The first-ever Banbury Canal Festival took place 29 years ago over a weekend. It was a fabulous event celebrating all things canal in our town, with plenty of activities, music, food and drink. The successful inaugural event saw 5,000 people flock to the city centre to soak up the atmosphere of this unique canal party. Visitors travelled along the historic waterside by boat (and even by flamingo!), while others joined in with more traditional activities such as climbing tall structures or taking part in races. There were also stalls selling a variety of food and drink, face-painting, performances from street artists and much more besides – see our page about The Banbury Canal Festival for full details. We’re delighted to confirm that, after a covid hiatus, our festival will take place in 2023.
If you love canal festivals and want to find out more about this one, keep reading to find out more.
The Banbury Canal Festival is one of the most popular events in the country. This event is held over two days and has a large number of activities and attractions. This year, you will be able to enjoy events that are tailored to suit all ages. The festival includes a number of themed events, such as the Town Mayor’s Sunday. The Town Mayor’s Day will take place on Sunday June 4, and is a day filled with fun games.
Banbury Canal Festival
The Banbury Canal Festival is returning to the canal side in the city of Banbury on Saturday and Sunday, 1st and 2nd October 2022. There will be activities for the whole family and a chance to celebrate the canal’s history. During the festival, you can take part in a range of entertainment from food and charity stalls to dancing displays and dancing on narrowboats. You can also buy local produce and goods from traders on the canal, and local musicians will perform on the covered market.
In addition to the Canal Festival, the Banbury Food and Drink Festival will take place in the Market Place. On September 18, the town will celebrate Battle of Britain Day and commemorate those who have lost their lives in the war. In the autumn, the festival will continue with a Remembrance Sunday service, in which people will pay tribute to those who have fallen in the conflict.
The Banbury Canal Festival is a popular annual event that draws thousands of visitors. This year, it will include the redeveloped Banbury Quays area in Castle Street. The festival will include traditional fairground rides, arts performances, and local community stalls. The festival is free to attend, though donations are welcome. You can book a place to take part in the festival through the event’s website. The festival will also feature street food vendors and coffee vendors selling a range of food and drink options. There will also be a dog show, with classes for the Waggiest Tail Pup, Best Biscuit Catcher, and Best Owner.
There are also a number of fun activities for families at the canal festival, including a sack-of-coal race, a Canal Tug challenge, and children’s activities. The festival also includes art and crafts, street art, local traders, and talks. There will also be lots of entertainment for the whole family, including a poetry competition. You’ll have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities throughout the day, and you’ll also get to see an array of historic canal boats. The festival also helps raise money for the Oxford Canal, which is a vital part of the city’s history.
Banbury Canal Day Events
Banbury Canal Festival kicked off one of its events with a variety of entertainment, charity stalls, and local musicians. The programme included a performance by Dancers Folk Dance Remixed, a new company that combines folk dance and hip-hop. The performance also featured a performance by Natalie Haynes, a writer and broadcaster. Haynes has won the 2015 Classical Prize and has performed alongside Boris Johnson. She has also performed as a stand-up comedian for over a decade.
Vegan Market
The Banbury Canal Festival is the largest annual event in the region, and the Vegan Market will be an exciting addition to the festival this year. It will feature vegan street food vendors, ethical bakers, sustainable chandlers, craft brewers, and more. Besides the market, there will also be a variety of artists and environmental charities exhibiting and selling their wares.
In addition to street food, the Oxford Vegan Market will feature lifestyle, fashion, and vegan cosmetics. Held on Gloucester Green twice each year, this event will feature artisan bakers, craft brewers, local artists, and zero-waste champions. The festival is also a great way to meet other vegans and support environmental charities.
Banbury has several good food markets and cafes. The Banbury Charter Market is held every Thursday and Saturday. Here you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, clothing, and antiques. There’s also a farmers’ market on the first Friday of every month. Banbury is also home to a number of well-known traditional foods, including Banbury cakes, which are a pastry filled with currants and baked to order. They can also be found at tea shops and restaurants throughout the town.
Tooley’s Boatyard visitor entrance
The first day of the festival sees the festival’s opening. It will feature live music, a children’s funfair and a boat trip. There will also be arts performances and local community stalls. The festival will run from 11am until 5pm.
Located on the Oxford Canal, Tooley’s Boatyard is a historic gem and home to one of the oldest working dry docks in the country. Founded in 1778, the dry dock was built to maintain local boats. A carpenter’s shop and blacksmith’s forge are also located in the yard, providing a unique insight into the canals of Britain.
The Tooley’s Boatyard Trust aims to preserve the history of this historic site. Run by local waterways enthusiasts, the trust is a charity that promotes the history of the canal area. Visitors can tour the boatyard and watch craftsmen in action. There are fully restored 1930s workshops, a carpenter’s store, a belt-driven machine workshop and a paint store. Visitors can also check out the 200-year-old forge.
Aside from the Festival, the Tooley’s Boatyard is also home to an excellent museum. Its current exhibitions cover the history of the canals in Britain, including the Civil War, the Victorian Market Town, costumes through the ages, and the Oxford Canal. Moreover, the museum hosts regular events and education workshops. Whether you’re looking to explore the local area or just relax with a cup of tea, the museum is an ideal base. Nearby attractions include the Banbury Museum and The Mill arts centre, Spiceball Park, and the Oxford Canal.
The Banbury Canal Festival will feature many exciting events and activities, on and off the water. The Canal Day has long been a highlight of the Banbury calendar, and now features two full days of family fun. The canal, which opened in 1778, brought trade to the town from the industrial midlands, creating jobs and wealth for local people. The festival will also feature boat trips, music, dance displays, charity stalls, and eat-as-you-go refreshments.
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