Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival 2026

Grab Your Paddles! Entries Now Open for the 2026 Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival – A Spectacular Summer Day Out

Get ready for a massive summer Saturday! The organisers of the Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival are thrilled to announce that entries are now open for the 2026 event, promising our most spectacular festival yet. We're calling on all local businesses, social clubs, and community heroes to assemble a team and join the fun on Saturday, 4th July 2026, at the beautiful Willen Lake.

This is more than just a race; it's the ultimate team-building experience and a vibrant celebration of community spirit. This year, we're cranking up the excitement with a huge programme of entertainment
for the whole family. Beyond the thrilling dragon boat races, the festival site will be buzzing
with inflatables, a fascinating Dragon Workshop where you can learn the legends, a Lion
Dance performance, and talented face painters and caricaturists to capture the day. Look to the skies
for a stunning flypast that will kick off the celebrations in style!

Race for Your Cause!
We are proud to announce that the 2026 festival is an official Open Charity Event. This means every
competing company or team can choose to raise funds for a charity that is close to their hearts. To
support this incredible effort, our partners at Urban Battlefields are donating a fantastic top prize for the
event's highest fundraising team!

New for 2026: Charity Stalls
We are also offering local charities and non-profit organisations the exclusive opportunity to purchase a stall at the festival. It's the perfect chance to promote your work, engage with thousands of supporters, and boost your fundraising on the day.

Glory & Prizes Await!
The competition on the water will be fierce, with plenty of opportunities to win! We will be awarding trophies to:

• The top three fastest crews.
• The best-placed mixed crew (with a minimum of 5 female paddlers).
• The crew raising the most money for charity.
• The 'best dressed' crew.
• In addition, all members of the top three finishing crews will receive medals to commemorate their achievement.

Enhanced Team Packages
For teams looking for the ultimate festival experience, we offer enhanced Silver and Gold packages. Team gazebos and private catering also available.
The dragon boat racing itself remains the heart of the action. It’s the UK’s fastest-growing water sport, and no experience is needed! Each team consists of 10 paddlers, a drummer to keep rhythm, and a
professional helm—so all you need to bring is energy and team spirit.

Enter today!
Key Information for Teams & Charities:
Event: Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival 2026
Date: Saturday, 4th July 2026
Location: Willen Lake, Milton Keynes
Team Entry: Standard entry £750 + VAT per team – enhanced Silver & Gold packages available!
Theme: Open Charity Event – fundraise for a cause you love!
Prizes: Trophies for winning crews, medals for top 3, and a top fundraiser prize donated by Urban
Battlefields.
Extras: Charity stalls, team gazebos, and private catering available.

“This is our biggest and most exciting festival line-up yet,” said Alicja Mierzejewska at NewWave Events. “Between the racing, the family entertainment, the glory of the trophies, and the chance for teams to support any charity they choose, it’s going to be an unforgettable summer Saturday. We can’t wait to see you on the water!”

For more information, to enter a team, or to enquire about a charity stall, please visit the official website
at: https://dragonboatevents.co.uk/milton-keynes-dragon-boat-festival/