The London International Horse Show runs five days, and four of them have two performances. The fifth has one, and it is the one holding the Grand Prix.
Thursday 17 to Monday 21 December 2026, at ExCeL London.
Monday 21 December has an afternoon performance only, billed as an Extended Performance, containing the 5* Jumping Grand Prix, the Mini Major and 5* Driving.
So if you assume the last day works like the others and book an evening, there is no evening. The biggest jumping class of the week is a Monday afternoon.
Several of the best events happen once
This is the thing to plan around. The headline classes are not repeated, so the day you pick decides what you see.
The Puissance is Thursday evening only. The high wall. One session, all week.
The Six Bar is Saturday afternoon only.
The Jumping World Cup is Sunday afternoon only.
The 5* Jumping Grand Prix is Monday afternoon only.
5* Driving appears twice: Sunday evening and Monday afternoon.
Only 5* Jumping itself appears across most sessions. Everything else is a single shot.
The full timetable
Thursday 17 December. Afternoon: Dressage, 148cm Jumping. Evening: Puissance, 5* Jumping.
Friday 18 December. Afternoon: Dressage. Evening: 5* Jumping, The London International Eventing Challenge.
Saturday 19 December. Afternoon: Six Bar. Evening: 5* Jumping.
Agria Super Sunday, 20 December. Afternoon: Jumping World Cup, 5* Jumping. Evening: 5* Driving, 5* Jumping.
Monday 21 December. Afternoon only: Mini Major, 5* Jumping Grand Prix, 5* Driving. Extended Performance.
Sunday is the fullest day, with four headline classes across two sessions, which is why it carries its own name.
One published time worth having: the Sunday evening performance begins at 5.45pm.
Three FEI World Cups in one building
The show describes itself as the horse world’s Christmas party and brings together three FEI World Cup competitions, which is what makes it an international fixture rather than a domestic one.
It is now at ExCeL, in the Royal Docks, which is a change of scale and a change of transport from where this show used to sit in the London calendar. Custom House on the Elizabeth line and the DLR both serve it.
New for 2026
The London International Eventing Challenge is a new competition, running on the Friday evening.
New dressage classes for 7-year-old and 9 to 11-year-old horses have been added, at what is an FEI World Cup qualifying show, which the organisers are calling a bumper year for dressage.
A new Dog Agility Masterclass is headlined by Anthony Clarke. Dog agility at a horse show is an odd and rather good addition, and worth knowing if you are bringing children who will tire of dressage.
The 2026 display line-up had not been announced when we checked on 5 October 2026.
Two arenas, two programmes
The International Arena and The Thomas Family London Arena each publish their own programme.
The London Arena is where the London International Masterclass Series runs through the week, featuring riders from across the equestrian disciplines, and where the London International Showing Series finals are held.
That showing series is a national pipeline: more than 40 qualifying shows are held around the country through the year, supported by Horse & Hound, to find the finalists who compete in December.
So a ticket covers two arenas running different things at once, and the masterclasses are the part most people do not realise is included in the week.
How to plan it
Want the Puissance: Thursday evening. It happens once.
Want the Grand Prix: Monday afternoon, and note there is no Monday evening.
Want the Jumping World Cup: Sunday afternoon.
Want the Six Bar: Saturday afternoon.
Want the most in one day: Agria Super Sunday, with four headline classes across two sessions.
Want the driving: Sunday evening or Monday afternoon.
With children: look for the Mini Major on Monday and the Dog Agility Masterclass, and check the London Arena programme as well as the International.
Getting there: Custom House for ExCeL, on the Elizabeth line and the DLR.
The London International Horse Show
- Address
- ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16
- Nearest
- Custom House, on the Elizabeth line and the DLR
- Hours
- Thursday 17 to Monday 21 December 2026. Afternoon and evening performances Thursday to Sunday. Monday afternoon only, as an Extended Performance. The Sunday evening performance begins at 5.45pm
- Booking
- Online by individual performance
- Price
- By performance and enclosure. Enclosures and hospitality are booked separately
- Standing
- The horse world’s Christmas party, bringing three FEI World Cups together, now held at ExCeL rather than its former home
How to get in
Monday 21 December has an afternoon performance only and it contains the 5* Jumping Grand Prix, so there is no evening session on the final day. The Puissance is Thursday evening only, the Six Bar Saturday afternoon only and the Jumping World Cup Sunday afternoon only, so the day you choose decides what you see. New for 2026: the London International Eventing Challenge and a Dog Agility Masterclass.
Where to go next
Christmas in London covers the rest of December, and the Christmas markets cover the open-air end of it.
Ascot and Epsom cover the racing year, and the O2 is the other big-arena option.
Questions we get asked
When is the London International Horse Show 2026?
Thursday 17 to Monday 21 December 2026, at ExCeL London. There are afternoon and evening performances from Thursday to Sunday, and an afternoon-only Extended Performance on the Monday.
Which day should you go to the London International Horse Show?
It depends what you want to see, because the headline classes each happen once. The Puissance is Thursday evening, the Six Bar is Saturday afternoon, the Jumping World Cup is Sunday afternoon and the 5* Jumping Grand Prix is Monday afternoon. Agria Super Sunday has the most in one day, with four headline classes across two sessions.
Is there an evening performance on the Monday?
No. Monday 21 December has an afternoon performance only, billed as an Extended Performance, and it holds the 5* Jumping Grand Prix, the Mini Major and 5* Driving. The other four days have both afternoon and evening sessions.
When is the Puissance at the London International Horse Show?
Thursday 17 December, in the evening performance, alongside 5* Jumping. It runs only once across the whole five days.
Where is the London International Horse Show held?
ExCeL London, in the Royal Docks. Custom House station serves it on both the Elizabeth line and the DLR.
What is new at the 2026 London International Horse Show?
The London International Eventing Challenge, a new competition on the Friday evening, plus new dressage classes for 7-year-old and 9 to 11-year-old horses, and a new Dog Agility Masterclass headlined by Anthony Clarke. The display line-up for 2026 had not been announced as at 5 October 2026.
Are the masterclasses included at the London International Horse Show?
The London International Masterclass Series runs through the week in The Thomas Family London Arena, which is one of two arenas running programmes at the same time. Check both the London Arena and International Arena programmes, as most visitors only look at one.
Written by Robert J Wills, no. 288 in the guide.
Last checked 5 October 2026 against the venues' own published information. Nobody pays to appear here and we take no bookings.
