 'The Party' at the Seaside Cabana presented by Pacifico and the official 'After Pony Party' at Rancho Valencia will offer a 5-star buffet, welcome cocktail, cash bar, and live music curated by DJ Murphi.
There will also be a brand new 'Hags Fest Opening Day Ceremony at the Sound' concert kicking off at 7:00pm. Attendees will get to hear Solardo as well as Murphy's Law (UK), and special guests Kyle Walker B2B Jordan Brando and JustJoe.
The Del Mar Tacos & Tequila Festival
One of my favorite San Diego tours is the Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Tour where guests get a history lesson, tacos, and tequila!
The Saturday, July 18th 'Del Mar Tacos & Tequila Festival' is pretty awesome too! For $60 you'll get five drink tickets for specialty tequilas, margaritas, and cervezas and two taco tickets from the best taco shops in San Diego, with admission from 1:00pm until 6:00pm. For $42 you'll get five drink tickets and admission from 2:00pm until 6:00pm.
Family Fun Day
The first of two 'Family Fun Days' will take place this season on Sunday, July 26th, 2026.
Scheduled for 12:30pm until 5:30pm at the Seaside Cabana, kids can expect face painting, trampolines, a game zone, rock climbing wall, Pony Boy Mascot Meet & Greet, and my personal favorite food trucks!
Jockey Photo Day
Sunday, July 26th will also be a day to shake hands, chat, and grab a picture with the jockeys who ride the world's fastest thoroughbreds.
Set for the Plaza De Mexico from 12:30pm until 1:30pm, 'Jockey Photo Day' will be a family-friendly event you won't want to miss.
August Events
During August, the racetrack will host a full month of events celebrating art, food, and fun highlighted by the Pacific Classic race at the end of the month! Let's have a look at what else August has to offer!
Uncorked: Del Mar Wine Fest
Each week in August will offer a special event starting on Saturday, August 1st where the racetrack will play host to the return of the very popular 'Uncorked: Del Mar Wine Fest'.
The 7th annual event will once again feature more than 100 wines, food pairing, and a live DJ. Tickets for the 2026 event are $83.99 for admission from 2:00pm until 5:00pm or $99.81 to get in an hour earlier starting at 1:00pm. Your ticket will include racetrack admission. You can use the discount code 'DMTC26' to save $10.
As a local tip, if you love wine like many of my friends, don't miss the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival 2026 which is scheduled for a few weeks after the summer season ends on September 30th until October 4th, 2026.
Turf & Surf Fest (NEW in 2026)
Set for Saturday, August 8th, 2026 from 1:00pm until 6:00pm at the Seaside Cabana, the inaugural 'Surf & Turf Festival' should be an event that's both delicious and entertaining.
Your $40 ticket will get you entry as well as five drink tasters, this time including specialty cocktails, wine and even craft beers. You'll then have the chance to add a lobster feast to your ticket which will land you 1.25lb lobster, plus a plate of the summer fixings.
To ensure your lobster feast is onsite, it's highly recommended that you pre-order online. The lobster feast will cost you an additional $49 per person.
Taste of New Orleans
Saturday August 15th will be 'New Orleans Day' at the Del Mar Racetrack! The Seaside Cabana will host the Mardi Gras-themed special event from 1:00pm until 6:00pm.
Your $40 ticket will include five drink tickets and live Cajun music. Your kids will enjoy a mini parade, the Rad Hatter, and bead vendors. You'll be able to try special drinks like hurricanes, frozen daiquiris, and Abita beer. Authentic Cajun cuisine will be available for purchase including gumbo, jambalaya, po'boys, beignets, and more!
2026 Pacific Classic Race Day
The 2026 Pacific Classic is set for Saturday, August 22nd, 2026 and will likely be the biggest true race day of the summer racing season!
Complete with a $1,000,000 purse, the race which draws the top Thoroughbreds to Del Mar automatically qualifies the winner for the fall meets Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Gates will open at 12:00pm with the first race scheduled for 2:00pm with a full slate of exciting action on the track. You can also look forward to some high-intensity betting during the Pacific Classic Betting Challenge, a real highlight for sporting men and women on that day!
College Day
The annual 'College Day' event at the racetrack is set for Saturday, August 29th, 2026. This season it will include free admission for Diamond Club members with a valid student I.D., access to Grand Stand seating, and a free $2 bet & tip sheet.
September Events
As the summer season draws to a close, let's have a look at what September has to offer!
BBQ & Beer Fest (NEW in 2026)
Set for Saturday, September 5th, 2026 from 12:30 until 5:30 at the Seaside Cabana, a 'BBQ & Beer Fest' ticket will include five drink vouchers and entry into the races, plus live music and DJs. Tickets are $40 per person.
Local pitmasters and restaurants will also be onsite offering savory, smokey BBQ for purchase.
Family Fun Day
The second 'Family Fun Day' of the 2026 summer season will all but get us to the end of the season which will officially conclude the following day.
Another incredible day for families at the racetrack, kids can once again enjoy face painting, trampolines, a game zone, rock climbing wall, and a Pony Boy Mascot Meet & Greet. The event is scheduled for 12:30pm until 5:30pm at the Seaside Cabana.
Summer Season Closing Day
Labor Day Monday, September 7th will be the last day of the season to enjoy the races and all action. The track will include payouts for all wagers on this day which means everyone is a winner!