Saturday 30th may 2026
TBC
Check out the Northampton Dragon Boat Festival Facebook page! Follow the latest news about the event, including updates on teams entered!
Dragon boat racing stands as the fastest-growing water activity in Britain today, and, more importantly, it’s the most fun! Each 30′ boat accommodates up to 10 people, with a dedicated drummer at the front beating time and our skilled helm at the tail ensuring a straight course. No prior experience is required; all you need is an abundance of team spirit!
The Northampton Dragon Boat Festival, in aid of Ailsa’s Aim, is scheduled for Saturday 30th May 2026. Up to 30 teams are expected to compete on the thrilling 200m race course, while several hundred spectators eagerly watch. Beyond the exciting races, a wide array of bankside entertainment, delectable food stalls, and fun activities are set to ensure a fabulous day out for the entire family! For more details on entry levels, continue reading below.
The Northampton Dragon Boat Festival primarily caters to corporate groups seeking an exceptional team-building day out while simultaneously supporting and raising funds for Ailsa’s aim. Upon entering, you have the choice to upgrade your entry package to include a donation to Ailsa’s Aim or raise funds in your unique way. Learn more about the charity and how you can contribute below.
We are thrilled to bring this incredible event to you for the first time, and we look forward to seeing you all there! Let’s make this year one to remember, raising as much money as possible for the local charity. Interested in discovering more about NewWave Events? Visit https://newwave-events.co.uk/ or feel free to reach out to us at 01536 674 748; we’d love to introduce ourselves!
So, are you interested in entering a team? You are in the right place – It’s quick and simple! All you need to do is read the entry categories below, choose the package which suits your team best, click on the ‘enter online now’ button and fill in your details on our online entry portal.
Follow the step by step process on the online entry portal and choose to pay by card (transaction charge 2%), BACS or cheque. Once the payment is received, you will be able to see your entry acknowledgement on the online entry portal dashboard. Please note that your entry is not confirmed until we have received payment and your online entry dashboard shows the entry acknowledgement information.
If you are the assigned Crew Manager, we will be contacting you with any new information related to the event.
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Entry Levels
Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. No refunds will be given once an entry has been accepted and there can be no refund if the Festival or racing has to be cancelled due to conditions outside the control of NewWave Events.
Standard entry – £580 + vat (£696)
Silver Entry – £1,130 + vat plus £500 donation to Ailsa’s Aim (£1,856)
Gold Entry – £1,590 + vat plus £750 donation to Ailsa’s Aim (£2,658)
At Ailsa’s Aim, our unwavering commitment is to provide comprehensive support to individuals and families facing challenging health circumstances. We extend our compassionate services across more than 20 hospitals, wards, centres and schools in the UK, offering a helping hand to patients battling cancer and to families with babies in special care.
Our dedicated team tirelessly provides crucial support, effective signposting, and invaluable Essential Care Packs to those in need. Our hope is that we are delivering rays of sunshine to each beneficiary and their loved ones and carers, as well as supporting the excellent work of health and social care professionals.
Each care pack, carefully curated with essential personal care and hygiene items, costs us £7.50 but is generally worth £50-100 – but here’s the remarkable part: we provide these packs entirely free of charge to our beneficiaries. It’s our belief that, in times of vulnerability, when we have had no time or ability to prepare and plan, access to care, support and essential resources should be unconditional. This is why our strapline is “Putting You First.”
With the continued support of donors and companies sponsoring our events and activities, we can ensure that no-one faces these challenges alone, fostering hope, resilience, and comfort throughout their journey. Join us in making a difference, one care pack at a time.
To find out more about what we do, how you can help, or to make a donation to Ailsa’s Aim, please ’Get Onboard’ at www.ailsasaim.co.uk!
Tel: 07919536833
Facebook/ailsasaim
Reg charity no: 1188783
All crews are encouraged to raise money for the Northampton Dragon Boat Festival charity Ailsa’s Aim using the on-line Just Giving information and/or sponsor forms provided (linked below). All the fees from standard entries go towards the costs of running the event. The charity benefits only from sponsorship money raised, or from gold and silver entries.
Start raising money today!
Top fundraisers’ prize
TBC for 2026
Horizon Radio
Horizon Radio is proud to be the media partner for this year’s Northampton Dragon Boat Festival, championing a celebration that brings the whole community together. Broadcasting from our town-centre studios, we serve Northampton, Milton Keynes and Leighton Buzzard with a fresh, vibrant mix of music, local events, news, sport and grassroots talent. We’re here to support community groups, charities, local artists and the arts. You can listen across Northampton on 104.7 FM, in Milton Keynes on 105.5 FM, on DAB, on our apps, or by asking Alexa to play Horizon Radio Northampton. Find out more at horizonradio.com
Business Times
NN Pulse Magazine
Crews comprise of up to 10 paddlers plus a drummer – squads may be larger (max 15 persons). Crews can be mixed, all female or all male and organisations may enter more than one crew. The minimum age is 16 and no previous experience is required. All crew members must be confident in cold water conditions, wearing light clothing and in moving water and compete entirely at their own risk. BDA qualified helms, buoyancy aids and water safety cover are provided by the organisers. All crews accepted for entry must abide with the competition rules and entry details on this website. Each crew is guaranteed a minimum of 2 races (subject to conditions).
The Crew Manager will receive a full Crew Managers Information Pack following email confirmation of payment for the event via the online entry portal.
Race Schedule
The Race Schedule will be available here W/C 18th May 2026.
Crew gazebos are available for hire. If you’ve entered a standard or a silver package you can purchase a 3m x 3m crew gazebo with 12 chairs – £220 + vat
*Gold package includes a gazebo in the cost*
Each high quality unit measures 3m x 3m and comes complete with 12 chairs (more are available on request).
The gazebos will be situated in a good position overlooking the racecourse and will provide an ideal base for your crew as well as shelter in case of inclement weather (or from the hot sun!)
The gazebos will be delivered and erected for you before the event and taken away at the end and all come with your company name board attached. We have managed to negotiate an excellent rate with our supplier and are providing them at cost plus a small administration fee.
Gazebos will be allocated on a first come, first served basis (max one gazebo per team entry) once booked and paid for via our online entry portal.
Please note that crews may bring their own gazebos but space will only be allocated after the paid gazebos by the start.
Book Crew Gazebo
To purchase a gazebo please go to online entry portal and add it with your entry. You can also purchase it at a later date via the same link.
A printed Souvenir Programme will be available to all participants and spectators.
A QR code with the digital souvenir programme and live results will be available to all crews and spectators on the day.
Take the opportunity to advertise and promote your company’s services or products at the construction industry’s premier team event. Your advert will be seen by hundreds of participants and spectators.
Expected audience of over 600 competitors from the UK construction industry.
How to book an advert
Advertising can be booked directly through our online entry portal.
Please note: The Platinum entry package includes a complimentary half-page advert in our souvenir programme.
A5, full colour, printed and online portrait publication.
Advertisement Sizes and Costs (width x height)
Full page: 148.5 x 210mm = £250 + VAT
Half page: 148.5 x 105mm = £150 + VAT
Quarter page: 74.25 x 105mm = £100 + VAT
For inside covers, add 20%. For the back cover, add 25%.
Technical Specifications
File format: High-resolution PDF.
Image resolution: 300dpi for photos and drawings.
Scaling: No more than 120%.
Fonts: Must be embedded or outlined in the PDF.
Safe area: Keep all critical text and elements 3-5mm inside the document edge.
Attractions
Between races there is plenty to see and do (and eat!) on the bank.
Flypast
TBC – This is subject to weather and operational conditions.
Funfair
Caricaturist
Face Painting
Come and enjoy the magical experience of having your face painted by Giggle and Glow! Instantly boosting confidence, allowing the shy to transform into a brave tiger or a powerful superhero
Food Stalls
Urban Outdoors
NB: costs subject to change
Ice Cream Van
Festival Bar
A link to view all the photos from the day will be sent out to crew managers as soon as they are ready post event.
Please share them on your social media and tag NewWave Events and Challenge partners 🙂
#northamptondragonboatfestival
Our photographer for 2026 Northampton Dragon Boat Festival is Magdelena Sienicka
TBC
WHAT DO WE NEED TO BRING ON THE DAY?
We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated, sun cream in case of hot weather and a sun hat. We also suggest you bring a change of clothes too as you may get wet from splashes when paddling.
If you are the crew manager, please also bring your signed risk forms for your team.
Other than that you just need a bit of determination and team spirit!
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
On the day of the event we recommend you wear comfortable sports clothing and trainers or strap on shoes. Flip flops are strictly NOT allowed.
Rain coats and/or hats and sunglasses may also be a good idea depending on the weather!
ARE PETS ALLOWED?
The event site is an open area so pets are allowed.
