Now that it’s been hot enough to hit the beach multiple times a week, it already feels like summer in Sydney. That means we’re finally trading cosy Friday nights in for fun, breezy nights out.

If you’re looking for a new Friday activity that isn’t your usual picnic, rooftop drink or seaside dip, consider heading to the Canterbury Park Racecourse. Over 10 Friday evenings from mid-November until the end of February, it’ll be taken over by food markets, live entertainment, racing and activities for kids, making it a fun night out for adults and families alike. The best part? Entry is completely free – and you can scan a QR code to go in the running to win $10,000 in cash at the end of the season, with more chances of winning with each visit.

From pony rides and horse meet-and-greets to drinks on a private terrace and a one-off Asian buffet, here are some highlights you can tick off over the season.

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Explore the Cambridge Food Markets

Start the night off with bites from up to 30 market stalls. Vendors include Roberto’s Pasta, a crowd favourite serving classics (including spaghetti tossed in a huge parmesan cheese wheel); Yumcha Eat Street, which offers dumplings, pork buns and duck pancakes; Saddle and Sea, with seafood cooked fresh to order and James Squire beers to match; and arepa connoisseurs Colombian Arepas. For something sweet, there’s rocky road in different flavours from Party Rockin Rocky Road or Loaded Pretz’s moreish chocolate pretzels.

Feast on an elevated race-day menu

The on-site restaurant, Guineas, offers a shared table experience this summer, thanks to head chef Chris Reali. On the newly refreshed menu are dishes such as grazing platers, slow-roasted lamb shoulder, crispy crushed chat potatoes and more. The restaurant is only open on selected Fridays over the season, so reservations are recommended.

If you’re after something more relaxed, grab a drink and enjoy live music at trackside beer garden Canterbury Social.

Get into the holiday spirit

Ho-ho-ho – the festive cheers will extend to Friday Night Racing on December 20, with a special visit from Santa and his helpful elves, There’ll also be more Lunar New Year celebrations outside the Guineas Restaurant, with lion dancers and a “God of Wealth” handing out lucky red envelopes

A private terrace for you and nine mates

For something a little more exclusive, you can book an Open Terrace. This private space has room for up to 10 guests, with uninterrupted views of the track. You’ll get 4.5 hours of free-flowing booze, alongside a grazing board with fried fish, Thai vegetable rice paper rolls, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, chicken Caesar salad, tzatziki and pita bread, mini pies, brownies and a platter of cheese and fruit..

Take the kids on a pony ride

Family fairs are often pricey, but Friday Night Racing has kids’ entertainment covered – all for free. Activations will change from night to night, but expect amusement rides, jumping castles and a petting zoo, among other entertainment options. Most exciting of all might just be the chance for kids to ride a pony. There will also be live music all evening to keep both kids and parents entertained.

Meet and greet the horses and their riders

Of course, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to see the horses on and off the track. Get up close and personal with them at the Day Stalls (you’ll have the chance to pat horses and meet the strappers looking after them), see the jockeys get ready at the Mounting Yard, then experience the action from the closest possible viewpoint: right up at the fence.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Australian Turf Club.