Best canalside events in 2025
Britain’s canals and rivers host hundreds of exciting waterside events each year
Here’s our pick of the best canalside events in 2025 to head to on a canal boat holiday:
1. Easter Boat Gathering, 18-21 April
The annual Easter Boat Gathering at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port marks the official start of the cruising season. Over the weekend, dozens of boats will moor up across the Museum’s seven-acre site and visitors can enjoy live music, children’s activities, workshop tours and historic boats. You can reach Ellesmere Port on a week’s break from Bunbury.
2. Crick Boat Show, Northamptonshire, 24-26 May
Over 200 exhibitors will gather at Crick Marina on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal near Daventry for the Crick Boat Show. The event, which is organised by Waterways World and the Canal & River Trust, will showcase thousands of inland waterways products and services. And there’ll be an exciting programme of entertainment, including boat trips, live music, boating seminars and a wide variety of food and drink stalls. You can reach Crick on a week’s break from Gayton.
3. St Richards Canal Festival, Worcestershire, 2-5 May
This annual event organised by the Worcester-Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society takes place in Vines Park alongside the Droitwich Barge Canal. The event offers family entertainment, live music, boats, classic cars, markets, duck races and a real ale bar. You can reach Droitwich on a short break from Worcester and Stoke Prior.
4. IWA Canalway Cavalcade, London, 3 May
The Inland Waterway Association’s annual Canalway Cavalcade takes place at Little Venice in London is one of the best canalside events in 2025. This unique waterways and community festival offers fun for all the family with a boaters’ gathering, pageant of boats, trade stalls, live music, kids’ activities, competitions, Morris Dancers, a real ale bar and variety of food stalls. You can reach Little Venice on a two-week break from Aldermaston.
5. Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales, 8-13 July
Thousands of people from around the world descend on the pretty town of Llangollen on the Llangollen Canal each year to celebrate dance, music, costume and culture. The Llangollen Eisteddfod is one of the world’s great music and culture events with six days of world-class competitions and concerts featuring an array of international performers. You can reach Llangollen on a short break from Trevor, Chirk and Blackwater Meadow.
6. Stone Food & Drink Festival, Staffordshire, 9-11 May
Staffordshire’s biggest celebration of all things gastronomic takes place at the Georgian market town of Stone on the Trent & Mersey Canal. This year the Stone Food & Drink Festival marks its 20th anniversary with an exciting new programme of demos, talks and tastings. The event will also host a range of themed food marquees, live music, gourmet dining and free kids’ cookery classes. You can reach Stone on a short break from Great Haywood and Stoke on Trent.
7. Fairport Convention at Cropredy, Oxfordshire, 7-9 August
This annual festival of folk and rock music is held in the village of Cropredy, next to the Oxford Canal is one of the best canalside events in 2025. The event is run by the Fairport Convention, often credited with being the first English electric folk band. You can easily reach Cropredy on week long break from Napton, Braunston and Stockton.
8. Edinburgh Canal Festival, Scotland, 21 June
Organised by the Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust, this annual event takes place at Lochrin Basin, at the Edinburgh end of the Union Canal. The event includes free boat trips, canoe taster-sessions, children’s entertainment, music, dance and food. You can reach Edinburgh on a week’s break from Falkirk.
