Banbury Canal Festival

Celebrate History, Heritage and Culture at the Canal Festival.

Where: Canal Side, Town Centre.

Banbury Canal Festival is back for 2026! Make sure you join us along the canal side and around Town Centre this October for our largest event of the year!

A two-day event along the canal that runs through the very centre of the town, Banbury Canal Festival transforms the centre of town into a vibrant space for all things arts, crafts, culture and entertainment. Celebrating Banbury’s unique and fascinating history with the waterways, explore countless stalls, activities and attractions up and down the canal, as well as at several local establishments such as Tooley’s Boatyard, Castle Quay, and many more.

Banbury Canal Festival is a special celebration organised by Banbury Town Council in collaboration with some of the town’s most important cultural and communal establishments. These include Tooley’s Boatyard, The Mill Arts Centre, Castle Quay Shopping Centre, The Village Butty, Lock.29, Bridge Street Community Garden, and Banbury Museum and Gallery.

What to Expect:

• A celebration of Banbury’s waterways – A crucial part of its history, the canal network that runs through Banbury has served the town since the 1700s. Ever since, it has served businesses, manufacturers and tourists.
  
• Live music and entertainment – See live theatre from The Mill Arts Centre, while Banbury Music Mix Radio and The Village Butty will be bringing a number of acoustic acts to our stages.
  
• Food, drink, stalls and games – Partake in a wide range of activities from talks and demonstrations to scavenger hunts, while children can enjoy funfair rides and amusements. Anyone looking for a bite to eat or refreshments will be able to choose from a wide number of food stalls!

A Celebration of Britain’s Canal Communities.

Whether you’re an avid boater, have a passion for history or a keen interest in arts and culture, the Banbury Canal Festival is guaranteed to have something for you. One of the largest celebrations of Britain’s canal ways, enjoy boat tours, folk music, arts & crafts from the many channels that make up the national canal system.

Explore the historic Tooley’s Boatyard, where you’ll find a working blacksmith’s forge and a museum with a detailed history of the country’s oldest functioning canal dry dock. Take in the sights and sounds of an arts festival atmosphere with live music, craft stalls and much more.

Click here to trade at this event.

Questions & Answers

Q: How much does this event cost to enter?
A: The Banbury Canal Festival is completely free to enter.

Q: Who organises this event?
A: This event is organised primarily by Banbury Town Council. Organisations who take part in the event include Tooley’s Boatyard, The Mill Arts Centre, The Village Butty, Banbury Music Mix Radio, Castle Quay, Banbury Museum & Gallery, Bridge Street Community Gardens and Lock.29.

Q: Will there be toilets at this event?
A: There will be portable toilets present on the Canal Festival site. As well as this, visitors can find public toilets in Castle Quay shopping centre.

Q: Can I bring my dog to this event?
A: As with the majority of Banbury Town Council events, well-behaved dogs are welcome at the Banbury Canal Festival, so long as they are kept on a lead.

Q: I’m a trader – can I trade at this event?
A: Food, drink and arts/crafts traders can email events@banbury.gov.uk to find out more about trading at this event.

Q: I run – or am part of – a registered charity. Can we run a stall at this event?
A: Charity representatives can email events@banbury.gov.uk to find out more about trading at this event.

Q: I’m an entertainer – can I perform at the festival?
A: Any interested performers – whether musicians, roaming entertainment, or stall owners – will need to email events@banbury.gov.uk.

Q: In the event of drought, will the festival still go ahead?
A: In 2025, there was concern that the Banbury Canal Festival would be cancelled due to prolonged dry weather forcing several canal channels to shut down. However, with Tooley’s and its boats located on site all year-round – and many of our attractions arriving on site by road – the festival will not be cancelled in the case of dry weather.

Q: In the event of other extreme weather conditions, will the festival still go ahead?
A: Other weather conditions will be closely monitored in the run-up to the festival. If high winds or rainfall pose a serious threat, the decision may be made to close the festival, at least for one of the days.