Canal Events & Festivals 2018 - 2019

Banbury will be the place to visit on Sunday 14 October – with three fantastic events coming together to delight residents and tourists. Canal Day, Banbury Folk Festival and the town’s Trafalgar Parade will provide a day of water-themed fun, great music and naval pageantry. Canal Day will remember the history of Banbury’s canal with a fun-filled family day out. Dozens of colourful narrowboats will remind visitors that the waterway, which opened in 1778, was an important factor in Banbury’s growth, wealth and development.

This year the Trust will be staging the 35th annual Open Weekend. The event which runs from 10 am until 5 pm on both days will attract many canal boats which will be moored along the historic Stourbridge Canal. There is free admission to the site and there are a number of attractions which include classic vehicles, traction engines, amusements, canal boat trips, fairground organs and a craft fair in the Bonded Warehouse. Mark your diaries now so that you can attend this wonderful local event with something for all the family. Public parking needs to be found ‘on street’ in nearby locations within easy walking distance of the Bonded Warehouse site.

Once again we will be having a Big Draw Day on the Green next to the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne. It will be held on the 24th October between 11am and 4pm. It's FREE but there is a charge of £2.50 for parking in the Museum Car Park. This year's theme is PLAY and there will be plenty of inspiration to be found along the canal corridor. If you'd like to take part and would like more information, or would like to sponsor our event - please telephone Lynda Payton on 01604 862501 or email enquiries@stokebruernecanalpartnership.org.uk

On Friday 1st November the BCNS will hold it's AGM, followed by an informal gathering. There will be a real ale bar open across the weekend, and the burger bar will be open Friday and Saturday evenings. To keep costs down, there will be no live entertainment, however, if you are musically talented, you are welcome to bring your instrument(s) and seranade us!

IWA Canalway Cavalcade is a unique waterway boat gathering organised by IWA volunteers, that has been taking place at Little Venice since 1983. Admission is Free. Join us over the early May Bank Holiday weekend. There will be activities for all the family with a boaters’ gathering, a pageant of boats, trade shows and stalls, live music, kids’ activities, competitions, Morris Dancers, a real ale bar, a wide variety of snacks and food.

May Bank Holiday weekend 4th to 6th May 2019??? Skipton's annual Waterway Festival takes place around Skipton and on the Canal Basin (off Coach Street). The event runs over the whole weekend and will be opened by the Mayor of Skipton Town. Dozens of narrowboats and other craft will line the Basin and the surrounding towpaths - all themed to help celebrate the Canal's landmark anniversary - and there will be a full programme of entertainment throughout each of the three days. Entry to the Festival is free. Once again, this year's Festival is benefiting from financial support from the Skipton BID!

The Rickmansworth Festival takes place on the third weekend of May every year and celebrates canals, the community and the environment. We had a fantastic 25th Festival and the next Festival, which is the highlight of the town’s annual calendar and the finale of Rickmansworth Week, is on the 18th and 19th May 2019. The top attraction for many is the wonderful array of canal boats from across the country - a terrific spectacle, with at least 100 craft of many types and histories moored along the towpath up to four deep. But there are things to do, see and enjoy whatever your interests, and whatever your age.

The Moira Canal Festival is a family event held every year on the restored section of the Ashby Canal, at the historic Moira Furnace Museum, on the North West Leicestershire and South Derbyshire border. It aims to raise awareness of, and money for, the restoration, extension and maintenance of the Ashby Canal.

BEALE PARK BOAT & OUTDOOR SHOW 2019 MAY 31, JUNE 1 & JUNE 2 10AM-6PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY, 10AM-5PM SUNDAY BEALE PARK, LOWER BASILDON, READING, BERKSHIRE RG8 9NW “BRITAIN’S MOST RELAXED BOAT SHOW” ENJOY THREE DAYS OF ‘SIMPLY MESSING ABOUT IN BOATS’ SEE, TRY AND BUY!

Leicester Riverside Festival is a lively weekend of activities for the whole family at Castle Gardens, Bede Park, Mile Straight & Western Boulevard. Sponsored by local housing provider Riverside, and supported by Westcotes Ward Community Meeting, this popular festival offers boat trips, live music, a variety of food stalls from around the world, displays and an exciting choice of activities for all ages, making it a fun packed weekend!

From 13th – 16th June 2019 As in previous years, we will be offering an inviting selection of Main stage and Fringe music in various venues around the town, backed up by the colourful array of Narrow Boats along the canal. We are also proud to continue our tradition of Morris Dancing displays, a Celidh night, stalls, workshops and celebration of the rich heritage of Middlewich.

As every year, the two-day FREE celebration for all the family is organised by Stratforward - Stratford-upon-Avon's Business Improvement District, which represents over 465 town centre shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses. Since it was established the Stratford River Festival has grown to become one of the region’s leading free festivals.

Tiddenfoot Waterside Park. Why not come along and join the thousands of visitors who enjoy the unique atmosphere of this popular one day event. From rural craft demonstrations, colourful narrow boats and numerous handcraft stalls selling products from cheese, ceramics and plants to activities and entertainment – there is plenty to interest visitors of all ages.

The Brecon Beacons is one of the most inspiring locations in the world. Surrounded by miles and miles of mountains, forests, waterfalls and rivers, the Settlement is your opportunity to make the most of Green Man’s magical surroundings.

This year’s Kirkintilloch Canal Festival will run from Monday 19th August to Sunday 25th August 2019 and we are delighted to offer the most diverse programme of events ever! Experience educational aspects that the canal can offer as well as the entertainment and excitement of Saturday night’s firework display and Sunday’s fun packed gala.

Burnley Canal Festival. Music, dance, performance and spectacle, fun fair, food, workshops, craft stalls and waterborne activities will all be back to take you on a trail of magic and discovery through Burnley’s unique canal side environment and heritage.

Book now for 2019, Waltham Abbey Boat, campsite and trader booking forms are now available for next year's IWA Festival of Water, which will bring boaters and visitors to the Lee Navigation at Waltham Abbey 24th - 26th August 2019.

Oxford Canal Festival Saturday September 7 2019???, 12-6pm Canalside fun with a watery theme. Live music, food and drink, dog show, canal art and crafts, walks, talks and films, children’s entertainment, fairground rides, Canal Olympics, boat trips and more. FREE. Part of Oxford Open Doors weekend. Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground and along the canal.