You can consider your early May bank holiday plans well-and-truly sorted, as a weekend full of boats and bunting will soon be floating into London. The IWA Canalway Cavalcade is an annual extravaganza that takes place on the canals of the capital, celebrating the history and community of the city’s wonderful waterways. And it’s ready to make its yearly splash on London’s social scene this weekend.
IWA Canalway Cavalcade 2026
The free-to-visit, family-friendly festival will see over 100 bunting-clad boats land in Little Venice. From historic narrowboats to residential widebeams, there will be an eclectic mix of vibrant vessels to gawp at – most of which will be sporting some rather impressive decorations for the occasion.
Whilst, of course, a lot of the goings-on will be going on in the water, there will still be plenty to get stuck into on dry land. The festival will feature plenty of live music to get everybody into the festival spirit. There will be whole host of stalls, serving up delicious food and selling an array of crafts, clothing, and canal-inspired knick-knacks. There’s an on-site bar to keep you hydrated, and a plethora of unique activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Two highlights of the annual festival come in the form of the decorated boat pageant and the illuminated boat parade. And visitors will also be able to feast their eyes on artwork, created by the students of local schools. All in all, it’s set to be a truly boat-iful way to spend the bank holiday weekend, and we’d highly recommend you paying a visit if you get the chance.
This year’s IWA Canalway Cavalcade will be taking place from May 2 – May 4. You can find out more and plan your visit here.
