The soul of the River Festival is the huge range of entertainment and activities taking place that truly bring the River Great Ouse to life and commemorate the opening of the river from Bedford to The Wash in Norfolk in 1978.
Whether you want to see the traditional boat parades, the dragon boat and raft races, or the daring stunts in the Water Sports arena, there is plenty to keep the family entertained right across the festival weekend. These activities take place along the entire length of the festival site, from St Mary’s Gardens to the Sports Island, so there will always be something to see on the water wherever you are.
The cruiser and narrowboat enthusiasts who attend provide the centrepiece to the weekend’s celebrations, with many taking part in the Grand Parade of Cabin Cruisers and Grand Parade of Narrowboats which take place on both Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday night finale will be the fantastic Illuminated Boat Parade. Make sure to keep an eye out for the always amazing Jet Boots Bob.
Working with Sue Ryder, the Dragon Boat Races take place on Saturday 18 July and the Raft Races, organised by the Rotary Club of Bedford Park, take place on Sunday 19 July. This year the raft crews will be raising money to support local charities and projects in Bedford – be sure to cheer them on as they compete!
What's happening on the main river
Saturday 18 July
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 2:00pm to 2:30pm | Grand Parade of Cabin Cruisers |
| 4:00pm to 4:30pm | Grand Parade of Narrow Boats |
| 10:00pm to 10:30pm | Illuminated Boat Parade |
Sunday 19 July
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1:00pm to 1:30pm | Grand Parade of Cabin Cruisers |
| 1:30pm to 2:00pm | Grand Parade of Narrow Boats |
| 2:45pm to 3:00pm | Raft Race Heat 1 |
| 3:00pm to 3:15pm | Raft Race Heat 2 |
| 3:30pm to 3:45pm | Raft Race Final |
What's happening in St Mary’s Gardens
Saturday 18 July
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 11:30am to 2:30pm | Dragon Boat Race Heats |
| 3:00pm | Dragon Boat Race – Semi Final 1 |
| 3:10pm | Dragon Boat Race – Semi Final 2 |
| 3.30pm | Dragon Boat Race - Final |
Sunday 19 July
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 11:00am to 2:00pm | Raft Preparation |
| 2.20pm | Rafts proceed to Start Line (opposite Castle Mound) |
| 4:00pm to 4:10pm | Rafts return |
How to get involved
- Raft Race: If you would like to submit a team for the Raft Race please please email Events@bedford.gov.uk and request a Raft Race team application form
- Dragon Boat Race: If you would like to submit a team for the Dragon Boat Race please apply via Sue Ryder Bedford Dragon Boat Race 2026
- Bring your own boat: If you would like to bring your own boat along to the 2026 Bedford River Festival please email Events@bedford.gov.uk and request a Boat Mooring Reservation and General Details application.
