Ayr Races 2027: when are the big race days, and when should I book my tan?

Every year the same thing happens. Ladies Day tickets go on sale, the group chat goes wild, and the week of the races every evening slot in Ayrshire disappears. If you want a tan from us that week, the trick is simple: book when you book your ticket.

The 2027 Ayr race days that matter for tans

Meeting	2027 date	Book your tan by
Coral Scottish Grand National	Saturday 17 April 2027	February
Scottish Grand National Ladies Day	The Friday of the festival, confirmed by the course	February
Ayr Gold Cup Festival and Ladies Day	Usually the third week of September, confirmed by the course	July
Summer evening and family race days	Through the summer	Two weeks before

We will update this page as Ayr Racecourse confirms each 2027 date.

When to have your tan

One to two days before. That gives the colour time to develop fully, lets you have your first rinse, and means you are not stood in the parade ring with tan still developing. For a Friday Ladies Day, Wednesday or Thursday evening is perfect.

Which tan for the races?

• Bright dress or a lot of skin on show: Bondi Sands gives a deeper colour that holds up in daylight.
• Photos and a polished finish: St Tropez photographs beautifully.
• Not sure: message us a picture of the outfit and we will suggest a shade.

Scottish weather, Ayr racecourse style

April at Ayr can be four seasons before the first race. A good tan won’t run in a shower once it has set, which is another reason to tan a day or two before rather than the night before.

Getting a group done

Going as a group? We can tan everyone in one visit at one house, each with their own shade. Our group tan page explains how it works, and our main Ayr Races spray tan page has everything else. Never been? Read what Ladies Day is really like.