Taking place from Friday 3 July to Sunday 5 July, the three-day festival will celebrate sport, community spirit and charitable giving, with three championships taking place across the weekend alongside a fantastic programme of family-friendly entertainment.

Friday – Bradford Youth Festival

The weekend begins with the Bradford Youth Festival, where schools from across the district will come together for a day of activities, performances and dragon boat racing. The event is designed to inspire teamwork, confidence and participation while showcasing the energy and talent of young people across Bradford.

Saturday – Lord Mayor’s Appeal Championship

On Saturday, teams from businesses, organisations and community groups will take to the water for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal Championship. Combining friendly rivalry with fundraising, crews will race in support of the Lord Mayor’s chosen charities while helping to create an exciting festival atmosphere for visitors and supporters.

Sunday – Multi-Charity Championship

The festival concludes on Sunday with the Multi-Charity Championship, featuring teams competing on behalf of a wide range of charitable causes. The day will include thrilling races, championship finals and presentations, celebrating the achievements of participants and recognising the valuable work of charities across Bradford and beyond.

More Than Just Racing

Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy:

• Live entertainment
• Food and drink stalls
• Family activities
• Community showcases
• Cultural performances

Whether you’re competing, volunteering, fundraising or cheering from the shoreline, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Join the Celebration

The Bradford Dragon Boat Festival is a celebration of Bradford’s diversity, generosity and community spirit. Don’t miss the chance to be part of three unforgettable days of sport, entertainment and fundraising.