Summer canal events

We're hosting a summer of fun with events of all shapes and sizes coming to a canal near you.

A line of colourful narrowboats moored up and covered in bunting.

Whether you want to kick back at a canal festival, learn to paddle, enjoy a guided walk or discover the wildlife on your doorstep, our summer events have something to offer through July, August and September.

Featured events

Hayes Canal Festival
A family-friendly festival in London
Hayes Canal Festival
A family-friendly festival in London
Standedge Tunnel 25th reopening anniversary
Two days of live music, crafts and entertainment in Yorkshire
Standedge Tunnel 25th reopening anniversary
Two days of live music, crafts and entertainment in Yorkshire
Summer Sundays
Step back in time at the National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port
Summer Sundays
Step back in time at the National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port
Brownhills Canal Festival
Waterside fun in the West Midlands
Brownhills Canal Festival
Waterside fun in the West Midlands

Would you like to learn a new skill or meet new people in a scenic canal setting this summer? Why not come along to one of our Let's Events, with guided walks, paddling sessions, fishing and more on offer?

See our Let's Fish! events.

Summer events programme

Browse our list of events to see what takes your fancy, or switch to the map view to easily find events near you.

People walk along the towpath passed canal boats selling wares and decorated with signs.

RCTA Floating Market, Market Drayton

Floating Market organised by RCTA for its Members & to highlight the canal network to the local community. To help boost the canals as a place to visit, promote canal traders & local business.

25 July 2026, 10am to 26 July 2026, 5pm

Shropshire Union Canal towpath opposite Ladybird Moorings (between bridges 63 & 64) Market Drayton, TF9 1RJ

Workboat moored in Gloucester Docks with large buildings in the background

Let's Walk! Gloucester Docks to Over basin

Get active and enjoy walking by exploring our local Waterways on this free 2. 5 hour guided walk...

25 July 2026, 10am-12:30pm

National Waterways Museum, Gloucester Docks, GL1 2EH

Jaguar Car Club at Anderton Boat Lift

Join us at this car meet-up in our stunning grounds with a children’s play area and maze. Whilst here, you can take a walking tour to the top of the lift or a river cruise.

25 July 2026, 10am-4pm

Anderton Boat Lift, Lift Lane, Anderton, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6FW

Floral wreath on table with craft tools and colourful material in the shape of flowers

Rag Rugging Workshop

Join Sarah Pamphilion for this workshop introducing the traditional craft of rag rugging. Have fun upcycling old t-shirts and discarded fabrics into useful objects and colourful works of art.

25 July 2026, 10am-4pm

The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, NN12 7SQ

A small group of people take a walk by the canal

Linslade Canal Festival

A free, family-friendly celebration of the heritage, wildlife and community life of our local waterways, bringing together live entertainment, traditional crafts, canal boats and activities for all ages.

25 July 2026, 11am-5pm

Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, Mentmore Road, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, LU7 2AE