About

Christchurch River Pageant 2026

Friday 25 July | 11am–2pm
From Tuckton Tea Gardens to Christchurch Town Quay

Join the community for a colourful day on the river as the Christchurch River Pageant returns for 2026. The event will include family-friendly activities, local stalls, water safety displays and talks celebrating Christchurch’s river heritage. Food and refreshments will be available from Tuckton Tea Gardens throughout the day.

The river procession is scheduled to begin at 12 noon, featuring a lively mix of decorated boats, homemade rafts, canoes and themed floats. Participants are encouraged to get creative with costumes and decorations, with a playful pirate and smuggler theme expected to appear across the flotilla.

First launched by the Rotary Clubs of Christchurch and Boscombe & Southbourne, the pageant aims to raise funds for local charities while bringing the community together for a memorable riverside celebration.

Funds raised from the event will support three local organisations connected to outdoor activity, wellbeing and recovery:

• Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre – supporting opportunities for local people to take part in outdoor activities and watersports.
• Bourne Water Dragons – an inclusive dragon boating group for people recovering from cancer.
• Pink Champagne Breast Cancer Survivors’ Dragon Boat Team – promoting physical activity and wellbeing for breast cancer survivors through dragon boating.

Visitors are encouraged to come along, enjoy the festivities and support the participating charities.